RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,159591,00.html

A good start. MUCH MORE needs to be done to protect and help soldiers before and after TBI's occur.

Well said, mulder67!

As Americans we should be giving our soldiers who volunteer for service nothing short of the very best in gear and care. No price is too high and for those who don't agree, Go to France!

Last year while one of our two Marines were deployed on his second tour to Iraq he was the target of a sniper. Never saw the sniper but took two shots to his face. Both bullets went through his glasses and out the side, grazing his cheek. Otherwise, he said the force of the impact was so strong he felt the back of his head, expecting not so good. This was not his time indeed, he went on to help lead his guys in taking a few of the bad out but never saw the vermon who was after him. Life saved: Priceless, Glasses: Replacements Paid for by a dear friend of his.

Having had some head trama myself I wish they had implemented this early on in the war. On a side note any one hear of what is going on with the Dragon Skin? Again, our Marine dear friend paid for this for him so she felt he had the best gear. Any thoughts?

I am glad to hear that the military is making strides in gathering data to aid in diagnosing and treating TBI and to provide the best possible protection to our soldiers in the field. Being able to rely on your gear has a major impact on troop morale!

It's good to know about the ballistic glasses. My son told me he just purchased a pair $250. What gets me is why aren't these provided to our troops especially the grunts. Helmet sensors are a great idea but now the government will have to do something about TBI with better equipment and medical trearment. Is congress willing to step up to the plate as our sons and daughters have?

Studying the blast effect on kevlar helmets? Why now?

Isn't this sort of thing, along with anti-ballistic properties done before a billion are contracted out?

Strikes me that a blast-triggered release system might be more appropriate for the sort of conditions prevailing in Iraq.

The arrangement of the sensors look as though they will focus the force of anything they sense onto certain portions of the wearer's skull, thereby amplifying the force. I'm sorry, but you couldn't get me in one. Good idea. Bad design.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: snyper42,

It sounds like a good idea but a few things come to mind. First off shouldn't this have been done years ago if not before Iraq but shortly there after? Second, the Army is giving troops helmets with sensors to detect, basically brain trama. I don't think this is a good morale issue. It's like telling a troop "here's a helmet that can measure the explosive force on your skull, we expect you to get hit with a IED so wear it". I may be wrong but it's like we are looking forward to being hit rather then avoiding it.

This is about as useful as the Radiac detectors we used to carry. "See, this is how much it took to kill you." But it does keep the junebugs and bean counters employed.

Better late than never. This is what the "guy's in the rear with the gear" do best: thimik up new ways to react to problems that should have been considered before hand. However, it is a reaffirmation of the old phrase, "necessity is the mother of invention". I sure hope they get it right!

Thanks, Buckellew.

If those had been rigid sensor packs instead of the issue cushioning, I would have refused any order to wear said unit. I'm not into "D-Day legbags".

quote:

Originally posted by BadBender:
It sounds like a good idea but a few things come to mind. First off shouldn't this have been done years ago if not before Iraq but shortly there after? Second, the Army is giving troops helmets with sensors to detect, basically brain trama. I don't think this is a good morale issue. It's like telling a troop "here's a helmet that can measure the explosive force on your skull, we expect you to get hit with a IED so wear it". I may be wrong but it's like we are looking forward to being hit rather then avoiding it.

thats not at all what its meant for as the article stated they are doing that to improve the current kevlar/ cushion system (or strap i dont remember right now) they already have installed because the insurgents are using 7.62mm(AK-47) rounds and that helmet is only been rated to take a 5.56mm(m-16)(at least to the best of my knowledge i may be wronge if i am please do correct me.)[

Throw ALL the $ you want at research, and learn through the technology available. You must however spend whatever resources that are necessary to care for those whom have born the injuries. They and their families are left with the day - day reality of what it is to survive TBI* Traumatic Brain Injury! We know the sensitive brain encased in it's protective, cranium surrounded by the buffer layers of the meninges and CSF can only with stand so much abuse! Read Lee Woodruff,(In An Instant / Book) BOB's wife's chronicle of the road to recovery they traversed. This is but one insight into the devastation, adjustments and reality of this War's most devastating history! You will find in the years to come, and as History has proven it will take years there is another catastrophe yet to come! It will take decades of fighting, the same as it took for Agent Orange to be admitted to, and Gulf War Syndrome, for the truth to be told about uranium depleted munitions! We must educate ourselves and keep a close eye on what the government is willing to accept as their
responsibilities! Due DILIGENCE.......Patriots!

God Bless Our Troops, Our Veterans, Our World Leaders, & America!

Respectfully,
Christina Finn & Daniel T Finn


"I have learned that in order to bring about change, you must not be
afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try. Each
and everyone of us can make a difference." Rosa Parks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PillowLady,