The Iraq War, Joseph Heller style

A new report emerges that takes the lack of body armor issue to a disturbing new low. It's been happening for years-- our troops aren't getting the equipment they need and deserve. And for years, some troops have been taking matters into their own hands and purchasing body armor for themselves. Makes sense, if the government isn't going to protect you and you or your family has the means.

But in a bizarre twist, the government seems to have decided that taking measures to protect yourself from hostile fire is some sort of breach of contract:

Two deploying soldiers and a concerned mother reported Friday afternoon that the U.S. Army appears to be singling out soldiers who have purchased Pinnacle's Dragon Skin Body Armor for special treatment. The soldiers, who are currently staging for combat operations from a secret location, reported that their commander told them if they were wearing Pinnacle Dragon Skin and were killed their beneficiaries might not receive the death benefits from their $400,000 SGLI life insurance policies. The soldiers were ordered to leave their privately purchased body armor at home or face the possibility of both losing their life insurance benefit and facing disciplinary action.

(Thanks also to the Mysterious Cipher, who also caught this story.)