First It Was Lack of Body Armor, Now It's the Weight of It: Soldiers Stow Armor Because It Slows Them Down

Back to the drawing board.

After the outcry over the lack of protective body armor for front-line combat forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, military planners and suppliers began shipping body armor to the war zones in large quantities after ramping up production.

Unfortunately, some of the troops are refusing to wear it as it's heavy, cumbersome and not helpful when soliders have to run, crawl through small openings, or when they have to jump over or climb stuff. Further, commanding officers in the field have made wearing the armor optional.

The challenge now will be for manufacturers to come up with armor plating that is as-strong or stronger than the current body armor, but thinner, lighter and less bulky as well.

It's good that the military is finally taking steps to deal with this situation and that those troops who want it have it.

This is an opportunity to take body armor technology to the next level; the brass should again respond to the needs of those serving on the front lines.