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March 31, 2008
Soldiers Field New Improved Outer Tactical Vests
Pfc. Joe Piotrowski, with the 6th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, 4th Infantry Division, dons his Improved Outer Tactical Vest March 14, before a mission in Baghdad. He said the new vest is more comfortable than the Interceptor Body Armor and has a better carrying system for his equipment. Photo by Spc. Aaron Rosencrans, Multi-National Division-Baghdad.
First Combat Test: Soldiers Field New Improved Outer Tactical Vests
Story by Spc. Aaron Rosencrans
Multi-National Division - Baghdad Public Affairs
BAGHDAD
After stomping around for a few days with the new Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV), 4th Infantry Division Soldiers reported both pros and cons about the new tactical gear. The new vest has several design differences and some added features, which keep the Soldiers in mind when they're in times of trouble.
The first noticeable difference in the vest design is the way Soldiers don the IOTV. Rather than slipping into it like a jacket, as with the Interceptor Body Armor, they lift it over their head and pull down, which sometimes requires another person to help get the vest on properly.
Soldiers can also detach the fasteners on the wearer's left shoulder, and slip into the vest from the side.
Another key design change is the addition of a quick release lanyard that reduces the vest to its component pieces, which allows the wearer to get out of the vest easily in case of an emergency situation.
Though the troops had mixed feelings about the new vest, they ultimately said they understand the IOTV is a new piece of equipment and they will work with it the best they can.
"I noticed right away how the weight is more evenly distributed with the new vest," said Pfc. Joe Piotrowski, a native of Chicago, who serves as an infantryman with the 4th Inf. Div., Military Transition Team, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. "However, there's more Kevlar on the inside of the vest, so it got twisted easily and made it uncomfortable."
Piotrowski said he managed to fix the twisted Kevlar inside the vest and hasn't had the problem since.
One of the perks of the new design was a flush front, where Soldiers have more room to attach accessories to carry weapon magazines and other necessary equipment.
"Tactically, it's better because I have more places to put my magazine pouches to make them more accessible," said Piotrowski. "Also, you don't have two sides to worry about; you get to work with the whole front flap, which is nice. I like the built-in side plates as well. They're a lot better than the other ones."
Turner and Piotrowski both said the quick release system was a good feature to have in case of an emergency; however, it needed to be reworked to prevent it from pulling the vest apart when it wasn't intended.
"The quick-release feature was a good idea..., but I hear it's a pain to put back together," said Piotrowski. "If something does happen where you're submerged under water or something like that, it'll be a lot better to take this vest off rather than the other one where you have to take it off like a jacket. The new system will just fall off of you."
He added that the quick-release system should be modified so it’s not as easy to pull, just to ensure the vest doesn't fall apart during combat operations.
Soldiers have added tape to the cord on the quick release system to prevent it from loosening accidentally.
Due to the added components of the IOTV, Soldiers now understand it's not just their weapon and vehicle they need to properly maintain, but their armor as well.
Turner said it's more important to perform preventative maintenance checks and services than with the old system. He explained how he had seen a vest malfunction on a Soldier while climbing into a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
The IOTV was issued to Soldiers who initially received the IBA for their deployment and have 120 days or more remaining on their tour. For the most part, Soldiers are adapting to the new system, and they are working with the IOTV to make it better as the days go on.
Wild Thing's comment.......
Hopefully these are more protective BUT not weigh a ton. The last I heard was that the weight of having all their gear on is around 85 pounds. Not sure what it would be with this new Tactical vest.
Posted by Wild Thing at March 31, 2008 12:45 AM
Comments
"My old Dodger cathers would have loved this chest and nut protector Nick! PLAY BALL(S)!!"
OPENING DAY 2008 IS HERE!!! It's a guy thing WT?
Posted by: Sandy Koufax Junior at March 31, 2008 04:59 AM
Can you imagine being out there, in the heat of the day wearing all that gear and not passing out? These kids work very hard with all that on them and don't complain one iota. (or at least, not when any media is in sight.) I bet they are sore and tired by the end of a long day and only want a hot shower and a nice soft bed to lie in--guess what? Not gonna happen. My nephew during his first tour had many, many cold showers and nothing more than a cot to sleep on, if he got to sleep at all.
I salute these kids. What they go through every day would make us cringe.
Posted by: Lynn at March 31, 2008 05:23 AM
"Snuffy"(aka soldiers) will always figure out ways to get equipment to work to his best advantage. If it means taking off part of the vest, adding to it or duct taping it a certain way, the GI will get it to work. I am just glad to see the Army and other services are working to improve on equipment, especially protective gear.
Posted by: TomR at March 31, 2008 10:04 AM
How can we not remember the wonderous flak jacket, whose side panels left the wearer's ribs exposed behind that white target star painted on each door of the trucks or vulnerable from side penetration, the one that barely covered the belly button, covered in sweat crystals that acquired an odor that blowflies even abhorred, that M-69 vest weighed around 8 lbs and didn't stop much but the thought of shrapnel, we wore it though and often sat on it, folded, in trucks and in helo's. The helmet was the WWII issue M1 with the hard hat liner and cammo cover and it's terrrible suspension system, over 4 lbs bouncing around at each step, causing the ever present headache and neck fatigue, we wore it all from wake up to bed and sometimes to bed. Then there was the DH-132 CVC crewman's helmet with the communications attachment, admittedly it did protect against minor bruising but was a miserable thing to wear, like having your head in a vice that kept getting tighter the longer you wore it. Kevlar sure has made a difference but it still has to be suffocatingly hot under it all with the usual restrictive to movement problems. Even though it was a hated piece of gear it did save lives. So everytime you see one of those wonderful people wearing all that stuff remember what it was like. For the uninitiated use your imagination. Put on a heavy winter coat, fill the pockets with rocks, place a heavy iron kitchen pot on your head then crank up the heat to over 90 degrees then take apart and reassemble your entire bed while wearing that stuff. Repeat the process and you'll get the idea.
Thanks WT.
Posted by: Jack at March 31, 2008 02:37 PM
Sandy Koufax, hahaha Nick is watching the Season Opener right now. It feels good to hear Vince Scully's voice again.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 31, 2008 07:18 PM
Lynn, yes that heat is horrible with all the gear on it even makes it worse. I read where they have to keep drinking a gallon of water every hour a lot of them so they don't dehydrate.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 31, 2008 07:20 PM
Tom, big smile, thatis so good to hear that they do that. I love how they see a situation and make it right for them like this vest they fix it so it works for them. God bless our soldiers.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 31, 2008 07:21 PM
Jack, that is a great description of how it would feel.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 31, 2008 07:24 PM
