LT.Victim wrote:

Cougar wrote:

Ender2309 wrote:

sorry dude, the dragon skin and other nonmilitary body armor was banned this year by the military, for an extremely bullshit reason (something like "not trusted to save lives or some BS like that
What!?  No way.  Can you provide some sort of link?
I think i heard something like that too..

That soldiers can only wear the armour provided to them..
Wrong about that...
Yes the DOD did say no more purchased body armor....
They do allow for different styles of plate carriers. IE (www.tacticaltailor.com) I own a Tactical Tailor Plate carrier, and I just stripped my POS Military Body Armor and stuffed the 9mm protecive insert into the plate carrier and then shoved the SAPI plates inthe plate pockets.  The major difference isnt in stopping power...but creature comfort, the Body Armor I wear has 2 plastice fastek clips on the sides and slips over your head instead of like the current vest.  Also it has a nice feature that you pull the pull cord and the body armor seperates and falls into 2 pieces that can be put back together quickly.  Very handy if My Stryker rolls over into a canal (RIP Blickenstaff,Wesley,Bridges KIA dec 2003)  And yes so far this tour we have had 4 Strykers roll over into canals due to ground giving way. 
(only fall back is the TT Plate carrier does not allow for the use of the new DAPS system (Side sapi plates) But since im a stryker Vehicle commander I dont have to wear them)
Moral to the story.....
If they can make it so that stuff gets the current military issued stuff, you can use it.  Well if your chain of command allows it.