Due to all the budget cuts, do you think all services should share a garrison uniform and have uniforms to meet operational environment?

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 17:28:11 -0500

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2014/12/03/new-camo-army-combat-uniform-boots-belt-tshirt-acu/19832627/?sf34313560=1

New camo means new boots, belt and T-shirt

The camouflage pattern will not stand alone among coming changes to the Army Combat Uniforms. Joining them: new accessories that shift toward the

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 5:34 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 17:34:11 -0500

I think it would be a good idea for all branches to have the same uniform. It would give us more of a uniformity while in the field and help with joint relations.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 3 at 2014 6:11 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:11:33 -0500

Nope.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Dec 3 at 2014 6:17 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:17:05 -0500

I have supported a joint uniform (different dress) and a joint mission. Something like the United States Defense Forces instead of the Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.

I would not want it as just some stunt to save on costs when we as a country waste so much money elsewhere.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 6:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:26:31 -0500

I like the idea of a common uniform, what I am trying to figure out is how to get all this new uniform thingies and the new pt uniform without going over the clothing allowance

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 6:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:32:21 -0500

Let's just go back to Woodland for garrison and call it a day. Looks like they fired the morons who decided Velcro was a great idea.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 3 at 2014 7:18 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:18:07 -0500

Man i dont see what was wrong when we all had the same uniform. With all these uniform changes it is no wonder DOD is running out of money.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 4 at 2014 7:18 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:18:21 -0500

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member I see your logic and I appreciate the sense of budget responsibility you are suggesting, but I don't think this is a good idea. I think each branch's uniform set builds espirit de corps and benefits from tradition. I also am scared to think of what the approval process would be like for a singular uniform -- can you imagine all the heated debating among the various branch chiefs? :-)

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2014 7:01 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 19:01:33 -0500

Whatever decision is made should be to utilize camouflage to do what is supposed to do, camouflage.

I personally think the multicam variant is the best one that they came up with.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Dec 7 at 2014 1:06 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 13:06:09 -0500

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member From a purely logistical standpoint, it makes no sense for each service to have separate "work" uniforms. When all services utilized the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) (an oxymoron if ever there was one) the USMC had their Eagle, Globe, and Anchor depicted along with USMC name tapes and Marines Names on the uniform. The Army had Army regalia, much the same as the USMC, as did Sailors, and Airmen. Personally, while I never wore it, I always like the Navy's Dungarees.

In this instance the USMC seems to have gotten it right with MARPAT in a green pattern and sand pattern with Coyote Tan accessories. When the Army moved from BDUs to the Army Combat Uniform (ACUs) they were offered MARPAT but turned it down. It may be time to revisit this decision.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2014 2:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 14:28:51 -0500

Indeed it would save our military so much money to just have one set of Field Uniforms and gear; keep the dress uniforms unique for Esprit.

Response by COL John Power made Dec 8 at 2014 10:53 AM

COL John Power — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 10:53:55 -0500

Actually I think I'd "flip it" and have varied garrison uniforms (assuming the Class A or B) and a common operational uniform. Today it is difficult to rationalize that, in a joint operations environment, there is some unique need for different camo uniforms for each service. You can't "hide" ships and air bases and when personnel of those services are performing duties in an environment where camouflage is truly necessary the Army or USMC pattern should suffice. There is a lot of history tied up in the service dress uniforms and those don't change often. I'd keep them. For smaller forces or those with less history a "National Defense" uniform (e.g. Canadian Forces). We still have enough size in our defense establishment to support the difference. The cost of the uniforms pales in comparison to the cost of weapons systems.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 10:42 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 10:42:57 -0500

Well, WO1 Private RallyPoint Member, your post and the article answer this earlier post on RallyPoint. It does seem to make sense to have one uniform. When they finally settle the situation, it should save money.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/do-you-believe-our-military-should-use-the-same-camouflage-pattern-or-should-each-branch-continue-using-their-own

Do you believe our military should use the same camouflage pattern or should each branch continue...

I have heard many past service members saying that the tri colors was the best thing that had ever happened. Being a Marine I like the MARPAT design and would love to continue using it, but what do you think?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 11:35 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:35:53 -0500

The never ending effort to make and remake uniforms continues.
Yay.
Not long from now, we'll have a TV reality show where fashion designers vie for the next two-year uniform design contract.
The decline of civilization is upon us.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 12 at 2014 2:16 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:16:21 -0500

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member I stand by my comments from your previous discussion on the same topic: trying to make the Corps change uniforms wouldn't be pretty.

EDIT: It appears the conversations have been merged, now my comments reference a separate post below.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Dec 12 at 2014 2:43 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:43:26 -0500

While I think it's a great idea, I'll believe it when I see it.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 7:32 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 19:32:06 -0500

We seemed to get along just fine before the turn of the century with just one uniform for all services. So I don't see why we couldn't, seems like there are other issues the services could get all worked up over other than fashion statements.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 7:52 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 19:52:47 -0500

I think it is a great idea. Hopefully it will help with the joint operations and with building joint relations.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 8:24 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 20:24:53 -0500

Again as before, no. A little additional personal experience for you.... For the Marines our uniforms helped save our lives. I remember when we intercepted radio comm between Jonny jihads saying don't Attack them they are Marines. My Terp and I am almost peed ourselves laughing. I'll keep mine thanks.

Response by MSG John Wirts made Dec 13 at 2014 12:58 AM

MSG John Wirts — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 00:58:39 -0500

I remember when the pickle suit was standard, then the woodland pattern BDU's, Then the services got into a wasteful self-centered battle for exclusive combat gear complete with patented service specific patterns. What a crock and a waste! I remember one study where standardizing just the service belt would save a considerable portion of the defense budget. We need to stop infighting about uniforms! When I was in the Air National guard, My brother was a Submariner in the navy, he ask me to send him my surplus Air Force parka, for use on deck watch in New London. We talked later and he said "it's too bad I don't have the stock number for this it is really the best cold weather clothing I've found! I told him look at the lable in the back of the parka the stock number is there! He replied OH1 WOW, I'm going to try to order these for deck duty. He called me later and said the requisition got to base supply and was denied and returned with a note saying the Navy had a similar item, and gave a Navy stock number. Needless to say that item was not as warm as the Air Force parka. But at least we tried. Congress should not be driving the search for standard uniforms, the Military should lead the way!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 1:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 01:14:54 -0500

Since the Army has plans to field a new pattern next year I hope this is all decided fast before we get that new uniform and it’s nixed soon after.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 1:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 13:06:23 -0500

I am currently in a joint environment and this is brought up daily here.

Frankly, I feel it is the right call. I also would suggest going with the Navy Working Uniform Type II and III, like what the Seabees wear. It is functional, the camo is pretty solid, and it avoids the issue of the Marines complaining about MARPAT. There may have to be a few design adjustments, but overall I think that would be a solid option that already is in production.

Otherwise, we need to go through the entire acquisition and testing process in order to procure a uniform that meets all services needs and will work across the board.

One uniform and OCIE set across all services would be extremely cost effective and efficient. We are definitely operating more jointly than previously and having a way to utilize a centralized supply system would also be extremely helpful (I have no direct Army supply support here....which may be an issue if the Navy can't get it) and the uniform would emphasize the jointness of our operations.