Body Armor

Since the beginning of the Iraq War, there has been criticism leveled about the protection provided to our troops. Body armor, in particular, was a hot-button with folks like Howard Dean claiming "80 percent of the torso injuries and fatalities in the Marine Corps could have been prevented" with better armor.

Marines recognize the benefits of body armor, but they also acknowledge its limitations.

"We have to climb over walls and go through windows," said Sgt. Justin Shank of Greencastle, Pa. "I understand the more armor, the safer you are. But it makes you slower. People don't understand that this is combat and people are going to die."