Special issue items are items not listed in the standard issue. These items are designed to increase your comfort, capability, and personal safety. Though the following list of items is not complete, it includes the most significant items that you will be issued.

Armor vest

Mountain sleeping bag

Sleeping mat

Canvas cot and insect bar frame

Insect bar

Camouflage band

ARMOR VEST

The armor vest (armor, body, fragmentation protective) is more commonly called a "flack jacket." There are many types in use, but they are all designed to provide protection against low-weight, high-velocity shell, mortar, and grenade fragments. These fragments cause the major portion of combat casualties. For best results from the armored vest, observe the following instructions:

Figure 2-37.-Mountain sleeping bag and sleeping hag case.

l Wear the vest over your utility shirt but under additional outside layers of clothing if possible.

l Adjust the side laces to make the armor vest fit the body, leaving enough room for air to circulate; above all, do not fit it too tightly.

l Use the protective side flaps to cover the opening under the side laces, and protect the slide fasteners by fastening the snap closure.