Vietnam Era Variable Body Armor 

This website sells a lot quality reproductions of Vietnam uniforms, check it out! onlinemilitaria.net/shopaff.asp?affid=1608 **Guys, Primary Arms is hooking up my subscribers! Typically if you go through these links you get FREE shipping and a free gift such as a FREE or discounted (depending on which scope) scope mount for the variable scopes, or a free anti-reflection device for the prisms optics, just follow the links I have posted below on the scope of your choice. YOU MUST follow these links or you will not get the free or discounted mount/anti-reflection device from the standard Primary Arms website.** PA 1-8X Scope with Patented ACSS 5.56 / 5.45 / .308 Reticle bit.ly/2SPbNob PA GLx 2X Prism W/ ACSS 5.56/308/5.45: bit.ly/2XI0wYu PA GLx 2X Prism W/ ACSS 7.62x39/300 BO: bit.ly/2A613ux PA SLx Advanced Push button Micro Red Dot Sight: bit.ly/38aKaNn Holosun HS507C-V2 ACSS Vulcan HG pistol sight: bit.ly/3k4blgM PA SLx CYCLOPS 1X PRISM (GEN II): bit.ly/35DM07d PA 3X Magnifier bit.ly/2r3XAV2 GG&G flip to side magnifier mount: bit.ly/2EN5uv3 PA SLx MD-25 optic (RED DOT): bit.ly/3fc14iJ PA SLx MD-25 optic (ACSS RETICLE): bit.ly/348aPaB PA 1-6X24mm SFP Riflescope with Patented ACSS 5.56 / 5.45 / .308 Reticle Gen III bit.ly/2BD73bB PA Advanced Micro Dot w/ rotary knob bit.ly/2CjTCjr PA SLx Advanced Push button Micro Red Dot Sight: bit.ly/38aKaNn Holosun HS503G RDS W/ ACSS bit.ly/2r7gCd3 PA 1-6X24 FFP ACSS RAPTOR 5.56 / 5.45 / .308 BLACK bit.ly/2XnyrVO PA 1-6 FFP ACSS RAPTOR 7.62x39 / 300 Blk out bit.ly/33oS97s PA 1-8 SLx ACSS RAPTOR 5.56 / 5.45 / .308 bit.ly/38GcyoZ PA 1-8 PLATINUM FFP RAPTOR 5.56 bit.ly/2zqXYBo PA 3X Compact Prsim Scope ACSS 5.56 GEN III (Black) bit.ly/2ANgbwQ PA 3X Compact Prism Scope ACSS 7.62x39/300 Blkout GEN III (Black) bit.ly/3h7B7Pw PA 1-6X24mm SFP Riflescope Gen III with K.I.S.S. Reticle bit.ly/2SUbxEo PA 1-6X24mm SFP Riflescope with Patented ACSS 22LR Reticle bit.ly/2N8fj7P PA 1-6X24mm SFP scope w/ACSS 300BLK/ 7.62X39 Reticle bit.ly/2N6Qut9 PA 1-6X24mm SFP Riflescope Gen III with Patented ACSS 22LR Reticle bit.ly/2N8fj7P PA GLx 4-16 w/ ACSS HUD DMR reticle: bit.ly/2DDfrvW PA SLx 3-18 ACSS HUD DMR .308: bit.ly/3k3fVf5 PA SLx 3-18 ACSS HUD DMR 5.56: bit.ly/3jsBjJX Trijicon ACOG TA31 4x32 Scope with RED Dual Illumination ACSS Reticle TA31-R-ACSS bit.ly/2EQIMhg Trijicon ACOG TA31 4X32 Scope with RED Dual Illuminated ACSS AURORA RECTICE bit.ly/2T6uZuz Trijicon ACOG TA31 4X32 Scope with GREEN Dual Illuminated ACSS AURORA RECTICE bit.ly/2FRTmIQ Trijicon TA44 ACOG 1.5X16S TALL BASE (GREEN ACSS reticle) bit.ly/2DkC72H Trijicon TA44 ACOG 1.5X16S TALL BASE (RED ACSS reticle) bit.ly/2rdEu1O Trijicon TA44 ACOG 1.5X16S SHORT BASE (GREEN ACSS reticle) bit.ly/2EQge7G Trijicon TA44 ACOG 1.5X16S SHORT BASE (RED ACSS reticle) bit.ly/2FMdLMO Camouflage painting stencils: PA Tiger Stripe Stencil: bit.ly/2Dqzafa PA Multi Terrain pattern stencil: bit.ly/2Izaxkt PA Flecktarn stencil: bit.ly/2DwfMxb PA Digital camouflage stencil: bit.ly/2W0PvOP **Here's a few links to good deals on Sportsman’s guide on USGI surplus gear:** (Using coupon code "WARPOET" also give you $20 off purchases of $100) Multicam Anorak: bit.ly/2IH3N5f British Multicam (MTP): bit.ly/3m98Fih USGI Woodland Coveralls: bit.ly/3p9myPH USGI 3 color Desert jacket SUPER CHEAP! bit.ly/2Qr8yk7 USGI ballistic eye pro: bit.ly/2LBLXSR TWO ALICE IFAK pouches w/ boxes: bit.ly/2MlFPx8 USGI sleeping bag compression bag: bit.ly/2z14nCR ALICE belt: bit.ly/2Hmn48T German snow camo suit: bit.ly/39wPzPZ **Great DEAL on Palmetto State Armory lowers to complete this build on a budget! (PLUS, going thru these listed PSA links supports my channel!)** PSA AK-P: bit.ly/3vSV6ZK M4 style lower for $130 shipped: Black: bit.ly/2F5FRDU OD Green: bit.ly/2IbtcRY Coyote/FDE: bit.ly/2IGuPpV Full size M16A2/A4 style lower ($200): bit.ly/2F5HaCO **Brownells Vietnam era rifle clones:** Model 601: bit.ly/305JVMf -Just the upper: bit.ly/2ZTccKC XM16E1 bit.ly/2NRME9P -Just the upper: bit.ly/2LoDGz8 -Stripped lower: bit.ly/2Lr4TkM M16A1 bit.ly/2ZD6Yls -Just the upper: bit.ly/2Q6lwGG -Stripped lower: bit.ly/2Q1TnAA XM177 E2 bit.ly/2ZD6wnj Don’t forget to check out and subscribe to Bruce’s channel: ru-vid.com/show-UCwfzznRRdLUHwKiMTND49Jg Also check out my buddy John who is the owner of UW Gear and his RU-vid channel at Alpha Charlie concepts: ru-vid.com

My Malaysian colleagues and I trained with US Marines during the late 1990s in jungle warfare exercises in the Malaysian rainforest. We were very impressed by the US Marines’ physique as they all looked like body builders, were very fit, with backpacks which were twice (if not more) the size and weight of ours. However, they were not very flexible in their mindset. During jungle warfare exercises, we had warned them to carry the bare minimum, yet they still turned up loaded for bear. Within the first day, they had lagged far behind us and when they finally caught up, we told them that they were slowing us down. By that time, they were prepared to listen to us and left most of their stuff (body armour, night goggles, etc) to be picked up, and just brought weapons, one change of clothing, ammo, food and water. Even then, they were still slow. We joked with them that they had the wrong muscles for jungle warfare (hilly, marshy and uneven terrain) which required a thin wiry frame and that they were only good on flat land. After a week or so in the hot humid jungle, their muscles had melted away, and they were becoming as thin and wiry as we were. But what surprised us the most was that after 25 years or so after their involvement in the Vietnam War, they had lost most if not all of their jungle warfare experience, core of which was to travel as light as possible. We knew that during that era, many American units had trained (secretly) at the Jungle Warfare school in Malaysia during the 1960s, and that was usually drummed into them from day one. I also read and was told that most US special forces were trained in jungle warfare in Malaysia, prior to deployment in Vietnam.

Brent's pumping out some good videos in a short amount of time

There's something about Vietnam era radio traffic that really hits home. The sound of analog still sounds better than digital. Go Bruce !

20" inches of rain straight into 90% humidity and 95 degrees is too realistic conditions to play Vietnam in. I'm playing farmer and it is too hot. :)

The intro is more authentic than most Hollywood movies are today!

Pop culture reference/fact: The MSF soldiers in Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes utilizes the Variable Body Armor

Could you imagine walking through the woods randomly and just seeing these guys?

"This vest may save your life!" Good ol' M1955 vest lol

Impressive how this original system is not far removed from current body armor designs

15:38 is the best part.

You guys never disappoint. The added audio and hearing Dale Dye rip into Lt Wolfe was a nice touch. 👍🇺🇸

Great Video as usual! I totally agree this armor was miles ahead of its time, both in its protection and in its modularity. I measured and weighed an ESAPI I have (unfortunately I don't have a SAPI for a closer comparison), and asked a friend to do the same with his VBA plate. We found that they were both very similar in terms of protection for the weight, within a few ounces of each other, just under 8 pounds per square foot of coverage, granted at 30.06 AP protection (ESAPI) vs 30.06 ball (VBA). What I think is so significant about that is that makes it functionally on par with Interceptor Body Armor. US infantrymen in Vietnam almost universally rejected it as too hot and too heavy, and while US infantry in Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2000s and 2010s may have grumbled about their armor, but largely wore it daily and willingly. I think this difference in attitude largely stems from the wars and their tactics, rather than any fault of the VBA itself. OEF and OIF generally had shorter operations, with troops frequently being transported by vehicles to within a few hundred or thousand meters of the objective, while most US infantry units in Vietnam spent between 2 to 6 weeks "humping the boonies" on foot. And to some extent when OEF/OIF soldiers faced similar circumstances, especially in Afghanistan, they too encountered problems with the weight of their armor, and frequently wore armor that offered less protection but was lighter. Another interesting facet of the VBA's usage in Vietnam, is while US soldiers largely relegated it to use on mounted convoy escort missions or stationary guard duty, Republic of Korea Army Tiger Division infantrymen made extensive use of it during dismounted operations towards the end of their involvement in Vietnam. I'm not well versed enough on how they operated to understand what the difference was.

Interesting, I never knew this. Army 11B vet. My first tour to Iraq whenever I had ECP or OP guard I would stick two frozen 1 liter water bottles in between my side and front plates tucking them into my IOTV so they touched my sides. It was great AC for about an hour. I also took a sticker off of an imbitter radio that said "Warning may be hot" and rocked it on my kevlar.

That platoon radio traffic and soldier to soldier bickering in the beginning, that hits a feel. A good kind of feel.

I heard along time ago that some helicopter pilots would take their flak vests and put them in their lower windows to protect from bullets even tho they weren't bullet proof. The windows next to the pedals.

sock full of c-rats and dale dye chatter are nice touches. the most amazing thing is they had velcro then.

I bet you would have sweated buckets wearing that armor in those humid conditions!

You guys are doing such a great service as preservers of history for our future generations, we rarely see content this in depth and well presented, really takes you back to the time period. Thumbs up!

Absolute EXCELLENT video content. Prepared, planned and thought out, incredible quality here. We appreciate this a shit load

It's cool to see how even concepts like minimalist vs full protection armour were considered as far back as the 60s. It's weird how we ever strayed so far into the "more is always better" mindset of early 2000s full soft armour systems and now to the other extreme in turn. It's all so cyclical as if nothing hasn't already been tried and then forgotten

Thank you so much for covering this armor! I've had a set for about 4 years very interesting piece of kit. Consistently worn it with full kit on 10 Mile plus hikes living in Central Florida, and the weight and heat gets ridiculous. Getting my hands on this was the first step in my interest in the Vietnam era! Thanks again for all you do! Keep up the great videos👍

Hey guys, always great to see the both of you banging out another great vid...A great piece of military history....

Another great video Brent, thanks for sharing.

Awesome stuff as always. Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work!

The Iconic Corps Flak and the iconic American GI look. As always love the videos man especially the Nam stuff. Some really cool gear especially when you get into the MACV stuff!

very nice i remember when i was a kid in the 90s that body armor was everywhere shame i cant fit in one now i need armor at some point i have the ar15 mags and a helmet but need a carrier and ill do some looking online

Extremely interesting stuff, I love the video. Such cool information in such detail thats not so common to find. Thanks a bunch!

Outstanding video, and great historical information! And the Vietnam re-enactment spot on as usual. I bet both of you really were burning up in those vests. I heard Dale Dye’s voice in there!

Hell yeah! I got one of these a few years ago and you are for damn sure right about how revolutionary they are! Its amazing, too bad they didn't revisit them or the concept after the war. Great video as always!

I love that you used sound bites from my all time favorite movie it was good to hear Barnes again.

Great job guys!

I love your channel!!!! you ALWAYS stay professional and tactful. you do not include politics or opinions. keep up the good work!

Very cool, and Bruce enjoyed the sweat way to much hahaha had me cracking up tho lol

Next time u film can I be a part of it? I can always play a dude playing another dude disguised as another dude.

Excellent camera work, I find it incredible that soldiers could/can wear that plus all their other load out in extreme temperatures… in the 80s all we had was the H harness loadout, hilarious ending! Thank you!

Love the Platoon references!

I'm a simple man, I see Brent and Bruce humpin' the boonies, (and Ken dying again...!) I click like. That variable armour is exceptionally advanced for it's time - fabulous work gents.

Now that's a nice peace of kit. And another great video guys

Thank you gentlemen. Awesome video!

Yes I noticed that. Excellent work!

Basically just looks like an infantry adapted version of the aircrew vest. Thanks Brent and Bruce for bringing another great video!

Still learning everyday. What a great system for that era.

Awesome content as usual!

Great video, keep em coming please

Devil dog i always enjoy and learn something from your videos thank you

Love your videos!

Awesome stuff my Brothers 👍🏻🇦🇺 if you both have the gear for it could you both consider doing a Desert Storm Gulf War 1991 review, as an Aussie fan of your channel I would love to see this ;)

Legend has it. Wolf is still having compass trouble.

I wore this vest with ceramic plate everyday in Vietnam 71-72 flying as the scout in the OH-6 little bird with F/8 Air Cav BlueGhost

Out-effin-standing video. The both of you did great on giving the scuttlebutt of that armor. And your BDUs is crisp and clean. I know it's hard to find and very expensive now, but since our Leatherneck brothers were a part of it, do you think in the future, you could do a video on MACV SOG equipment load outs? Thanks for sharing, you Mighty Awesome Devil Dog. Semper Fi!

Good video as always brother stay safe out there

Interesting, Never knew these existed. Thanks

A new video of Brent0331 and the day is saved! Thumbs up!

OUTSTANDING!!!

Sehr interessant ! Danke !

I hate seeing Bruce get shot up like that..he takes it like a champ tho

Very interesting video! Thank you for sharing! It is surprising how modern that armor is. I wonder what other technology is just sitting on a shelf somewhere, waiting for justification to be used.

Very cool! I've seen very few people know or talk about these and I've seen many people make the uninformed claim that rifle plates weren't around until modern times. I've known about these for a very long time and it's cool to see some video content on one. Way ahead of their time, but they are miserably hot to wear, even in temperate climates, as you alluded to in your video. The quick release and the way the vest is put together is very reminiscent of a set of aircrewman body armor (chicken plate) from the same time period, although the plates in the aircrewman body armor are supposed to protect against .30 AP, are much larger and heavier and don't have any provision to wear without the carrier (which itself provides no real frag protection). Lastly, I'm very jealous of your lightweight rucksacks. I was never able to find one of those in my neck of the woods and the days of finding one online at a sane price are long gone.

Damn, i knew aircrews got ceramic plates but never even tangentially heard about rifle plates for infantry, you guys bring some exclusive stuff :D

Funny thing about those plates is they appear to be made with either Silicon Carbide or Boron Carbide strike faces, which are considered "high end" in modern-day civilian body armor plates and cost a premium over the much cheaper and heavier cream white colored Alumina Oxide strike faces.

Good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

Very cool!

Amazing video brent, maybe can you do videos on noise discipline before and during movement?

Thanks

Great video! Never heard about those wests before. *edit* The end of the video can never be unseen though :D

That's actually really forking cool

Damn I’m mind blown! Crazy had they put more into it maybe we’d be further ahead in plate carriers today. I knew we had hardened armor for pilots during that period but didn’t think or even know that kind of vest was out there for ground troops. I wonder how May guys actually thought of using it as a plated only platform to patrol in for the few that took it out for tests. I’m sure some sgt major would blow a gasket if they tried to make it make sense lol. Pretty cool man. Looks just like the hated IOTV the Army still issues out to soldiers. Bulky and hot.

1 sec in, automatic thumbs up👍

Good to see this episode covering Vietnam era flak vests and gear. I can imagine why a lot of US troops didn't wear them as much. With the heat and humidity combined with a steel helmet and carrying heavy webbing loads. It can be a lot. Still those flak vests look cool and would love one like the M69

Cool vid

If you test 5.56 on the cracked plate will be only video of it ever existing

Impressive i did not know they had armour like this back then

the blood just seems so classic with this video lol

Great video Brent0331.

Cool video, keep them coming. And do u know if the Soviet had their own version oh this in the 60s and 70s?

You should shoot that cracked plate with a few things 5.56, 7.62x69, .308 and so on to test its stopping power.

Very cool retro yet futuristic armor It reminds me of something a colonial Marine would use on a bug hunt

Hey Brent just wondering if you're planning on doing anymore camo effectiveness videos this summer?

Love the Camo series! Could you please do Night Vision on the Camo uniforms in actual vegetation? More importantly, how best to defeat NV, and Thermal? Very important info could be gathered!!!

Where the the asian guy washing himself!? It's not a Brent0331 without him!

“This was too heavy” The IOTV tipping the scales at 31 lbs: 😰😰

Wow, multicurve. Nice.

Nice

Классный обзор ...не знал что были жесткие плиты...А плиты из кевлара...или керамики??😮🤔

I don't believe he got all that equipment off in time for you to get there.😂

Man and they got that multi-curve going on! Barely find that nowadays...what the hell?!

This video really puts into perspective how long it takes to create new technologies after initial breakthroughs and how much things really don't change. Aside from optics and night vision for the individual soldier, we've been stagnant and will continue to be so til then next set of breakthroughs that will radically change the field. Don't think we'll see it, but it's quite interesting nonetheless.

😂😂😂that ending!! Bro, cool ass shit for sure, and I see y’all are enjoying that Texas heat that rivals what I’m dealing with down here. Pastey Whites (Bruce’s new call sign) needs to hit the beach and tan the fuck up 😂. Good stuff bros, stay safe 🇺🇸🇺🇸

Fun fact during this time of the year the mosquitoes are out and about in Texas.

I'd be very curious to know just how you came across a brand spanking new variable body armor set and how much $$$ that must have cost....

The design kinda reminds me of the early day german flack vests that where opened on the sides and the left side of your shoulder.

Like the shotgun

Pretty slick, and really not that heavy if the 20lbs is with the flak. Reason why you see Marines with belt kit in all the recent Jungle Boot and Hot Weather pajama tests, heat casualty is still a casualty. Belt line in jungle, chest rig in the Arctic!

I had no idea we had Velcro in 1969; much less ceramic based plates.

As an old Vietnam vet never seen this type of vest, had a flak vest so I was wondering what is the weight difference from the Variable Body Armour and what is worn today. Semper Fi Brent Old Marine 1969 to 1973

Very nice gentlemen, who knew???

Me when this new armor saves my life: 3:20

Any plans on doing ARVN kits?

Hiw much would the full outfit cost?