Defense Department officials announced Feb. 14 the revision of a memorandum on the policy and procedures for the reimbursement of privately purchased protective equipment for operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The new memo, which was signed Feb. 10 by David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, incorporates the original guidance published Oct. 4, 2005, expands the list of reimbursable equipment and extends the eligible purchase period for reimbursement.

The full reimbursable equipment list now includes:

-- Complete ballistic vests;

-- Most component parts of ballistic vests, including side-plate body armor;

-- Helmets;

-- Ballistic eye protection;

-- Hydration systems;

-- Gloves;

-- Knee pads;

-- Elbow pads;

-- Bed insect netting;

-- Insect repellant; and

-- Reflective vests.

The eligible purchase period is now Sept. 11, 2001, through April 1, 2006, as required by the fiscal 2006 National Defense Authorization Act. The previous memo only covered purchases from Sept. 11, 2001, to July 31, 2004.

To be reimbursed for equipment, servicemembers must complete DD Form 2902, "Claim for Reimbursement for Privately Purchased Protective, Safety or Health Equipment used in Combat." This form must be submitted to the servicemember's chain of command or, for former members, to an authorizing official designated by their former service at an address on the form. All claims must be submitted by Oct. 3.

The original memo states that the military will reimburse servicemembers for the cost, including shipping, of any protective, safety or health equipment that was purchased by the them or by another person on their behalf for the servicemember's personal use during deployment.

To be eligible for reimbursement, the equipment must be on the approved list of shortage equipment, and the servicemember must not have been issued equivalent government-provided equipment before they engaged in imminent danger or hostile fire operations, the original memo states.

Reimbursement for any one item is limited to $1,100, and any equipment that servicemembers are reimbursed for becomes the property of the U.S. government and must be turned in to the unit logistics officer.

(Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)