Ill-Fitting Body Armour Is Putting Female Troops At Risk

Female troops forced to wear men's uniforms have hard time defending themselves.

As of now the U.S. Military bars women from being in actual combat. But, depending on where they are based, combat can come to them. Unfortunately, the body armor they are wearing may not protect them properly.

Christian Science Monitor reports that female troops are being forced to wear body armor built for men's bodies, making it uncomfortable for them and making it difficult to defend themselves when in combat.

?Women are obviously in harm?s way ? whether it?s the case formally or informally, they very much are in harm?s way,? says Rep. Niki Tsongas (D) of Massachusetts. ?We?ve had to prod the Pentagon on the issue of body armor in general.?

The ill-fitting armor make female troops more vulnerable to road side bombs and snipers. Many female troops have complained that their breasts often create gaps in the armor because to does not fit their body properly, leading to exposed body parts.

After hearing complaints, lawmakers drafted the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act which was passed by the House Armed Services Committee. The act directs the Pentagon to develop body armor specifically for female soldiers.

Reportedly, women currently make up 14 percent of the military?s 1.4 million active duty troops, that figure is expected to grow to one quarter of the force by 2025.

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Source: http://www.loop21.com/node/20817

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