Posted on Mar 15, 2017
PFC Forward Observer
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The mitznefet is a helmet cover that breaks up the distinctive shape of a helmet, making wearers harder to spot, and also prevents sunlight from deflecting off of the helmet. The IDF use it all of the time and report it is effective at keeping soldiers concealed despite its odd look. Why does the US Army not adopt this basic but highly effective tool? It is very light and can easily be stored when not in use.
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 49
Cpl Jeff N.
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Because it would make us all look like mushrooms which might encourage those above us to keep us in the dark and feed us Sh*%.

I don't think most need this level of camouflage. This is used mostly to break up a silhouette in a woodland environment. Perhaps you could make a case for infantry in a non urban environment.
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SFC Harry H.
SFC Harry H.
6 y
Cpl Jeff N. -Yes, every Soldier in the Army is trained in basic Infantry tactics as a rifleman. Like you mentioned, contrary to what they all might think, there is a HUGE difference beyond that. MP's are notorious at thinking they are some kind of glorified Infantryman. LMAO!
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Cpl Rifleman
Cpl (Join to see)
6 y
It’s main advantage in an urban environment is preventing snipers from knowing exactly where to aim to hit your grape. Maybe they hit Kevlar, maybe cloth. The IDF had hell of a time with snipers when they were in Lebanon, which probably had something to do with this
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PO2 Wayne Durham
PO2 Wayne Durham
6 y
Israel uses them, not a lot of forest land there. Desert, mountain, and urban areas mainly. They must know something we haven’t figured out after 70 years of fighting in the Middle East.
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SGT Charles Bartell
SGT Charles Bartell
6 y
Keeping the Junior N.C.O'S and lower enlisted is a every day thing in the infantry. Just ask any of them. It is like the is always rocks to paint, parking lot Police call at Battalion.
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1SG(P) First Sergeant
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It's a bit reminiscent of the helmet covers used in the light infantry divisions, particularly 7th & 25th, in the 80s-90s.
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CW3 Michael Clifford
CW3 Michael Clifford
6 y
CSM John Mead I still have mine from the 7th ID as a CID Agent from 1986-1989 and 1991-1994.
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CSM John Mead
CSM John Mead
6 y
1SG (Join to see) - Probably was, as well. Some old friends that were there told me that it started before 7th ID received their first Kevlars. I've no way to dispute that, if it matters. All I know is that all said and done, most would say that the intent was for cohesion but in practice, a nuisance. Just repeating what I've been told. Some old 7th ID light fighters will also remember the mandatory light fighters course. I did all of my time with mech units, excluding the 9th ID, which only had one mech battalion, 5-60 Inf. I don't even recall if we had any armor units, but don't think that we had.
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1SG Retired
1SG (Join to see)
6 y
CSM John Mead my feet still hurt from the Lightfighters course. I didn't arrive until around August 85. Concur it was for cohesion, and turned into a fashion contest for the best "Tina Turner."
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CPT Jeff Robinette
CPT Jeff Robinette
6 y
I would rather see this type of helmet cover than the Mushroom cover. The chillies type of cover. Will be unique to the individual and offer better concealment.
In time some smart guy on the enemy side is going to figure out a tell to the Mushroom cover.
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1SG Vet Technician
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I would be curious to see if that works any better then the practice of sticking pieces of shrubbery, branches and strips of camo into your helmet band
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SGT Andrew Howard
SGT Andrew Howard
6 y
The benefit is that they can be very quickly removed (seconds) whenever somebody important comes around.
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1SG Vet Technician
1SG (Join to see)
6 y
SGT Andrew Howard like when you get a CODE "8" or CODE "9" over comms?
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SGT Thomas Fisher
SGT Thomas Fisher
6 y
SGT Andrew Howard If someone "important" comes around in combat and wants to see a nice smooth helmet, they need to go sit back in their office because they are out of their element.
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