Posted on Mar 15, 2017
Why don't we use the mitznefet helmet cover for better concealment?
81.8K
349
87
30
30
0
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.
Tactics
Uniforms
Clothing
Camouflage
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 49
48
48
0
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.
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.
(48)
(0)
SFC Harry H.
Cpl Jeff N. -Yes, every Soldier in the Army is trained in basic Infantry tactics as a rifleman. Like you mentioned, contrary to what they all might think, there is a HUGE difference beyond that. MP's are notorious at thinking they are some kind of glorified Infantryman. LMAO!
(2)
(0)
Cpl (Join to see)
It’s main advantage in an urban environment is preventing snipers from knowing exactly where to aim to hit your grape. Maybe they hit Kevlar, maybe cloth. The IDF had hell of a time with snipers when they were in Lebanon, which probably had something to do with this
(0)
(0)
PO2 Wayne Durham
Israel uses them, not a lot of forest land there. Desert, mountain, and urban areas mainly. They must know something we haven’t figured out after 70 years of fighting in the Middle East.
(0)
(0)
SGT Charles Bartell
Keeping the Junior N.C.O'S and lower enlisted is a every day thing in the infantry. Just ask any of them. It is like the is always rocks to paint, parking lot Police call at Battalion.
(0)
(0)
44
44
0
It's a bit reminiscent of the helmet covers used in the light infantry divisions, particularly 7th & 25th, in the 80s-90s.
(44)
(0)
CW3 Michael Clifford
CSM John Mead I still have mine from the 7th ID as a CID Agent from 1986-1989 and 1991-1994.
(1)
(0)
CSM John Mead
1SG (Join to see) - Probably was, as well. Some old friends that were there told me that it started before 7th ID received their first Kevlars. I've no way to dispute that, if it matters. All I know is that all said and done, most would say that the intent was for cohesion but in practice, a nuisance. Just repeating what I've been told. Some old 7th ID light fighters will also remember the mandatory light fighters course. I did all of my time with mech units, excluding the 9th ID, which only had one mech battalion, 5-60 Inf. I don't even recall if we had any armor units, but don't think that we had.
(2)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
CSM John Mead my feet still hurt from the Lightfighters course. I didn't arrive until around August 85. Concur it was for cohesion, and turned into a fashion contest for the best "Tina Turner."
(1)
(0)
CPT Jeff Robinette
I would rather see this type of helmet cover than the Mushroom cover. The chillies type of cover. Will be unique to the individual and offer better concealment.
In time some smart guy on the enemy side is going to figure out a tell to the Mushroom cover.
In time some smart guy on the enemy side is going to figure out a tell to the Mushroom cover.
(0)
(0)
33
33
0
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
(33)
(0)
SGT Andrew Howard
The benefit is that they can be very quickly removed (seconds) whenever somebody important comes around.
(0)
(0)
SGT Thomas Fisher
SGT Andrew Howard If someone "important" comes around in combat and wants to see a nice smooth helmet, they need to go sit back in their office because they are out of their element.
(8)
(0)
15
15
0
CSM John Mead
In the 22 years since my retirement following 26 years active service, I’ve seen countless uniform changes. Class A “Greens” to a blue uniform with white shirt, at least two changes to the daily fatigue uniform, and that damn beret. Leave the beret to special ops types and keep the garrison cap. The class A’s didn’t require a change, and I’ve always liked having my divisional patch on my left shoulder sleeve and a combat patch on the right. I don’t know if the pinks and greens are the answer, but think that the brown uniform coat/blouse is a better choice than what we went to. Blues should be kept for formal occasions. This is off base from the blog concerning a helmet contour camouflage, but just an observation. What ever happened to if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?
(0)
(0)
14
14
0
12
12
0
10
10
0
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.
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.
(10)
(0)
8
8
0
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.
(8)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
COL Thomas Ficarra When you visit Australia and have a look what was formerly called Ayers Rock, (renamed by the Aborigines since my visit), the nearby shops sell hats with mosquito netting that goestoyour collar to deter the numerous Flies!
The ‘Australian Wave’ of one’s hand was developed to chase some of those pesky Flies away. Cynthia Croft
The ‘Australian Wave’ of one’s hand was developed to chase some of those pesky Flies away. Cynthia Croft
(0)
(0)
8
8
0
If we wore that, the French army would start complimenting us on our fashion sense.
(8)
(0)
6
6
0
After the service wide beret fiasco, I don't think this would get a warm welcome.
(6)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google