AND NOW
EXCERPTS OF EMAILS FROM THE FRONT LINES
(Not from 'desk warriors' in their
air-conditioned foxholes !)
1 Feb 2012: HAVING BEEN
DEPLOYED WITH IN THE PAST YEAR AND WEARING MY ACH ALL THE TIME OVER THERE I CAN
SAY THAT THE ISSUE HELMET PADS ARE
HORRIBLE. THE CAN MAKE THOSE LONG PATROLS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND IN A PLACE LIKE
THAT YOUR HELMET BEING COMFORTABLE IS A MUST. THE ISSUE PADS, ONCE FILLED WITH
SWEAT ONE TIME, ARE ALWAYS HARD AS A ROCK AND NEVER REALLY FORM TO YOUR HEAD.
LIKE I SAID EARLIER I AM THE XO FOR AN INFANRTY RSTA (Reconnaissance,
Surveillance, and Target Acquisition) COMPANY AND WE WILL BE
REDEPLOYING HERE IN THE NEXT xxx MONTHS. I AM REQUESTING ENOUGH PADS TO OUTFIT
THE COMPANY BUT ANY THING WOULD BE A START. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH
ANY QUESTIONS AND I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. THANKS IN ADVANCE. 1Lt USA Army
Should we help these troops? Hopes high, bank account low; can YOU help?
19 Dec 2011:We are #1
route clearance in Kandahar Prov.(true story). Our job is Route Clearance, we
lead all missions for anyone that needs safe travel off the hard ball. Most
missions are approx. 8-10 hours, but more often than not we are directed to
clear specific routes to enable freedom of movements for trigger pullers.
typically missions exceed 15 hours. I have more than occasionally found my
soldiers with kevlars (helmets) off while on mission, specifically due to pain on the head
or eventually headaches. any amount of donations to my soldiers would be greatly
appreciated. Sgt USArmy
10 Dec 2011: The pads are
issued and black in color. They take too long to form to the head. They are
uncomfortable and cause the Marines in my platoon pain if worn for extended
periods of time. In order for the Marines in my platoon to wear the helmets they
remove some of the pads to relieve the pressure and pain; however, this reduces
the safety of the kevlar helmet. My Marines ability to effectively operate
outside the wire is negatively affected. In training, I see Marines constantly
adjusting their helmets while patrolling on foot or in a vehicle. Their focus is
not 100% on the mission while wearing the helmets. There is a noticeable
difference in my Marines when they train with and without their kevlar helmets.
1st Lt, USMC
6 Dec 2011: Pads: the number is worn off but it
is like a gray cloth with plastic wrapping underneath the outer shell.
Comments: First off they fall out every time one of my guys takes his kevlar
off, secondly they hurt! walking for hours they give me and my guys
headaches. I know one squad that takes off their kevlars and puts on boonies
just after they step out on patrol. CPL, USMC
29 Nov 2011: Your charitable work for the ones
continuing to get dirty is extremely appreciated. My thanks to you for
setting the example in the past for us to continue doing it in the present
day. It's because of understanding men like yourselves that we are able to
enhance our operability over there. Besides that we get all these great
ideas from people that have never been outside the wire which in turn
affects things negatively. Sir I personally want to thank you again and
whatever you can get to us is great. If you can't get to the 100 then we
will make the 50 work. 1st Lt, USMC
15 Nov 2011: Every day I wear my helmet
for at least 8-10 hours when outside the wire. I have to wear them on dismounts
to keep myself safe, even though they give me terrible headaches because of the
constant pressure each "pad" puts on my head. I'll admit I do not always wear my
helmet in our armored vehicles, because it tends to hurt so bad, even though
when im inside the vehicle is one of the most important times to wear it due to
IED's. Ive tried everything to soften them up such as, washing them excessively,
placing heavy items on them to make them a little more flexible, all with
negative results. If I had comfortable pads, i'd never take my helmet off which
could definately save my life one day.
3 NOV 2011: I would get a pressure headache, due to the pads pressing down on
certain points on my head. They never really got to the point of being
unbearable, but I would be forced to unstrap my helmet so the ache would not get
any worse. Being in combat, you need to be able to stay focused on the mission
and not having a nagging headache to deal with. SSgt, USAF.
25 Oct 2011: I have received a set of helmet pads from
SGT xx, just like to thank you for the donation and how much better these pads
are. Its a lot more comfortable to wear my kevlar now and I actually dont mind
having them on. Big difference and greatly appreciated. I'm currently with
XXXXXX, in Sangin, Afghanistan, a lot of the Marines out here could use these!
CPL, USMC, Infantry. (we today sent him 150 for his
Company)
19 Sept 2011: It is very difficult to concentrate
when we're on patrol and sweeping when the current pads we have give us all
headaches. They take away from situational awareness. the new pads would be
greatly appreciated, Thank you all for everything you do and the
considerations you've made for all of us! SGT, USMC, EOD.
13 Sept, 2011: Explosives Expert By far the most
comfort in a Helmet I have ever Had I have seen these pads put to the test
and marines that should of had severe concusions had very minor or no
concusion at all while others wearing the older harnness were rattled
something fierce. If you care about you troops you'll get these pads and
spread the word for donations. SSGT, EOD.
8 August 2011: My platoon is running convoy
security missions in Southern Afghanistan. On some of the missions they are
in their trucks for up to 14 hours and the pads we currently have caused
headaches, and pain from the pressure on their heads. The undue discomfort
causes the Soldiers to remove their helmet to get some relief. My Soldiers
deserve to have a helmet that they can wear without causing pain and also
provide protection from blast injuries. I would greatly appreciate your
assistance to help me take care of my Soldiers. 1Lt, US Army
6 August, 2011: I've always used army issue ones,
and now with the amount of time spent wearing my helmet, they have really
become unbearable, causing many of us to take em off soon as vehicles stop
moving or especially when attaching essiential equipment, the added weight
is even worse for our foreheads. Bottom line: I don't want to be readjusting
or be distracted by my helmet sliping around uncomfortably when treating
casualties. I'm jus thankful there's an organization that recognizes this
problem!! Medic, US Infantry
7 July 2011:Last year I was in Afghanistan
supporting 3/1. There were several Marines who had received the pads and
swore by their comfort. Comfort may not sound like much, but when Marines
are standing post for 8 hours at a time, or conducting 12 Kilometer patrols
in 135 degree heat, comfort can ensure a Marine is focused on his mission
and the task before him, and not how uncomfortable in helmet is or how bad
or a headache he has. I am deploying to Afghanistan again soon with 9 other
Marines, and I would like to ensure we are able to perform at the best of
our abilities to accomplish our mission without the distracting headaches
caused by our current helmet pads. Thank you very much. SGT, USMC
24 June 2011: We used the pads (sent by OpHelm)
last year in Afghan and they worked very well for us. However a few of the
pads stitching have come loose over time. To be honest with every thing we
put our helmets through i'm surprised any of them made it back. The only
reason i'm asking for these kits are because my teams going back soon and
our shops budgets fading fast. Every little bit we can save helps us get the
tools and gear we need to have a safe and successful deployment. I know from
personal experience that when leaning over an IED, our helmets placement and
comfort definitely comes into play. If only we could get the higher up to
understand that we'll be doing great. Helmet pads are not on their list of
necessities. Any assistance you could offer my team would greatly
appreciated. Thank you. EOD, USMC
20 May 2011:After
an hour, the headache keeps me from being able to concentrate on complex
tasks and my shooting accuracy goes down significantly (it's really apparent
when I compare my targets from my first hour of shooting with the helmet vs
my second hour). This scares me a little since I know I'll have to wear my
helmet for long periods of time and still need to be able to shoot
accurately.
28 March 2011: Due to the lack of comfort with
the current pads, helmets are not worn as tightly as needed which greatly
increases the risk of concussions/TBI. We are a route clearance unit
(finding, defusing/disposing of IED's).
16 Feb 2011: ......in my opinion, helmet fit and
comfort makes a huge difference in mission performance. When your helmet is
uncomfortable, or for some even painful, all you can think about is your
next stopping point where you can take your helmet off and let your head get
some air. With pads like the ones your organization sent, I no longer have
to concentrate on how uncomfortable my helmet feels, rather I can be
completely focused on the task at hand.
The (GI) pads are so thick and stiff it makes my helmet feel like it is
sitting way too high on my head. Thanks again. Sgt USArmy
20 Jan 2011: Wearing the ACH for long hours
results in severe discomfort at the end of the day; just in time to put it
on again for a night mission or the next day. Its not intolerable, but its
one more factor that works against us. It would be nice to actually have a
comfortable helmet. 1LT, US Army
12 Jan 2011:My Soldiers take off their helmets
to relieve from headache
in the vehicle which is dangerous in moving vehicle with limited headspace.
we have received injuries just from hitting a bump in the road and bouncing
your head off the roof. The current pads bother everyone's foreheads. SFC,
US Army (It's not just IED's that can disable troops).
11 Oct 2010: Mostly, the problems we have is that
soldiers dont want to wear their helmets. So they will either unclip them or
take them off altogether, any chance they get. It gets real bad when we are
out in the sun all day. The draining sun plus the headache the helmets give
us makes for a deadly combination. We all thank you so much for what you are
doing for us guys over here. Your help is greatly appreciated.
