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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<== Click on a link to the left to proceed: Here's the same in EspanolCan YOU help us help these and other troops? We're getting emails from Army troops in addition to Marines, asking for replacement pads for the poorly-designed shock-absorbing pads they're being issued. All branches of Service (except Navy) now use the defective pads. Uncomfortable helmets simply aren't worn as much as those you can 'forget about'. Hard to concentrate on a dangerous job when a distraction lessens focus. And IED's, RPG's and ambushes pop up anytime, anywhere. Some Air Force and now Coast Guard troops are still deploying with 'bare-bones' old style helmets (see below). 24 Feb 08: Anybody else thing this is a heck of a great idea, sent in by one of our supporters? Bob, I am definitely sorry to see that you're still in business. I had hoped that the Marine Corps (and also Army) would have gotten smart and started buying usable helmet liners for our people, but apparently they haven't. Therefore, I'm sending you another donation via USPS. Here's an idea for you. America is getting a 'tax cut' of $300 or $600, right? (Tax cuts in the middle of a war; Jesus, what's happening when our troops can't get critical equipment but we get 'tax cuts') Well, tell folks through newspapers, TV, whatever to send their government check to Operation Helmet. Save a life, save another troop from TBI, and strengthen the American economy by buying American helmet liners from an American company. Make a direct appeal for the WHOLE check. I'm pretty sure that a lot of Americans would respond positively. This approach would work best if you could get it on TV as a news story so that it could be picked up on YouTube; then you'd get a continuing number of hits if it grew in popularity. ...I don't know about you, but that's exactly what I plan on doing in addition to our monthly donation. Buying a 'Made in China' Support Our Troops sticker for the back of my car just doesn't cut it!
Want to make a comment about your helmet? Check out http://myhelmetpadssuck.com AND THE BEAT GOES ON! What are YOU doing to help? 9 April: My xxxxxxxxx will be sent to xxxxxxxxx and some to xxxxx as augments providing communications support on Convoys, FOB security, Patrols, and other billets that I am not permitted to divulge. I heard about this program from another Lt in my battalion. Your organization sent enough kits to outfit an entire squad. He has been most appreciative of you generosity and support for his troops...(we need 8 upgrades). I thank you and all those have donated to your program for all the support that you have shown to my fellow warriors. I have no doubt that your actions through this program have directly impacted the lives and most importantly the safety of the troops on the ground through the helmet kits you have provided. Thank you for everything you have done. (Details altered for OpSec) 2 April: The issue we are having with our ACH helmets are the pads are actually coming unstitched and breaking open to where the will no longer actually hold the pad in place. I will be able to get the info HOPEFULLY on who makes them tomorrow. I have a long mission tomorrow and I will reply as soon as I get back in. Thank you for all you do. 26 March: 26 March 2008: I left you a message on your home phone but Oregon Aero said that this might be a better wayJ I have a nephew (Marine) in Iraq who received a BLU kit from my neighbor and he absolutely loves it!!!!! Now, his buddies would like a set as well. They are stuffing their helmets with socks and masking tape or just taking their helmets off when they get too uncomfortable !!!! …Their mothers wouldn’t appreciate knowing that…..So I’m wondering if you can ship to my nephew and then he can distribute them. 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. 3 Mar 08: I have never used the system myself but a number of the Marines that I work with say that they make quite a difference. I really appreciate what you all do and it is nice to know that there is still some genuine support for the people willing to go into harms way for their country. If there is anything that my Marines or I can do to help you all please let me know. 25 Feb: 'the current kit I have (GI) although new feels cheap and tears apart way too easy' AND: 29 Feb: The reviews that I read hit it right on the head the issued pads that we get are rough on the head and hard as rocks. So any assistance would be much appreciated. 22 Feb '08: Bob, I received my upgrade kit today and immediately installed it. Tonight when we returned to the COP I realized that for the first time in months I didn't end the day with a headache. If there is ANYTHING I can do to help your cause please feel free to tell me. 1st Sgt, USMC Regretfully but willingly, we're open for donations again. And thanks, Navy, for taking care of your men and women's needs by purchasing top-of-the-line materials. All manufacturers should rigorously conduct 'wearability' testing in addition to protection. Helmets only work when worn properly! See Doc Bob's Blog for more information and reports directly from troops. 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." Article on the New Marine Helmet of the Future and interview with Gen Conway. Jan 28, 2008. Operation Helmet's version three survey results,
We are a 100% volunteer, non-partisan, charitable organization headquartered in Houston, Texas with volunteer operations around the country. 99.96% of all contributions are used to send upgrade kits to our troops! [*] We have less than one-half of one percent overhead which is used to for very limited expenses - it is a labor of love. We have no salaries or payroll.Operation Helmet, Inc. is a 501-c-3 charity; our EIN is 20-1756585. Donations are tax-deductible. Your cancelled check is sufficient unless you gave $250 or more, then we send a letter/email for proof of donation. Once all troops are provided appropriate blast/impact protecting helmet upgrades, we will utilize residual funds to help other charities providing for rehabilitation and support of our wounded troops and their families. We are researching several charities and will support those we find to be well managed, little or AT LEAST MINIMAL administrative fees and have a proven track record of helping our wounded warriors cope with their injuries and return to either civilian or military life.
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