helmet is very much recommended, even for ordinary ops.
i've seen a few guys bless their helmets after coming into sharp
contact with the inside of APC's, embarking and disembarking other
vehicles, and going through alot of rubble in partially destroyed
and going through intact FIBUA situations.
the time you need your helmet most, is the time when you dont have
it on.
as already posted above, its not for direct hits - never
was..
jungle hats, garrison hats, boonies, etc, will never afford you the
same level of protection.
when the environment is deemed safe enough to take off the helmets,
then by all means do so.
i've thanked my lucky stars for my helmet when i got hit underneath
a 747
