I am looking for recommendations for OTV body armor. I am currently serving as a DA Civilian in Afghanistan and wear issued standard IBA with ESAPI plates. However, extended wear of this torture device has me convinced to buy my own armor.
I am finishing up a 9 month tour here and am extending for a 2nd 9month tour. I will be wearing body armor, with attached combat load, and an M4 for 6-10 hours a day.
Does anyone have recommendations, that are actually based on wearing the kit, for vests that aren’t going to kill my shoulders?
I am only interested in the Outer Tactical Vest (OTV). The issue ESAPI plates wil work fine. I am only looking for the vest with level 3A armor.
I have been looking at Paraclete and the Diamond Back vests. Does anyone have extended wear experience with these brand lines or do you have any other recommendations?
Define your problem so we can recommend help. A blanket “Armor sucks and it hurts my shoulders” won’t get you much assistance or sympathy unless you tell us what threats you face (little-to-none to “Shit, that’s the fourth damn E-SAPI I’ve had hit in the last three weeks”).
A plate carrier with backers may meet your needs if you’re just going back-and-forth from your CHU to work, the chow hall, and the exchange. You can add or subtract soft armor (with all the stupid cod and neckpieces) as threat changes.
I’ve not personally had any experience with them, but from those I know whom have think the Diamondback deals are pretty good for LEO/MIL etc. Pricing from what I heard can almost be gotten for half off what the prices online were at. Paraclete has been a well known figure for awhile. I’ve also heard a few that like the new SKD PIG rig with it modularity for different missions.
ETA: PM Doc for ballistic info if you need it for specific rounds in your AO you may encounter.
Adding a cummerbund will make a huge difference. Switching from an OTV or MTV to the Eagle MPC/SPC was a big difference.
I have limited firsthand experience, but the Paraclete SOHPC is pretty good looking with backers, and running a good deal of the weight on a belt, maybe moving some load carrying to that and/or subloads.
Against a primarily IED threat, coverage may be much larger - I held onto my MTV for this reason, until we started doing more foot patrols.
Kabul is going to be rather different from Souther Helmand - my limited experience in the latter.
I lead a human terrain team out with dismounted infantry patrols usually in platoon strength frequently. Sometimes as much as daily for a month or more. My job is talk to the Afghan people, the infantry platoon provides security for my team while we do so. Threat is considerable during movement, but also when in the village talking to Afghans. You never know when someone will walk up with IED vest or pull a hand gun, grenade etc. Not on my team, but in past history a human terrain member was even doused with kerosene and burned severely dying months later from burns.
I face the same threat that the platoon faces, from IED’s, small arms, and indirect fire (rockets and mortars).
I believe that most vests from a reputable manufacturer have the same level of protection and incorporate pouches for ESAPI plates. I am looking for recommendations that also consider comfort and price. I have been wearing standard issue IBA w/ESAPI for 9 months now and want my 2nd 9 month tour to be a lot more comfortable that the 1st. It makes a big difference in job performance if I am not thinking how much pain I am in.
Hopefully that’s enough information for some good recommendations.
You might try an Eagle Low Visibility Armor Carrier (LVAC) and BALCS-cut soft armor. The LVAC carrier is slightly wider across the top of the shoulders than the CIRAS and the Diamondback at the risk of top-of-the-shoulders armor coverage (if you go prone). It doesn’t really allow for side-SAPI plates though, which many leg units will require for you to be uniform with patrollers.
You can get it in whatever camo pattern the troops you are supporting are wearing and it takes standard E-SAPI.
Wear your patrol order on a MOLLE FLC vest and you can strip off some weight if you have to stop and interview and they invite you in for chai.
The problem with most rigs is the shoulder straps are not very wide – the heavier the rig, the deeper they dig into your shoulders. The wider the webbing the better the weight distribution.
Think the difference between old school ALICE-type suspenders and the wider MOLLE FLC webbing.
The Beez Combat Systems option looks like it would work very well, though the integration available with the Mayflower would be awesome.
This does seem most practical to run the chest rig separate, as the جرګي will pretty much be your office with what contact I’ve had with those guys.
Sinister is completely correct about the shoulder pressure being a primary issue - will your AO be more driving permissible, or will you be hoofing it into the kalays to work?
As a DA civilian, can you purchase/use your own body armor? Or do you have to use what you are issued since you are subject to the same force protection considerations? What are other HTTs using?
Was wondering about the personal armor as well. DA civilian here also and i’m being told no personal body armor, and no M4, just a side arm. I’m leaving for Camp Eggers in a few months.
Call Diamondback tactical tell they who you are where you are. Ask them for there advice. They are going to HOOK YOU UP! They will give you the best price and they have the best selection. Seams like I always paid 45 to 50% of the retail price listed.
MAKE SURE YOU LOOK JUST LIKE THE UNIT YOUR SERVING WITH IT WILL MAKE YOU LOOK LESS IMPORTANT.
