Looking at an odst, you see they have a full head covering helmet, and some sort of bulletproof padding on their arms, forearms and legs.
In modern day military their faces are completely exposed, their arms and legs are ompletely vulnerable to getting blown off.
I wonder why they dont have full coverage helemts and arm/legs kevlar of some sort? I know kevlar is heavy, but would even some very thin kevlar over the extremities save a lot of soldiers their limbs? It wouldn't stop a bullet, but it might save the soldiers their limbs from being blown off. Same with the face mask. Might not stop a bullet, but would provide some amount of safety...not completely from bullets but from shrapnel, dust, glass, etc. Save some people their eyes. It would also probably intimidate the enemy if the military was to be faceless.
[Edited on 01.13.2011 4:14 PM PST]