Posted on Dec 28, 2016
Ian Crawford
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I know that in previous years MPs have worn Class B uniforms while doing jobs in non-combat areas, but I don't know why they stopped wearing them in favor of combat uniforms.
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Responses: 16
LTC Paul Labrador
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Because most MP duties nowadays (outside of ceremonial duties) requires them to wear some level of tactical gear and body armor. That doesn't go with service uniforms.
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SFC Joseph Weber
SFC Joseph Weber
8 y
Yeah. Who wants to wrestle a drunk in your Bs.
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COL David Turk
COL David Turk
8 y
SFC Joseph Weber - Rather do it in class B's than class A's.
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SFC Military Police
SFC (Join to see)
8 y
It would also make the MP stick out moreally than they already do. I can't tell you the number of times I was able to get close to a subject simply because I didn't stand out.
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MSgt George Cater
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The Army has apparently got to a two uniform system that turned the dress uniform into the service uniform (what was traditionally worn for non field/combat duty wear). I've seen people here complain about the cleaning costs of wearing the ASU (?) daily.
I think it just boils down to everyone has gotten used to wearing cammies all day/everyday after 10+ years of war deployments. What old-timers think of as a daily normal uniform is now a 'dress' uniform for special occasions. Yes, I am a Marine and I'm grateful and happy that we still have our greens for daily wear when needed. IMHO.
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SSG Squad Leader
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8 y
LTC (Join to see) - I don't think that the push up muscle has anything to do with this problem.
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SFC Drill Sergeant
SFC (Join to see)
8 y
Humbly, if our service uniform was a little easier on the luster (less dressy and more like the old WW2 era brown service uniforms or perhaps a bit more like your greens) then I think more "newer" service members who have grown up in the Army under the GWOT (like me) would be more amenable to the idea of the daily service uniform. Something more "professional" than ACUs, but more damage resistant than current ASUs. Just my opinion. Of course I genuinely can't imagine how some people can operate in the you must have freshly-pressed-dress-uniforms-daily environment. I don't even think I know of any Soldiers who have more than one or two blouses/pants for their ASUs. It would be quite a change. I hear all the time from others who thought the details of the polished boots was a great practice to instill pride in the uniform and the service. Good question.
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MSgt George Cater
MSgt George Cater
8 y
Good points I agree with. I've read several times (incl articles from the 50's) that a major impetus for the Army going from WW 2 OD's w Ike jackets to the greens you just phased out was because every soda jerk, gas attendant and garbage man (etc) vet wore their ODs as civvies aafter the war. Couldn't tell active duty from not. Hmmmm. Much like what you see now with everyone wearing ACUs everywhere? History repeats?

BTW, our greens look like a field uniform because they are. If you stand up the lapels & reverse the emblems you have our M1912 greens we fought WW 1 in and wore til 1928. Love our greens.
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SGT Douglas Byrd
SGT Douglas Byrd
>1 y
Fought to many drunks in the “B”’s, with the suicide strap. They do not hold up well, and yes we stuck out like a very sore thump when trying to apprehend someone.
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SGT Sean Depuydt
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Having been in a few scuffles apprehending some of our finest, in my opinion, I wouldn't have much of a uniform left. As mentioned previously, body armor doesn't go well with anything.
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