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Letters

Give Marines Dragon Skin

The commandant, Defense Department and Congress should all watch the Military Channel’s “Future Weapons” episode about Dragon Skin armor and then tell us why our Marines and all others in combat positions cannot have a Dragon Skin body armor vest.

For those who did not see the episode I speak of, it clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of this vest. For example, automatic rifle fire (5.56/7.62/9mm) with hits in the front, sides and back of the vest without any penetration to the dummy wearing it or any tear to the interior side.

As if that was not enough, they then laid the dummy wearing the vest on a fragmentation grenade, which exploded with no penetration to the dummy. Of course, concussion may still kill, but we don’t know. At least the individual wearing the vest may have a better chance of survival.

I was in the Marine Corps from 1971-77. I never did go to combat, but if I had, my subordinates would have had the right equipment to survive or I would probably be in the brig for letting the upper echelon know my feelings on this matter.

Former Sgt. George D. McMaster

El Sobrante, Calif.

Being treated as an adult

As the Corps attempts to expand the force, it is clear there is a need to retain experienced noncommissioned officers.

I am sergeant approaching eight years in the Corps, and it has come time for me to submit for re-enlistment. My military occupational specialty is offering a very large re-enlistment bonus. I submitted my package and a request for Basic Allowance for Housing when I return from my current deployment to Iraq.

I am 26, have never received nonjudicial punishment or been court-martialed or otherwise been deemed irresponsible. My proficiency and conduct marks as a corporal were above average, and my fitness report as a sergeant places me in the upper tier of my peers.

However, my request was denied by my parent command’s sergeant major, who is currently in the rear at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. The re-enlistment bonus just isn’t worth it.

All I really asked for was to be able to live like an adult, as any person my age would so desire. I’d like to be able to enjoy a glass of scotch after a day of work or maybe have a dog or a gun. Or maybe clean my living area because it’s dirty, not just because it’s Thursday. Or just enjoy a quiet night with my girlfriend, all of which I can’t do living in the barracks.

This request did not seem to be so out of the ordinary to me, as I have seen many sergeants with my time in receive BAH. In my opinion, the Corps needs to take a long look at who it allows to live on their own. We’ve all seen the privates first class who marry too soon and wind up divorced and in serious debt by the age of 20.

It’s sad to say, but I really don’t think I will subject myself to any more time living in the barracks than I’ve already agreed to, regardless of how much money the Corps puts in front of my face or how bad it needs to retain Marines with my experience.

Sgt. Jason M. Harper

Al Walid, Iraq

Kudos on plastic wrapper

I’d like to add my name to what must be a long list of subscribers who are pleased that Marine Corps Times now comes in a protective plastic wrapper. In the past, after retrieving the paper from my mailbox, I’ve often thought my mail carrier was a disgruntled sailor.

Let me also add my praise for your Tricare Help column. James E. Hamby Jr. provides great service to your readership with his detailed answers to Tricare questions. A few years back, I had to make a decision about dropping a civilian health care plan and switching to Tricare For Life. Once I dropped the civilian plan, it would be gone forever.

Through a few e-mails, Mr. Hamby helped me decide. I made the switch to TFL and have been indebted to him ever since.

Retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Bob Duerden

Green Valley, Ariz.

Kids running wild

What is going on here? I always imagined that children growing up in a military environment would have a strong grasp on the concepts of courtesy, respect for self and others, and the importance of family values. But now that I live in military housing, I’ve come to the grim conclusion that just because mommy or daddy is in the military, that doesn’t mean their children are any better than those living outside the gate.

I live in Norfolk, Va., in civilian-run housing “projects” that are exclusively for military families but have no gate and no Military Police presence. The kids here are allowed to run free and wild: spray-painting the sides of houses, loitering, jumping on the hoods of cars in parking lots, assaulting young children, stealing and fighting.

Just the other day, my 9-year-old daughter was attacked by a 14-year-old boy who stands taller than I do at 5 foot 9. I talked to his mother. But a few days later, I saw him being questioned by neighborhood security about slapping another girl. And I just saw the sad face of a 4-year-old who was mugged by a 15-year-old who has yet to be caught.

I stand barracks duty to protect military men and women who live in a secured environment, but no one is here to protect my family when I’m in the barracks. That doesn’t make sense to me.

I wonder if it is the same elsewhere in the military. If it is, I’ll go back to my old neighborhood as a civilian where it was safe. I wanted to bring my family to the military because I thought it would be a safe and comfortable place. What a letdown it’s been.

Cpl. Mario A. Avalle

Norfolk, Va.