A time for Armor

When I got out of the marine corps, I was heading home. I went back home here in the United States of America. I was proud of what I had fought for, what my friends had fought for, and some had died for. America.

Over the next few years, I saw things that blew my mind. School shooting became the norm and other events as well. I do not need to get into that, but there was a shooting in a movie theater at the premier of a batman movie. The shooter was wearing body armor. At that time, I wondered why Americans would need body armor? We live in the United States, land of the free and home of the brave.

It turns out that we were in a bubble of sorts. Our country was at a teetering point, and all it needed was a nudge. We got that nudge, and we are now on the border of a complete collapse. It is embarrassing that the country a lot of us fought for is falling apart. It is to the point where I have purchased body armor. Something that, years ago, I couldn’t fathom a need, but now it seems essential. So this is what I got. I needed affordable, but wanted decent.

Firstly, I am using the Condor MOPC plate carrier (kind of like calling the ATM an ATM machine when the M in ATM is for machine.) The Condor MOPC (Modular Operator Plate Carrier) has a lot of favor in the prepping community considering we are usually on a budget. Comfortable and solidly built. I purchased the camo color because, near the end of 2020, and just shy of the elections, the cheaper colorings were not available. 2 of these came in at $211. There were other colors available on ebay, but I ordered through TacticalGear.com, and my order came in with-in the 9 days expected. I also ordered this on a sunday.

The plates I ordered were from scorpion tactical gear. I was looking at spartan armor, but I didn’t have the kind of money, and found another company who was more affordable. I also did some research between online and youtube. Here is what I purchased. This is for 2 set-ups.

Front Plate-10X12 Level III+, curved, Spall coated, trauma pad included.

Rear Plate-10X12 Level III, Flat, Spall coated, trauma pad included.

Side Plates-6X8 Level III, Flat, Spall coated, trauma pad included.

2 fronts, 2 rears, 4 sides. Coupon code. $400.55. Total for 2 full set-ups, Condor MOPC and plates, ~$611.55. There are more affordable plate carriers, and you could omit the side plates, or go smaller. You could get into armor in the sub-$200 range.

This being said, I still am beside myself in the fact that within our borders, armor has become a topic for preppers right with food and water. I guess it is just that, for me, I never thought I would have to deal with armor as a civilian. The fact that I need it because of where our nation has fallen to in recent years, and that my wife will need one for the same is just sad. Be prepared and stay safe.