“7 High”
Recollections of a Combat Defense Squadron “Ramp Rat”
Stuff
“Pith Helmet”
In 1960, one of the first items issued to United States Air Force Airmen, upon arrival at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, USA, was the Pith Helmet. Canteen, web belt, and pith helmet was pretty much all, plus bedding.
We wore this equipment with our civilian clothes for several days. Because of the civilian clothes, airmen at this stage of training were known as “Rainbows”. We were shown the basics of drill in this condition, and it was difficult to not laugh when our TI, Training Instructor, went off on some hapless dipshit, which was his favorite term of endearment for all of us.
This particular pith helmet is in a little better shape than the one I was issued at Lackland in 1960. That one had been passed down through generations of airmen and had been very well used.
After we had been issued uniforms and passed a certain point in our training, about the third week, we were told to wear our hat brass on our pith helmets.
Of course, we thought this was outstanding; we were now identified as “old timers” as we putted about in flight formation. We had a lot of pride in our marching prowess; those heels all hit the ground as one.
I’m still looking for a photo of a basic flight wearing pith helmets. With those baggy grey fatigues and brogans?
Now there was a big disadvantage to the pith helmet after the hat brass was installed. You can see the threaded point sticking through the grommet. Dangerously close to the forehead.
This situation was not helped by the fastening system used for the head strap in these pith helmets.
The fastener was a short shoelace that was supposed to hold the ends of the head strap together. Not entirely satisfactory.
Now, when our TI would catch someone out of step, or some other infraction, he would smack the offender on top of the pith helmet. This drove the helmet down on the head, past the strap, causing the brass to tear into the skin on the forehead.
Later, the fellows that had corrective action applied in this fashion could be identified by a vertical scratch. I was lucky, but there were quite a few in our bay that had them.
While the pith helmet should be great for the southern California climate, folks tend to think that you are the mail man. Not being postal, I found this solution to be more appropriate.
Where do I submit my suggestion for hot weather uniform headgear? Here is an example;
January 2010, uniform of the day.
Western hat covers the idiot scratch pretty well.