	Background

Personnel from each of the services utilize a variety of PPE based on  factors such as the operational environment, job description or  occupation, and commander discretion. This PPE, added  to the other items that personnel typically carry or wear in operational  environments (weapon systems, food and water, communications  equipment, and other items), cumulatively represent the total load burden  on personnel. Current PPE Requirements Are Designed to Address Operational Risks but Also Contribute to the Total Load Burden on Ground Combat Personnel

		Performance Parameters and Protection Standards Guide the Development of Primary PPE

The Army and the Marine Corps have developed requirements for PPE to  address operational threats but these requirements contribute to the total  load burden on ground combat personnel. Officials  stated that the two services conducted capability and threat assessments  in this theater to determine how best to mitigate threats without hindering  mobility or combat effectiveness. PPE Systems Increase the Total Load Burden on Ground Combat Personnel, Which Could Hinder Combat Effectiveness

Army and Marine Corps officials we met with stated that the body armor  that was fielded to meet current threats provides significant additional  protection when compared with previously available equipment. However,  they also noted that providing this level of protection adds significant bulk  and weight to the total load on Soldiers and Marines, which could impede  mobility and have other adverse effects. The  primary PPE (hard armor plates, soft armor vest, and combat helmet)  currently used by both Army and Marine Corps personnel averages  approximately 27 pounds (for size medium equipment), and adds to the  weight of other uniform items and equipment worn or carried by  personnel. According to program managers we met with, the typical total load on  personnel has increased since about 2003 based on the incorporation of  new PPE systems and other equipment that is designed to enhance  personnel performance or protection capabilities. Army and Marine Corps Have Coordinated on PPE- Related Weight Reductions and Are Pursuing Efforts to Reduce Overall Load Burdens on Personnel

		Army and Marine Corps Coordinate to Develop and Improve PPE

Army and Marine Corps officials coordinate through formal and informal  working groups that seek to develop and improve PPE. In  addition, the Army and Marine Corps work together on the development  and procurement of PPE, such as the hard armor plates and the  enhanced combat helmet that meet both services’ needs. Army and Marine Corps Prioritize Protection Capabilities but Have Reduced the Weight of Some PPE and Have Plans for Additional Reductions

Army and Marine Corps program managers said that when developing or  improving PPE and other equipment, they prioritize protection and  operational capabilities, and that they have overarching goals of reducing  weight, and improving form, fit, and function of equipment. These  overarching goals have led to some improvements and reductions in the  weight of some PPE. Further, in 2016 the Army began developing a goal and subsequent plan  to reduce the weight of hard armor plates by 20 percent, or about 2  pounds, by identifying and eliminating excess ballistic protection  parameters and potentially updating testing methodologies. The Army and Marine Corps are also pursuing other efforts to reduce the  weight of PPE. According to officials with whom we met, the two services see their  analyses potentially resulting in improvements to the weight, form, and  function of Soldier and Marine equipment. Army and Marine Corps Are Exploring Other Research Initiatives to Reduce the Total Load Burden on Ground Combat Personnel

Army and Marine Corps researchers are exploring initiatives—such as  improvements to logistics and resupply capabilities, load transfer  technologies, lighter ammunition, and reduced battery usage—that may  decrease the total load burden on ground combat personnel. Agency Comments

DOD provided technical comments on a draft of this report, which we  incorporated as appropriate.
Why GAO Did This Study

Army and Marine Corps ground combat personnel have long worn a variety of PPE such as vests, armor, and helmets to help protect them from operational risks. The two services have documented the advanced protection capabilities of current PPE systems, but identified that the armor contributes to the total load burden—or cumulative weight of items typically worn or carried. In addition to PPE, personnel typically carry food, water, ammunition, communications equipment, and other items.
House Report 114-537, accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, included a provision for GAO to review Army and Marine Corps efforts to reduce the weight of PPE and other equipment worn or carried in combat.
This report describes (1) the current operational requirements associated with PPE, and how those requirements contribute to the total load burden on Soldiers and Marines in combat environments; and (2) the coordination between the Army and the Marine Corps regarding efforts to reduce the weight of PPE and the total load burden on personnel.
GAO reviewed Army and Marine Corps documentation related to PPE, total load burden on combat personnel, and weight reduction initiatives; and interviewed service researchers and program officials.

What GAO Found

The Army and Marine Corps have developed requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) to address operational threats in ground combat environments, but this PPE has increased in weight over time and has added to the total load burden on personnel. PPE primarily consists of hard armor plates, soft armor plate carrier vests, and combat helmets. Army and Marine Corps officials stated that the PPE provides significant additional protection when compared with equipment used prior to operations in Iraq in the 2000s. However, they also noted that providing this level of protection adds significant bulk and weight to the total load on Soldiers and Marines, which could impede mobility and hinder combat effectiveness. According to service-provided data, the typical total load in 2016 for Army and Marine Corps ground combat personnel averaged about 119 and 117 pounds, respectively, of which the primary PPE represented about 27 pounds based on equipment sizes (see figure). Officials stated that these totals have increased over time based on the incorporation of new PPE and other equipment.
Recognizing that the weight of PPE and other equipment could have negative effects on personnel performance, the Army and the Marine Corps have coordinated and developed goals for PPE-related weight reductions and are pursuing some efforts to reduce overall load burdens on personnel. The two services coordinate through formal working groups and informal methods to develop and improve PPE. Army and Marine Corps officials stated that while they prioritize protection and operational capabilities when developing PPE, they have overarching goals of reducing weight, in addition to improving the form, fit, and function of equipment. These goals have led to reductions in the weight of some PPE. The Army is also developing a goal and plan to reduce the weight of hard armor plates by 20 percent by identifying and eliminating excess ballistic protection. In addition, the Army and Marine Corps are pursuing other efforts to reduce the weight of PPE, such as by giving commanders the option to employ varying levels of PPE at their discretion and studying the effects of integrating PPE with overall combat loads. Finally, the Army and Marine Corps are exploring research initiatives that may reduce the total load on ground combat personnel, such as improvements to logistics and aerial delivery capabilities, load transferring systems, and other enhancements to equipment.

What GAO Recommends

GAO is not making recommendations in this report. DOD provided technical comments on a draft of this report, which GAO incorporated as appropriate.