Literally…last year they began fielding the new Lightweight Performance Hood, which replaced the hot and bulky Flash Hood, long issued to armor crewman. This new Hood is a no-melt, no-drip performance piece very similar to what NASCAR drivers and pit crew wear. This is critical to ensuring that Soldiers will actually wear the garment.
“We understand that Soldiers are less likely to wear the hood if it is hot or irritating,†said LTC Michael Sloane, PM SCIE. “The LPH has a ventilated mesh dome to minimize heat stress in hot or dry climates, while providing limited heat retention in cool climates. It is moisture-wicking, anti-microbial and anti-odor,†LTC Sloane added.
Mr Jeff Myhre Assitant Program Manager at PEO-Soldier added, “We are always on the lookout for new fabrics and technologies to prevent Soldiers from having to suffer second- and third-degree burns, we want Soldiers to have FR protection wherever and whenever they need it.†To this end, the LPH is small enough to fit in a grenade pouch.
Each deploying Soldier receives two LPH which is Foliage Green but may soon be offered in a new shade more compatible with MultiCam for troops serving in Afghanistan.
Lightweight Performance Hood from PEO Soldier on Vimeo.
So hats off, (and hoods on) to PEO-Soldier for their work at keeping Soldiers safe.