US Army Fields New Protective Neck Gear

[davidtkl]

US Army Fields New Protective Neck Gear:

http://combat-missions.com/in-the-news/army-fields-new-protective-neck-gear

[TacoDelRio]

Verrry strange link and site...

[Limeyfellow]

I wonder how well that works in a ****e position. It looks like it would dig in.

[scrybe]

Verrry strange link and site...

That was posted elsewhere on the site, don't remember exactly where though.

[~center~]

Or they could stop issuing that stupid @ss new helmet that sit's on the top of our heads protecting us from nothing other than bird droppings. Both solutions to a non-problem (firing in the ****e) created only bigger problems and is a continued waste of my tax dollars. Resentment much, YES! p-)

[Bohemoth]

That was posted elsewhere on the site, don't remember exactly where though.
It's been posted here in comparison to the better LWH as used by the USMC:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2344376&postcount=2159

[exarmyguard]

Or they could stop issuing that stupid @ss new helmet that sit's on the top of our heads protecting us from nothing other than bird droppings. Both solutions to a non-problem (firing in the ****e) created only bigger problems and is a continued waste of my tax dollars. Resentment much, YES! p-)

I agree. The Russians learned that lesson about helmets the hard way in Chechnya. Their new helmets cover alot of the human head and neck. When will we ever learn. Lets stop repeating mistakes of others.

[Sabre]

Bloody hell, I'd never noticed how poorly protective that helmet is. That's shocking. Must be a massive confidence boost for the blokes on the ground. "Here you are lads, tack this bit of kevlar on the back of you necks, it just covers the bit we forgot to protect with the helmet. Dont worry, it's only where your brainstem is..."

[exarmyguard]

Bloody hell, I'd never noticed how poorly protective that helmet is. That's shocking. Must be a massive confidence boost for the blokes on the ground. "Here you are lads, tack this bit of kevlar on the back of you necks, it just covers the bit we forgot to protect with the helmet. Dont worry, it's only where your brainstem is..."

I wouldn't be surprised if those words came out of the mouth of the sergeant major of the army himself.

Could someone do a side by side photo of the US and Russian helmets? Just to see how the Russians dealt with the same problem. I don't know how to post pics.

[szr]

This is why the USMC went with the LWH.

[ZoneOne]

I wonder how well that works in a ****e position. It looks like it would dig in.

It very well might, but most of the causalities are occurring while in transit, in a vehicle.

[KillerBD]

Or they could stop issuing that stupid @ss new helmet that sit's on the top of our heads protecting us from nothing other than bird droppings. Both solutions to a non-problem (firing in the ****e) created only bigger problems and is a continued waste of my tax dollars. Resentment much, YES! p-)

x2 If the army wouldn't have made this newer "improved" helmet standard issue then we wouldn't have this problem. The U.S. Army should have just kept the old style ones then we wouldn't have this problem.

[Vince S]

The old PASGT was 100 times better than those MICH... The USMC did the best move, integrating the coverage of the PASGT to the confort/stability of the newer MICH

[TacoDelRio]

I dunno... it's alot easier to hear in a MICH/Other newer helmet, than a PASGT. Most soldiers I know prefer something other than a PASGT. I hated them, but my primary complaint was the ancient suspension system (easily replaced).

I wouldn't go and say it was a completely wrong move to go with a new helmet design that covers less. Other reasons prompted the change, such as hearing protection devices (Peltors and others), communications devices, and the like.

[Bzzliteyr]

BLSS.. do a google search for that and you'll see how things can be improved.. the Marines added the same thing to their helmets, from a different company, Skydex. militarymorons.com has a good comparison and review of both. I for one am glad that I have my BLSS installed in my Canadian Helmet.

[~center~]

I agree. The Russians learned that lesson about helmets the hard way in Chechnya. Their new helmets cover alot of the human head and neck. When will we ever learn. Lets stop repeating mistakes of others.

The Russians have the right idea for sure! Although I think they might have over-done it a little with the coverage of the helmet, it's still an improvement over their last gastly helmet.

Also, like the Marine Corps, my Army unit decided to not get the Mich but upgrade new PASGT helmets with Aero-Oregon's awesome upgrade kit. Talk about an improvement in the suspension/padding system in the helmets. And what do you know, it solved our problem of comfort AND coverage. The only thing I would like to see is the Army issuing a level IIIA or above helmet with the old PASGT profile and the new padded/4-point chin harness, then we'll be good. Would be cheaper than the Mitch also.

[TacoDelRio]

BLSS.. do a google search for that and you'll see how things can be improved.. the Marines added the same thing to their helmets, from a different company, Skydex. militarymorons.com has a good comparison and review of both. I for one am glad that I have my BLSS installed in my Canadian Helmet.

Those are really nice kits. Light years beyond what the issue one was (or is, not sure anymore).

[TehSuig]

Or they could stop issuing that stupid @ss new helmet that sit's on the top of our heads protecting us from nothing other than bird droppings. Both solutions to a non-problem (firing in the ****e) created only bigger problems


x2 If the army wouldn't have made this newer "improved" helmet standard issue then we wouldn't have this problem. The U.S. Army should have just kept the old style ones then we wouldn't have this problem.

Personally, I think you are both smoking crack. If you've ever worn the PASGT for more than 5 minutes you would have realized how ****ty that thing was. I know of NO ONE who's had both that would like to switch back to the Kpot, the thing is trash. Less protection, yes. More head mobility, hearing ability, less neck fatigue, and the ability to mount comms comfortably underneath...yes. I would much rather loose some protection from something that might happen, than carry around a bunch of bulky crap that's just going to slow me down and make me less able to do my job. We don't wear neck collars/groin protectors/side plates or any of that bullsht around here. It's just not practical for a LIGHT infantryman.

As for this new pad thing, just more crap. It's not going to stop anything, and if by some chance it does, the impact of whatever hit you will now probably break your neck instead of going in. Pick which one you want, I'm not wearing it.

[Erik2a4]

Personally, I think you are both smoking crack. If you've ever worn the PASGT for more than 5 minutes you would have realized how ****ty that thing was. I know of NO ONE who's had both that would like to switch back to the Kpot, the thing is trash. Less protection, yes. More head mobility, hearing ability, less neck fatigue, and the ability to mount comms comfortably underneath...yes. I would much rather loose some protection from something that might happen, than carry around a bunch of bulky crap that's just going to slow me down and make me less able to do my job. We don't wear neck collars/groin protectors/side plates or any of that bullsht around here. It's just not practical for a LIGHT infantryman.

As for this new pad thing, just more crap. It's not going to stop anything, and if by some chance it does, the impact of whatever hit you will now probably break your neck instead of going in. Pick which one you want, I'm not wearing it.

Hahahahaha...

Suge beat me to it.

It's MICH. Not "Mitch."

I can put you in contact with several of my esteem Marines collegues who prefer the MICH/ACH over the K-pot or LWH. And yes, they're 03 series. Actually, no I can't. They wouldn't want to post here. This ain't exactly 10-8 forums or socnet.

Every try to shoot ****e, with NODs, at 300m? How about in the middle of a fight? Ever try to wear a MBITR/Peltor Headset under the Dome of Obdience? You do realize that the mounting screws/A-nuts on the K-pot are non-ballistic, right?

I have heard one single person complain about the ACH versus K-pot. He was a tanker who has not deployed since Desert Storm; he also loved C-Mags and his tanker boots. He worked for Range Control. Now I've heard two.

Center...you and your unit use whatever you want. I'll keep my MICH, thanks...

[Erik2a4]

Or they could stop issuing that stupid @ss new helmet that sit's on the top of our heads protecting us from nothing other than bird droppings. Both solutions to a non-problem (firing in the ****e) created only bigger problems and is a continued waste of my tax dollars. Resentment much, YES! p-)

You don't fire from the ****e? Why?

What shooting POI taught you never to go ****e?

[Bohemoth]

To mute once and for all the notorious MICH/ACH lovers :):

Source: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/lwh.htm

As the helmet's name suggests {Light Weight Helmet, LWH}, the extra capability was designed with a corresponding weight reduction of about one-half pound. For comparison, a medium-size older version helmet {PASGT} weighs 3.6 pounds versus a medium lightweight helmet's 3.05 pounds. It's {the LWH} the same weight as the MICH but doesn't lose the area of coverage. It could have made as light as 2.8 pounds with a MICH-style cut. The MICH feels good, but Marines said they didn't feel as protected wearing it.

[Erik2a4]

To mute once and for all the notorious MICH/ACH lovers :):

Source: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/lwh.htm

And that's why I love MP.net. It's brings out the professional soldier in all of us.

I'll wear mine and you wear yours, chief. Some things are purely subjective.

Edit: As of Tuesday's Stars and Stripes, the USMC is also purchasing this.

[~center~]

You don't fire from the ****e? Why?

What shooting POI taught you never to go ****e?

Where in that post does it say I never go ****e? :roll:

I am a former Marine 0311, current Army sniper and Fed, and I never had ANY problem firing my rifle in training OR combat while wearing the PASGT. Did the suspension system suck? Hell yea it did but then I believe I covered that also. BTW, the Oregon Aero system I mentioned is the same system in the MICH.
And lastly, as far as the helmet I actually wear... RBR, PASGT Level IIIA. But I guess RBR doesn't know what there doing either.

So yea, keep your MICH or Mitch it's all you dude. Then again, I've been in the military and government service for almost 15 years so what do I know?!!!

[Erik2a4]

Where in that post does it say I never go ****e? :roll:

I am a former Marine 0311, current Army sniper and Fed, and I never had ANY problem firing my rifle in training OR combat while wearing the PASGT. Did the suspension system suck? Hell yea it did but then I believe I covered that also. BTW, the Oregon Aero system I mentioned is the same system in the MICH.
And lastly, as far as the helmet I actually wear... RBR, PASGT Level IIIA. But I guess RBR doesn't know what there doing either.

So yea, keep your MICH or Mitch it's all you dude. Then again, I've been in the military and government service for almost 15 years so what do I know?!!!

I took it from your quote. Good for you if you go ****e to fire. Too many soldiers don't. It frustrates the hell out of me.

You didn't have a problem firing from the ****e with the K-pot? Not even with NODs? You're lucky. I did, as well as many, many, many others. The MICH was not intended for people operating in a static environment; it provides less protection in order to give greater mobility and allow communications systems to be utilized. I don't know if you've ever tried to wear Peltors or Thales under a K-pot. It doesn't work for me.

I'm guessing that we have different missions.

Whatever works for you and your unit, bud. But don't call it a waste of your tax dollars. It's not. You might as well go on a rant about how the IBA with DAPs and side plates is better than the BALCS-R because it provides more protection. Different missions, different equipment. Personally, I think you've been smacked in the noggin to prefer the K-pot.

Don't post your creds here. 1) I can't verify it 2) I don't care. I'll make my judgement based upon how well you articulate your argument, not because you claim to be a B4.

Congrats on your service to our country. We are still on the same side, we just disagree on this issue.

[~center~]

We are still on the same side, we just disagree on this issue.

Hey guy I agree with that just fine. My comments about the helmet are my opinion, which was gained through actual experience having worn many ballistic and non-ballistic helmets, and were relevant to this discussion.
As far as my creds, I only listed them to reaffirm my standing on the subject, nothing more. The fact that you don't care about them is irrelevant, especially since that wasn't the point of me telling them to you (and others) in the first place.
I agree, we are on the same side and we disagree on this issue. I have no problem with that what so ever. What I do have a problem with, is the way you structured your responses and comments towards me without provocation. I took it as condescending and implied that I didn't know what the heck I was talking about when I very much do. Apparently, that wasn't the case so I have no problem with that.

As far as using NVD's with any helmet or without a helmet. The use of them for shooting, or any other purpose which requires movement, is more of a problem inherent to NVD technology than to the helmet it's attached to. If you can get away with it, it's better to not wear a helmet while wearing NVD's. Until the technology catches up to what we want, well, I guess we'll just have to make due.

Personally, I think all troops should be issued stadium BEER helmets. It would certainly make for interesting stories. :)