while i very much appreciate and always follow up with research the suggestions of others, i found your reference failed to report what another reference had to say about the same experiment.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,11816,1518831,00.html
to quote the guardian:
"However, at the end of the experiment only two of the men not used to wearing a vest agreed to continue with the Sherpa. The rest preferred to do without and were heard to comment, "er ... I don't think I'd like to wear one regularly."
The report concluded that "seemingly, all vests were to be regarded with suspicion".
However, it argued that with more experience of wearing a vest under hot/dry conditions and "efficient indoctrination" it was confident more men could be won over."
q:  only two?  of the original 24.
q:  regarded with suspicion !
q:  "efficient indoctrination" ?  it's been over 50 years and still not the fashion rage, is it then?
LOL!  you cousins have a great sense of the understated.
bsmith
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 - ponder's dad