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Reports on the plan of the U.S. Department of Defense to close commissaries and transfer control over stateside schools as of November 2003. Question on the commitment of the Defense Department to quality-of-life issues; Details of the first two phases of the Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) study; List of closed commissaries and their nearest open commissary.

This article explains that the U.S. Army soldiers will have a new helmet canned Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) that offers 35% better protection compared with current Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) and a new boots that is 20% thicker that most combat boots. It says that lawmakers have been supportive of the helmets and boots and have agreed to provide the funds. The Army is expected to equip soldiers with these improved helmets and boots soon.

The article focuses on the order for every U.S. Army command in the active, National Guard and Reserve components to search for 16,400 sets of body armor plates among the Enhanced Soldier Protective Inserts (ESAPI). The plates came from designs that failed initial safety tests, according to Department of Defense (DoD) auditors. Brigadier General Peter Fuller admitted that they do not know where the plates are. Fault testers were blamed by auditors for shortcomings in the tests.

The article looks at a new generation of ballistic helmets being developed by researchers for the U.S. military. Instead of using current ballistic fibers, the new helmets would use a hybrid technology similar to hard plastic to allow ballistic experts yo make a helmet that offers more protection without adding significant weight. However, skeptics say the requirement is pointless because even if the bullet does not penetrate the helmet, the sheer force would likely break a Marine's neck and be just as fatal as an open wound.

Introduces several military gear featured at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 27 through 31, 2005. Summit Shadow watch from Highgear; MX50 watch from Nite Watches; SOG Flash II tactical knife from SOG; Fast Draw knife from Gerber; Image Stabilizer binoculars from Canon.

Describes some of the customized automobile license plates owned by military personnel and retired service officers in the United States. Definition of the inscription in the license plate of Army Colonel William Van Horn of Waynesville, Missouri; Description of the letters inscribed in the license plate of Army National Guard Major Tony Smith of Howell, New Jersey; Meaning of the message inscribed in the license plate of retired Army Colonel Robert Schlegel of Syosset, New York.

Features the Exoskeletons for Human Performance Augmentation project in the United States aimed at reducing the weight carried by infantrymen into battle. Information on the project; Functionality of exoskeletons; Challenges to the realization of the project; Support of the Army to the project.

Introduces the CamelBak personal hydration system which could replace the water canteens being used by the United States Army. How the CamelBak functions; Advantages of using the product; Information on how it was invented.

This article reports on the rising cost of outfitting a U.S. soldier and this cost, which is about 18,000 U.S. dollars as of February 2011, that may quadruple with the plan of the U.S. Army to equip soldiers with rechargeable battery packs and lighter body armor with the goal of ensuring dominance.

The article offers information on the Unattended Ground Sensor being developed by the U.S. Army. It is said that the sensor consists of cameras, infrared sensors, microphones and seismic sensors that allow soldiers to collect information about the enemies' tanks, wheeled vehicles, infantry and helicopters. It adds that the design of the sensor was changed from being bulky to a flat one to enable it to hide with little dirt or vegetable. The new sensor also reduces the setup time and detects chemical, radiological, biological and nuclear threats.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Army to put the shipment of lighter gear to Afghanistan on hold for last-minute safety tests. The $2.8 million gear was intended for soldiers in Combined Joint Task Force 101. The tests will evaluate the effects of cutting 20 pounds off the 60- to 130-pound loads carried by soldiers and would take up to 60 days. The gear is at the warehouse of its manufacturer ADS Inc. in Virginia Beach.

The article reports on the emergence of new technologies which will help the U.S. Army members view enemies in buildings, vehicles and enclosed areas. The service has conducted a test on the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle, a tactical robot that can beam images to the attacking soldiers. Soldiers can also placed the Urban Unattended Ground Sensors inside the buildings to transmit live images of the scene left behind. The visible-light and infrared still images are being transferred to battlefield network from the sensor using the Soldier Radio Waveform.

The article reports on the $1.4 billion budget that the Pentagon is requesting from the U.S. government to buy vehicle-mounted acoustic sensors, soldier-detection devices and computers. The devices will be used in finding and fighting snipers in Afghanistan and Iraq. Pentagon spokesman Army Colonel Brian Maka said the countersniper suite includes advanced optics and active sniper defeat systems. Pamela Hart, spokeswoman of the Army's Rapid Equipping Force, revealed that incidents of sniper attacks increased in 2006.

The article offers information on the Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI) kit for soldiers in the combat zone issued by the U.S. Army in 2007. The program was established in 2002 by the Program Executive Office Soldier in response to soldier complaints from Afghanistan that their individual gear was too obsolete for the battlefield. New items included in the latest kit for issue starting in October are a strap cutter to cut seat belts for quick escape from aircraft and vehicles and a small infrared strobe light.

The article reports on the U.S. government's biennial Force Protection Equipment Demonstration held in Stafford, Virginia from August 14 to 16, 2007. The event featured a wide range of sophisticated cameras, sensors and unmanned devices to meet the lucrative demand for protecting troops and facilities. Forty different types of cameras have been introduced by Northrop Grumman which partnered with dozens of other companies.

The author reflects on the lack of merits given to U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. President George W. Bush has yet to award a single Medal of Honor to a living veteran of combat in either place. He asserts that this is more than an issue of justice denied. He hopes President Bush will order a review of heroic acts performed in Iraq and Afghanistan in the name of freedom.

The article deals with the benefits obtained by military supplies companies from the expansion of the 1941 Berry Amendment's provisions for buying U.S. textiles and specialty products. According to business executive Joey Underwood, the legislation offers better opportunities to textile companies as well as the manufacturers of aircraft composite materials in the country.

Traces the origins of the Army Good Conduct Medal. Decision of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign an order authorizing the award of a Good Conduct Medal on June 28, 1941; Character traits of U.S. Army personnel who are awarded with the Good Conduct Medal; Design of the Good Conduct Medal.

The article presents information on the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Information on how the medal award was conceptualized; Details of how the award has a evolve from a ribbon to a medal.

Recounts the approval for the creation of a Navy and Marine Corps Medal by the U.S. Congress in 1942. Description of the medal; Background on the achievements of recipient Aloysius H. Schmitt; Information on an incident that led to the awarding of several sailors for the same event.

Presents opinion on the use of BCG eyewear brand in the basic training of U.S. Army recruits. Accuracy of ballistic eyewear in ensuring the personal safety of trainees; Uses of ballistic eyewear.

Focuses on the Cupola Protective Ensemble, a suit of armor designed for turret gunners in Iraq to counter an emerging trend in insurgent bombings. Factors that influenced the decision of the U.S. military officials to launch the suit; Description of the suit; Advantages provided by the suit to soldiers.

Reports on the Guadalcanal Patch worn by marines from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division deployed in Ramadi, Iraq in September 2004. Reasons of the marines for wearing the patch; Approval of Army G-1 Lieutenant General Franklin Hagenbeck to use the patch; Views of Lieutenant Colonel John Fant, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, on soldiers who wear the patch.

Focuses on the views of Kevin Donoghue, a former U.S. helicopter medic, on the importance for helicopter medics to be given a combat badge. Reason that Donoghue wants a combat badge; His experience as a helicopter medic; Bills proposed by U.S. Senator Arlen Specter that would award a combat badge to helicopter medics.

Comments on the refusal of the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush to award separate medals for service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Reason for their refusal; Recommended compromise for the supporters and opponents of awarding separate medals.

Reports on the efforts made by the U.S. House committee to create separate campaign medals for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Speculations regarding the refusal of the U.S. Department of Defense to issue separate campaign medals; Reason soldiers and several politicians recommend the issuance of separate medals; Significance of campaign ribbons to soldiers.

Features the impact of the Berkeley Lower Extremities Exoskeleton (BLEEX) project on U.S. soldiers. Advantage of the legwear studied by BLEEX to soldier; Result of the actual use of the exoskeleton; Remarks from researcher Homayoon Kazerooni on the exoskeleton.

Reports on the failure of the U.S. Defense Department's approach in reforming its inventory management to address the stock individual spare parts that are critical to military combat units. Target of the inventory reform of the department; Statement from Representative Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.); Results highlighted by the study of the U.S. General Accounting Committee, concerning the problem.

Provides information on Air Warrior, a survival system for U.S. Army aviators. Features of the life-support gear; Budget for the program to develop and improve the gear; Results of tests conducted on the gear.

Presents information on the conference attended by warfare experts and military officials in the United States about urban operations which was held in Fort Knox, Kentucky on September 14-17, 2000. Discussion on the application of robotics technology in military urban operations; Equipment and supplies needed by the army for military operations in urban terrain; Other issues addressed in the conference.

Provides information on the adoption of the SF-10A parachute by the Special Forces Group at Fort Carson, Colorado. Impact of the high altitude conditions of the area on parachute jumping; Comparison of the MCI-1C and the SF-10A parachutes; Design and features of the SF-10A parachute.

Describes the Storm, a Modular Lightweight Loadbearing Equipment hydration pack for soldiers. How the product works; Complaints on the hydration system; How the HydroLock works.

Describes the CamelBak personal hydration system for soldiers. Features of the system; Complaints about the product; Suggestions for improving the CamelBak.

Reports the development of a flotation vest for the soldiers of the United States Army. Description of the floatation model; Use of the vest; Disadvantage of the old model.

Focuses on the need to fix the new combat survival radios being used by U.S. military pilots and aircrews assigned in Iraq. Failure of the radio system of the Combat Survivor Evader Locator in nearly one in five rescue attempts during operational tests; Features of the radio; Causes of the failures.