If you had a choice, which uniform pattern/style would you want to wear?
I will jump on the bandwagon with those that have stated it already, the BDUs and DCUs should have never went away. We were uniformed across the services and the Marine Corps still looked uniformed with the Army while wearing their individually styled PCs.
Someone mentioned it above, we have our dress uniforms which make us unique and can be worn in garrison environments, but a uniformed fatigues across the service is best.
I still don't understand the USN NWU, why would you want to make yourself harder to see at sea (nevermind in the sea)? I just don't understand where that uniform would be a benefit. Having worn the Coast Guard ODU for some time I do understand the utility improvements of the change, just not the need for the color pattern.
I don't see the need to wear any of the utility uniforms in an office enviroment.
Really, they navy just wanted their guys to look tacticool. Like a "hey were are in the military too guys! We have nifty camo uniforms too!"
One of the few things that Robert MacNamara did right as the SecDef was to streamline the logistical procurement process, to include mandating that all 4 services use the same equipment that did not have a unique need for that service. He was correct in that there is no reason why the 4 services need different boots, shoes, small arms, and yes camouflage uniforms. It is inordinately less expensive to produce 1 general uniform pattern than 12. Let the services make minor cosmetic alterations if they want (ie patches, rank insignia, etc) if they HAVE to have some level of uniqueness. I don't buy the whole "service pride" argument as a need for separate field uniforms. That is what dress uniforms are for. Downrange, I want an American to be instantly recognizable to me as an American.