British Soldiers Get Germ-Fighting Undies

British Soldiers Get Germ-Fighting Undies

Our Allies have better underwear

left: British soldier Sergeant Paul Buckley displays an item of anti-microbial underwear, that will soon be…

LONDON – British troops combating the heat and dust of Iraq and Afghanistan have a new weapon in their armory, defense officials announced Thursday, germ-fighting underwear.
 
The antimicrobial underpants have been introduced by the Ministry of Defense as part of a new desert uniform for soldiers. They are the first undergarments issued to British troops, who traditionally have had to supply their own.

Col. Silas Suchanek, who led the team that procured the new equipment, said the unisex trunks were made from artificial fibers for comfort, with silver particles woven into the material to prevent sweating.

“It is coated to prevent bacterial infection and we have tried to arrange the seams so that they don’t chafe,” he said.

The army’s new desert kit also includes boots with rubber soles designed to withstand temperatures of up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit, wraparound sunglasses, light Kevlar-nylon helmets and “combat sandals” for off-duty wear.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said the new equipment would make Britain’s troops “among the best equipped in the world, ready to face environments ranging from desert conditions in Iraq, monsoon conditions in Brunei, to winter in the Balkans.”

“Support for the modern serviceman or woman starts from the skin out,” Ingram said.

The defense ministry said the new underwear was already being issued to troops. The rest of the equipment will be introduced by March.