MC Sets Body Armor Protection Levels

New Marine Corps guidelines set four different levels that determine how much body armor Marines should wear, and allow commanders the flexibility to vary those standards to conform to situations that arise in their theaters of operations. “The Marine Corps recognizes the operational requirement to move away from the one-size-fits-all approach in dealing with ballistic protection,” states MARADMIN 415/09, which articulates the new guidelines. “Marine Corps unit commanders must rely instead on mission analysis and military judgment in making critical decisions [that] affect the personal protective posture of their Marines.” At Body Armor Protection Level 0, no body armor is required; at Level 1, vests and plate carriers with soft armor are required; at Level 2, vests and plate carriers with front and back hard armor plates are required; and at Level 3, vests and plate carriers with front, back, and side hard armor plates are required. Commanders can determine when helmets, ballistic glasses and goggles, and protection for groin, neck, and throat areas are required. Other details are outlined in MARADMIN 415/09, viewable on the Web at www.marines.mil.