The New Helmets That American War Fighters Wear Are Very Displeasing.

I'm not a Vet just a tax payer but to me today's head gear is just a ugly reminder of a ruthless enemy that so many young Americans fought against and died with .. It just seems that the American military has lost its own identity and personality and took on the look of a nasty enemy.
To me forcing today's war fighters to wear this shameful equipment is a disgrace to Democracy and those who fell in the line of duty it should be discontinued ..

These are just my thoughts .

 

I seems that by chance or by design the Germans hade come up with an extremely effective helmet shape, computer simulations were unable to come up with anything better, so it made sense to adopt it as a more effective helmet could save the life of a few servicemen.

 

:wtf-slide:
The helmets they wear offer the very latest protection to their heads. Which seems to me the only serious point one can make re a Helmet.
Form follows function.
The Coal-scuttle shape was an exceptional design (well-tested at Kummersdorf in some fascinating experiments - Fleischer's book on the proving grounds covers it a little).
Almost every modern army wears a similar shape now - the reason being... it works, and helps prevent death & injury.
Or is death and injury a lesser concern than... 'style'?

Anyway, they look more like lids from a sci-fi film than Nazi ones...

 

And to add to TOS and Von Poop, the design dates to the first world war, it's not a "nazi" helmet.
And as one who has worn both the current kevlar and the old steel pot with helmet liner, the kevlar is easier to deal with and more comfortable.

 

ACH:


WW2 German Lid:



In all honesty, I am not seeing the direct Identification of one with another implied, other than the fact they both fit on a blokes head and offer some neck protection.

 

This is the helmet that i'm talking about that looks so ugly and reminds me of a ugly enemy.

 

Being familiar with the history I'm sure most of us can see a similarity but bet you ask any average joe on the street and they wont have a clue.

And to be clear the German helmet was based off a helmet from the 15th century (the Sallet) for its overall head and neck protection.

In any case if similarities are an issue might I suggest the USAF dump all jet aircraft? They remind me of the Me 262.. Flying those Nazi war machines

 

Looks are the issue? Bloody hell didnt know war was a fashion statement.. Maybe the US should get some fashion designers from Milan next uniform design? I reckin some clashing colours Make em stand out.

As for the navy the all grey for the ships just blah.. Get some of the street kids to tag em up, They can do some awesome pics and will make you stand out going into battle.

 

There's not one USAF jet fighter that reminds me of the ME 262 more as this helmet reminds me of a one time enemy.

 

As you don't like a helmet that reminds you of one of America's former enemies,what do you think of WW1 Doughboys being 'forced' to wear steel helmets just like the British who were also one of your former enemies ?

What about the Massachusetts State troopers who also have a 'nazi' look to their uniform?

 

Are you seriously suggesting changing the design of a helmet solely on the grounds that it looks too "nazi"?

How about the He-162 and the A-10 (which, by the way, was at least partially inspired by Hans Rudel's memoirs):




Or the B-2 and any one of the Horton flying wings:

 

You realize they are no longer an enemy. I think history from tv is very dangerous.

 

This is funny, it IS all about looks then.

Well no veteran I know would ever complain about new and improved gear; that's for sure.

Despite innovation there is only every going to be a limited number of variations on the theme of protective headgear; after all the human head is still head-shaped and an ear is still normally attached to each side.

One of my Dad's mates fought in Italy and he admitted to once shooting at Yanks because their helmets in the distance looked German to him. Problems of identity during combat is the only point against similarity that I can make.

PPS I'm not a veteran just an oxygen breather, but breathing today's oxygen could just be an ugly reminder that a ruthless enemy once breathed on the same planet. Or maybe not.

 

It was sarcasm mate.

As it is if America was to stop using weapons and equipment that was based off of former enemy nations then the US troops would be going into war fist fighting. At one point or another most nations that the US has required military tech from (or the idea from) has been an enemy.

Anyway the design preceding the German helmet dated from the 15th century France/Italy so not so much German about it unless you care to complain that it reminds you of the Italians? Better yet, Design a helmet that will provide just as much protection as that one and looks good to you.. Other wise its a pointless thread that is just barely amusing.

Cheers, von_noobie

 

I'm outraged at the US army carrying rifles around that remind me of rifles.
And I once saw some septic squaddies in camouflage!
Don't they realise that NAZI troops used camouflage!

It's a weird premise, mate. Very odd.

http://www.tineye.com/search/e5c830c3f8a5d463b6004099123fddd40649c9e5/?pluginver=firefox-1.1
That specific lid pictured seems to be identified as an 'M9'. The one I posted is (as far as I can tell... I'm no modern rivet-counter) the current issue ACH.
This 'M9' doesn't appear to be any sort of standard issue outside of airsofters, though some with that peak look to still be used by assorted Police/security & maybe some SF. A peak that looks to allow for added protection when wearing a face shield.
The US army used to wear the PASGT, which followed that form:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personnel_Armor_System_for_Ground_Troops
But was discontinued officially in the Mid 2000s, and the replacement looks to have gone through an evolution or two since.

So...
Errrr...
Ummm...

 

Maybe i'm just old fashion , but If they used today's materials with the US Army's original helmet it would look so much better ...
Give the old helmet just a little bit of style but keep the old American flavor is what i'm talking about.

 

As I said, the US Army's original helmet the M1917 pattern looks like this..
(I know it not a WW1 photo but early WW2 & it looks rather good)

 

I like tradition too, but if at the same time it decreases the protection offered to some poor sod on a battlefield; tradition be damned.

Trad for ceremonials, fine, but ballistic protection for the two-way ranges.

Some Scots Guardsmen:


More of the same:



Also some Scots Guardsmen:


There's a time & a place...

 

"You realize they are no longer an enemy. I think history from tv is very dangerous."

Its true they are no longer enemy's ... Speaking about TV i have on my DVR a segment about German interment camps during WW2 in America ... In the camps there were three different groups with all different agendas .. German-Americans , German Nationals and Neo-Nazis..

I always felt there was a difference between a German and a Nazi... I don't believe everybody was on Hitlers band wagon...

 

In this picture i see a American soldier with an "American identity" not that of a old enemy..