Dear Mr. President,

I am concerned with a specific piece of personal equipment that our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other dangerous areas don’t have: helmet upgrade kits, also called ballistic loading and suspension system. This kit makes Kevlar helmets more comfortable (nice) and provides better non-ballistic protection (critical) from blasts, concussions, and other head trauma. By the way, comfort is important – especially when you see our youngsters with helmets pushed back or off – a helmet not properly on the head doesn’t provide much protection. I understand that active duty Army troops are now issued these kits in the new advanced combat helmet; but too many of our sons and daughters are not benefiting from this improved capability.

I understand all too well funding constraints. In this case, the $100 spent on each kit is significantly less than the $2.5M spent taking care of a single brain-damaged veteran over his or her lifetime. I have personally contributed towards safely bringing home a service member by giving to Operation-Helmet.org who sends upgrade kits at no cost to our heroes.

The men and women of our military have performed magnificently over the last few years. We are more proud of them than we can say. But it is a shame that many do not have adequate head protection. We should be doing more to honor the contract between America and those who serve her in war. Our armed forces, active and reserve, are once again proving their value to the nation. We can honor their sacrifices by giving them the resources they need.

Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution places the power and the duty to raise and support the military forces of the United States in the hands of the Congress. That is why I call upon you to act.

Respectfully submitted,