TM 10-8400-203-23
24-6. REPAIR OF BODY ARMOR PROTECTIVE TROUSERS - Continued
(4) Ballistic Insert Inspection:
(a) Carefully examine the inserts for any damage. Do not repair if an insert (Figure 24-1) has been ballistically
or otherwise damaged, as evidenced by a hole, cut, tear or frayed yam. Mark protective trousers as
unserviceable.
CAUTION
If ballistic inserts are wet, do not dry them near heat or open flame
as this will degrade their protective capacity
.
(b) Air dry any damp or wet ballistic insert before it is stitched into a new shell.
b. Cleaning Instructions.
CAUTION
Do not use a stiff brush to dean any part of the trouser as this may
damage the material.
(1) Remove loose dirt from hook and loop fasteners and outer cover surface using a cloth or soft brush.
(2) Immerse the protective trouser in warm (90° F) water.
CAUTION
Never use bleach, dry cleaning solvents, gasoline or similar
products to clean the protective trousers as this will stain and
damage the materials.
(3) Apply soap or detergent to the soiled areas and scrub with a soft brush. Badly soiled areas may be scrubbed
with soap.
(4) Grease and oil stains may be pre-spotted with a detergent mixture and scrubbed with a soft brush. Repeat this
process if stains persist.
(5) Rinse all detergent out of the protective trousers with dean water.
(6) Fasten shoulder straps and place on a hangar to air dry, away from heat or open flame.
c.
Organizational Maintenance. Organizational maintenance of the protective trousers is limited to cleaning specified
in Paragraph 24-6.b. and repair of small holes and tears in the outer shell not exceeding 1 inch in length or
diameter provided the ballistic insert is not damaged. Repair a small hole or tear without removing the inserts by
drawing the edges of the outer shell material together and darning by hand. There is no limit to the number of
small hole or tear repairs that can be applied to the outer shell.
d.
Direct Support Maintenance.
(1) General.
(a) When repairing a hole or tear 1 to 3 inches in length or diameter in the outer shell, remove the ballistic insert
by opening the bottom seam and strap stitchings. Repair the outer shell by machine sewing as specified in
Table 24-2. Inspect the ballistic insert, referring to Paragraph 24-6.a(4) to determine its serviceability. Re-
install a serviceable ballistic insert into the repaired outer shell and machine sew as specified in Table 24-2.
Change 8 24-7
