Why Soldiers Do Not Wield Full Face Helmets

When it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE) in the military, choice and necessity vary based on the situation. This article explores the reasons behind why soldiers do not use full face helmets, supported by insights from a former Australian soldier and a Canadian military reservist.

Comfort and Practicality

A former Australian soldier, Gav Walsh, shared his experience of wearing 'floppy hats' during his service with the Ready Reaction Force. Despite this, they always carried their American-style helmets on their necks. He explained, 'As a former Australian soldier, I would go out wearing floppy hats, but we always carried our helmets on the back of our necks.'

Wearing a full face helmet for extended periods can be extremely uncomfortable, especially in extreme temperatures. In both summer and winter, the helmet can trap heat and hinder breathing, making it a challenge to maintain comfort. Such discomfort can significantly impact a soldier's performance and mental state, which are crucial for mission success and personal safety.

Sensorial Capabilities and Combat Readiness

In combat situations, soldiers rely on all their senses, particularly visual and auditory ones. Full face helmets can hamper peripheral vision and hearing, which may give a tactical disadvantage. 'In a full helmet, you would also lose the ability to hear properly,' another military reservist commented. 'If you want to disadvantage me by that much, why do I need to be there?' This point highlights the importance of maintaining situational awareness.

The former Australian soldier mentioned, 'In combat situations, you need the use of all your senses, especially sight and peripheral vision. Full face helmets restrict that to some degree.' Soldiers need clear vision to identify potential threats and peripheral hearing to detect approaching enemies or other hazards.

Training and Communication

Training is a critical aspect of military operations. For effective coordination and communication, soldiers need to use their heads and faces freely. Gav Walsh, a participant in a small test group at Fort Bragg, explained, 'In a fully enclosed helmet, it is extremely hard to communicate with your squad. Communication is vital, especially in worst-case scenarios when battery-operated communication equipment inside the helmet or mask can fail. Muffled voices trying to coordinate during a chaotic firefight will not work well for anyone.'

He further elaborated, 'Firefights are usually quick and very loud and confusing. We train for these situations, assuming that any battery-operated communication equipment could fail. Therefore, it is essential to practice without it so that soldiers can maintain clear communication in challenging circumstances.'

Tactical and Logistical Concerns

Full face helmets can create significant logistical and tactical issues. For instance, the face mask and full coverage can turn a helmet into a furnace after a few drills. The former Australian soldier noted, 'The face mask/full covering turns your helmet into a furnace after a few reaction drills.' This heat buildup can lead to discomfort and decreased performance.

Additionally, the full enclosure of the helmet can amplify the concussive forces from RPGs and grenades, posing serious risks to the soft tissues like the eyes, brain, and eardrums. Comprehensive ventilation systems to address this issue have not yet been developed.

Conclusion

The decision to use or not use full face helmets is a complex one, involving a balance between safety, practicality, and tactical needs. While full face helmets offer robust protection, they can also compromise sensory access and create logistical and tactical challenges. As such, soldiers often opt for more flexible and breathable helmet designs, ensuring they can maintain full use of their senses and communicate effectively in any situation.