Why don't soldiers wear bullet proof vest in war?

My grandson Skip, (not his name) who is 10 asked me this question after a friend of ours husband was killed in Iraq. He said sometimes the police wear bullet proof vest so why can't our soldiers? I had never thought of this but I know there must be a good answer I can give Skip. Poppy

2009-10-28T16:13:55Z

I should have told you our friend's husband was killed in a roadside bomb, but Skip has seen war movies and soldiers being shot to death. Skip takes things to heart and our grief over this brave soldiers death who was also a friend got his attention about this.

2009-10-28T17:24:49Z

Please understand I do not give thumbs down.

2009-10-28T17:24:51Z

Please understand I do not give thumbs down.

juanny2009-10-28T15:29:04Z

Favorite Answer

They do wear bullet proof vests, however, they don't cover the whole body, mostly the chest and back. At any rate most of the young men have died and been maimed by bombs that traumatize the whole body.
I sincerely hope that Skip does not have to face military service but the time he is old enough to be concerned having to make such choices. Tell him to concentrate on getting a good education and planning a life away from wars.

LadyB2009-10-28T16:43:40Z

They do wear Kevlar vests, but if a bullet comes straight to their face, they have no protection.

And those roadside bombs are treacherous.

Tell Skip that war is not healthy for children and other living things.

Anonymous2009-10-29T03:13:02Z

Even back in the 60's we had flak jackets. You should have seen my gear with a plate in the front and back. Too heavy for a ground pounder. Our guys have the best in technology.
A bullet proof vest is little protection and can be pierced by high caliber.

?2009-10-28T15:43:28Z

Our military members do wear protective gear when in a combat zone, including vests, other body armor, helmets, and other protective equipment. These things reduce the chance of death or serious injury, but do not eliminate risks completely. Not even a tank or armored personnel carrier is 100% effective, sad to say.

Look closely at photos and news stories, you'll notice the protective equipment. I have photos of my daughter wearing her armor as she distributed items to children in an Afghan village when she was deployed there with the USAF in 2005.

Anonymous2016-04-10T21:17:34Z

In a war zone, they do. Osprey - as others have said. the majority of British deaths are from IEDs to which a bullet proof vest will only provide protection to the major chest organs, not the major arteries in the legs and neck, not to mention associated head and facial injuries and the trauma of the explosion itself.

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