Army getting new side armor next month

"WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The Army next month will start shipping new body armor to protect the side of soldier's torsos from bullets and shrapnel, the Army secretary said Wednesday.

The new body armor addition weighs five pounds, adding to the already heavy burden American soldiers wear in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The number of soldiers who die from bullets or wounds to their unprotected sides is small, said Army Secretary Francis Harvey at a Pentagon press conference, but as far as he is concerned the additional armor should be mandatory kit.

"What we're trying to do here is balance the mobility with protection," said Harvey. "You can have protection, but if you can't move, you may get shot in the leg or something because you can't move that fast. So it's a compromise." "
UPI

Well I guess the debate is over.