MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho — In order to efficiently do their job without feeling restricted, the 366th Security Forces Squadron ordered new cut plate carriers for female defenders.
“Other bases have tested them but they gave a lot of negative feedback,” said Tech. Sgt. Steven Pyott, 366th SFS NCO in charge of supply. “We went with a different company who had experience in making female plate-carriers for civilian law enforcement.”
Pyott explained that issuing these was one step towards encompassing all members of the defender career field.
The plate carrier’s exterior is made to hold the defenders’ weapons, handcuffs and all of their necessary gear while the interior holds ballistic plates. Carrying this amount of weight on the chest and abdomen can cause back and shoulder problems.
“A standard plate carrier is designed for the male body figure,” Pyott said. “The female plate carriers are designed with a special cut that allows our female SF members to be more mobile with increased comfort and equal protection.”
