Thanks to you: 38,572 helmet upgrades sent - Helping Prevent Traumatic Brain
Injuries
...and the requests keep coming in! Let's keep the goods flowing!
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Backlog 103± (Soon as we answer one, others hear about the help and ask also, SO THE NUMBER KEEPS CHANGING!
HOME -other
links For the unvarnished info, see Doc Bob's BLOG
Couple of good songs thanking our vets;
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26 March, 2008: We're getting requests in right and left, asking for the top-of-the-line pads we send our warriors with your help. And we need your help right now, more than ever. Seems the election and economic dithering is scaring folks plumb stingy. Lest we become complacent at the relative 'calm' in Iraq, read the ancient writings of Sun Tzu Sun Tzu on Warfare. Personally, I'm waiting for a modern-day "Tet" type offensive in which Al Quaida and/or the Mahdi Army to send numerous body-bombs into all parts of Iraq. One person, one bomb, multiple casualties...trying to show the American People that 'all is lost', when in fact just a handful of radicals are trying to implement classic 'irregular war' according to the above author. An enemy that uses Down's syndrome women to unknowingly commit suicide for them in a marketplace crowded with women and children, innocent civilians all, is an enemy we MUST defeat. Let's all pitch in and show the troops we haven't forgotten about their difficult and dangerous jobs performing the combat tasks we as a nation have asked them to do. The least we can do is provide the tools necessary for maximum protection as well as comfort, a force multiplier. We NEED DONATIONS to get the job done. From a regular donor: "My wife and I donate monthly, but can't do the job by ourselves. Please look in your hearts and help." One of the BEST recognitions a warrior could receive would be the support and respect we can give by helping provide better helmet upgrades. Special Note: We received donations this week (Jan 15, 2008) from citizens in Italy and France, both wanting to help protect our troops engaged in the global war on terror. Can we do less? Here's our local paper's, the Conroe Courier, take on the issue after interviewing Doc Bob and Congressman Kevin Brady: Helmet upgrade article The military is finally taking blast/impact-related TBI seriously, as shown by this story More complete story with info on the helmet/PEO soldier brochure. Now to see how long analysis and action takes. Another issue to research is finding out whether or not the soldier was even wearing their helmet when the blast/impact occurred, as some report having to take their helmet off to relieve the headache caused by hard and unyielding pads. Wonder whose brilliant idea it was to buy the cheapest pads on the market then wait to see if they work rather than to simple and rapid studies to determine wearability of helmets with the various pads out there? According the reports released by the Marines, the cheaper pads were purchased even before blast/impact studies were available, nevermind wearability studies. "The Marine Corps had already approved the use of pads prior to the tests, and while these tests were underway, Marine Expeditionary Forces, in coordination with Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), procured 39,000 sets of padded helmet suspension systems to meet immediate operational needs. MARCORSYSCOM purchased an additional 50,000 sets of pad suspension systems..."(MarCorSysCom Release 10-6 dated Octo 6, 2006)."...in other words, ignoring all the scientific testing done to date by the Army, Operation Helmet, and joint military labs. The pads they and the Army chose are bottom-tier poorly designed pads that are too hard for long-term wear and fall apart quickly. Duh. It appears that Gen Conway recognizes the short-comings of the current LWH Marine helmet, and is aggressively looking for a new and better replacement Helmet interview Conway 2/28/08 Here's a few emails from Army troops as well as from Marines experiencing problems with the cheaper GI pads Army and Marines have switched to. I'm forwarding them to my Senators and Representatives to urge appropriate testing for 'wearability' as well as protection. Helmets only work when worn! We don't care WHO makes the pads, just want the manufacturer(s) to incorporate comfort into the design. Hard to concentrate on dangerous jobs with a headache, especially one you know damwell isn't necessary. Seems the 'new' pads ordered by the military are falling apart on the troops. We're getting requests from troops almost daily in ALL branches of service (except Navy), asking for replacements. "The current pads have worn out within a month of my first having them I have had to resort to how the helmet was first configured putting in the former system it had in it." And: 'the current kit i have (GI) although new feels cheap and tears apart way too easy'. BULLFEATHERS! Our military AND industry can and should do better than this shameful disregard for safety of our troops out on the pointy end of the spear! The pad system starts off great, very comfortable and light weight. This is my second tour with it. My first tour I thought hell yes, lighter helmet, removable pads, this can begood. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!! After about a month of continuous wear the pads begin to stink from sweat. Don't try to wash them; they fall apart when you do, then you have the plastic on your head instead of the cloth. Get supply to reorder the pad, yea right. The pads are not ordered as a whole kit, they are ordered separately, at a cost of $75-$109 per pad and there are 7 pads in the damn thing. That is a lot of money to have to be replacing one a month on a helmet. Come on! I know that we are defended by the lowest bidder; they don't cost that damn much to replace do they?? (Note: Who's making grade by 'saving money' purchasing cheap crap and then going to work for the same company when they retire?) In the meantime, let's get high behind and help these troops! We welcome help annoying Congress until they DO SOMETHING. Only congress, goaded by all of us, has the power to step in and force Industry to respond to needs expressed by the troops. However, letters and telephone calls to these men and women in DC won't protect our men and women in battle. Your donations WILL. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the 'signature' injury of this war and needs to be prevented as well as treated long-term. TBI facts
In the words of the USAARl test report for blast protection, ""The comfort of the helmet fitting system (i.e., pads) is critical for proper and continuous wear of the protective equipment...if it is uncomfortable or pressure points develop after time, it is possible that the wearer will make modifications to the fitting system (e.g., removing pads, cutting pads, substituting with readily available materials, etc.) in pursuit of a comfortable fit, sacrificing protective capability. Or the wearer may choose to wear the headgear loosely in order to shift the helmet position to alleviate pressure points. This could alter the coverage area of the ballistic shell." Note: ALL pad systems tested met blast/impact protection criteria when tested at similar thickness of pads. No 'wearability' testing was done...for reasons we can't even imagine.
The Army has put out a request (Requirements for new pad systems, synopsis)for manufacturers to develop a new helmet pad system, including in the guidelines that the pads be compatible with extended-time wear comfort. This is what the Army lab USAARL recommended over a year ago and has been ignored until now. Pressure from the troops as well as us back home DOES WORK!
5/38/08 And from Air Force troops acting in lieu of Army (convoy duty) : I wanted to again thank you, on behalf of myself and all my Airmen, for the helmet upgrade kits. They arrived a few days ago and were promptly installed by everyone. Everyone is very appreciative of your efforts to increase our comfort level and hence mission effectiveness. (s) Capt xxxxx.
And now, the Emails: (More recent ones on front page) 20 March: I am currently deployed to Iraq and have been looking or ways to improve the quality of life for some of our younger Marines here. One of the major complaints is that when we wear our helmets for long periods some of the Marines complain of headaches. I saw your website and thought I would give it a try. Thank you for all you have done for us over here, Marine and Army. (Spoken like a true leader!) 9 Mar 08: LEAVING THE WIRE EACH AND EVERY DAY ATTEMPTING TO GATHER INFORMATION FROM HUMAN SOURCES. THE MARINE CORPS ISSUES PAD BUT THEY FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE A CEMENT BRICK AGAINST YOUR HEAD. NEED 15 FOR MY TEAM. 20 Feb '08: Training a Iraq Battalion, departing early April, the kits we were issued are uncomfortable, they hurt and are difficult to adjust. 18 Feb '08: My buddy was here before and requested this and it saved his life (USArmy). Please send 15 for my troops and me. 12 Feb '08: My unit is deploying to Afghanistan in a couple of weeks. The pads that the Marine Corps has issued us really hurt our heads when we wear our helmets for long periods of time. We would really like some of the pads you send out. I have used them in past and really liked them a lot better. Many of my boys don't even have a pad system yet and I would like to fix that before we leave. Please help if you can. 12 Feb, 2008: Doc Bob, Thank you for your swift reply. I and my team are a Police Transition Team training and mentoring civilian police to take back their cities. The Iraqi Police are very dedicated and want to be "cops" and not para-military. They LOVE American cops. We are training them to put down their AK47s and operate with their Glocks like cops do in America. My team operates in the Al Anbar Province in and around the city of XXXX. Watch on the news, because we are making great progress. We will be participating in a ceremony Thursday where we will turn over to the Iraqis the major portion of their city. It will transition from Coalition control back to Iraqi Provincial Government control. Soon, most of the Al Anbar Province will be turned back over to the Iraqis. We feel for every Iraqi Policeman we train and certify, one Marine or Soldier can come home. My team lives in an old school building called a Combat Outpost (COP). We live, train, eat, sleep, laugh, cry and unfortunately sometimes bleed right alongside our Iraqi counterparts. Although Im an old man, the average age of the Marines here is 24. These are magnificent young men and they make me proud every day. They are fearless and soooo dedicated to each other, their Corps and their Country. Don't let ANYONE tell you we aren't making a difference here. WE ARE. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting these young men and women here. Sometimes the log train doesn't reach this far. Most times the Marines improvise, adapt and overcome. But its SO GREAT to have patriotic Americans like those in your group to ask for a little backup when we need it. Please thank all those who volunteer their time and efforts and tell them we love them and would be glad to shake their hands upon our return. Feb 09/2008: Bob: Sorry that you are having a tough time funding the helmet pads. As I said before the difference in the Oregon pads is a million times better than the ones the Marine Corps issues to use. The first time I used the pad system from Oregon I could totally tell the difference from the issued ones. All the issued ones do is give you a head ache and make you want to take the helmet off. I know you said that you put me on the short list but would love to have the sets so that I can pass them out to the Marines that will be deploying to Iraq some time in March. Thank you again for all your support and everything that you are doing. Jan 21, 2008: Received a request from a Marine Reserve unit (155 Marines) headed back into combat...and unable to use the 'GI' pads at all, so have reverted to the un-protected form of combat helmet. We MUST NOT let this happen. While we're pressuring Congress and the military to do what's right, we need an urgent fund-raising campaign to outfit these troops before they reach their combat assignment. PLEASE HELP WITH YOUR DONATIONS IF YOU CAN. 21 Jan 08: Dr Meaders, I can't thank you enough for everything that you and your staff have done for the troops over the years. First, thank you for your service. As you probably already know, the helmet liners that have recently been issued are a step in the right direction. However, they are too thick and made of a much stiffer material making it difficult to even put the helmet on. The Marines would have to go a size bigger in order for them to fit and we just don't have enough helmets to do that so they are stuck using the webbing. Again, we are very grateful to have folks such as yourself. It goes a long ways, not only because of the valuable product you provide, but the support and hard work you provide. Thank you! Semper Fi! Capt xxxxxx, Executive Officer, USMC
11 Jan 08: My whole platoon is very interested in the helmet pads that you produce (provide!). A couple of my fellow Marines have them. The pads make such a difference in comfort. They supply us with these pads that give us all headaches and are very uncomfortable in weather changes. They also rip very often. It's like finally when they are broke in, they fall apart. Well the reason for this email is to ask if you can offer us a package deal, so that my whole platoon can get these pads. Please, if you would let us know soon because we deploy back to Iraq in April. I look forward to hearing from you. Cpl, USMC 10 Jan 08: Yes unfortunately we are using the PASGT helmet still... We are an expeditionary unit for the Coast Guard. Most of our gear is out dated with no change in sight. Our powers above don't think when it comes to a combat unit. The Coast Guard hasn't even thought of digital camo for us. As guys are getting three color desert issue we have found that we can't get the right sizes because we can't order much of what is needed. I don't foresee a helmet change (to the new Army style ACH). USCG. ...and these guys are headed to the Persian Gulf (Iraqi waters) to do port and waterway security! Thanks to a great fund raising effort by Mary Forester, we can help them right now, at least for the troops most exposed to danger. USCG 23 Dec 07: Doc Bob, There wasn't enough room in the box on the request page to write the whole story about my helmet dilemma. The marine corps had issued me back in 2006 a pad system. The one they issue however is very stiff and (seems) about one and a half inches thick. When installed it makes the kevlar stand several inches off your head and is ungainly and not very comfortable. Most marines in my company trashed them and stuck with the webbing, but I did a little surgery on mine and cut the pads in half. It was more comfortable and didn't sit so high but it didn't provide a tight seat with my head. Going on this second deployment, I was again issued a new LWH with the suspension system in it and a bag of those same junk pads. If I have to I would just wear the old suspension rather than install the pads they issue us. One of my friends last deployment had written you guys and I believe he received a set of Oregon aero pads. I remember trying his on and it was perfect. I have 25 Marines in my Comm section at xxxx and we are deploying to xxxxxx in March. If you guys could lock us on some quality pads we would be in your debt. Even if you can't, I want you to know that you and your organization are doing us a great service. Thank you and Merry Christmas. USMC Dec 21, 07: Our pads here suck. I will appreciate anything that is donated (40 troops) for everyone in my platoon. IED's are one of the more popular attacks that we go through here and good pads are hard to come by. Dec 21, 07: thank u for your support, once one person heard about these comfortable helmet pads everyone wanted some, so i got with a person from each squad and we signed up so that hopefully everyone in the company that goes out on missions will be able to have helmet pads. thank you again for your support Dec 2, 07: YOU KNOW WHAT, This will be my 15th time in BAD GUY COUNTRY and we have never received any upgrades what so ever to any part of our uniform. I know that the Air Force is low on the the pecking order, but in my 20 years of service I have always had to go outside my means to make myself or my fellow airman fill safe. I can pretty much guarantee you that we will never see the PASGT upgrade. Now with that said we just hade a group leave in early Aug. and they have never seen any upgrade. Now its our turn and I can tell you we will never see the upgrade. To tell you the truth we have 200+ leaving in the near feature and not one of us will see the upgrade. 12/29/07 I was asked to attend a gathering of the D/chairmen of House Intel, Homeland Security and Appropriations held in Portland, Oregon this week. We had lively discussions about the problem now surfacing related to putting the troops in danger through procuring and issuing inferior products, including blast/impact-protecting helmet pads. I left the meeting assured the matter would be looked into with vigor and quickly. Stay tuned for more information when Congress reconvenes after the New year. I CAN tell you that several criminal indictments are in the process, aimed at those responsible for procurement of military items.
PFC, Army National Guard --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/01/07 The pads that I currently have in my ACH are old, issued in 2004 prior to deployment to Iraq, I used my ach just about every day that year. Came back to HAAF, used it about 2 times a week, for the following year. then got orders to afghanistan for 15 months but got new pads but they were uncomfortable and I ended up switching back to my old stinky pads. The pads that I have are warn out and used up.
10/31/07:
Service branch: Army: CPT
xxxxxx, 1xxnd Combat Sustainment Support
Battalion, 6xxrd Transportation Company 10/30/07 infantry and we leave in xxxx. some of the marines do have the issued kit but they don't even come close to the ones you/ provide cause they have been used by hundreds of marine before them. They aren't as thick and comfortable.
10/13/07:I am an
Infantry Squad leader deployed in Afghanistan. We have the Mich Helmet
with Pads, but they suck. Once you wear them, they do not hold their
form and are hard to get replaced, we do not get replacements until we
go back home, which is in a year.
10/13/07: Was told the
pads were different then the ones we received (previously), the
ones we got (now) the fabric around them are falling apart, and
you can see everything inside is wrapped on in some thick plastic which
is probably the cause of the discomfort, its thicker then heavy duty
trash bags.
9/22/07 "Sir, I am preparing to deploy to Afghanistan and recently was issued my Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI) gear. Included in the issue was one bag of MCH helmet pads. However, these pads were not the Oregon Aero pads that I knew and trusted from my most recent deployment to Iraq (NOV 05- NOV 06).
The bag of replacement pads are stiffer, uncomfortable and a knockoff of the Oregon pads. Oregon Aero spent five years developing their pads yet the soldier is now being handed a cheap imitation.
What, if anything, can we do about it? Rspy, Major XX., 101st Airborne"
And from the Marines, "Hello, My name is SSgt xxxxxxxx. I am the supply chief with xxxxxxxxxxx unit xxxxxxx. Our company received some kind of upgrade pad that was issued from battalion that the marines will not wear because it is so uncomfortable. The pads do not fit the helmets therefore causing the helmet to sit extremely high on the marines head. The pads are also very hard and as mentioned earlier extremely uncomfortable. Our marines need to wear the pads because of the importance of helping save marines lives that are in explosions. I sincerely hope that you and your company can help with our problem."
Another Soldier: "The current pads have worn out within a month of my first having them I have had to resort to how the helmet was first configured putting in the former system it had in it." Requests have come in from senior unit personnel asking for replacement kits as an alternative to the uncomfortable 'GI' pads (known as 'bricks). The common factor is their need to concentrate on their mission instead of a headache...especially Special Ops, Intel and Sniper teams. This operational necessity should be addressed by the Marines and Army supply folks; until then, we'll help as much as possible as long as the requests come from those authorized to do so. We also continue to receive requests from troops in the field asking for the upgrades. Despite reassurances from MarCorSysCom to the contrary, some troops are still being sent 'out the door' to combat duty IN Iraq with the bare-bones LWH with NO protective padding. Commanding a desk is less dangerous than commanding a combat unit...but no less responsible for protecting life and limbs of our warriors. 8/7/07 telecon and email from Marine unit TODAY heading out 'quickly' says NO UPGRADES available CAN WE HELP? Thanks to you, America, we DID! 25 July 07 - My husband has just deployed for the 4th time to Iraq last week. Although he volunteered to go with his platoon this time, for me it's feels like the first all over again. I had inquired about sending him a Helmet pad and I remember getting a response that the Marines are issued their own. My husband called at 2 am today asking specially to please email your organization to please send him one of yours if at all possible. Proud Marine Wife. Marine Corps Systems Command now has a helmet survey for Marines to take here: A major shortfall in the USMC survey is failing to ask Marines if they have used more than one type of pad and which they prefer. If you've only tried ONE, then there's no basis for comparison. Also, the survey fails to state that pads with no 'brand name' or only a NSN (stock number) on the Velcro-sensitive side are Team Wendy. Oregon Aero is the only pad set that now has the manufacturer's name on it. This isn't rocket surgery, folks. GET IT RIGHT! Interesting document found at the Natick web site. Says that padded helmets are better than those with no pads - in Aug 2003! - by the Marine Corps team! Click here. Guess the right hand didn't know about the left hand. From the Military Medicine journal: a study on helmet comfort that used a sample size of 1,123 soldiers. The survey data was collected from July 2004 through January 2005. Pads are more comfortable (really!) Click here 18 July 2007 - Hey Doc, I received the first 20 pads yesterday. Already the fellas are singing the praises of those things, and they all say that it's made a hell of a difference in how comfortable their helmets are. Again, I can't thank you enough for the huge difference that you all have done so far. Most people just bitch about the way things are going, and sometimes throw some money at it. This has been my first experience where someone on the outside has made such a huge and tangible difference in our quality of life. I commend your dedication to this cause, and will do everything I can to promote it throughout the Corps. Semper Fi. Sgt Keith xxxxx Moose Quakertown 1622 16 June, 2007 - I have been negligent in sending you a thank you for the helmet pads. They arrived and I passed them out to my Marines who installed them instantly. I did not realize that I could wear a helmet for an extended period of time with out getting a whopping headache. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Semper Fi, Maj. Xxx, USMC 5 Jun 2007 - Thanks again for all the support you gave xxx 1/25 Marines last year in Fallujah. The helmet pads were great and we had a few left that we handed over to the unit that replaced us. One of the organizations that I had asked to donate to the cause had approved a donation but never sent it. Can you still use it? I've looked over your webpage and I'm a bit disgusted with the way the DOD has approached this problem. Good to do something but it's best to do the right thing. It's unfortunate that the people that are making those choices (on an inferior product) will never been in a situation to use it. Your efforts have made such a huge impact on our service men and women's lives and I thank you for it. Very respectfully, HM1(FMF) xxx 14 May 2007 - I wanted to thank you very much for sending me the two Kevlar inserts. When my grandpa had told me that he had talked to you and that you had designed them yourself* we got into a long conversation about how I hated the old equipment that the Marines for compared to all the other branches of service. I mean I have gone a long time without those inserts that you sent me and my neck used to be sore and stiff long after I got the chance to take off my Kevlar. I just really want to thank you since I put those inserts in I can wear my Kevlar forever it seams like without it irritating the hell out of my head and neck. I gave my good friend Cpl S, the other one that you sent and he agrees with me and he also sends his thanks. Cpl T, USMC, Fallujah Iraq *OH Note: We don't design them, just buy them and send, thanks to a generous and patriotic American public. 9 May 2007 - Dr Meaders, Sir, my name is Mark Cramer and I would like to share the results of your efforts that were championed by yourself and Cher. About 3 weeks ago my little brother, a soldier in Iraq, was seriously injured in HUMVEE rollover. He sustained significant internal injuries to pelvis and lungs. I am delighted to report that despite nearly losing him 4 times he will make a COMPLETE recovery! A notable aspect is his recovery is due to the fact the padding you worked on in his helmet prevented any head damage. If it were not for the padding this story would not be such a happy one. I and my family would like you to be aware of this and hope that it will serve in your work in continuing to improve the equipment our soldiers use. I would also like to thank you and Cher for what is a great service to our nation! --Mark Cramer 8 May 2007 - Our names are Brittany, Monica and Gabby and our husbands left for Iraq last week. They are infantry in the United States Marine Corps. Unfortunately their helmet pads are not the best and we would feel so much better knowing that they had these helmet upgrades that have been such a blessing over there. We told our husbands about these pads and they are really excited to have them. Below are their addresses. Thank you for all you are doing to help our troops over there, it means the world to them and their families for playing a part in bringing them back home to us! Thank You Again! God Bless On behalf of the board of the National Brain Injury Research Treatment & Training Foundation, the men & women serving our country on foreign soil, the Defense Veterans Brain Injury Center, and the 5.3 Million Americans living with a brain injury, I would like to extend our deepest and sincerest thanks to you, your wife and your Dad for your efforts with Operation Helmet. Through your efforts, several amazing things have happened: You have helped to prevent injuries, reduce the severity of injuries that could not be prevented, and saved lives. You have raised awareness of brain injury within the military. You have raised awareness of brain injury within the general populace and also given them a way to directly contribute to the war effort. Again - our deepest thanks Martin B. Foil III
Here's a list of Agencies that can help with combined financial/health problems for vets. It's part of another website and not inclusive, but a good starting place.
1 May, 2007 Our efforts together and the Congressional hearing in which I testified in June 2006 stimulated the military branches to recognize the problem with their helmets and at least start the process to provide blast-protecting helmet upgrades to troops in harm's way. All four services are now almost complete in their coverage of troops both in and deploying to Iraq, with just a few more kinks to iron out in the distribution of the upgrades. Unfortunately, the military (Marines and Army) changed their procurement and the troops wind up with a cheaper pad system that is hard (troops call them 'bricks') and will not conform to the skull and is uncomfortable to wear. While it provides blast/impact protection, the new government-issue ('GI') pads are so uncomfortable troops have trouble concentrating on the dangerous tasks at hand and take them off for headache relief, even on patrol. That results in an ideal opportunity for snipers or the always-unexpected IED blast. See excerpts from the article below for more info. We're trying our best to persuade the government to go back to using the best and most effective/comfortable helmet upgrades available instead of trying to save a few dollars at the expense of the lives and futures of our troops. Helmets are only effective when worn, and if a trooper removes it to relieve a headache caused by poor design the intended protection is lost. To quote the USAARL official test results and recommendations:
P 43: 44;
The comfort of the helmet fitting system is critical for proper and
continuous wear of the protective equipment... If it is
uncomfortable or pressure points develop after time, it is possible
that the wearer will make modifications to the fitting system (e.g.,
removing pads, cutting pads, substituting with readily available
materials, etc.) in pursuit of a comfortable fit, sacrificing
protective capability. or the wearer may choose to wear the headgear
loosely in order to shift the helmet position to alleviate pressure
points. This could alter the coverage area of the ballistic shell.
The Marines have decreed that only the GI pad sets are authorized if available, so we're not advising families or troopers to invest in the first-class ones we provide without checking with their commanding officer first to see if it will be allowed. There is a provision in the MarAdmin that allows commanders to permit troops' using their 'donated' pads, changing them out for the 'GI sets 'as the operational situation permits'. This give commanders latitude in deciding when or IF to make such a local ruling. We feel it appropriate to now declare 'Mission Accomplished' as far as stimulating the military to take over our job and provide at least the basic blast/impact protecting helmet upgrades they should have been doing all along. Therefore, we are no longer actively soliciting donations aside from already-scheduled fund-raising events, memorials and donors who so choose after the end of April. We continue to send the protective inserts to requesting individuals and units already in Iraq until such time as the government-issued upgrades are available to all hands. That number is falling rapidly as the military supply system 'stands up' and we 'stand down'. Marine Fleet Anti-Terrorism Support Teams (FAST) in the African Horn are still asking for the upgrades, as they seem to have been left out of the planning for now. I have personally been stationed in Ethiopia. The hospital I was in provided emergency care as well as MEDCAPS (Medical Civic Actions Programs) in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti. Believe me, they NEED them. MILITARY MEDICINE, 172, 6:586, 2007 A Comparison of Soldiers’ Opinions about the Advanced Combat
Helmet and the Personal Armor System for Ground Troops Helmet Many factors are considered during ballistic helmet
design,including comfort, weight, fit, and maintainability. These factors Introduction: Many factors are considered
during ballistic helmet design.1 One major factor is the ability to defeat
missiles. Other important factors, known as human use factors, are related to
the ways in which a helmet affects the wearer and influence the probability that
a helmet will be worn.2 These factors include comfort, fit, weight, and
maintainability. When developing a According to Carey,1 U.S. Army neurosurgeons who served in
Vietnam were concerned about soldiers sustaining unnecessary This article presents the results from a study designed to
elicit soldier feedback about their helmets by using the survey methods Another type of problem that was frequently reported for the
PASGT involved fit (Table III). Many of the soldiers reported that 18 Mar 2007 - Under the category of "things that will make your head explode" OSD Operational Test and Evaluation report, 13 Mar 07 20070313132832514.pdf 90 pages. Here is my letter back pointing out above report's flaws Krieg-test-results-18Mar07.pdf We have also heard that some (not all) deploying troops have been forced to turn in their helmet upgrade pads we've sent and use the hard, uncomfortable Marine-issue pads. This is strange, as all helmet pads supposedly have the same stock number and exactly which pad is sent is decided on by another agency. Getting a little bit testy since Congress backed our findings on the need for pads? How are the 'new' Marine-issue pads being accepted in the field? Here's this morning's (4/27/07) email from a unit preparing to deploy shortly: "Hello, My name is SSgt xxxxxxxx. I am the supply chief with xxxxxxxxxxx unit xxxxxxx. Our company received some kind of upgrade pad that was issued from battalion that the marines will not wear because it is so uncomfortable. The pads do not fit the helmets therefore causing the helmet to sit extremely high on the marines head. The pads are also very hard and as mentioned earlier extremely uncomfortable. Our marines need to wear the pads because of the importance of helping save marines lives that are in explosions. I sincerely hope that you and your company can help with our problem." 2 April 07 - From a Marine Reservist heading to a second combat tour. He is helping us raise funds to provide optimal helmet upgrades for all his comrades. His words come from the heart and mind of a true hero. This morning nearly $18,000 in checks was delivered to support this particular Company. Now, there are four other Companies in the Battalion to go! Let's all get high behind and spread the word of the need, shipmates.
To My Family & Friends,
Semper Fi, Sgt. Baker M. Bxxxx, Section Leader 25 Feb 07 -We hope for 100% coverage by military supply system no later than the end of January, 2007! (oops) DIDN'T HAPPEN: the 'surge' gave us a backlog of troops asking for help. Please don't let frustration with the pace of things in Iraq or partisan bickering take your eye off our goal: protect our troops no matter how we feel about the war! We're getting a lot of requests from troops who have been issued the new 'GI' helmet upgrades. Turns out the pads are so hard they won't conform to skull irregularities. This leads to areas of 'ischemia' (lack of blood supply) to the scalp with resulting migraine-type headaches. Picture yourself standing watch for bad guys while your troops dash in and out of houses looking for insurgents and weapons cache's...and you've got a pounding headache. Think your concentration is 100% on the job? Think again! "Concern for man and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations. " Albert Einstein Where possible, we will help these troops by sending the pads they prefer for their wearability, but funds do not allow for us to help everyone as long as they have SOME blast protection, no matter how uncomfortable and disconcerting. Best place for troops to complain is the respective service supply system or headquarters. In the meantime, COME ON, supply wonks and manufacturers. Better stuff is out there and readily available. How many troops have to die needlessly while you save a few bucks? 2 Feb 07 - 33,000 kits On another note, troops tell us the 'new' Marine-issued pad systems and the ones newly purchased by the Army, are NOT the Oregon Aero pads we have historically provided. We selected them due to their excellent track record protecting from blast forces as well as 'wearability'. We are told by troops that the new pads are very hard, do not allow the helmet to adjust to their heads, resulting in headaches and discomfort. Some are taking the 'new' pa |
