Posted on Jul 4, 2015
Operational Camouflage Pattern, is it detracting from the Army's uniformity?
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"Soldiers are authorized to mix and match T-shirts, belts, and boots with either the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or the Operational Camouflage Pattern during the transition period - expected to run through Oct. 1, 2019. To further ease the change, Soldiers, who already have Flame Resistant ACUs in the Operational Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern, will be authorized to wear them during the transition." -http://www.army.mil
Isn't the point of the Army uniform in garrison to maintain a certain level of uniformity amongst the service itself? So with the new uniform being released and the option to "mix and match" pieces from each uniform, won't there be quite a bit of irregularity in formations? I was not around for the switch from BDU's to ACU's, my father was though, and I don't remember there being the option to wear one uniforms undershirt with another's coat. Should the Army stress so much on keeping your hair cut and face shaven if they will allow their formations to look like a heard of commingled cattle?
Isn't the point of the Army uniform in garrison to maintain a certain level of uniformity amongst the service itself? So with the new uniform being released and the option to "mix and match" pieces from each uniform, won't there be quite a bit of irregularity in formations? I was not around for the switch from BDU's to ACU's, my father was though, and I don't remember there being the option to wear one uniforms undershirt with another's coat. Should the Army stress so much on keeping your hair cut and face shaven if they will allow their formations to look like a heard of commingled cattle?
ACU
OCP
Uniforms
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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Gotta give you a thumbs up SSG (Join to see) for expecting (and demanding) standards and discipline! (I hope your father is reading this as he would be proud!)
The thought to allow this to be a transition is to allow our force to purchase these items (over time) that will end up being part of the clothing bag issued during basic training. It could cause undue financial hardship to require a Soldier to purchase a new clothing bag of uniforms based on a uniform change...the phase in process is a four-year process which covers the cost of the clothing bag when you add up the clothing allowance over those four years. Therefore, if you used only your clothing allowance, you would be able to purchase the complete issue of uniforms over those four years.
The thought to allow this to be a transition is to allow our force to purchase these items (over time) that will end up being part of the clothing bag issued during basic training. It could cause undue financial hardship to require a Soldier to purchase a new clothing bag of uniforms based on a uniform change...the phase in process is a four-year process which covers the cost of the clothing bag when you add up the clothing allowance over those four years. Therefore, if you used only your clothing allowance, you would be able to purchase the complete issue of uniforms over those four years.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thank you CSM. I can definitely see where you are comming from and the goal with the transitional period for the changeover to the OCP's. Especially being a PFC, I understand that we aren't payed the greatest, and the uniforms are expensive. My proposition is merely all or nothing, meaning you either have all of the new OCP (after they start selling all components of course) or you just wear your full ACU's. Functionally they do the same thing.
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The OCP and OEF-CP are so similar in appearance that the mixing of undergarments and boots will not detract from uniformity that much. There was a time during the BDU to ACU transition that you were allowed to wear your brown BDU t-shirt with your ACUs. It is a transition, it has happened many times and if you hang around long enough you will see it again.
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CPT Christopher F.
SGM, I remember the ACU transition too. Everyone was wearing the tan boots with BDUs because you didn't have to polish them anymore!
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I do see what you are getting at. I don't think it will be much of an issue really. So many of us hate the ACU. I am one of them. I think it is a horrible pattern. I was in when we transitioned from BDU to ACU. Formations looked horrible. I was in the National Guard then and some were wearing BDU up the the last minute. With this new uniform we won't have this problem. So many of can't wait to get the new uniforms they are standing in line outside of clothing & sales before it even opens just to get a set. I have a feeling that this will be one of the quickest transitions we will see in our times.
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1SG (Join to see)
You, like many officers I know sir, are aware that they have to pay out of pocket for their uniforms (no recurring clothing allowance). Thus, many officers are just going ahead and getting the new ones now.
As crappy as it may look, and I think it will be better then the last transition, allowing enlisted the option of a slow phase in through their clothing allowance is a good move.
As crappy as it may look, and I think it will be better then the last transition, allowing enlisted the option of a slow phase in through their clothing allowance is a good move.
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CPT (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) - You are right. I am on a deployment and we didn't get Multicams. We have FRACU's I plan on buying some when I get back. I don't want to spend money on ACUs anymore. I will just get one a month. Since I will go back to a drilling status I really don't need a large quantity of them.
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