Why don't we use the mitznefet helmet cover for better concealment?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 22:46:53 -0400

The mitznefet is a helmet cover that breaks up the distinctive shape of a helmet, making wearers harder to spot, and also prevents sunlight from deflecting off of the helmet. The IDF use it all of the time and report it is effective at keeping soldiers concealed despite its odd look. Why does the US Army not adopt this basic but highly effective tool? It is very light and can easily be stored when not in use.

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 15 at 2017 10:52 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 22:52:09 -0400

It's a Helmut cover are they Not issuing The covers in the camo patterns for the geographical ares you are operating in , Anymore...
the mitznefet is just the Israeli version...

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2017 10:58 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 22:58:29 -0400

It's a bit reminiscent of the helmet covers used in the light infantry divisions, particularly 7th & 25th, in the 80s-90s.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 15 at 2017 11:55 PM

SPC David S. — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 23:55:06 -0400

It was designed for small units engaged in guerrilla warfare not sure if it would translate in how we go about trying to force contact.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 16 at 2017 12:02 AM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:02:31 -0400

That is a good SMA question, or Natick Labs question... 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member That 7th ID helmet cover, in the streets of Panama was comical...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 12:11 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:11:29 -0400

I would be curious to see if that works any better then the practice of sticking pieces of shrubbery, branches and strips of camo into your helmet band

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 12:48 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:48:49 -0400

I am not sure about this mitznefet PFC Martinelli...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 1:08 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 01:08:41 -0400

Because it takes the Army 9 years to implement uniform changes...

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Mar 16 at 2017 6:31 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 06:31:50 -0400

Because it would make us all look like mushrooms which might encourage those above us to keep us in the dark and feed us Sh*%.

I don't think most need this level of camouflage. This is used mostly to break up a silhouette in a woodland environment. Perhaps you could make a case for infantry in a non urban environment.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 8:26 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 08:26:16 -0400

After the service wide beret fiasco, I don't think this would get a warm welcome.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Mar 16 at 2017 8:55 AM

Sgt John Steinmeier — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 08:55:11 -0400

It's not Tacti-cool

Response by MSgt George Cater made Mar 16 at 2017 9:21 AM

MSgt George Cater — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:21:31 -0400

Back before the Gulf War, my battalion, 3/3, started

Response by MSgt George Cater made Mar 16 at 2017 9:27 AM

MSgt George Cater — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:27:09 -0400

Back before the Gulf War, my battalion, 3/3, started using unserviceable camp net material to camo each Marine's helmet. It cost nothing and worked well in Hawaii and the jungle. By Desert Shield it was a norm in the battalion and you can spot 3/3 Marines in pics of DS/DS today. I believe the battalion continued it as a unit thing for some time after I left.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Mar 16 at 2017 9:56 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:56:30 -0400

There is indeed a lot of effective tools that we don't see the standard infantry wearing. That's not to say Spec Ops teams don't utilize these.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 9:58 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:58:56 -0400

Up until recently we didn't blend into anything other than a flowered couch. I'll take my multicam cover gladly.

The reality is that we don't get issued the top tier gear, what we get is "good enough." As others have said, there's not really a need for it in our current environment. We dominate the battlespace. Even in a near-peer fight, outside of a few select individuals there's not that great of a need for camouflage and stealth. You could just as easily ask why we don't apply face paint anymore. You'll likely get a similar answer.

Response by MSG Mark Million made Mar 16 at 2017 10:07 AM

MSG Mark Million — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 10:07:56 -0400

If we wore that, the French army would start complimenting us on our fashion sense.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 16 at 2017 12:33 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 12:33:14 -0400

Probably effective, but looks like a pizza hat gone terribly awry!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 2:14 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 14:14:52 -0400

Perhaps in small units, Infantry or Cav. Given the proper area. For a full force use during deployment, doubtful.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 16 at 2017 4:19 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 16:19:01 -0400

Seems good unless a French chef happens upon you while looking for mushrooms

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 16 at 2017 4:21 PM

1LT William Clardy — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 16:21:44 -0400

I'd sure hate to be breaking serious brush wearing something like that -- I can see the branches reaching out to snag it already.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 16 at 2017 8:24 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 20:24:30 -0400

Because we didn't think of it first, someone hates it, and frankly it looks like Iron Chef went in and went camo on everyone. So no one in the world will approve it, until someone Like President Kennedy comes along and says "Nice Beret,"(History Lesson for the Jr Troopers out there, and I may be old, but no where old enough to have been around when that happened) will we get to have something that makes sense.

Response by COL Thomas F. made Mar 18 at 2017 8:31 PM

COL Thomas F. — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 20:31:39 -0400

Looks like the mosquito netting I wore on my helmet back in '94. People thought I was strange, when I was in formation, but they couldn't see me in the field and the bugs couldn't bite me :) Best part I didn't have to paint my face as much since it covered by entire head. I just took it off after the field events so the Senior NCOs didn't have a heart-attack.

Response by SP5 Gary Smith made Oct 29 at 2018 3:50 PM

SP5 Gary Smith — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 15:50:07 -0400

Nerd factor too high.

Response by SGT Andrew Howard made Oct 29 at 2018 4:59 PM

SGT Andrew Howard — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:59:15 -0400

Because professional appearance trumps combat effectiveness every time.

Response by TSgt David Baillargeon made Oct 30 at 2018 3:15 PM

TSgt David Baillargeon — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 15:15:39 -0400

When I was 7th ID, we used to use the cabbage patch hat on our kevelars.... ugh

Response by SFC Matthew Wagner made Oct 30 at 2018 9:51 PM

SFC Matthew Wagner — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 21:51:14 -0400

Hey, Luigi you gotta the pizza ready?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2018 11:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:31:00 -0400

Because why would we pay for that when we can camouflage enough to break up the helmet silhouette for free with veg? Or use carabella hair and veg it up.

Response by PO1 Bill Adams made Oct 30 at 2018 11:54 PM

PO1 Bill Adams — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:54:43 -0400

Because it looks like something out of a Mario Brothers video game.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 9:17 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 09:17:30 -0400

Water logged mop hanging over your face when it rains?

Response by SSG Shauna Holmes made Oct 31 at 2018 3:02 PM

SSG Shauna Holmes — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:02:21 -0400

I bet I can find that in the local beauty supply store in purple.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 8:19 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 20:19:16 -0400

It would be sheer misery in wet weather, and not very effective outside of heavily wooded areas, where it would snag on every twig.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2018 7:45 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 07:45:12 -0400

Would get in the way of mounts on the helmet and snag on every goddamn twig and tree while trying to move through brush.

Not to mention just sticking local floiage in your helmet band is better since it accomplishes the same thing and is matched to the environment.

Response by Cpl Ed Hines made Nov 1 at 2018 12:09 PM

Cpl Ed Hines — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 12:09:19 -0400

Because camo is only useful if you are not moving or at great distances.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2018 2:05 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 14:05:01 -0400

Violates the first rule of always looking cool.

Response by PFC Adam Murray made Nov 1 at 2018 4:41 PM

PFC Adam Murray — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 16:41:39 -0400

We were directed to wear a piece of camo netting on our helmets in Afghanistan. Dubbed "Carabello hair" after CSM Carabello, who was shiny-bald.
God bless him.

Response by Cpl Bill Johnson made Nov 1 at 2018 7:35 PM

Cpl Bill Johnson — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 19:35:48 -0400

Bork! Bork! Bork!

Response by PV2 Robert Uherek made Nov 1 at 2018 8:46 PM

PV2 Robert Uherek — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 20:46:32 -0400

It's as gay as cum on a mustache

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2018 9:21 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:21:24 -0400

Nope, we ain’t no Israelis. Never forget:

American spy ship USS Liberty – which was bombed by an Israeli fighter jet and torpedo boats on June 8, 1967 in the eastern Mediterranean – was somewhat overlooked. Thirty-four American sailors were killed in the Israeli attack and many others were wounded.

Response by SPC Jose Vidrotiru made Nov 2 at 2018 7:49 AM

SPC Jose Vidrotiru — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 07:49:14 -0400

Maybe for jungle warfare

Response by Sgt John Nichols made Nov 2 at 2018 9:28 AM

Sgt John Nichols — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 09:28:22 -0400

Looks pretty.damn stupid. Why try to fix something that is not broke

Response by PO1 Alan Sparks made Nov 4 at 2018 2:18 PM

PO1 Alan Sparks — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 14:18:58 -0500

When I was a Corpsman with 3/3, we wore CAMMO NET garnish on our helmets, at some point the Regional Commander ordered it removed. When we deployed to Okinawa, we had to put it back on.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Nov 5 at 2018 5:45 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 17:45:22 -0500

Because we'd never get anything done! Spend to much time making fun of each other!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2018 5:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 17:45:24 -0500

If the Army was worried about camouflage they never would have issued ACUs.

Response by SPC Martin Meyer made Nov 15 at 2018 9:43 PM

SPC Martin Meyer — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 21:43:26 -0500

If it saves one infantry soldier it is worth using. I am sure the value of one life out weights the cost of the mitznefet. And would only have to be issued to the infantry soldier in a combat zone though probably help using one in training. The Israeli's use it and they are mostly desert open ground or urban fighters so might be worth at least evaluating.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Nov 17 at 2018 1:14 AM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 01:14:29 -0500

Well to start, you're not in the IDF.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Nov 17 at 2018 1:19 AM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 01:19:37 -0500

Next while it is a great way to aid in camouflage, it adds a couple of pounds to you head. It's a piece of kit that must be maintained like everything else you're issued. You already have a helmet cover that keeps helmet shine low. Add to that you might use strips of old camo uniforms plus vegetation. Maybe some day the brass at the Pentagon will include this piece of head gear.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 17 at 2018 5:30 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 05:30:39 -0500

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Jan 9 at 2019 10:19 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 10:19:52 -0500

Because it is not part of your TOE.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Feb 14 at 2020 9:21 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 21:21:25 -0500

I’d rather just tie a bandana from my first aid kit over my head, and we did. Mother Nature grows things upwards to get to the sun, things horizontal kinda stand out, If the background colors are a great match it’s immaterial I suppose, but as a long time hunter you look for things that don’t fit. Things horizontal in a vertical world sometimes don’t fit, it’s hard to match the current flora most times, one size doesn’t fit all.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2020 12:57 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 12:57:57 -0500

Because you have a helmet band and should be updating your camouflage regularly in the field/deployed to match your terrain and environment.
Get some field craft going on.