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Europe
Female Swedish soldiers renew calls for fireproof underwear
2009-11-20
Women in the Swedish army are demanding the provision of military underwear designed for female forms after 30 years of having to slip into something less comfortable.

Asked whether women were in a rush to get access to specially tailored underwear, Katja Adolphson of the Swedish Conscription Council replied: "We've been in a rush for the last thirty years."

Despite the fact that they've been part of the Swedish Armed Forces for decades, female soldiers still have no choice but to don men's underwear or risk the perils of combat in flammable civilian bras and panties.

Female soldiers were previously told that their underwear wait would be over by the spring of 2009, but so far the goods have been unforthcoming.

"Each battalion has been given money to buy underwear for women, but since there are still no flame resistant alternatives available they have had to make do with civilian bras and panties," said Adolphson, who is responsible for air force-related matters within the Council.

She explained that, until the situation was resolved, women would continue to run the risk of suffering skin burns if their underwear caught fire in a combat situation.

"How are women in the army supposed to feel fully welcome? It's a form of indirect discrimination," she told The Local.

Adolphson also underlined that underwear was just one of many battles women faced on the equipment front.

"Nothing has been designed with women in mind. All the sizes are too big: from boots, protective vests and shirts to the shoulder straps on our AK5 assault rifles."

Adolphson said women currently made up around five percent of uniformed staff in the Swedish Armed Forces.

"But I would expect this figure to rise once they get better at giving us what we need," she said.
Posted by: Anonymoose

#19  Glad to see she received my birthday card.
Posted by: Besoeker   2009-11-20 20:37  

#18  Just in!

An even more revealing Princess Madeleine pic for our invesigative archive!

(Totally work safe, naturally)
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy   2009-11-20 20:14  

#17  I can promise a full investigation of Princess Madeleine, if I ever get the chance.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2009-11-20 19:56  

#16  Prepare the Groat and Herbs. Kookage is neigh.

I'm sure Kookage is a mighty fine horse, .5MT, when it's calm. ;-)
Posted by: trailing wife   2009-11-20 19:44  

#15  
Princess Madeleine has promised a full investigation.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy   2009-11-20 19:42  

#14  .5MT, a little fresh air and calm breathing will help.
Posted by: lotp   2009-11-20 18:51  

#13  Prepare the Groat and Herbs. Kookage is neigh.


0/ AI

Better artifical intelligance than none.
Posted by: .5MT   2009-11-20 18:45  

#12  And deh what abouts Underwear FOR DEH HARDZ OF HEARING YOU BASTIRADS THINKING YOU CAN GET IN FRONT OF ME IN THE RITE-AID LIION... U ARE RONG!

anglTON NININININERNINERNINER IF maiFREN AND WILL HUNT U DOWN LIKE A HOMO ON A WET GRASS SUNDAY!
Posted by: .5MT   2009-11-20 18:43  

#11  thern a reason to wear even your cotons if you are in a war zone.....

PUT YOUR SHIRT OH MEN!

Gawds own fabric gives your skin a fighting chance against flashburns.

0/ Cotton!
Posted by: .5MT   2009-11-20 18:36  

#10  
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305   2009-11-20 15:12  

#9  I just had a evil thought flash through my mind.
Corpses with perfectly preserved Crotch and Boobs while the rest of the corpse is burnt to a skelleton.
YUK
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2009-11-20 13:08  

#8  Anonymoose, was trying to figure out a good Al Pacino hoo-ah in there.

I've seen the videos of the firefighters who have, umm, been too close so to say. It is clear where the unfortunate guy's cotton socks ended, and then again where the nylon stiching in the socks was located; all underneath boots and bunker gear. I can understand how nomex undies might be uncomfortable, but'cha sure don't want nylon melting onto your privies.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2009-11-20 11:31  

#7  I am shocked by not a single comment on the obvious, that they need fireproof underwear because they're so hot.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2009-11-20 08:55  

#6  It's more a problem w/ synthetic fibers that melt, rapidly transferring their heat and melting into the skin.
Posted by: ed   2009-11-20 08:47  

#5  TW, if you recall the vid on the soldier's load on the Rant a couple of days ago, at 5:37 he explains the uniform is flame retardant. We start from the outside rather than wait till it gets privy close. Of course if you're jumping into a firefight in your 'I love NY' undies, it's not flames you're worried about.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2009-11-20 08:46  

#4  Are American troops issued flame-retardant underthings? I seem to recall a story of a gentleman in Afghanistan tumbling out of bed to fight off bad guys in only plain white cotton briefs...
Posted by: trailing wife   2009-11-20 08:37  

#3  Still, non-flammable materials for military wear & underwear is a big issue, joking aside, and has been increasingly since most modern fabrics use nylons of some sort - IIRC, the brits discovered much to the burns victims chagrin that flammable underwear IS a serious concern as far back as the Flaklands war.
Posted by: anonymous5089   2009-11-20 07:55  

#2  gromky, well, not since 17th century, but what if... hence they maintain about 4000 combat troops, which means the femalians comprise about 200.
Posted by: twobyfour   2009-11-20 07:54  

#1  Swedish army? In a combat situation?
Posted by: gromky   2009-11-20 05:59  

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