Is it plausible to depict the Segmentata using armor upgrades?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Once again, the modern infantryman cant use light of any kind at night, because it would give his position away. But we were still expected to keep our 782 gear and weapons clean and serviceable. And we didnt have all day to do it (way too busy closing with and destroying the enemy and such).

Your belt kit is made out of synthetic webbing, unlikely the snap under stress, your body armour won't suffer from random failure of it's fittings, which aren't made of bronze.

THe analogy between modern and ancient is bad in most respects, in some it works. Soldiers will generally do the bear minimum of work to stop themselves getting killed, for instance.

[ljperreira]

Your belt kit is made out of synthetic webbing, unlikely the snap under stress, your body armour won't suffer from random failure of it's fittings, which aren't made of bronze.

THe analogy between modern and ancient is bad in most respects, in some it works. Soldiers will generally do the bear minimum of work to stop themselves getting killed, for instance.

The U.S. Marine Corps has high standards concerning the Marine's upkeep of his gear and weapons. We are not allowed to "do the bear minimum of work", all of our equipment is inspected by the team leader, squad leader, section leader, what have you....good luck to the Marine who fails.
And yes, you’re equipment can suffer from random failure....I’ve had it happen to me on a few occasions. Usually I would agree that comparing a modern infantryman to his ancient counterpart is wrong, but in this case its a simple matter of gear serviceability and the upkeep of it, which is the same whether you’re talking about a Pugio or a Bayonet.

I would also like to point out something I've been intending to add to my comments but keep forgetting......there is proof that the Legionaries made quick fixes in the field, relating specifically to the fittings. The Corbridge hoard has a couple such fixes here, and here. These examples show that after the hinge failed, the plates were riveted directly to each other, which may prove that a failure of this type doesn’t have to be a considerable setback.
I think that the only thing you would lose at that point is a small amount of comfort. I’m going to try this out on one of my own Segmentatas', because I don’t think it would really make much difference.

[bovi]

I think perhaps the regular infantryman of the US would be a better comparison to the regular infantryman of the Roman Empire than the elite Marines.

[antisocialmunky]

I think perhaps the regular infantryman of the US would be a better comparison to the regular infantryman of the Roman Empire than the elite Marines.

That'd be a pretty good comparison to the volunteer legions of the Principate.