Body Armor Reliability: Lies, Lies and Damn Lies!

In yet another blatant example of gross incompetence or serial lying, Lt. Gen William Phillips, the chief acquisition officer for the US Army, stated that "we want to make sure that your readers have complete and total confidence in the Army’s ability to field protective (gear) to look after its ...

Latest DOD IG Report on body armor confirms “reality testing” has replaced Quality Assurance testing

The latest DOD IG report confirms -- again -- the scandalous lack of required testing for Interceptor Body Armor's ballistic protective plates. A long-time industry insider has summarized the unstated and shocking meaning of the report: "What we have now is 'reality testing' where a failure is no longer a ...

“STAND UP FOR THE TROOPS” with LEWIS BLACK !

STAND UP with SFTT on September 12th at Carolines on Broadway as we help suppport America's serving men and women by safeguarding their physical and mental well being. STAND FOR THE TROOPS has two main initiatives:
  • SFTT’s B.E.S.T. BASIC FIVE Campaign works to give our fighting men and women the best chance to ...

IG Slams US Army Body Armor Testing Again!!

In yet another scathing report by the Inspector General of the Department of Defense entitled "Ballistic Testing for Interceptor Body Armor Inserts Needs Improvement,"  the IG "determined that ballistic testing and quality assurance for Inteceptor Body Armor did not have proper controls to ensure that the ballistic inserts met contract requirments." ...

Two disturbing stories focus attention on plight of military veterans

Two disturbing stories were recently published by the New York Times which draw attention to the tragic plight of military veterans whose lives and those of loved ones have been severely affected by combat stress disorders, commonly referred to as PTSD.    While one hopes and prays that our brave heroes ...

Body Armor Lies Expose Corruption or Incompetence in Military Procurement Process

Stand for the Troops was founded by Col. David Hackworth over 10 years ago with the very simple premise that grunts in combat deserve the best combat equipment and protective gear available.     It is a goal or expectation that I am sure most - if not all - patriotic Americans would support.    In ...

Cracks in Body Armor Plates undermines US Army Credibility

In what should come to no surprise to readers of SFTT, the Marine Corps has confirmed that government-issued ceramic plates used in body armor are flawed.   In an article published in the Marine Corps Times, James K. Sanborn reports that the US Marines are using X-Ray machines to detect "cracks" ...

PTSD: The Unintended Consequence of War

Almost daily, we receive reports of the devastating impact of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) on our men and women in uniform and the terrible side-effects on their families and friends.   The US Army is aware of the terrible cost of PTSD as evidenced by the 2010 US Army Report on ...

Are ceramic plates safe in US body armor?

SFTT reads with great interest that the US Army has awarded Ceradyne an order worth about $10 million for later in Q2, with completion estimated to be by Q3. While one would not normally question our miliary leadership in making sure our troops have the very best protective gear, we still ...

Uncomfortable Combat Helmet: Deal with it!

One wonders at the insensitivity or blatant carelessness demonstrated by the public relations and advertising departments of major firms.  This latest promotional ad from Team Wendy - which makes military helmets rather than hamburgers - suggests that men and women in uniform should should quit their belly-aching and cope with ...

“I’m Just Saying…” by Jim Magee

Congratulations on being nominated for Secretary of Defense, Mr. Panetta.  Or should I say my condolences on being nominated for Secretary of Defense? I’m just saying ---- DOD isn’t the CIA.  You’ll need all of your considerable skills in your new job.  You’re the right guy to deeply cut the ...

Iraq’s Triangle of Death: A Mother’s Story

SFTT received the following note from Sue Diaz, journalist, Blue Star mom and a leader of writing workshops for veterans. SFTT is proud to share a Mother's story which she documents in Minefield's of the Heart. "I’d like to share with you a video story of the beginning of my ...