Battlefield Fashion

[Wha_Dar]

This should give you enough info about the hackle. The squaddies pictured are members of the Black Watch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackle

And if you want to read up on the history of this Regiment (Now 3rd Btn Royal Regiment of Scotland or 3 Scots)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Watch

[Ordie]

The core of the British Army is in its regimental system. Many regiments date back several centuries and each regiment adopts particular traditions and unique uniform items including the hackle as shown in the photo.

Due to its limited size and power projection, the Brits have traditionally had taken a "community policing" approach to military deployments worldwide. This includes not appearing "too military" with the locals.

After 30 years in Northern Ireland, one would think they would be more proficient in dealing with the locals.

[Flavius22]

chic passes out on live tv while reading broadcast

http://www.nothingtoxic.com/media/11..._while_Talking

[Ryan-John]

Well, look at his face! "Take a shot!, I DARE yuh!!!"

[nick_ua]

easy target
even chuck noris wont help here

[BadKarma26]

I understand how the Brits might have come to that conclusion but personally I don't see how a foreign soldier with an M249 and a feather in his cap would put me more at ease than with a helmet. To me the whole idea is fundamentally flawed. I wouldn't let my guys switch to softcaps in a combat zone period; **** the civilians "being at ease."

[Count Lippe]

easy target
even chuck noris wont help here

Look at the picture again... Do they really want to be unseeen in a situation like that?

[Katana-sr]

I understand how the Brits might have come to that conclusion but personally I don't see how a foreign soldier with an M249 and a feather in his cap would put me more at ease than with a helmet. To me the whole idea is fundamentally flawed. I wouldn't let my guys switch to softcaps in a combat zone period; **** the civilians "being at ease."

Then your security precautions get in the way of your mission. It seems silly, but appearing less like a soldier in a war and more like a representative or policeman is very important, even if it endangers the soldiers.
Of course you can't do this in zones where engagements still are frequent, but for Afghanistan or Kosovo this is appropiate in most cases.
Ultimately, you want to bring the country back to "normal", and the civilians have to feel at ease for that. So the soldiers sort of lead by example, showing their confidence that the area is safer than before (when they were wearing helmets), kind of signaling their success to the population.

In a Fallujah like situation or in hotspots around Baghdad this would be inappropiate, of course.