Reply #4: The helmet is not the only item

[Dzimbowicz]

The fatigue (Army) or utility (USMC) uniform up until the 1970s required that the shirt (or blouse as per USMC terminology) be tucked in. With the new Battle Dress Uniform, the shirt is worn out which was how the former German Army wore it. The Germans had a belt (at all times with this uniform), which can be compared to the utility belt worn at times by US military personnel.

Also, the positioning of one's rank insignia on the new Army uniform is similar to how the former German Army wore theirs. In the past, an enlisted soldier (US) wore the chevrons on the sleeve. Today it is worn on the collar, the exceptions being for the full dress uniform (Class A) where it is still on the sleeve of the jacket. However, on the dress uniform shirt an enlisted soldier's rank can now be either gold chevrons on the collar or (as the Germans wore it) on their shoulder. Officers, on the other hand, do not have this option with their dress shirt, the rank insignia must be worn on the shoulder.