The Mysterious "Chef Hat" Worn by Israeli Soldiers.
This unique headgear is known as the "meat snappet."
The meat snappet serves a crucial role in disguising the precision-cut ballistic helmet worn by Israeli soldiers. It may seem like an odd choice, but it's all about breaking up the distinct shape of the helmet, making it much harder to spot in natural landscapes. You see, a ballistic helmet's perfectly round dome shape stands out prominently, and reducing the lines an enemy marksman has to attach crosshairs to is vital for the soldiers' safety.
Interestingly, the term "meat snappet" originates from the name of the headgear worn by the Jewish high priest in the holy temple in Jerusalem. It's a unique link to the rich history of the region.
The meat snappet first made its appearance in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the early '90s. Initially, it was homemade by resourceful soldiers who crafted it from pieces of camouflage netting. Recognizing its benefits and effectiveness in the field, IDF command decided to adopt the idea and make the meat snappet a standard piece of kit for all IDF ground units.
One outstanding feature of the meat snappet is that it provides soldiers with 360 degrees of shade from the sun. In the scorching desert heat, it's like a boonie hat on steroids. Soldiers can easily move the bulk of the meat snappet to whichever side the sun is facing, providing immediate relief from the heat. Furthermore, as it's made of mil-spec mesh, it offers excellent airflow, ensuring comfort for the soldiers. You'll often see IDF troops wearing them, even if they aren't wearing a helmet.
#israel #chef #hat
Note: "The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
Mitznefet (Israeli military)
The mitznefet (Hebrew: מִצְנֶפֶת) is a helmet covering used by the Israel Defense Forces since 1994. It is considerably larger than the helmet worn by infantry soldiers, having a similar appearance to a keffiyeh.[1] The main purpose of the covering is to break up what would otherwise be the distinctive outline of a helmeted human head, while also preventing light from reflecting off of the wearer's helmet for a tactical advantage, making it easier to camouflage when necessary.
In the Hebrew language, the covering shares the same name as the priestly turban, which was worn by the High Priest of Israel in the Temple of Jerusalem[1] during the Second Temple period. The name originates from a Semitic root meaning to wrap.
The mitznefet was originally adopted by the Israeli military in the 1990s to provide tactical advantages to Israeli troops fighting Iranian-backed Lebanese guerrillas in the South Lebanon conflict.
It was later configured to have a two-sided camouflage material, with one side adapted for desert environments and the other for woodland terrain.
In 2015, it was reported that the coverings would be supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukra
Comments