This is coolbert: How some things never change! The current "Fritz" helmet is a perfect example. The relatively new U.S. military helmet made of kevlar closely resembles the German helmet worn in WW1 and WW2. Hence the name "Fritz". Now, an improvement over the older style U.S. helmet was made when the "Fritz" helmet was adopted. This is protection for the back of the neck. This protection was lacking in the old U.S. helmet. Probably after much design effort and research, it was decided to incorporate this protection for the back of the neck. Why exactly this is a plus I cannot say, other than it must be. The Germans of WW1 and WW2 found it to be necessary [as I have previously stated]. And before them the Japanese samurai, circa 1200 A.D., also incorporated this feature into their helmets. And before them, the Roman legionairres, 2000 years ago, also had such a feature incorporated into their helmets!! Now, this all is not coincidence! Probably by just imperical observation, the fighting men of all these cultures were able to determine that for whatever reason, protection for the back of the neck was vital, and placed such protection into the design of their helmets. Only to have this rediscovered by U.S. designers in the 1980's. Like I previously said, some things never change.

coolbert.