"You have a modern, Kevlar helmet with World War II era webbing," said Maj. Gene
Augustine, an infantry officer. "Everybody would like something better."
The Marine Corps is buying a sturdy, flame-resistant, buoyant, lightweight (2.5
pounds to 3.7 pounds, depending on size) helmet with a 10-year guarantee.
Each helmet, made by a Pennsylvania company, will have a liner made by Oregon
Aero, which also makes a variety of military products, including crash helmets
worn by aviators.
But it takes awhile for new equipment to filter throughout the fighting force.
So, until all the troops get the new helmet and liner, Oregon Aero is trying to
interest the military in a liner retrofit kit. If the Department of Defense
doesn't bite, Plan B would be to market the kit directly to the troops,
retailing at about $100.
Which is what brought Monk and other Oregon Aero salesmen to the exposition, an
annual gathering of defense industry equipment and technology suppliers.
The two-day confab, sponsored by the Marine Corps League, an alumni association
for former Marines, brings together suppliers and their customers.
"The exhibitors get a chance to talk face to face with the Marines who will be
using their products," said retired Marine Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Olmstead, the
exposition coordinator. "It's not generals that count in these things; it's
regular Marines."
Most of the 70-plus companies at the exposition are hawking products that only
the Defense Department could afford or want. It is highly doubtful that many
troops could buy their own precision targeting system for a lightweight 155-mm
howitzer.
Other products--boots, gun belts, cold-weather gear, individual water bags
("Hydrate or Die"), weapon-cleaning solvents--are probably destined for retail
stores for Marines and Marine wannabes.
There are several selling points to the helmet liner retrofit kit. One is that
the liner dissipates heat and carries away sweat.
There is also the promise of enhanced protection. Tests have shown that the
padded foam liner absorbs much of the shock of a direct hit from a rock, bullet
or other projectile better than its predecessor.
"You'll get your bell rung, but you'll survive," said Monk. "We had a guy do a
lawn dart and survive."
Doing a lawn dart is a military term for taking a headfirst fall from a
significant height and ending up with your head buried in dirt. You get the
picture.
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