The Army makes an immense effort in providing our women heroes with better-fitting uniforms and protective gear. Considering the efforts put by women soldiers, we must protect all their interests at any cost. New developments have been taking place where prototypes for a more functional bra for women to wear with their armor and combat gear are being tested.
Army officials said “Now, guys: Before you have a meltdown and claim the military has gone “woke,” please remember that the military often tests new uniforms and gear that are meant to save troops’ lives. When roadside bombs became the scourge of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, military officials tested tactical undergarments meant to protect male soldiers from castration and death. In other words: A military branch testing out tactical undies for its troops is nothing new”.
Patricia Kime reported that “By July 2016, nearly 1,400 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffered wounds to their pelvises and groins which made it difficult or impossible for them to have children”.
Recently the Military Times reported that this new innovation as of the many efforts to make sure that women soldiers have all the support and are backed well to fight and win. After decades, it has come to the realization that men and women are not the same. Women require uniforms and gear that can go in accordance with their body type.
What difference will this tactical bra make?
This new bra can be considered more of a protective gear rather than inner sportswear. The army is trying to confirm whether it goes well with the body armor and makes sure all the soldiers receive proper protection by the usage of it. They are also testing new fire-resistant fabrics to make sure the new bra will not only support but also protect women from accidents.
“The overall goal is to produce garments that not only protect the user but reduce the cognitive burden on the female soldier caused by discomfort and ill fit, achieving this will improve the soldier’s overall readiness and performance levels, allowing them to focus on their mission,” said Ashley Cushon who is leading the program at the Soldier Center.
“The Army Uniform Board will decide this fall whether the service will go forward with the program and issue the bra to all female soldiers”, said David Accetta, a spokesman for the Soldier Center. If it becomes a program of record, the Army Tactical Brassiere would then be under the control of the Program Executive Office Soldier.
The military has been promising women to provide them with better-fitting gear for years now. Helmets designed for women with long hair that can be tied to a bun and body armor that fits well against their skin are all necessary equipment. So far not much has been done to meet this necessity.
“What we see is that when you have an opening in body armor, whether it’s a body armor that is too large for someone or too small for someone, you do get injuries that are very unique to that, and there are certain injuries that come as a result of female service members have ill-fitting body armor,” said Sen Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
Finally, as part of the Fiscal 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress finally made sure that the military had to equip women with properly fitting body armor so that they can work their best and fight for our nation.
Also Read, US Navy Set to Launch Maternity Uniform Pilot Program.
