Posted: 2/20/2008 3:32:28 AM EDT
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I have a deployment coming up this year and I still have a PASGT, I have a few training classes coming up and I am told we will not get new gear for a few months. I like to train with what I am going to use..so my thoughts are to get my own. Who makes a good MICH/ACH that you folks would recommend that would not deviate from what issue gear looks like. Also should I get an MICH or an ACH, I understand they are different in that the MICH is lighter.... thanks |
| The actual MICH has very high cuts around the earpiece area to allow the Peltor comm sets to fit. You will 99% of the time deploy with an ACH, I have one and it is a great helmet. The MICH is only typically used by guys who also only wear plate carriers and plates for ease of movement. If you aren't a super HS/LD guy then don't worry about it. I wouldn't spend your own $$ to buy an ACH to practice/train with unless you have money to burn. The only real differnce with the ACH vs PASGT is you can shoot prone with an ACH and IBA where with the PASGT you will be fooked. I would save your pennies and train with what you have unless you have a full IBA with ESAPI plates to train with. |
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Good point on being prone with the PASGT, found that out a few weeks ago. Money isn't a problem but you might be right on saving it for other deployed godies, maybe I should just upgrade the suspension in the PASGT until the ACH is issued?? Thanks for the wise counsel... 
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The BLISS kits for the PASGT are very nice. One thing to keep in mind when you do get an ACH, the sizes are very different than the PASGT, go to the PEO soldier website and review the fitting guide! |
| If you're going to Iraq you're to go through RFI in Kuwait before you head north. They will give you all kinds of nifty gucci gear and alot of other stuff. Just buy some gear that you just can't live without for now and then save your money for other stuff once you get in theater. |
No one in my unit wore their rank on their Kevlars.... except maybe the TF commander and he was a BG, I was a gaurdsman too. |
Oregon aero makes it. There are a million retailers for it. The best place to find it is at base supply, so its free.
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Here is link that spells out the technical differences...opinions may vary Differences |
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Do you really need to train to wear a helmet? The ACH is more comfortable, doesn't bounce around as much, and lets you look up in the prone. You really don't need to spend hundreds of hours developing muscle memory with it to use it effectively. Just get one in the right size and adjust the straps and pads so it's comfortable and secure. It might take like a half hour at most to get the pads where you want them. I can understand wanting to get used to an FLC if you been using the older LBVs since you'll be reaching for mags based on muscle memory/habit, as well as whatever other stuff you keep in whatever pouches. |
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ACH is the way to go having your rank on your ballistic helmet depends on your unit SOP bear in mind that your NVG mount goes center mass so don't bother putting it there or letting your helmet band go over it either, most units will have you put your name battle roster number and blood type on your band. The down side to the ACH is that it leaves the base of your skull unprotected when your standing as compared to the PASGT. It might let you see better in the prone but with all the shit on your IBA your gonna be laying in a jacked up angle so you realy can't get to low any way. The good thing is they all come with the oregon AERO type padding so it makes a better crash helmet and it's comfortable enough that you forget you have it on. on cold days try to shove it under the heater hose on your vehicle because the pads get hard as shit. I run a set of peltors under my ACH too so yeah no problems there. |
No... It is a unit-level SOP thing for the Army... Some units require the wear of the NOD mount, for instance, which precludes wear of rank.... My unit doesn't wear rank on helmets... Others do... Ask yours... |
There is an add on piece that protects the base of the skull and upper neck. It fills that gap between the bottom of the helmet and the top of the IBA collar. |