to body armor or NOT to body armor

[@TheDidjidude]

Happiest dog ever.

[@ginogomez5401]

I was laughing and more focused on the dog than the topic. I had to go back and watch it several times and still I kept laughing at this dog. Cute dog.

[@hardspecialist]

@@ginogomez5401 The same here🙂

[@beisdj0]

I could see a use for it during a short-term SHTF. For instance, during Hurricane Katrina when neighbors banded together to protect their neighborhood and took turns on guard duty at the entrance to the subdivision.

[@nessliestrife993]

That’s the scenario that I’ve always kept in mind for body armor.

[@JeanHaydel]

Ironically, I don't recall seeing any civilians with body armor during Katrina. Body armor wasn't as mainstream back then. They had lots of revolvers, 1911's, shotguns, and hunting rifles though. Body armor would have been nice although it was hot as hell.

[@jasonbailey9302]

Army Infantry, 8 yrs Op Just Cause Panama-89-90- Op Desert Storm-90-91-Iraq No body armor, optics, weapons lights, GPS, Drones Gen. 1-2 Nods M60A1, M16A2, Dragon Did just fine, but now I have all the kit the modern Infantryman has that a civilian can have. Mission always dictates kit.

[@TomStedham]

Preach!

[@twinarrowssurvival.2.065]

If I'm going to a gunfight I'm going to wear body armor if I'm walking through the woods not planning on getting into a gunfight I'm going to have a chest rig..

[@waylonsmith5419]

Nothing wrong with it. In the military if we ran patrols we dumped kevlar.

[@PNWMinuteMan2000]

Agreed to both statements.

[@CornPop_s_grandson]

Makes sense

[@tjjanicke8558]

Soft level 3a panels arent heavy at all

[@bobcrankshaw1909]

GSD Hondo is a joy to watch too. What a happy pup!

[@kamehamehaX300]

I’d hate to sweat and march and ruck about in full plates only to get hit in an unarmored area.

[@pop401k]

If we're in the outgunned, "lesser" force, with not much medical; and you're seriously wounded outside the plate area (say abdomen, neck, leg/artery) etc... chances are you're not going to make it anyway.

[@dodsonarmsco]

From my perspective, people need to look at soft concealment body armor vs tactical exposed armor. I used soft armor on 8 and 12 hour shifts doing security and bodyguard work. Working crowds and in urban areas, concealment armor is very valuable. I used a level 4 plate over the soft Armor when doing high-risk vehicle transport. The main issue with armor is control of dehydration and heat sickness. Here it can get uo to 105 degrees at 100% humidity. What people do not think about is skipping armor when in NBC gear to control heat stroke.

[@gunsofmasseffect4321]

I have several sets of level lllA soft body armor, and have worn it for my visits home to Detroit, and visiting my mother in Cleveland, also at a few large events.

[@georgebradshaw474]

Arrived in RVN in February ‘69. Wore full kit & flack jacket until March; sent it to the rear. In April, I sent my poncho to the rear. May, I requested more rounds and kept those high until the end of my ‘visit’ to Nam. If you’re able to carry the weight, you have to make a personal decision - armor or ammo. BTW: Found this serious video entertaining with Hondo having a hoot in the mud. Stay safe & fully aware…

[@IDFWU650]

In a city it will be a must for the most part. SHTF is going to be brutal.

[@iShowUnusualBehavior]

Loot drops gonna be crazy too

[@the_bukkaking]

stupidest take ever, if you are in a city you want to blend in and not identify yourself to anonymous bad actors as somebody who possesses valuables worth taking

[@iShowUnusualBehavior]

@@the_bukkaking i agree. I bought an AR in may of 2020(before the protest/riots), out of boredom from the lock downs and the out door ranges were still open and i had always wanted one. Walking around with a black rifle or body armor will attract nothing but the wrong attention in an urban shtf situation. Really should be common sense, especially after Rittenhouse(ik he didnt have armor).

[@the_bukkaking]

@@iShowUnusualBehavior most shtf LARPers think that the millions of people in large cities are just gonna disappear in a month and you'll be walking around in a PC with a rifle slung across your chest. Humans are like roaches, they will always find a way to survive. Full kit only serves to identify yourself as a well equipped victim. The real predators will hide among the sheep, you don't want to show your cards if you don't have to. The guy with the concealed pistol and soft armor is 500x more dangerous that the guy with the PC and NODs.

[@IDFWU650]

@ okay but you will still have an AR though… 🤷‍♂️

[@ashevilleronin]

Brother, I'm here in Asheville NC and when it hit I literally had to reconfig my kit from zombie loadout to gun belt/plate carrier or gun belt. I retired from service and here I am am. Again. All we faced has me retooling my kit, ordering more comms, etc. It's always something. Thank you. All of Y'all too. Everyone showed up here after this and is still here. 💯

[@johnburgin7478]

That pup is having his best days . Having access to but not having to wear it all of the time works for me . Have a good one

[@johndunbar2393]

Hondo is fitting in great! Great message as well, but the dog is a hoot.

[@TheDidjidude]

The last thing you want in a SHTF situation is any contact with someone that may cause you harm. A gun fight is the last thing you want to participate in, eventually the odds will catch up to you.

[@kenofken9458]

I tell new preppers that if their strategy is to get into lots of fire fights, they needn't bother laying in more than a few weeks of food and water. They'll be feeding the coyotes and vultures.

[@MatchGrade08]

​@@kenofken9458if you run from problems then you wont need a rifle either. A pistol is way lighter. May as well just buy bags of rice.

[@Ovokor]

@@kenofken9458 That is very true, a lot of my generation and younger are gamers and I like to put it in KTD ratio (kill to death) if your KTD 2/1 then you might on average survive two gun fights before kicking the bucket but yet weapon manipulation in guns is done for people and that is where most of training tends to land anyway.

[@flyoverkid55]

I served prior to the common use of body armor, but have acquired a number of sets for myself and family. I wear mine once a week for the bigger part of the day, to become accustomed to it. Yeah, it's a pain in the ass, but I want it when things get spicy. The plan is to stay out of conflict whenever possible, I don't envision making large scale movement in a company sized unit nor acting as though that could be the reality. Your plan is for you to decide what suits your needs.

[@spencer5028]

Yea, we had flak jackets when I was in

[@flyoverkid55]

@@spencer5028 As did I. Now that an effective armor is available, I use it.

[@wbond6692]

Obviously, it depends on the circumstance. In Fallujah, when the bad guys are spraying at you with AKs and the only cover they have is separated by clay walls, body armor is an advantage to win the fight. You only take it off when you are at the FOB, and you know you are covered. Now that I am a Civvy, (It pains me to realize that) you only wear armor when you are going beyond the safety of your cover. Recon patrols beyond the wire require assessment of your limitations. If you don't have a fire team to watch your back, you keep that "mobile cover" on. Otherwise, you are a sitting duck. You do not take off that armor until you are behind 12 ft high berm walls. When you are going to be in the open, Body armor gives you the confidence to move across the open ambush to get to harder cover. If you are in the open, and you have no cover, you are *already* dead. Now, as a civvy, I think of it as a way to improve my chances against a group of armed offenders. Especially when I am expected to hold out by myself until help arrives. Bottom line: Body armor is not ideal for every situation. But I would rather have it available if needed instead of needing it, and not having it.

[@mikhailkalashnikov4599]

All good points. I've developed my own quasi-defense conditions. Example, defcon 5 would just be concealed carry w/standard clothing. Defcon 3 might be body armor on standby, full sized sidearm, rifle within arm's reach. I'm old, so I might elect to wear it in a hot defensive situation, but probably not so much when foot mobile.

[@overlordisgoogle8431]

Well said. I go with multiple load bearing and body armor systems. They are stored in a central location and what I end up using depends on the security threat assessment for that day. Btw that dog is the best. Love how happy they are.

[@jeromesimpson7701]

Yes, 20 USAF TACP, and 13 Year Cop and SWAT. Wore it a lot. If I think I am going to get in a bad situation I will wear it. Today there are light plates and thin level 3a. Heat is an issue. Some situations 3A soft might be enough. If you get shot in a shit hits the fan situation you are most likely done. Always have it handy.

[@tjjanicke8558]

I can wear soft level 3a all day everyday. Its not heavy at all

[@jeromesimpson7701]

@@tjjanicke8558 Yes and I have for 13 years. 3A vest and then have a plate carrier with plates to throw on when needed. Many people have handguns and shotguns 3A will stop them and even some rifle rounds at long distance or if the rounds pass through objects and then hit you.

[@jordendavid8992]

@@tjjanicke8558I’m shocked they don’t have like a full body cover with the stuff, sure yeah you can stop rifle rounds but most shooting happen with pistols anyways

[@thechancellor842]

I wear mine when training and if anything pops off. Like civil unrest or war.

[@legallimitoutdoors9917]

Hondo is the ⭐of the show! He's so cute

[@michaellafavor6327]

When we got sent to Operation Just Cause in 1989 there was no body Armor we had the LBE . And when I was stationed at Fort Kobby there gave us flack jackets for Riot gear and a shield no body armor we used covers and concealment

[@crusader.survivor]

Not a soldier, but I absolutely need body armor! For the last decade, I've been training/rucking with full body armor weighing a total of 44 lbs, on top of the other weight on my person. I've been stabbed in East Asia in my youth and got treated without anesthesia. That treatment was the most painful experience of my life! And because of that, I never want to get a GSW, and thus I practice with full body armor!

[@ManInTheWoods76]

Amazing how personal experiences get ignored by others when listening would benefit them! Good point you made

[@crusader.survivor]

@@ManInTheWoods76 Thank you! God bless you.

[@spencer5028]

44lbs? You wearing full suit???

[@crusader.survivor]

@@spencer5028 Probably. Bought everything I could fit on my person from the military surplus store! . . . 44 lbs is the total weight of my armor, if you calculate my tools and food and water and clothes, then most likely the total weight I'm carrying for my ruck is about 60 lbs. My current body weight is 210 lbs. Not bad. . . My cousins that have served in the Canadian military way back when rucked with 100 lbs, so I still have a long way to go.

[@the_bukkaking]

@@crusader.survivor but did you ever stop to think that not having that extra 44lbs may allow you to get into a position faster to AVOID getting shot? Not only that but even if you are wearing armor, getting shot in the other 60% of your body that is uncovered will still take you out of the fight and likely kill you.

[@banzaii6285]

Hard to focus on the discussion with Hondo loving that mud hole, was waiting for him to just role in it 🤣

[@STOKERMATIC]

He’s more entertaining anwayo

[@gregorydigiovanni1466]

I think full kit would be essential for vehicle travel if shtf. Also I think meeting or trading or purchasing goods after shtf, it might be a good idea to be in kit. I dont think about the nods, thermals, and full kit on a day to day. Any activity or risk, it might be a good idea. Watchstanding stationary = full kit. Highway after shtf = full kit. Basic patrol around a low threat= kit in truck or close by, ready to don.

[@popogejo7245]

You're assuming there'll be such a thing as a "vehicle"? Where in the hell do you think you'll get fuel for such a thing?

[@gregorydigiovanni1466]

@@popogejo7245 Wait, you aren't hoarding fuel or stashing emp proof vehicles? hmm

[@johnchaney1713]

I’m retired from LE, 27 years. I’m also on disability. Walk with a cane or walking stick unless it’s a short distance. Body armor ain’t happening. I shoot and train with what I will have, but mostly it will be in my home, my vehicles or my side by side. I practice shooting out of them and around them all the time. I have body armor but it will be used to place strategically In the vehicle I’m in.

[@Valorius]

I was a private investigator and repossessor in Philadelphia for about 15 years. I wore body armor all the time. I honestly feel like a good concealment armor is far more useful for a citizen than a plate carrier will ever be. (Even in shtf). When I was in the Infantry we had the pasgt stuff and that was really hot and uncomfortable

[@tonybarone5757]

I bet working in Philly was more dangerous than Fallujah in 2004.

[@Valorius]

@@tonybarone5757 Philadelphia had more than twice as many murders in the same time frame as the global war on terror had KIA, worldwide.

[@skeetwebster9389]

I'm realizing that a slick carrier/ chest rig combo gives some good options in terms of scalability. You can run a slick carrier under a heavy jacket if you need to be discreet. You can just wear your rig if you are patrolling and "don't need armor". Or you can run the two in tandem for complete kit.

[@bassproshophat8999]

When people do die from gunshot wounds it’s typically in an area where the plate carrier would be located the front towards the enemy or the back I would say it’s necessary to have if being shot at is a probability.

[@WMoney-k8k]

Avoid the gunfights.

[@DesertRat.45]

The people provoking the gun fights are in msm and public office

[@spencer5028]

Or intiate in your favor

[@Alienshark]

The weather just now getting decent down here in FL

[@jeromesimpson7701]

Dog is having a great time LOL

[@Mrelindio42]

Great discussion and the pup is really entertaining.

[@HemiOrange]

I think its definitely a good thing to have. I have multiple carriers. I have one in both of my vehicles and at home. The company that made them also make armor for K9's. My shepherd has a full vest with ballistic jell inserts with Kevlar backing for knife attacks. I also got her Rex Specs ear protection. I definitely recommend the K9 hearing protection. I shoot a lot and my girl is with me all of the time. It wasn't cheap but I look at it like an investment for me and my pup. It's the same as my rifle and pistol, I wouldn't cheap out on them either. Great topic Stoker!

[@MoonMoon-gu2ge]

When I was deployed, we were in armor whenever we were on the towers or outside the wire. so pretty much the only time we were out of armor was to sleep/do recovery after missions. As to armor or no armor, it depends on the mission. you dont need a plate carrier with lvl 4 plates to go to target, if south american gangs are taking over apartment complexes in your neighborhood - yeah id recommend having armor in your car/next to your nightstand. At the minimum a plate/soft panel in a backpack or messenger bag if you HAD to be in higher risk areas on a daily basis.

[@legallimitoutdoors9917]

Thanks. Stay stoked 🇺🇸🫡

[@Old_Infantryman]

Army infantrymen 1980 - 83, light (9th I.D. Ft Lewis) and heavy mechanized units (8th I.D. Baumholder FRG). Always carried more ammo over flak jackets.

[@IjustWANTbothTEAMStoHAVEfun]

Really enjoyed watching your dog! Good advice too :)

[@practicalcivilian3259]

Loved the forest talks like these in the woods

[@markjohnis1872]

- As a fit man in his mid sixties, I can tell you for sure I'm not able to wear a plate carrier, even with lighter composite armor. In my 20's, that would not have been a problem. - What I am capable of wearing for long periods is a chest rig holding six magazines, along with a slung AR-15. - Obviously I don't travel around in this fashion, but I know I can do it for hours if necessary, walking, not running.

[@robertgoodrich8953]

Same here. I'm 69 and can't wear my armor and plate carrier and battle pack and ammo and battle belt all at once more than about an hour. And that is without much movement!

[@28Coves]

62 here and at 6’3 220 and fit I can wear level 4 all day but I’m also full blown working gc that wears heavy tool bags. I like to train tho👍🏼

[@docholt0000]

Very insightful ! Lots of Wisdom in the questions you're asking! Being "RIGHT" is wholly dependent on that particular situation! I think our goal should be to have enough knowledge and experience to be able to make those decisions.

[@NKBC1689]

Your dog is awesome!

[@matthewriegner5180]

From all the guys i work with who have been deployed many have done the things, they all say IF you can, wear armor. Sure there are variables to consider but the point being if you can, do it. That doesn't mean the Stoker isn't absolutely right about understanding what or where that reality line is.

[@xxfire07]

I wear level 3 armor almost everyday for 8 hours a day (not everyday because I have days off). The job I have issued us plate carriers with level 3 and 3a hard plates. I choose to wear the heavier level 3 plates. All of my coworkers wear the thinner lighter 3a plates. I wear the heavier plates for the same reason that I hit the gym at 2:30 in the mornings. Training. My issued gear is heavier than my personal plate carrier and gear. So after wearing my issued kit all day, my personal kit feels super lightweight.

[@brucegreen4359]

Excellent video, lots of good points, and real-life ideas

[@louiemorris9598]

I think you should have options. Like a Battelle Belt. Will take care about 50 %. Then level up if needed. 1. Chest Rig with plate. If plate not needed take it out. One setup both armored or not. Lighter weight good for pack or vehicle. 2. Full blown plate carrier with side plates. You can use plate from plate carrier. If I could that's probably what I would do.

[@ferebeefamily]

If the poop hits the fan and no hospital and surgeons are available then Yes armor will be needed and armed conflict should be avoided. Thank you for the video.

[@vitogriffin8902]

Like so much else in the overall discussion, it depends. There's a lot of people, channels, schools of thought etc that are extremely one dimensional. Some are viewing everything from a Bushcraft standpoint, some are viewing it all through a military lense, some are viewing it straight out of a Netflix series. In a realistic situation you may be doing some of all of those things and a whole lot of none of those things.

[@ttpnw1776]

A.D.D. got the best of me watching your dog haha I had to back it up a couple times to listen

[@wolfpack7817]

Video spot on.

[@MrJohnnybe123]

I prefer to be nimble and fast, then bogged down with armour

[@christianmccall4542]

What's your BMI

[@rybaneightsix5085]

​@@christianmccall4542yyyyup

[@nateb2868]

Consider that whenever and wherever you carry kit in SHTF, including armor, that you may have to ditch it for a variety of reasons. Don’t take it out if you can’t afford to lose it. The plant I work at is in the hood. I had a car battery die on me going to get some lunch. It quickly became evident to me that whatever I left in the car may not be there tomorrow and also whatever I wore to walk out might draw even more unwanted attention than I would already. In that situation leaving nothing in the car because there was nothing to leave and walking out as gray as possible was probably my best bet. Was able to limp into an auto parts store and get a bandaid for the situation so nothing dramatic happened, so no real war story to tell. However, I now carry the grade of tools that meet minimum and could be abandoned except for the two backpacks I couldn’t really afford to leave. I specifically don’t carry armor in the car for this reason though, as it is more likely I would have to ditch it than use it and I’m not willing to ditch it or let a potential enemy have it.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Good thoughts.

[@erwin643]

We were trained to live in the prone position, back in my time: Every patrol halt, whenever we heard weapons fire, etc. I have it for the wife and I and yeah, in vehicles and aircraft, but in the field, I'll pass on the body armor.

[@oh_so_loh]

It’s the must have. But if you train with it you get use to. But if you know it’s going to get hot or a chance wear it but if on light foot patrol chest rig is good.

[@brotherbrovet1881]

I patrol lots of private acres in a remote part of the Ozarks on my property and the properties of my neighbors who've given me their blessing. I got some rich neighbors who appreciate an old US Army Light Infantry squad leader keeping an eye on their lands. I cleared half a dozen squatters off our ridge my first 12 weeks here. The neighbors love me for that in a county with only two ft patrol deputies that has days we have zero patrol coverage in our county. I've encountered methead squatters, poachers, and violent fugitives. I've been shot at. I've fired shots. Thankfully, only some vicious dogs have been seriously harmed. I wear soft 3+ armor plates. Most of the threats I face are pistols, .22s and 12ga shotguns. I got level IV plates for rifles, but the climate here can be so hot and humid. The soft plates are a good balance in my experience. Those cheap heavy steel plates bolt up well on headboards and the backs of couches to create cover in places in your home that might be vulnerable to fire from outside the home. Stock tanks can become decorative planters that stop rifle rounds, and your neighbors will just think your landscaping looks quaint. Unlike concrete planters, metal ones can be elevated on concrete blocks to give cover at floor level on your first floor even if you have a basement or crawls space foundation. Find a local welder and pay him to weld you up some metal bars to mount inside your place over windows. And over the outside of your main door. Re-bar works great for this. Even if your wife insists they not be up all the time, be able to seal your home off when you need to leave your home. Glass won't help unless it's bulletproof cast polycarbonate. -- lessons from where there is almost no rule of law, and folks like it that way. Neighbors work things out, here.

[@alvintarrer6914]

Good stuff,it's appreciated brother 🇺🇸👍✌️

[@Andrew-fx3wy]

Hondo is having a blast!!

[@ryan38315]

Appreciate you Stoke. Good vid and topic.

[@mr.puddles5246]

Armor for when you are stationary or in a highly targeted zone. Sounds good to me. Ill definitely keep the kevlar helm everywhere i go due to poor luck, though.

[@generaldisarray6488]

I love your dog. I had a big shepherd, was the best dog ever

[@alefdesign1990]

And drive to our training facility in kit. The ifac in the back takes some getting used to.

[@alpine7313]

Body armor just doesn’t seem worth it for my use case. I’d rather use that ten pounds to carry more ammo, food, layers, etc.

[@bmc8982]

It depends. A middle ground exists too if you are in a city and planning to bug out. You wear it to get out of the city, when you get out, you leave the armor behind to drop the extra weight.

[@alpine7313]

@@bmc8982 I don't live in the city thankfully. I do agree that if you are in an urban environment, and shelter is easier to come by, armor is good option. My area is very rural, with hostile weather and wildlife.

[@slodc]

There’s a happy medium. I’ve got the Tasmanian Tiger MKII. It’s a chest rig that will accept one plate in the front and they make a back section you can attach and run one in the back.

[@brotherbrovet1881]

'til the first time someone takes a shot at you... That's what changed my mind.

[@IrishBurgerKing-fx2nj]

Soft covert body armor designed for stopping pistol rounds is advisable to have and something that would be advisable to wear the most. Hard body armor is still advisable to have, but it won’t be practical to wear it 24/7.

[@practicalcivilian3259]

I like plate carriers and chest Riggs I train with both run and gun with both as well

[@jakemalone7892]

Being prepared mentally to go all the way in a conflict needs to be realized. When I say that I mean you accept you might not walk away from it. Maybe myself speaking, I think armor might make someone sloppy and more careless. Where as if I have it all on the line, it's going to keep me fast and accurate. Keep those war drums pounding in your ears

[@RobertHamm-u7c]

The wife and I are planning on buying body armor and plate carriers to have in our get home/bug out bags in our vehicle for when we have to go to/come from Nashville. The traffic is unpredictable and ridiculous in and around Nashville.

[@d7dun1010]

A bit north of Nashville and you are so right!

[@STOKERMATIC]

Nashville sucks.

[@RobertHamm-u7c]

@@d7dun1010 the bottlenecks are ridiculous. I’d rather drive in and out of Chicago than Nashville.

[@RobertHamm-u7c]

@@STOKERMATIC yes it does. The bottlenecks throughout Nashville are ridiculous. This is why the wife and I want to put body armor and plate carriers in our bug out/get home kits in our vehicle, as we get closer to November. We don’t want to get stuck there any longer than we have to. This is why I’ve been putting contingency plans together for a while now. I’ve been trying to get my Army brain back into shape, been out of the Army too long.

[@humantiger72]

Have you considered concealable armor? Some protection (especially against usual gang ammo), but more gray man​ @@RobertHamm-u7c

[@Swamp1fox]

Body armor is a must and one has to be fit even the most fit people will get fatigue. That’s why you take five minute breaks or every 30 minutes of five minute break not unless you have to make time from point A to point B.

[@Goldenwithaleash]

Like everything, it depends on the situation.

[@jont1375]

I kinda just wanted to see the dog play in the mud 😂 ✌🏼

[@gunsofmasseffect4321]

Ive trained to spend a whole day in full kit with body armor level IV fast go vest, and full plate carrier with level IV side plates.

[@waylonsmith5419]

I'm glad I actually train regularly. One of the first things one will realize when they start legitimately trading is how much you will be adapting your kit and gear set up. It's imperitive to train realistically so you can work out the bugs now when you are on a one way firing range vs a two way firing range

[@shaunb1156]

It's great to see different perspectives on wearing plates. I am recently retired from the Air Force and when I was in, I got plates (and still use) for physical exercise for doing burpees and such. A very niche uses in SHTF, best plan not to get shot 😀

[@MatchGrade08]

Most of them are not new perspectives either. In the first world war and during the time they were designing a new helmet nobody wanted it. They observed soldiers would not take armor unless there was a very real perceived benifit. Most would decide they dont want it at first unless it makes them feel invincible or conviced otherwise its got a real use.

[@RAYANDERS-w4t]

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rogerknight2267]

I have a nice soft body armor kit with the capability to insert plates front and back, but I have opted not to. That’s another $300 or more that could be spent on more practical things. Point well made when you ask the question concerning what do my other family members have. I’ll probably take a round to the chest first day and leave my family in dire straits, but there has to ba a balance or you’ll lose your mind and all your resources chasing ghosts that will never be an issue. I tend to overthink things.

[@BlaineKK37]

It's good for dug in positions, like you're expecting an attack on your location and you're the defender, not humping it 10 miles in bad terrain to set up an ambush or do recon IMO

[@jimcipriano5322]

I was Army during the 80s-90s. Man the load out was heavy without body armor. I wore the k-pot with out all the extra bs oon it. I have abit of a neck issue. Then you get to be radio man with an extra battery, or the 60 gunner. Hats off buy yiu young men a beer! Sometimes. We humped 140 lbs.

[@stevenrobbins1122]

There's a time and place for everthing. During a SHTF MULTI-FRONT situation, Kevlar vests with 3+ plates are coming out.

[@kaelinfisher6813]

I'm a smaller guy and training with body armor helps me and that's good enough for me

[@jonathanfree1186]

Loving the dog

[@CornPop_s_grandson]

Just started the video but the technology going into the design and construction of body armor is so much more advanced you can get some super light stuff with level IV protection. It’s much lighter than the SAAPI plates I wore in Afghanistan on foot patrols. I think you can run plates pretty easily in a SHTF situation

[@Kq4hcuDan]

I worn ceramic plates for years when i dabbled into security contracting in other countries and when i worked for armed alarm response company in south central, Compton and los angeles for long 16 hour shifts. I dunno sometimes i swear being in bad areas of comiefornia i made myself wear bodyarmor with kevlar more then when i contracted. Now that im in Alabama around the woods im not bothering with it, but i keep mine ready in my gun cabinet. I was born and raised off south virgil avenue in los angeles heavily populated by sureno gangs, and alot of my siblings where in sureno gangs 😂

[@Jupiterxice]

Depends on your situation

[@STOKERMATIC]

How about your situation?

[@Jupiterxice]

@@STOKERMATIC it depends on my situation lol. Right now I am going commando.

[@kenofken9458]

@@Jupiterxice So am I, but what does that have to do with armor?🤣

[@Jupiterxice]

@@kenofken9458 look lmao METT-TC and depending on situation come on now.

[@virginiaswampfox2686]

Depends on what I’m doing and where. In urban areas I wear plates. Woods soft. Nothing set in stone.

[@78tooth83]

Using body armor, depends on what your doing. Even being deployed, there were times we were authorized not to wear it. Then there were times when you didn’t think you needed it, you had to wear it. To me it’s really the mission or tasking that makes the decision if you’re using it or not.

[@tbjtbj4786]

Even soft f sucks in Florida heat and humidity

[@fulltangtactical]

Just use the Modular Chest Rig-Kit Bag from FullTang. Lighter and extremely useful for mountain warfare. And you can slap it over armor if you need to. 😊

[@paul7754]

Wait - what did Stoker say? I was watching Hondo the whole time! He's sure worried about SHTF times. We'll be needin' a new T-shirt with Stoker's 'hand blade' on it!

[@Valorius]

I like the new lightweight polyethylene level 3A+ rated stuff. Including the carrier, that stuff weighs like 4 lb and still gives a real high level of protection.

[@woodsghost9088]

The pistol rated stuff and the fiber stuff has been shown to have reduced performance when subjected to heat. Like when left in a car. The rifle rated stuff is so thick that the plate does not fully heat up enough before night falls and the plates cool. If it's living life in a basement I would not worry about it. And some people are arguing whether the degraded performance is a meaningful loss of performance or not. I am not qualified to answer that.

[@Valorius]

@@woodsghost9088 I'm specifically talking about the PE hard plate 3A plus panels that weigh less than a pound a piece. I've been using them for several years, I love them.

[@woodsghost9088]

@@Valorius so am I. "3A" is a pistol rating. I'm glad they are fantastic! I won't ever tell someone what to use. I AM saying "if you leave them in the car during the summer, performance may change." And that has been officially announced by official Armor specialists and experts.

[@kenofken9458]

@@woodsghost9088 You shouldn't leave your gear in a hot car.

[@Valorius]

@@woodsghost9088 I know they are pistol rated that's what 3A plus means, and that's why they weigh under a pound each. I wore armor professionally for a solid 20 years.

[@USAFraimius]

If people shooting at you is a likely risk, then the answer leans towards "yes." Taking a stroll to see what is going on? Probably "no." Running security in an area where violence has already occurred/is occurring? Yes!

[@ghill1010]

There’s a lot to unpack in this. But I agree with your last statement of unless your training to carry an extra 50lbs all day your not going to when it counts. Adrenaline only lasts so long. Exhaustion lasts longer. For me I think I will stick with skills and training. E&E in the field and home defense otherwise. I’m not going to go looking for a fight. If I’m doing CQB it’s in my house most likely. now after we go full mad max. I’m putting on leathers. Welding spikes to the mini van and shits going to get weird!!!! lol. Back to real topic. There is an old survival saying. The more skills you have the fewer tools you need. Think this holds some of the same. God bless. Stay safe. Be nice. Thank you!!!

[@bullfrog8221]

I only ever wore my body armor when in a vehicle or on VBSS, and standing watch on board a ship, I never wore it when I was on base or in a secured building.

[@trooperjinthewoods4538]

I wear body armour moving in convoy, moving in urban areas on foot ( daytime) , during ( cqb ) ops or roadblocks or checkpoints.

[@smoke5620]

I really like your dog 👍👍 Good video my friend!

[@j.r.hornak460]

In my opinion body armor is best used during home base defense or when transferring valuable items on foot or by mode of transportation. If a guy finds himself going on a reconnaissance run, I'd leave it behind as the extra bulk and weight seem unnecessary when you're doing your best to be low profile, fast and quiet.

[@thomas-i5o7h]

When I wore my armor, I always put a plate in the back, and one on each side. I never put a plate in front, all four plates together were just too frickin heavy !! Luckily we didn't have to wear it all that much, when we'd get back to base we were just exhausted from humpin all that weight around all.

[@tjjanicke8558]

Level 3a soft armor panels inside of a plate carrier is something i could wear everyday all day. And then i have another plate carrier with level 4 ceramic plates that i can put on if needed. Level 3a is very light and most people will use pistols anyways. But if i know some bad shit may happen or im in deep shit ill take my level 3a off and put on my level 4 carrier. But theres no excuse to not have at least some soft level 3a armor

[@kenofken9458]

Soft armor is the one thing many people in the prepping world seem to overlook or discount entirely. You can come up with all sorts of post-apocalypse battle scenarios in your imagination, but in the real world here and now, 90% or more of ballistic threats people will face are handguns. Plain old garden variety .40 and 9 mm. Those threats mostly come when people don't have warning and time to go dig out an 18-pound plate rig and get it on.

[@branthodson6848]

Vehicle operations, definitely, foot operations, maybe....

[@modifyingmemory]

my squad leader said the more armor the better, and if it’s too heavy get stronger

[@dn88s]

Seems useful for home defense and situations where you have rapid medical support if you get shot anywhere else but the center of your chest. And by the way, Kuwait is a 'real' deployment.

[@GoaTrex2531]

I’m listening but laughing at your dog having the time of his life.

[@JeanHaydel]

This is a rare situation, but with hurricanes in the news, I will mention it. Occasionally the need arises for a man to go out into a hurricane. I wear body armor and a helmet in that situation. It's probably the only time I will put on a bulky old IOTV over a slim modern plate carrier, because of the extra coverage.

[@mikerobinson3672]

When I wore armor in my former career I always prayed The person that would be shooting at me was competent enough to hit me in that armor. I have been to public ranges before. I have never been very confident.