AP: Marines fail to get gear to troops
By RICHARD LARDNER
2 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - The system for delivering badly needed gear to Marines in Iraq has failed to meet many urgent requests for equipment from troops in the field, according to an internal document obtained by The Associated Press.
Of more than 100 requests from deployed Marine units between February 2006 and February 2007, less than 10 percent have been fulfilled, the document says. It blamed the bureaucracy and a "risk-averse" approach by acquisition officials.
Among the items held up were a mine resistant vehicle and a hand-held laser system.
"Process worship cripples operating forces," according to the document. "Civilian middle management lacks technical and operational currency."
The 32-page document — labeled "For Official Use Only" — was prepared by the staff of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force after they returned from Iraq in February.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070525/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/marines_critical_gear;_ylt=AmvUe_biCd0WqNs8dXsS2hWs0NUE