How do modern troops like modern (Kevlar) helmets?

SPC William Hasley — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 16:42:47 -0400

As a Vietnam vet, I am a member of the “Steel pot” Army. We used that helmet for cooking, washing, and shaving. We carried stuff in it and, in sandy soil, we dug holes with it much faster than we could with a shovel. Does a modern soldier with a modern helmet wish he still had one like ours?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 10 at 2019 4:46 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 16:46:34 -0400

I started with the steelpot helmet myself, had the Kevlar helmet when I went IRR, it was a little better, but not as usable as the old steelpot helmet.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Mar 10 at 2019 5:20 PM

CSM Michael Chavaree — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 17:20:52 -0400

Nah, I like the new lightweight kit better!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 5:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 17:35:49 -0400

The new ones are a lot more comfortable. Plus, they can actually protect from a bullet better than steel.

Response by 1SG Steven Imerman made Mar 10 at 2019 6:02 PM

1SG Steven Imerman — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 18:02:59 -0400

I had been in 10 years when the change came about. We liked the idea of better protection, thought they looked cool (like the Panzer Grenadiers!), but hated the fact we couldn't shave in them. All in all, we were happy. After while, every APC had a couple tupperware bowls stashed somewhere for shaving.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 6:22 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 18:22:05 -0400

I got in when the ACH was common issue. I've now been issued a higher cut helmet that's somewhat lighter. I don't know anybody who would prefer the old kit.

Response by SGT Carl Blas made Mar 10 at 2019 6:47 PM

SGT Carl Blas — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 18:47:43 -0400

The times have changed, modern helmets for the modern solder serves just as head protection, not like the olden days in the service.
We older solders use the steel pot as a convenience to serve for something useful that we didn't have in the field.
The modern solder doesn't need to use his/her helmet for something else, because the military provides those essentials to the solder in this modern day and age.
Cooking, washing, shaving, carrying stuff, to dig holes in the ground, and like I used it to sit on, modern warfare has all of those things for the solder.
And, as my photo shows, if you're hit by a 50cal, it's doesn't matter what you used your helmet for, you're dead.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Mar 10 at 2019 6:56 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 18:56:26 -0400

I swear I'm 2" shorter than I should be due to the steel pot. And, I still have it.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 10 at 2019 7:33 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 19:33:56 -0400

SPC William Hasley I've worn the steel pot, original Kevlar, and the ACH. Hand down, ACH is a vast improvement. Only thing you can't do is use it to cook food or heat water in it. With a canteen cup you can heat water. I usually used one for eating/drinking. The other, shaving/washing. Marked with paint.

Technically you could dig with it, but I wouldn't. Usually have a NVG and or it's mount on it. I also had a red/white/infrared light mounted on the left side for hand free use. Nice at He clearing barrel or searching something. The absence of a liner I say actually a plus. The suspension system in a steel helmet liner or the Kevlar K-pot sucked, wearing grooves in your head. The adjustable pads are pretty good. Downside, no,place to tie a dummy cord for the helmet band or helmet mounted devices. Plus the protection is amazing in comparison as SFC Private RallyPoint Member says.

Still sturdy enough to use as a club if you had to beat the crap out of someone.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 7:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 19:50:19 -0400

I've worn the PASGT, LWH, ACH and ECH and the ECH is my far my favorite. It fits very nice, weighs allot less than the previous models and will supposedly stop a 7.62X39 but I don't want to test it. Never been cool enough for the FAST helmet yet.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 1:32 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 01:32:49 -0400

The latest helmets are lighter (and getting more so) while offering better protection. Sure it was useful to use the multiple capabilities that the steel pot offers, modern technology has replaced the need, for the most part. I can't argue with the use of the pot as a shovel, vs the entrenching tool, but most Soldiers don't use their canteens cups as much since camelbacks came around, and MRE drinks come in their own pouches that can be used to mix the drinks. I use the canteen cup to shave now. With the heater packs in the MRE's one really doesn't need a pot to cook in either.

I have been generally happy with the modern Kevlar helmet, but I also don't have the experience with the other type to compare. I initially wore the first type of Kevlar helmet (PASGT) helmet that replaced the steel pot about 2 years after it became obsolete.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 12 at 2019 3:29 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 15:29:22 -0400

I started out in the steel pot days and transitioned through the Kpot and ACH. I always liked my steel pot but the ACH was pretty decent. I didn't like the suspension harness in the Kpot.

Response by SGT Paul Hritz made Mar 17 at 2019 6:12 AM

SGT Paul Hritz — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 06:12:51 -0400

I was issued a steel pot in the Army an kevlar in The Michigan National Guard. I never used the steel pot for anything other than what it was intended for. The Kevlar helmet offers far more protection.