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More US Troops Outfitting Themselves for Combat

With slow supply chain—and style—among concerns, market grows to $150M annually

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 6, 2008 1:39 PM CST
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(Newser) – US troops are increasingly augmenting their military-issue gear with higher-end commercial products to gain an extra edge—and look sharp, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The military has encouraged the trend, perhaps in response to the equipment shortages that have dogged the Iraq and Afghanistan war efforts, loosening procurement rules that previously stopped troops from providing their own equipment.

"The idea now is, 'If it helps Joe do the mission, let him have it—as long as it's not hot pink,'” one manufacturer said. Critics charge that the trend is the result of government abandoning front-line troops, but much of the extra gear is purchased with units’ discretionary funds or by supply initiatives outside the traditional chain.

Mike Noell, a former Navy SEAL, and the CEO of BlackHawk, a company that produces gear for the Military and Law enforcement officers, demonstrates the use of the built-in tourniquets, on Dec 20, 2007, that are party of the companies newest line of clothing which is on display at company's...
Mike Noell, a former Navy SEAL, and the CEO of BlackHawk, a company that produces gear for the Military and Law enforcement officers, demonstrates the use of the built-in tourniquets, on Dec 20, 2007,...   (Associated Press)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, center, is shown communication gear by a group of Afghanistan National Army personnel, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, at the Kabul Military Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Pool, Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, center, is shown communication gear by a group of Afghanistan National Army personnel, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, at the Kabul Military Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan....   (Associated Press)
US soldiers from the 1-15 Infantry of 3rd Infantry Division, scan an area after finding a road-side IED (Improvised Explosion Device) in Al-Jara, on the outskirts of south Baghdad, 27 January 2008. Soldiers are increasingly buying their own gear as the traditional military supply chain becomes more flexible. (AFP PHOTO/JEWEL...
US soldiers from the 1-15 Infantry of 3rd Infantry Division, scan an area after finding a road-side IED (Improvised Explosion Device) in Al-Jara, on the outskirts of south Baghdad, 27 January 2008. Soldiers...   (Getty Images)
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Iraq • Afghanistan • privatization • House Armed Services Committee • Iraq war • supply chain • military gear • military equipment • Commando Military Supply • Tactical Tailor • Oakley • Gore-Tex • Operation Helmet • DefenseWatch • Iraq war spending

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