Army Bans Use of Privately Bought Armor

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer
Fri Mar 31, 3:45 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Just six months after the Pentagon agreed to reimburse soldiers who bought their own protective gear, the Army has banned the use of any body armor that is not issued by the military.

In a new directive, effective immediately, the Army said it cannot guarantee the quality of commercially bought armor, and any soldier wearing it will have to turn it in and have it replaced with authorized gear.