SAVE TIME WHILE NOT LOSING YOUR HEAD
The U.S. Army presently issues two helmet covers for both PASGT and MICH/ACH helmets as well as a helmet camouflaging band. The helmet cover is a single-purpose item designed to be used solely in one environment. Additionally, the helmet cover incorporates numerous button holes which are prone to tear. The camouflaging band is a separate item, which is easily lost causing Soldiers to replace it at their own expense. Expedient fix: two pieces of gutted "550" Type III parachute cord can be girth-hitched to the band and slipped through the first two camouflage cover slots and tied to the inside helmet suspension points. Detailed description at the bottom. "Tell this to the marines!" so the jarhead below doesn't have to use baby pins on his helmet!
An improved helmet cover would be reversible, woodland camouflage on one side, three-color desert on the other using the newly developed two-sided fabric technology developed by the U.S. Army Natick RD and E Center in Natick, MA. Such a reversible cover was standard issue for the steel helmet, ground troops, M-1. 1st Tactical Studies Group (Airborne) Director, Mike Sparks learned that Natick could make reversible print fabric in 1992! Why is it taking so long to get this?
This change will combine two items into one, thus eliminating: Cover, Class 1 Woodland NSN 8415-01-092-7515 and Cover, Class III Three-color Desert NSN 8415-01-103-1350. The button holes found on the present cover would be eliminated as they snag easily, causing tears, which render the cover useless.
The cover would have elastic bands stitched directly onto it allowing foliage to be added to the cover for camouflage. This would eliminate the need for the band, Helmet Camouflage NSN 8415-00-5762873, which is easily lost. Reversible (Woodland/Three-color desert) IR treated fabric has been produced for Natick which will facilitate this change.
USMC Reversible Pattern WW2 & Korea
M1 Steel Pot Helmet Cover: Is this really that hard to do? They could do it in the past, why not now?
All seams will be overlapped as the old helmet cover for the M-1 steel helmet was.
The British army's cover, helmet NSN 8415-99-132-6007, has elastic stitched directly to the cover for camouflage strips to be tied to it. This is an excellent British practice dating back to WW2 Paras.
Field eXpedients: How to Add 550 Cord to Your U.S. Helmet Cover to Do LT Richard Todd-Style Helmet Camouflage
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi3pc0aA-oc
The German issue cover is reversible in addition to having the excellent FLECKTARN camouflage. The German-issue cover is reversible in addition to having the camouflaging band attached to the helmet cover.
The new Swedish helmet depicted above follows in the same path: 1 item, not 3. The integration of all three items into a single cover streamlines an already overburdened supply system and helps reduce procurement costs.
Here is the cost breakdown of the three items purchased separately:
Cover, Class 1 8415-01-092-7515 $5.10 each
Cover Class III 8415-01-103-1350 $5.90 each
Band, camouflage 8415-00-576-2873 $0.20 each
Totaling $11.20 for every Soldier/Paratrooper.
Multiple this by 15,000 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers and you can see how much money could be saved.
By procuring these items as a single unit, at least the price of one helmet cover (approximately $5.50) is saved for each unit of issue procured. This doesn't even take into account the amount saved by reducing the number off contracts let.
WHAT CAN WE DO NOW?
You can create the LT Richard Todd helmet cover camouflage kit as described in the embedded video above. You can firmly attach your helmet band by 550 cord or use Ranger Joe's International Surplus stores "Turtle Straps" that for about $4 secure the helmet band through the helmet cover slots in a less expedient fashion than the 550 cord technique.
Ranger Joe's International
325 Farr Road
Columbus, GA 31907
1-800-247-4541 FAX: (706) 682-8840
Field eXpedients: 550 Cord Helmet Band Technique
Until we get an improved helmet cover, you can take a 9" piece of gutted "550" parachute cord and girth-hitch it around your helmet band and run the ends down the left/right side camouflage slots of your helmet cover. Take these ends and tie them tight around your helmet's inner suspension band connection bolt with a square knot and two half-hitches to secure the running ends. This will prevent the helmet's camouflage band from sliding off it if it snags on vegetation.
UPDATE 2005: USMC FINALLY "SEES THE LIGHT"
The USMC finally does something right! WAHOO! Now if we can get a reversible helmet cover with the Colonel Arthur "Bull" Simons Night Vision Goggle Cover Helmet Mount Cover/ID-Rank holder and for the MICH/ACH series helmets. Too.... Clothing Projects
Reversible Helmet Cover (RHC)
Overview:
The Reversible Helmet Cover has begun fielding. However, the available funding has been expended.
Description:
The Helmet Cover, Reversible, Woodland and Desert Marine Corps, Camouflage MARPAT, Table of Authorized Material Control Number C3124IIF, is a Non-developmental Item that will enable the Marine to maintain stealth and camouflage in wooded and desert environments. The helmet cover is constructed in three sizes (Extra Small-Small (XSM-SM), Medium-Large (MED-LGE), and Extra Large (X-LGE). The helmet cover is for wear by military personnel of the United States Marine Corps for use in garrison and combat missions. It is made of a durable, mid-weight nylon/cotton twill cloth conforming to Type III, Class 3 of MIL-PRF-MCCUU. This fabric will provide improved visual and infrared concealment capability. The reversible helmet cover will be worn with the Marine Corps combat helmet and the Personnel Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT) Helmet, TAMCN C3215IIF, and the new Lightweight Helmets currently in research and development.
The new Reversible Helmet Cover replaces:
1. Helmet Cover PASGT Woodland
TAMCN C3124IIF
NSN?s: 8415-01-092-7514 XSM-SM
8415-01-092-7515 MED-LGE
8415-01-303-8945 X-LGE
2. Helmet Cover PAGST Desert
V41752F ID Number 09877B
NSN?s 8415-01-327-4824 XSM-SM
8415-01-327-4825 MED-LGE
8415-01-327-4826 X-LGE
Status:
· "Procurement Decision memorandum signed Aug 02.
· Contract awarded to American Power Source, Fall River, MA. for 45,295 to support the Active Forces.
· Additional funding, $400,000 has been received to procure 47,527 RHCs for the Active Duty component.
· Approximately 90,000 remain to be procured to complete active forces AO.
· Buyout of reserve forces AO, (38,203), programmed for FY 03."
Colors:
Woodland & Desert Marpat
Project Officer: NHIII Marie Jean-Pierre
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