How do you "roll press" the OCP uniform?

2020-11-08T15:21:02-05:00

Regulation forbids steam pressing, dry cleaning an starching but allows for "roll pressing" uniforms. What is this? And are there other techniques within regs to enhance the appearance of the uniform?

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Nov 8 at 2020 3:26 PM

2020-11-08T15:26:07-05:00

Things have changed since I was in. We kept one set of uniforms starched, pressed and clean hanging in our closets for special events.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Nov 8 at 2020 3:28 PM

2020-11-08T15:28:30-05:00

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Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2020 3:46 PM

2020-11-08T15:46:26-05:00

It's a "wash n wear" uniform. Don't be the 1/100 people who looks different because you have creases/ironed uniform.
Looking different in a uniform isn't the point of a uniform.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 8 at 2020 4:39 PM

2020-11-08T16:39:27-05:00

How about hanging immediately when the dryer stops?

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2020 5:17 PM

2020-11-08T17:17:28-05:00

It is a combat uniform, not a dress or service uniform. Would you iron the OCP downrange? There is your answer. Hang it up right after washing.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2020 5:30 PM

2020-11-08T17:30:12-05:00

Turn the legs inside out and iron with sizing. Flip back and put a mild crease on. Watch heat. Any warnings come from mfgr and research folks to preserve materials, and also not add to heat signature. I never gigged anyone for having sharp creases, but it's USMC. The sateen uniform was best for inspections. Spit shined boots, razor creases, polished brass, straight gig line, starched sateen cover, fresh high and tight. Shaven and sober are a given.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 8 at 2020 5:31 PM

2020-11-08T17:31:36-05:00

If you ever noticed a Navy dress blue jacket, they're roll pressed. The Exchange cleaners have a tubular ironing board horn that the sleeve goes into and they tap press it all the way around. Our poor man's way of doing it was rolling up a beach towel, shoving it up the sleeve and lightly iron around.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2020 8:08 PM

2020-11-08T20:08:26-05:00

Don't forget your ASU regulations. Flat non-formed shoulder boards, beret that looks like a chef's hat, wrong branch color on the cuffs, branch insignia 45 degrees canted in the wrong direction. Every time I see that, the officer has always been ROTC.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Nov 8 at 2020 10:49 PM

2020-11-08T22:49:56-05:00

Interesting, most commercial "roll presses" are steam presses. Does the manufacturer care instructions actually have that stated? The roll presses that do not have steam are usually used while the clothing is still damp in a commercial establishment.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2020 1:46 AM

2020-11-09T01:46:17-05:00

I wouldn’t recommend using starch on this material for the new ones. One of the main concerns of using steam iron on the uniforms has also been that it destroy the mfg anti-bug repellent. Everybody that says you shouldn’t “crease” iron your uniform because it’s a combat uniform are completely full of it. For the time being we only have the 1 uniform for both actions, and for the most part that won’t be the uniform type you actually wear in combat. So in the office and home side it is important, and does speak on how you carry yourself. I’ve been told on multiple occasions by BDE CSMs for reception of medals and things of that nature to crease my uniform for photo ops; all of which had theirs creased 24/7. Here’s my thing Lt, if you use steam and make your sh*t squared away, who is to know that you used steam? Ask yourself, how could anybody prove I used steam in my process? Pull it out of the dry early, use a steam iron and sharpen the hell out of those creases. When you fold it to put it away, fold it the same way it comes from issue; they come with creases brand new. Be the cleanest sharpest cherry eyed puppy LT out there, but first and foremost crush the mission while your doing it. If you look squared away and your plt is jacked up it’ll be a waste of time.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 9 at 2020 1:52 AM

2020-11-09T01:52:35-05:00

Join the ‘old’ Navy. They used to ‘roll’ their Blues.

Response by SSG Harry Outcalt made Nov 9 at 2020 8:07 AM

2020-11-09T08:07:18-05:00

Roll Press was invented from the jungle fighters back in the day, since many didn't have access to proper laundery facilities, basically you lay out your uniform tuck the ends to flatten out and remove wrinkles, button up all buttons, fold the sleeves in towards the center , and roll from the bottom right up the front of the uniform . Then it can be stored until use ,either in rucksack, buttsack ,or in barracks drawer. The roll actually presses the uniform, we used to do this with our jungle fatigue uniforms to get the pressed look when they were stored for use.. Hope this helps

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2020 8:29 AM

2020-11-09T08:29:50-05:00

1LT Private RallyPoint Member roll-pressing is ironing without creasing. Don’t recall the manual I found it in. Wasn’t AR / DA-PAM 670-1. But the army defines it in its doctrine.

”But don’t take my word for it!”
- LeVar Burton

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2020 11:34 AM

2020-11-09T11:34:40-05:00

You know when the BDUs came out in the early 80s (yes, this makes me old, I know), we were instructed that they were "wash and wear" and we were specifically instructed not to iron them. I remember my drill sergeant telling me that it hastened the deterioration of the IR scattering properties of the uniform. But as time went by that instruction went by the wayside. Soldiers felt the uniform appearance was unprofessional. Pretty soon we were breaking starch when we put on a fresh uniform. I wonder if the same thing will happen here?

Response by SSG John Jensen made Nov 9 at 2020 11:45 AM

2020-11-09T11:45:48-05:00

let them dry on a hanger - the weight of the water will pull them flat - use double hangers

Response by Wayne Soares made Nov 9 at 2020 3:00 PM

2020-11-09T15:00:09-05:00

Thanks for the question Robert

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Nov 9 at 2020 3:59 PM

2020-11-09T15:59:40-05:00

When the camouflage BDU was introduced, pressing/ironing was forbidden. There was good reason for this, as pressing flattened the surface fibers which acted as a radar scattering factor. Somehow, the "battle dress" became standard garrison attire and the senior leadership realized it looked like c**p. Thus, the "pressed" BDU became the standard. As for roll pressing, your PX or quartermaster laundry knows how to do it.