The Inside Story of What Happened at Stars and Stripes
The article discusses the editorial independence of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes and recounts a historical investigation into faulty protective equipment for gunners in Iraq. It highlights the tension between military safety protocols and the practical realities faced by soldiers in combat.
Why it matters
It underscores the importance of independent journalism in holding military institutions accountable for the safety and welfare of service members.
For generations, the newspaper has served American military families without interference from the government. That work must continue. And it must remain editorially independent.
Illustration by Akshita Chandra / The Atlantic* September 9, 2026, 1 PM ET Share Save A “chicken plate,” in military parlance, is a protective shield used in a variety of combat situations. During the Vietnam War, chicken plates were inserted into vests—they are resistant against small-arms fire, but they’re also bulky and hot. So some pilots sat on them instead, which had the added benefit of providing protection against bullets that came from below.
I first encountered another type of chicken plate in Iraq, where I was embedded with a convoy of American service members patrolling outside of Tikrit.
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