Al Kamen
Al Kamen
In the Loop

Military body armor not a good fit for women

The old advertising slogan “Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman” sure doesn’t apply to the military’s body armor. Seems the gear that protects troops from all kinds of nasty stuff isn’t exactly made with women’s figures in mind — and that’s causing problems as more women take on combat roles.

But never fear, ladies in arms! The House Armed Services Committee feels your pain — well, not literally, but hey, at least it’s working on it. The panel praised the Army for its attention to the issue, and has directed the secretary of the Army to assess whether there’s an “operational need” for gear tailored to women.

The dearth of female-friendly military gear is nothing new: There have long been complaints about maternity versions of the branches’ uniforms. And women have found that the body armor created with men in mind — that more women are wearing in war zones in Afghanistan — is often too big and doesn’t accommodate their figures.

In the panel’s report accompanying the FY 2013 defense-authorization bill, the Armed Services Committee directs the Army secretary to brief congressional committees within six months about its progress on protective equipment for female soldiers. They note that the budget request included $15 million to develop better protective gear and an additional $11.9 million to create prototypes.

Which sounds like enough for plenty of souped-up Spanx.

Hook, lines and sinker

Newspaper and television reporters working a story often sweat it out, desperately waiting for someone, anyone, to give them the perfect quote or anecdote.

Now we come to find out — who knew? — that all those perfect “man on the street” (MOS) quotes in campaign ads are actually fed to sincere and earnest American “voters” — or actors.

So, for example, the “storyboard” put together by GOP ad wizard Fred Davis for a proposed ad campaign opposing President Obama, has an announcer say it took
200 years to build up the national debt that has been amassed every year of the Obama administration.

Then we cut to an extreme close-up of an older man who says: “The debt that took two centuries to build he did in 365 DAYS?” (Proper emphasis included.)

And to drive home the point, an older woman then says: “That’s HIS debt. He can’t blame anyone else for that.”

Then the announcer bashes Obama’s “bowing, begging, kneeling and apologizing for America.”

Davis proposes a “senior citizen veteran MOS,” wearing a military hat who will then say: “That’s not what I fought for.”

Man, that is sooo much easier.

Sink or swim

Upon entering a soiree, veterans of the Washington party circuit typically identify key logistics: location of the bar, the most important person in the room, and the exits (so they can make a swift and surreptitious getaway).

But sneaking out early won’t be an option at a novel fundraiser for Rep. Andy Harris being held next month. The Maryland Republican will be heading for the open waters with donors during an “afternoon cruise” on the Potomac. And in what is surely a relief to would-be attendees, the event will last only two hours. Promising a “three-hour tour” would surely dampen RSVPs for all but the most ardent “Gilligan’s Island” fans.

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment
 
Read what others are saying About Badges