Are TeamWendy brand helmets allowed during duty, in lieu of ACH?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 00:21:42 -0500

Are TeamWendy brand helmet allowed during duty/ in Lou of ACH? Specifically the EXFIL SL that is rated the same as the standard issue ACH.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Mar 13 at 2022 1:26 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 01:26:04 -0500

My advice to you is to use the equipment that the Army issues you. There are some things that you can add to your kit, but when it comes to items like this use what you're given.

Looking at it from a financial point of view why would you want to spend money on an item that is issued to you? If it becomes damaged some how you're unlikely to be reimbursed for it. (Those helmets run about $1,200)

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 13 at 2022 1:50 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 01:50:26 -0500

It would be a shame to spend so much money on a helmet and catch flak from your chain of command in the process.

Unless you have been given clear approval from your unit to use non traditional/non issued equipment I wouldn’t do it.

There are situations where a unit will approve or buy equipment that isn’t part of the normal chain but if you think you can show up as a Pvt with a rando helmet you bought out of pocket you are mistaken. There is a process to these types of things “if” they are approved. If being the key word.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2022 8:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 08:19:36 -0400

Only commanders can make that call, and no commander is going to bless off on accepting the risk associated with allowing uncertified protective gear. The DOD spends billions of dollars ensuring your issued PPE meets certain requirements. Unless a proponent who is authorized make the assessment states that a piece of gear is safe - it's not. If you were to get hurt wearing that gear, whether it has anything to do with the helmet or not, your entire chain of command would be relieved. Like, from your squad leader to your battalion commander, depending on how bad it is.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2022 9:43 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 09:43:27 -0400

Please don't be that Gear-Do PX Ranger Private that wastes all the paycheck on unnecessary gear/equipment.

Response by SSG John Oliver made Mar 13 at 2022 12:31 PM

SSG John Oliver — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 12:31:04 -0400

Don't be that guy

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 13 at 2022 3:18 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 15:18:05 -0400

No Commander in their right mind would authorize untested and certified protective equipment. They would be liable for anything that happened to you because of unauthorized/tested equipment. You as a Soldier should be more worried about the quality and certified gear. Anyway, you get the point.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 13 at 2022 5:41 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 17:41:55 -0400

Only NATICK approved, issued gear is authorized. The guy at the Patriot Express geardo store doesn't need your patronage.
If you have to, buy a couple of those silly patches that they love to sell and call it a day.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2022 8:05 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 20:05:32 -0400

Let's put some math on this one. As an E-1, your BASE pay is approximately 1,800/month (before tax). The baseline model of this helmet sells for 1,584 (before tax). I'm a SFC with almost 24 years of service and even I wouldn't buy this. You and I are both POGs. We have no need for this helmet. This is for door kickers. We are not door kickers.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Mar 13 at 2022 10:31 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 22:31:04 -0400

DON'T be that guy. Just Don't. SFC Private RallyPoint Member gave the best answer of all.
Your Squad Leader will thank you if you just take good care of the gear you are issued.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2022 5:36 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 05:36:45 -0400

Does it have an NSN?
If no, probably not

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2022 7:24 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:24:42 -0400

Commanders decision but as long as the equipment meets army standards "which the team Wendy helmets do" it's a go. But I have to ask why you as a 35N will even need that?

Response by SPC Tommy Dean made Apr 13 at 2022 4:47 PM

SPC Tommy Dean — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 16:47:52 -0400

Just wishing I knew what the hell a TeamWendy helmet was?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2022 9:10 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 21:10:58 -0400

What does your command say? I know in theater we had a couple of Soldiers whose spouses bought them a civilian bulletproof vest. They were forced to send it back home or keep it under their bunk as it was not authorized for wear in theater. The command can dictate the minimum wear of the field uniform. If they say "ACH", then you need to wear the ACH. If they suggest another system, make sure it's clear as to what other system can be worn. The bottom line is uniformity. If something happens to your "hooah" gear you will not be reimbursed.

More importantly, if it malfunctions you only have yourself to blame. If the ACH malfunctions the military will take care of you (unless you are running around with your chin strap unfastened like John Wayne out of a WWII movie or otherwise wearing it improperly.

There are a number of reasons you should stick with the safety equipment the military provides you. Most importantly, safety. Secondly, uniformity. Without uniformity, you look like something special. I know when I was in infantry units I loved to shoot at the person who thought they were something special. I made them special.

If you think the ACH is uncomfortable, work with it, learn to adjust it, and make it yours. It will save your life. Generations before the current ACH there was this helmet we called a "Steel Pot". It had a fiberglass liner (if you were lucky) and was the most uncomfortable, heavy, and temperature-insensitive thing you could have put on your head.

You are young, so I leave you with this last bit of advice. Embrace the suck.

Response by SPC Ramon Urias made Apr 19 at 2022 12:08 AM

SPC Ramon Urias — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 00:08:22 -0400

Did you mean “in lieu”?

Response by SSG James Knopp made Apr 20 at 2022 1:06 AM

SSG James Knopp — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 01:06:46 -0400

Please forgive me for being uninformed, but what the heck is a Team Wendy helmet. I retired 20 years ago and the Kevlar was standard issue only.

Response by LCpl Kenneth Heath made Apr 20 at 2022 5:37 PM

LCpl Kenneth Heath — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 17:37:16 -0400

Only if you're also wearing your Team Peter Pan Underoos!

WTF is "Team Wendy", and why would anyone take that seriously??? What's next... Team Tinkerbell Flight Suits?

Response by SSG Brian Whitney made Apr 20 at 2022 9:55 PM

SSG Brian Whitney — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 21:55:18 -0400

As a Green Beret Veteran I WOULDNT buy this either. If you think you need it as a 35N go for it. You can wear at your local airsoft tournament because I HIGHLY doubt your COC will approve.

Response by LTC Ray Buenteo made Apr 21 at 2022 6:04 PM

LTC Ray Buenteo — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 18:04:50 -0400

PVT you will wear the duty uniform of the day and use the equipment you are issued until you become a four star or sec def and can change the uniform and equipment that is issued.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2022 11:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2022 23:01:12 -0400

I always thought that you have to be in uniform and wear the same gear as everyone else in the army.