USMC now using 'foliage' on helmets?

biscuits · 06-01-2004, 07:42 PM

Okay, I have this pic of USMC in Fallujah with synthetic foliage (like the Brits in European theater) on their helmets. I am wondering:

Is this new?
Is this official or unofficial (field expedient)?
Is this attached on top of, or instead of the helmet cammo cover? (I am guessing on top of...)

Any info would be appreciated.

AVZ · 06-01-2004, 08:12 PM

definately on top of it as you can see, or not!?!?!?!?!?!

It blends better in the environment

The helm isn't recognised as a helm anymore. So better consealment. That's all about it. Perhaps it looks cool and keeps the Marines differnt equipped than usual US forces.

Ratamacue · 06-01-2004, 08:13 PM

I don't think it's all that new. There's a picture in the photo galleries here of a soldier or Marine wearing one during Desert Storm:

http://media.militaryphotos.net/phot...MST9303509.jpg

In any case, I believe you simply lay it over your helmet and strap it on with elastic or whatever. Also, I've only really seen these pre-made ones in use in desert environments (i.e. Iraq, Afghanistan) while I've sometimes seen Marines wearing covers with burlap sewed on much like a ghille suit:

http://media.militaryphotos.net/phot...s/b_usmc03.jpg

wyrm_142 · 06-01-2004, 08:33 PM

All it is - is the normal Camo Netting, cut (as far as I know) down to helmet size.

The purpose is to disrupt the visual 'shape' of the K-pot. Yes, the netting goes on top of the cloth cover.

The 25th ID from Hawaii used to wear rag tops made from old BDU's.

biscuits · 06-02-2004, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyrm_142

All it is - is the normal Camo Netting, cut (as far as I know) down to helmet size.

The purpose is to disrupt the visual 'shape' of the K-pot. Yes, the netting goes on top of the cloth cover.

The 25th ID from Hawaii used to wear rag tops made from old BDU's.

Yes, the helmet fluff helps when in foliage but also to break up the regular shape of the helmet in an urban setting, much like the 'mitznefet' that some of the Israelis use.

I was just curious because one minute you see the marines using the MARPAT helmet covers only and then suddenly at Fallujah almost all the TV coverage (that I saw) showed them all fluffy...

Anyhow, I think it looks cool and is probably a good tactical move.

sethen · 06-02-2004, 09:03 AM

Our fake foliage doesn't work half as well as the Israeli "clown-hat."

shrek · 06-02-2004, 10:26 AM

At long range a helmet is easy to see on someones head or sticking out above a ledge or building edge. With the camo, as has been mentioned already, this shape is removed. Most of the time it's just a piece of camo netting cut into pieces and it is the decision of the individual commander if his troops wear it or not. There are some things not totally governed by red tape!!

ShadowNeo · 06-02-2004, 10:33 AM

When fake foliage isnt good enough

.

Maj C · 06-02-2004, 10:53 AM

it's not USMC policy - up to the unit - probably a Battalion CO policy...

biscuits · 06-02-2004, 11:17 AM

Battalion policy makes a lot of sense - since I hadn't seen this in Iraq before Fallujah. So does anyone else have pics of USMC in Iraq with similar foliage?

crazyman · 06-02-2004, 12:52 PM

its not exactly a new thing...soldiers have been adding strips of camo to their helmets every since D Day. thats just the earliest example i can think of

Merik · 06-02-2004, 04:45 PM

US Forces used them in Panama during Operation Just Cause, and 2nd ID still uses them in Korea. In fact I have seen some pics of 2nd ID guys using real foliage since its available.

06-02-2004, 05:21 PM

Isn't a US Army unit/division/whatever famed for using foliage on their helmets? (Could be the 2nd Infantry Division.)

Can't remember where I read or watched it

...

biscuits · 06-02-2004, 06:39 PM

Sorry guys, I wasn't really looking for a history of foliage on helmets, which we all know has been going on for a long time; I wanted to research the current state of affairs specifically relating to the USMC in Iraq, hopefully with some pictures and even more hopefully with some comments from a serving Marine.

Any of you guys out there?

crazyman · 06-02-2004, 11:43 PM

the 82nd has been putting camo of some kind or another...canvas, camo net, burlap, etc...on its helmets for 60 years now..other'n that, the only division that has anything famous about its helmets that i can think of is 3d ID, they have always had their unit patch on there

06-01-2004, 07:42 PM	#1
biscuits Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 6	USMC now using 'foliage' on helmets? Okay, I have this pic of USMC in Fallujah with synthetic foliage (like the Brits in European theater) on their helmets. I am wondering: Is this new? Is this official or unofficial (field expedient)? Is this attached on top of, or instead of the helmet cammo cover? (I am guessing on top of...) Any info would be appreciated.

06-01-2004, 08:12 PM	#2
AVZ Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern Bavaria Posts: 503	definately on top of it as you can see, or not!?!?!?!?!?! It blends better in the environment The helm isn't recognised as a helm anymore. So better consealment. That's all about it. Perhaps it looks cool and keeps the Marines differnt equipped than usual US forces.

06-01-2004, 08:13 PM	#3
Ratamacue Cunning Linguist Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Camp Lejeune, NC Age: 21 Posts: 11,336	I don't think it's all that new. There's a picture in the photo galleries here of a soldier or Marine wearing one during Desert Storm: http://media.militaryphotos.net/phot...MST9303509.jpg In any case, I believe you simply lay it over your helmet and strap it on with elastic or whatever. Also, I've only really seen these pre-made ones in use in desert environments (i.e. Iraq, Afghanistan) while I've sometimes seen Marines wearing covers with burlap sewed on much like a ghille suit: http://media.militaryphotos.net/phot...s/b_usmc03.jpg

06-01-2004, 08:33 PM	#4
wyrm_142 Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 198	All it is - is the normal Camo Netting, cut (as far as I know) down to helmet size. The purpose is to disrupt the visual 'shape' of the K-pot. Yes, the netting goes on top of the cloth cover. The 25th ID from Hawaii used to wear rag tops made from old BDU's.

06-02-2004, 09:03 AM	#6
sethen Banned user Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: banned for being a bigot Posts: 523	Our fake foliage doesn't work half as well as the Israeli "clown-hat."

06-02-2004, 10:26 AM	#7
shrek Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Uhhhhh, don't you know sir (looks around nervously) Posts: 1,989	At long range a helmet is easy to see on someones head or sticking out above a ledge or building edge. With the camo, as has been mentioned already, this shape is removed. Most of the time it's just a piece of camo netting cut into pieces and it is the decision of the individual commander if his troops wear it or not. There are some things not totally governed by red tape!!

06-02-2004, 10:33 AM	#8
ShadowNeo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,226	When fake foliage isnt good enough .

06-02-2004, 10:53 AM	#9
Maj C Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 517	it's not USMC policy - up to the unit - probably a Battalion CO policy...

06-02-2004, 11:17 AM	#10
biscuits Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 6	Battalion policy makes a lot of sense - since I hadn't seen this in Iraq before Fallujah. So does anyone else have pics of USMC in Iraq with similar foliage?

06-02-2004, 12:52 PM	#11
crazyman Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ft. Stewart, GA Age: 27 Posts: 662	its not exactly a new thing...soldiers have been adding strips of camo to their helmets every since D Day. thats just the earliest example i can think of

06-02-2004, 04:45 PM	#12
Merik Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Patrolling the streets of Iraq Posts: 1,679	US Forces used them in Panama during Operation Just Cause, and 2nd ID still uses them in Korea. In fact I have seen some pics of 2nd ID guys using real foliage since its available.

06-02-2004, 05:21 PM	#13
MolliG Guest Posts: n/a	Isn't a US Army unit/division/whatever famed for using foliage on their helmets? (Could be the 2nd Infantry Division.) Can't remember where I read or watched it ...

06-02-2004, 06:39 PM	#14
biscuits Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 6	Sorry guys, I wasn't really looking for a history of foliage on helmets, which we all know has been going on for a long time; I wanted to research the current state of affairs specifically relating to the USMC in Iraq, hopefully with some pictures and even more hopefully with some comments from a serving Marine. Any of you guys out there?

06-02-2004, 11:43 PM	#15
crazyman Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ft. Stewart, GA Age: 27 Posts: 662	the 82nd has been putting camo of some kind or another...canvas, camo net, burlap, etc...on its helmets for 60 years now..other'n that, the only division that has anything famous about its helmets that i can think of is 3d ID, they have always had their unit patch on there