VoteVets.org poll: inadequate equipment, health problems face Vets

Inadequate equipment, health problems face Iraq, Afghanistan veterans: poll

34 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan lack proper equipment, are overstretched and face serious health problems upon their return home, according to a poll released by an advocacy group.

The poll by VoteVets.org, a political action committee made up of veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, showed that nearly half of all veterans (42 percent) believe that their equipment did not meet military standards.

It also said that 35 percent of veterans reported that their trucks had no armor protection while 10 percent said the trucks were "up-armored" with scrap metal.

"The results of this poll should be a wake up call to every American," said Jon Soltz, an Iraq war veteran and chairman of VoteVets. "We are shortchanging our troops, in combat and at home.

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The poll was released amid a sudden spike in the number US troop casualties in Iraq, where 10 soldiers have been killed since Monday. Their death brings the number of killed since the March 2003 invasion to 2,725, according to an AFP count based on Pentagon figures.

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"Overall, 63 percent of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans believe the Army and Marine Corps are overextended at this time," the poll report said.

It added that 79 percent of all veterans agree that National Guard and Reserve veterans deserve the same type of health coverage as active duty personnel.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061004/ts_alt_afp/usiraqafghanistan_061004192332