Global War on Terrorism
44-566: Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops ( PASGT , pronounced / ˈ p æ z ɡ ə t / PAZ -gət ) is a combat helmet and ballistic vest that was used by the United States military from the early 1980s until the early or mid-2000s, when the helmet and vest were succeeded by the Lightweight Helmet (LWH), Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH), and Interceptor body armor (IBA) respectively. Designed in
88-663: A United States shield, half wreath, a bugle , and the letter "M." In 1868, the USMC's commandant , Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin , appointed a board "to decide and report upon the various devices of cap ornaments of the Marine Corps." On November 13, 1868, the board recommended the modern insignia. It was approved by the commandant four days later, and by the Secretary of the Navy on November 19, 1868. The emblem recommended by
132-400: A carrier to hold two protective ceramic plate inserts. A PASGT armor system with overvest weighed more than 25.1 lb (11.4 kg) and was criticized by many U.S. troops as unacceptably cumbersome in combat. The ballistic fill consists of 13 plies of 14 oz (400 g). water repellent treated Aramid (Kevlar 29) fabric. The inner and outer cover, shoulder pads and front closure flap of
176-420: A platform for mounting cameras, video cameras and VAS Shrouds for the mounting of night-vision devices. Beginning in the early 20th century, combat helmets have often been equipped with helmet covers to offer greater camouflage. There have been two main types of covers—mesh nets were earlier widely used, but most modern combat helmets use camouflage cloth covers instead. By the late 20th century, starting in
220-530: A range of 10 yd (9.1 m), though was penetrated by a second closely spaced shot of 9mm Federal FMJ after the first. The PASGT vest is typically covered with woodland pattern nylon fabric, either the ERDL pattern or U.S. Woodland . A very limited number of vests were made in olive drab, but only woodland versions were issued to U.S. forces. Like the PASGT helmet, camouflage covers were available to be worn atop
264-553: Is a combat helmet first employed by the U.S. military in 1983 and eventually adopted by many other military and law enforcement agencies internationally. The shell is made from 19 layers of Kevlar , a ballistic aramid fabric treated with a phenolic resin system, and is rated at Threat Level IIIA . The helmet offers protection against shrapnel and ballistic threats. It meets the 1800 requirement of MIL-STD-662 E. It weighs from 3.1 lb (1,410 g) (size extra small) to 4.2 lb (1,910 g) (extra large). The PASGT helmet
308-459: Is a type of helmet designed to serve as a piece of personal armor intended to protect the wearer's head during combat . Modern combat helmets are mainly designed to protect from shrapnel and fragments, offer some protection against small arms, and offer a mounting point for devices such as night-vision goggles and communications equipment. Helmets are among the oldest forms of personal protective equipment and are known to have been worn by
352-526: Is sage green or brown in color. Although this vest is quite similar in appearance to the PASGT vest, it actually is a different model of vest altogether. In order to provide protection against high velocity bullets, the PASGT vest was, in 1996, combined with the Interim Small Arms Protective Overvest (ISAPO) pending the adoption of Interceptor body armor . The ISAPO weighed about 16.5 lb (7.5 kg) and consisted of
396-587: Is the official emblem and insignia of the United States Marine Corps . The current emblem traces its roots in the designs and ornaments of the early Continental Marines as well as the United Kingdom 's Royal Marines . The present emblem, adopted in 1955, differs from the emblem of 1868 only by a change in the eagle. Before that time many devices, ornaments, ribbons, and distinguishing marks followed one another as official badges of
440-496: Is typically painted olive drab , though other colors such as tan, grey, and black could also be used. Camouflage was available in the form of cloth helmet covers with varying camouflage patterns, such as woodland , six-color desert , and three-color desert . Some PASGT helmets were retrofitted with newer camouflage colors, such as the Universal Camouflage Pattern and MultiCam . Outside military use,
484-465: Is used today on the buttons of Marine dress and service uniforms , with the six-pointed stars changed to five-pointed stars. During the early years numerous distinguishing marks were prescribed, including "black cockades", "scarlet plumes", and "yellow bands and tassels". In 1859, the first version of the present color scheme for the officer's dress uniform insignia appeared on an elaborate device of solid white metal and yellow metal. The design included
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#1732772504163528-611: The Akkadians / Sumerians in the 23rd century BC , Mycenaean Greeks since the 17th century BC , the Assyrians around 900 BC , ancient Greeks and Romans , throughout the Middle Ages , and up to the end of the 17th century by many combatants . Their materials and construction became more advanced as weapons became more and more powerful. Initially constructed from leather and brass , and then bronze and iron during
572-612: The Bronze and Iron Ages, they soon came to be made entirely from forged steel in many societies after about 950 AD. At that time, they were purely military equipment, protecting the head from cutting blows with swords , flying arrows , and low-velocity musketry . Iron helmets were deployed into the cavalry of the Mali Empire to protect the cavalrymen and their mount. Military use of helmets declined after 1670, and rifled firearms ended their use by foot soldiers after 1700 but
616-663: The Lightweight Helmet for the U.S. Marine Corps and the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet by the U.S. Army, which was in turn replaced by the Advanced Combat Helmet . Both were eventually replaced by the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) around 2012 and 2014. The PASGT system is still used by some U.S. allies and still sees some continued limited use in the U.S. military as of 2017, serving as one of
660-516: The M1 helmet before it. These bands can have names and blood types printed on them to identify the wearer and their blood type in the event of a casualty. In the U.S. Army, PASGT helmets often featured a patch with the wearer's rank insignia on it stitched onto the front, and/or a second patch showing the symbol of the wearer's unit on the sides. The U.S. Marines wore the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor insignia on
704-562: The "Fritz" helmet for its resemblance to the Stahlhelm , which was the standard helmet used by the German military forces in the First and Second World Wars. On the other hand, the PASGT vest was colloquially known as the " flak jacket " or "flak vest" by its wearers in the U.S. military, a continuation of the nickname from earlier nylon and fiberglass-based protective vests. The PASGT helmet
748-482: The "Kevlar". The nickname has since been adopted for usage with other helmets. The PASGT helmet was also referred to by its wearers in the U.S. military as the "K-pot", similar in name to the colloquial nickname "steel pot" for the steel M1 helmet , which was in widespread U.S. military usage from the 1940s to the 1980s, including the Vietnam War . The PASGT helmet was also, but less commonly, known by its wearers as
792-532: The 1868 board consisted of a globe (showing the continents of the Western Hemisphere ) intersected by a fouled anchor , and surmounted by a spread eagle . On the emblem itself, there is a ribbon, clasped in the eagle's beak, bearing the Latin motto " Semper Fidelis " (English: Always Faithful ). The uniform insignias omit the motto ribbon. The general design of the emblem was probably derived from
836-462: The 1970s and 1980s, new materials such as Kevlar and Twaron began replacing steel as the primary material for combat helmets, in an effort to improve weight reduction and ballistic protection, and protection against traumatic brain injury . This practice still continues into the 21st century, with further advancement and refinements in the fibers used, design and shape of the helmet, and increased modularity. Early helmet systems of this new design are
880-758: The American PASGT , the Spanish MARTE , the Italian SEPT-2 PLUS , and British Mk 6. Cushioning is used to negate concussive injuries. Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory published a study in 2011 that concluded that the addition of 1 ⁄ 8 inch (3.2 mm) of cushion decreased the impact force to the skull by 24%. Eagle, Globe, and Anchor The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (commonly referred to as an EGA )
924-561: The M-1955 Fragmentation Protective Body Army nylon and doron plate vest used by the Marine Corps. The PASGT vest used Kevlar for the first time in the U.S. military's body armor, unlike the ballistic nylon that was used in the models of body armor that preceded it. While generally incapable of stopping rifle bullets, the PASGT vest provided better protection against shrapnel and reduced the severity of injuries from small arms fire when compared to
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#1732772504163968-564: The M-69. Despite its ability to stop pistol rounds, including 9×19mm Parabellum FMJ, the vest was only ever designed or intended to stop fragmentation without injury to the user. The PASGT vest weighs approximately 9 lb (4.1 kg), a small increase over the previous model. Based on testing conducted for the Brass Fetcher Ballistic Testing Company, former ARDEC research engineer John Ervin stated that
1012-698: The Napoleonic era saw ornate cavalry helmets reintroduced for cuirassiers and dragoons in some armies which continued to be used by French forces during World War I as late as 1915. During the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars , the Austrian Imperial Army saw extensive usage of helmets. In the line infantry, mainly within the fusilier companies, helmets were worn from 1798 to 1806, which
1056-496: The PASGT helmet has been used by SWAT teams, where it is often painted black. It has also been used by United Nations peacekeepers , where it is often painted United Nations blue . When worn with a helmet cover, the PASGT helmet is often fitted with an elastic band around it that has two light recharging glow patches (sometimes known as "cat eyes") on the rear, intended to reduce friendly fire incidents. These bands are also used to hold vegetation or small personal items, as with
1100-640: The PASGT vest is equivalent to NIJ level II or IIA protection: able to stop multiple 124-grain 9×19mm FMJ pistol rounds to its main torso panels (front and back), but susceptible to several closely spaced rounds or shots to the thin neck and shoulder panels. Another independent test, featured in the magazine GunNews , claimed that the PASGT vest could stop .357 Magnum Federal 125 grain JHP, .357 Magnum S&W 158 grain JSP, 9mm Federal 115 grain FMJ, and 9mm +P+ Corbon 115 grain FMJ at
1144-727: The Royal Marines' "Globe and Laurel," which shows the eastern hemisphere. The globe on the U.S. Marine emblem signifies the Corps' readiness to service in any part of the world. The eagle represents the United States. The anchor, which dates back to the founding of the corps in 1775, acknowledges the naval tradition of the Marines and their continual service within the Department of the Navy . There are some differences between
1188-439: The U.S. Army Reserve and the U.S. Navy, the latter of which retains the PASGT helmet for use by sailors aboard its warships, in addition to a PASGT-derived vest known as the "U.S. Navy Flak Jacket". PASGT is an acronym, standing for Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops. When used by itself, PASGT refers to both the vest and helmet together. In the U.S. military, the PASGT helmet was most commonly known by its wearers as simply
1232-570: The USMC Commandant, General Lemuel C. Shepherd , Jr., requested the design of an official seal for the corps. The new seal included the traditional Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem in gold, with the Globe and anchor rope in silver. The eagle is depicted with wings displayed, standing upon the western hemisphere of the terrestrial globe, and holding in his beak a white ribbon bearing the Marine Corps motto " Semper Fidelis " (Always Faithful) with
1276-534: The USMC, with the exception of a Blue Sky with a White Sun above the globe, and a silhouette map of the Republic of China's claimed territories, including Mainland China and Outer Mongolia . The Republic of Vietnam Marine Division , a.k.a. the South Vietnamese marine corps (VNMC), also used an emblem similar to that of the USMC, with the exception of a map of Vietnam and a red star superimposed onto
1320-626: The Vietnam War during the mid-to-late 1970s. It completely replaced the steel M1 helmet in U.S. military service by the end of the 1980s. It first saw use in combat in 1983 during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, became standard issue for the U.S. military in 1985, and completely replaced the M1 helmet for frontline troops by the end of the decade. Army units stationed in Alaska were the last to receive
1364-664: The absence of actual up-armor kits. The PASGT vest was succeeded in U.S. military service by the outer tactical vest of the Interceptor body armor system , which was, in turn, partly replaced by the Modular Tactical Vest , Improved Outer Tactical Vest , and Scalable Plate Carrier . However, the PASGT vest still sees some limited use in the U.S. military as of 2016, where it serves as one of many vests for sailors assigned to duty on board U.S. Navy vessels. Combat helmet A combat helmet or battle helmet
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1408-436: The corps. In 1776, the device consisted of a fouled anchor (tangled in its rope) of silver or pewter . Changes were made in 1798, 1821, and 1824. In 1834, it was prescribed that a brass eagle be worn on the cover, the eagle to measure 3.5 inches (89 mm) from wingtip to wingtip. An eagle clutching a fouled anchor with thirteen six-pointed stars above was used on uniform buttons starting in 1804. This same insignia
1452-514: The emblem of the USMC. The emblem of the South Korean marines consists of a golden star superimposed into the fouled anchor. The eagle is similar to that of the USMC's. The insignia of the Thai marines is similar to that of the USMC, with the exception of a golden Garuda above the globe, and a silhouette map of Thailand. The emblem of the Republic of China Marine Corps is similar to that of
1496-526: The front of the helmet as an iron-on transfer, similar to the one worn by Marines on the breast pocket of the BDU. This practice continued with the adoption of the LWH, but fell out of use and was discontinued because the mounting base for night vision devices covered the emblem, and required a hole in the fabric to attach, defacing the symbol. The PASGT helmet was developed by the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center after
1540-408: The helmets, some not getting the PASGT until 1988. Various add-on accessories were developed for the PASGT helmet, including an improved chinstrap to keep the helmet stable when worn by paratroopers conducting airborne operations, as well as a helmet mount assembly to attach night vision goggles , and a riot protection helmet visor mount. The PASGT helmet was replaced in U.S. military service by
1584-439: The hemisphere superimposed on a fouled anchor. An American bald eagle replaced the crested eagle depicted on the 1868 emblem. The emblem is displayed on a scarlet background encircled with a blue band bearing the phrases "Department of the Navy" above and "United States Marine Corps" below in white letters, the whole edged in a gold rope U.S. President Eisenhower approved the design on June 22, 1954. The emblem as shown on
1628-459: The mid-1970s as a replacement for the M1 helmet and previous fragmentation vests, prototypes of the PASGT were tested in the late 1970s before being fielded in the early 1980s. Around the early or mid-2000s, the PASGT vest began being replaced by the IBA and the PASGT helmet was replaced soon thereafter with the LWH and MICH. As of 2018, the only remaining U.S. military users of PASGT in any capacity are
1672-875: The need for steel helmets, with the French Adrian helmet and the British Brodie helmet being the first modern steel helmets used on the battlefield, soon followed by the adoption of similar steel helmets, such as the Stahlhelm by the other warring nations. Such helmets offered protection for the head from shrapnel and fragments. Today's militaries often use high quality helmets made of ballistic materials such as Kevlar and Twaron , which offer improved protection. Some helmets also have good non-ballistic protective qualities, against threats such as concussive shock waves from explosions . Many of today's combat helmets have been adapted for modern warfare requirements and upgraded with STANAG rails to act as
1716-623: The options available for sailors assigned to duty aboard U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels. The PASGT vest was the U.S. military's standard upper torso body armor from the mid-1980s up until the early 2000s, when it was replaced by the Outer Tactical Vest of the Interceptor body armor system. The PASGT vest replaced the M-69 Fragmentation Protective Body Armor nylon vest used by the Army, and
1760-541: The seal was adopted in 1955 as the official Marine Corps emblem. The emblem of the U.S. Marine Corps became an inspiration of the marine corps and naval infantry insignia of other nations, such as Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea. The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC), the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), and the Republic of China Marine Corps (ROCMC) use an insignia that bears a resemblance to
1804-443: The uniform insignia for enlisted marines and that of officers: The enlisted Marines' dress blue uniform insignia is die-struck from a single sheet of brass and anodized a gold color. The service uniform insignia is coated a flat black color. The officers' insignia is assembled from four parts: a die-struck silver colored globe with eagle, and gold colored anchor with silver colored fouling rope, and gold colored continents. In 1954,
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1848-523: The vest are water repellent treated 8 oz. ballistic nylon cloth. While it had been phased out as frontline body armor by the start of the Iraq War in 2003, the PASGT vest saw some limited wear and usage by U.S. military personnel during the early stages of the war, where it was worn behind the frontlines by rear-echelon support personnel and navy sailors such as Seabees . Some U.S. Army soldiers used old PASGT vests as makeshift armor for their vehicles in
1892-541: The vest in various patterns. Early camouflage covers were in DBDU but later came in the DCU pattern. The PASGT vest was designed in 1975 and was tested by in the late 1970s before being fielded in the early 1980s. In January 2000, the U.S. Navy began using a derivative variant of the PASGT vest known as the "U.S. Navy Flak Jacket Mk 1, Mod 0". This vest was still being used by the U.S. Navy as late as April 2017. The USN Flak Jacket
1936-599: Was true even for officers. Although they were officially replaced by the shako in 1806, most line infantry regiments continued to wear helmets up until the Austrian defeat at Battle of Wagram in July 1809. Dragoons and cuirassiers also wore the helmets more extensively than the line infantry, with them continuing to wear them well past the Napoleonic Wars. World War I and its increased use of artillery renewed
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