Army grunts will be 'million-dollar' men.

• Position: Washington Pulse - Brief Article

The cost of equipping soldiers has escalated dramatically since the beginning of the war in Iraq, says the Army's top deputy for acquisition. Some troops in specialized jobs today carry more than $100,000 in gear.

Equipping a soldier with basic gear for Vietnam cost $2,000. The same equipment now costs $25,000. "When we start adding other things--such as communications gear--you get close to $100,000," says Lt. Gen. Joseph Yakovac.

The trend is alarming, Yakovac...