Military Hats & Helmets

The military is full of fascinating headwear. Hats and helmets vary greatly among militaries because different branches, or even different units of the same branch, force will often wear different headwear. Hats and helmets changed drastically over the last few hundred years, leaving hundreds of different historical and modern hats and helmets available.

Helmets changed as technology evolved to provide greater protection to soldiers, marines, and sailors. These evolved from bronze and steel to Kevlar and beyond. Other headwear was mostly ornamental, sometimes featuring rows of feathers, patches, or other ornaments. Hats served multiple purposes, some differed to distinguish ranks while others were used by commanders to determine what units were on the battlefield.

Quick Facts

• The U.S. Army’s Green Berets are special forces distinguished by their headwear
• Spartans used different Mohawk-style headdresses on their helmets to show rank
• The Modern combat helmet, the ACH, is made primarily from Kevlar and twaron, lightweight ballistic fibers that resist shrapnel and prevent concussions