American Legion to DoD: Fix the Combat Gear

WASHINGTON (December 16, 2009) - The American Legion called
reports that soldiers are being sent to combat with deficient gear and
lack of training "completely unacceptable."

        "The American Legion supports our troops' missions in Iraq and
Afghanistan but they must have the best equipment and training that we
can possibly give them," National Commander Clarence E. Hill said.
"Representatives Ike Skelton and Solomon Ortiz should be commended for
bringing these serious concerns to the attention of the Pentagon
leadership."

The two House members wrote in a Dec. 10 letter that they are "greatly
troubled" by what they have been told by soldiers.

For instance, a military historian found that the M4 carbine failed at
critical moments during a July 2008 firefight in Afghanistan, in which
nine U.S. soldiers were killed.

"Even though these weapons routinely rank lower than other military
weapons in testing, they are still being issued as the Army's weapon of
choice," the lawmakers wrote.

"I am also concerned that troops are reportedly being taken from
bootcamp and being sent to combat, with little or no additional
training.  Soldiers are also saying that their rucksacks are poorly
designed and make it difficult to fire their weapons," Hill said.  "My
question to military leadership is 'Who has the backs of our troops?'
The American Legion would like some answers. Training and equipment
should be factored in as essential costs of war, just like VA health
care. We will take this issue up with the Secretary of Defense and even
the president of the United States if it is not addressed quickly."
         With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The
American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong
national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs.
Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more
than 14,000 posts across the nation.