Originally Posted by
Skyyr
Barring a flat-out invasion of CONUS, armor is really only useful to non-mil/LEO in offensive situations. I can really only think of one two scenarios where a civilian would need to don body armor in an offensive capacity and they're extremely, extremely unlikely (e.g. you're participating in the next revolution as a three-pee'er or similar and you have to use your own gear). Everything else is either the result of watching too many Hollywood movies or having delusions of grandeur.
That said, it's not bad to have on hand; but, if you have it, you need to train with it as much as you train without armor. Also, it has a shelf life. I'm not certain how/if they're good past that, I just remember all of my issued plates having an expiration date on them.