cdn military supplies, hits internet

Sale of Cdn. military uniforms online sparks investigation
Canadian Press, March 14, 2006

The military is investigating how uniforms and equipment that is issued only to Canadian soldiers is ending up for sale on the Internet, CBC News reports.

The sale is also raising concerns about the security of troops.

"We'll be looking at all aspects right through and including the supply chain,'' Capt. Mark Giles of the military's National Investigation Service told CBC News.

Military investigators believe many of the items being sold on online may have been stolen by soldiers or civilians working in the supply chain.

The big worry, however, is who is buying the uniforms and why.

"It could mean that a potential attack is coming with insurgents who are disguising themselves as Canadian soldiers,'' said Thompson.

Each piece of a uniform is distinct, with its own serial number. And it's not supposed to be worn by anyone other than a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

It's illegal for civilians to own or wear the forces' distinctive camouflage CADPAT clothing and it's illegal for soldiers to sell it.

But the CBC says that for just a few hundred dollars, it's possible to buy a complete CADPAT uniform with name badge and rank insignia, making the person wearing it indistinguishable from a real Canadian soldier.

A search of the web also turned up gloves, combat helmets, specialized sniper jackets, and a harness meant for the country's elite commandos, the JTF2. That harness sold online last week for $1,200 US before it was even issued to the soldiers.