Almost all soldiers had those big covers on their helmets to, as I understand it, camoflage the mono-green helmets. But why were they so much bigger than the helmets? To break up the form? I've never seen any other army use such big, loose covers.
shareThe helmet covers were indeed used as camoflage and worked very well in the southern-labenese terrain
They were mostly used in ambushes and during combat but the soldiers had them on during patrols so that they do not need to mess with them when fast action is needed.
The helmets we used were a direct descendant of the helmets used in the Jewish Brigade in her Majesty's Army. They may seem big, but when you are face flat on the ground their utility becomes very apparent. They sit flat to the ground and cover whole the head instead of just the crown. They also don't slide around. And being broad, they allow you to rip up vegetation, stick it in the helmet and blend into the hilly scrub brush that is southern Lebanon. I never felt safe, but I felt safer.
I’m open to the possibility it’s possible.
Is your mind open to the possibility it’s impossible?
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Maybe helmet envy?
I’m open to the possibility it’s possible.
Is your mind open to the possibility it’s impossible?
Breaks up the silhouette I assume.
shareThe helmets are for braking up the showdows and making the form of the head look more natureal... the round shape is wasy to to spor. very commen thing in the israeli army.
take it from a veretan.
The thing that struck me about the helmet covers was their utter uselessness in the Beaufort base. The soldiers were surrounded by tan-gray concrete, limestone and dirt. The dark green-black camouflage stood out like a sore thumb.
It wasn't obvious in the film that the soldiers ever patrolled out from the base, so I didn't see the utility of the covers.
Soldiers usually must adjust their equipment in a certain uniform way the commanding officers instruct. "Shower caps" are considered pretty significant in all field units. And since they aren't felt, why ever put them off?
There's another factor - special equipment and weapon upgrades are considered status symbols in the army, so you might say these covers are "fashionable" in field units.
They did patrol from the fort, but Israeli infantry keeps them on their heads pretty much all the time, even in the West Bank. Just the way it is.
Oh, and they're great for blocking out the sun when you're on patrol, since we're not allowed to wear sunglasses.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitznefet_(Israeli_military)
shareYou're all wrong. The IDF were given them by the elves of Lothlorien, and the covers help them blend in, to keep them from prying eyes. :)
Wrong again, this military affectation is a deep seated reaction to, and over-compensation for, being circumcised at birth. At least, I always felt like somewhat of a dick when I was serving. Vive' Freud! They also doubled as camouflage and sunshade.
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