USGI PASGT “Flak” Vest, Woodland Camo

Description

Because Kevlar body armor has a shelf life, these vests SHOULD NOT be used as protection against ballistic threats. These vests are for novelty or collection purposes ONLY. DO NOT buy this vest for life-saving purposes.

This is a vest used by the US Military from the early 80s to the early 2000’s that holds soft armor. Designed to replace earlier iterations of “flak” vests used mainly by aircrew, this Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops, PASGT, vest offered superior protection and comfort when originally fielded. The two large pockets on the front of the vest offer some general purpose storage, although this would typically be used with load bearing equipment, LBE, worn over it. Iterations would first see widespread use during Operation Urgent Fury in 1983, with use all the way into the early GWOT. The shoulder pads pivot, allowing the user to shoulder a rifle easier, a notable improvement over earlier vests. there is a strip of webbing across each side, great for use as a tie-down point, holding small items like shotgun shells or chemlights, or even small MOLLE pouches. The pockets close with hook and loop, and the vest closes with a two-piece hook and loop flap, which ensures overlap between armor panels to prevent any gaps in protection. Overall, this is a cool piece of history and an interesting piece of kit.

Because Kevlar body armor has a shelf life, these vests SHOULD NOT be used as protection against ballistic threats. These vests are for novelty or collection purposes ONLY. DO NOT buy this vest for life-saving purposes.

Features:

• Small General Purpose Pockets – Small pockets on pouch can fit small items.
• Hook and Loop Fastener – Attaches or secures with a Hook and Loop field.
• Part of the PASGT System – Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops, PASGT. This was the ballistic armor system used by the US Military from the 1980’s to the early 2000’s. Consisted of a ballistic vest and helmet.
• Woodland Camo Pattern – Created and issued from 1981 onwards. Based on the ERDL camo patterns used throughout the Vietnam War and afterwards, specifically the 2nd pattern ERDL, RDF ERDL. The biggest change over earlier ERDL patterns was the enlargement of the patterns and shapes found in ERDL. The colors were also the same with light green, dark green and brown being used. Black would be used in twig shapes across the base colors. Woodland Camo is commonly referred to just as BDU or M81. M81 is an unofficial name for Woodland Camo that comes from its adoption date, 1981. It was used across the US Military till individual service branches replaced it with modern camo patterns.
• Includes Ballistic Insert – Comes with compatible ballistic insert.

Manufactured by:

• Various Government Contractors – This item is manufactured for the US government by various contractors.

Country of Manufacture: USA – This product is manufactured in the #1 country, the USA.

Issue Type: USGI – These are genuine US government issued items made to military specification (mil-spec).