U.S. soldiers stand guard near the site of an explosion in the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan on March 15. By Rafiq Maqbool, APFrom USA Today:
FORT BELVOIR, Va. — After seven years of combat, the Army is sending soldiers to Afghanistan with tougher, lighter gear to help them deal with the rugged, high terrain.Everything from boots to pants to mountaineering equipment is being redesigned as the military prepares to send 21,000 more servicemembers there by summer. Each new piece of equipment must balance the protection it offers with the weight it adds to a soldier's burden.
The weight of soldiers' gear has become a top concern for the Army. This month, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army's vice chief of staff, told U.S. senators the average soldier's load of rucksack, weapon, ammunition, helmet and gear can top 130 pounds. That weight makes soldiers tired and more prone to injury, Chiarelli said.
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My Comment: Are they saying that the uniforms worn for the past 7 years have not been up to spec? I guess there is always room for improvement.