'<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_Tactical_Vest" class="extiw" title="w:Modular Tactical Vest">Modular Tactical Vest</a><b> (MTV) is the United States Marine Corps body armor being deployed in 2006:  The </b>Modular Tactical Vest</i> comes with several components that Marines have to carefully configure and maintain. The MTV, which doubles as body armor and load-bearing vest, features many improvements over the Outer Tactical Vest currently fielded to most Marine units. A quick-release mechanism allows Marines to get out of the vest hastily in emergency situations and allows for immediate medical access. The vest provides more protection from shrapnel in the lower back and kidney area and protects the side torso area from bullets thanks to the integration of side armor plate carriers. The integrated cummerbund provides the improved load carriage and weight distribution.
Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke , United States Marine Corps, Photo ID: 200752975218
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/lookup/200752975218?opendocument">Photo ID: 200752975218</a>, U.S. Marine Corps Official Photo Archive.