U.S. to Repay Troops for Gear Bought

Under pressure from Congress, the Pentagon on Wednesday issued overdue regulations for reimbursing troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for body armor and other gear they bought to protect themselves.

The program, effective immediately, allows reimbursement for helmets, ballistic eye protection, hydration systems and tactical vests, including body armor inserts to protect areas such as the throat and groin.

The guidelines from David Chu, undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, come nearly a year after Congress passed legislation mandating the reimbursement.

That law required the Pentagon to issue the rules by last Feb. 25.

Under the guidelines, reimbursement for each item cannot exceed $1,100, and the items become government property and must be turned in to the Defense Department, unless they are destroyed or no longer usable.