Please stop using the term body armor in reference to body armor

The term "body armor" is synonymous with bullet resistant vests like Dragonskin or Kevlar. It does not mean the same thing as Ceramic or composite plate carriers.<br><br>To expand on why this is such a pet peeve of mines, I've been both in and out of the military for a few years. I am pleased to be heading back in next year. I am also a huge nerd, for all intents and purposes. Be it Call of Duty or Battlefield, Halo, Destiny, whatever. If it has guns, I like it.<br><br>The terms "body armor" and "plate carrier" have been used interchangeably in these games for years. For those of you who do not know what the difference is, I will elaborate. Body armor consists of flexible, high density fibers capable of slowing down bullets. Composite plates are rigid, planar, high density ceramic plates. In terms of quality, composite plates are much more effective than traditional body armor but sit in your plate carrier, which also holds soft armor (i.e. traditional body armor) in place. The term "plate carrier" is a reference to the tactical vest that you wear, designed to carry said composite plates. The plate carrier does not stop bullets.<br><br>This brings me to a few things that bother me about how the military and media paint "body armor" irl. Now, I know that the military has a tendency to make things more complicated. However, they also have a tendency to play on people's naiivety. For example, Dragon Skin. It's just kevlar with tiny ceramic plates scattered on it. Yes, it performs well, but it still does not stop everything.<br><br>Dragon Skin Havok - 9mm most potent hand cannon - Stopped by a level 3 soft armor. <br><br>This is pretty much what I want to say, in a much simpler way, that the Army doesn't. You don't have to spend exorbitant amounts of money on a nice set of plates, chances are that they perform just as well as the issued (to those who are issued) ESAPI or ESBI. Just don't be fooled by marketing. Plates > soft armor, no matter what.<br><br>Media misrepresents body armor as well. "He shot him several times from point blank range but his body armor stopped it!" No, no no no. The police officers had bullet resistant vests, not armor. If you were to shoot the average person wearing a bullet resistant vest, chances are that they're going to have some bruising or other injuries. This will not stop a rifle round.<br><br>Rant over.