Comments on: Corps Asks for MRAP Slowdown

By: A Malecksa

A Malecksa — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:04:14 +0000

I am interested in the MRAP program. I once read that a trained service man costs the military $500,000. A trained officer costs the military $1,000,000. I have heard stories about the protection a MRAP offers. Stories like, the MRAP was blown up as high as the telephone wires, or blown 120 feet from the explosion, and the personnel inside survived.
I have also read articles about the Humvee and its lack of ability to survive IED explosions.
If the above is true, economics says that one MRAP surviving one IED will probably save the military $2.8 million ($800,000 for MRAP and four personnel at $500,000). One Humvee lost to an IED costs the military $2.1 million ($115,000 for Humvee and four personnel at $500,000.
I was an Air Force officer and am now an accountant. One of my concerns is the way employees are treated. A company trains someone, give them a job in which they gain experience, and does not care whether they go or stay. It costs money to train people. The issue should not be “how much does the equipment cost”, but “how much does it cost to obtain an experienced employee.“
Incidentally, I saw how service men were treated in the Air Force. I say, demand that the generals and other commanders accompany the service men as they drive through the contested areas in IRAQ . Then, give them the choice on whether to go in a Humvee or a MRAP.

By: Spock

Spock — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:48:14 +0000

We also do not have the maintenance training and parts infrastructure in place to keep the ones that have been fielded running. This has been a problem since they were introducd. I know this because I spent a year over there fielding them and other CIED equipment. The companies making them do not have any surge capacity so to make spare parts they must reduce their production of vehicles.

By: William Smith

William Smith — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:02:41 +0000

The Excron Corporation is interested in buying MRAPs to arm their mercenaries. These mercenaries are applied in Iraq. Especially in the north of Iraq, the Excron Corporation protect the Oilfields of Heritage Oil&Gas Corporation. Heritage is a Canadian energy company which is acting world wide. The Excron Corporation especially Excron — Risk Management is a special partner of Heritage.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:49:09 +0000

These vehicles (MRAP) are also used by the Excron Corporation. They are using it for armd convoy driving.

By: 22lr

22lr — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:36:50 +0000

YA have to realize that the MRAP was shoved down their throat. Id be concerned about the large numbers in case we ever had another real shotting war, which is just a matter of time.

By: Rix

Rix — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 09:11:54 +0000

Any American general who can’t figure out how to use what is basically a wheeled APC probably needs to be replaced, given that APC’s have been in use since at least the M3 halftrack…

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 05:11:30 +0000

They would make excellent IA in theater APCs. The would be great for shuttling a few squads to a troubled area to take care of business. Perfect vehicle for the IA, its all they need! lol.

By: Jason Stitham

Jason Stitham — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:05:37 +0000

I don't know of any accountant or accountants that could budget a war and keep the expense account in the black. Especially when every other week is we're pulling troops out, then we're sending more in the next. Fact of the matter is the MRAP's are a necessity, too many.. big deal, let's try keeping the ones we don't use in decent shape so when the next "conflict" or war comes about we can use them. Cross utilization, ACCounting 101.

By: Roy Smith

Roy Smith — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:10:29 +0000

The South African Army effectively found a way to utilize MRAP vehicles,since most of the MRAP vehicles we use is South African in origin.Maybe an effective mix of "South African" MRAPs & Israeli styled "uparmored" M113s & converted APCs from old tank chassis'(if we still have any M60s or M48s) would be a good answer for the urban environment of Iraq.We don't need speed in the cities,we need armored protection.We need speed in the countryside.0 to 60 in 1 second doesn't do jack when a bus or truck or other obstacle is blocking the road.Why aren't we using armored earthmovers more like Israel does?Where are our armored John Deeres?

By: Roy Smith

Roy Smith — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:56:49 +0000

Like someone said before,for urban environments(unless you plan on dropping a MOAB to completely level the town) you should use the MRAPs.On post,you don't even need HMMWVs,you can use the Dodge or Ford COMBATT vehicles for "safe" on post duties.I guess you could use the HMMWV in "country" or "Jungle" environments.Again,I haven't heard of much problems with HMMWVs in the Afghan countryside & with MATTRACKS,the HMMWVs can work in winter environments or swamp like environments. Can somebody explain to me what the Armet "Gurkha" LAV is good for? I know that its a souped up Ford F550 Chassis,but I haven't seen anything to say that it is an MRAP vehicle.