Several approved variations of the Army camo uniform. Seems sloppy and unprofessional. Thoughts?

2015-06-12T09:25:05-04:00

http://www.armytimes.com/media/cinematic/video/28340837

So many variations to the Army camo uniforms... it really has the potential to be SLOPPY as hell. Do you agree?

I think military base commanders, depending upon their location/region, should set the STANDARD uniform for that base.

I couldn't imagine a formation of troops, mix-matched, being photographed or video recorded and shared with the world. Embarrassing.

EDIT: Just to clarify my statement, I think each of the uniforms look just fine. That isn't my point. My point is that the article/video claims that ALL of the camo uniforms, along with variations of belt colors, t-shirt colors, boots, etc. are all fair game. Any individual, supposedly, can choose which uniform they will report to work with. In my opinion, this leads to an overall sloppy look for a unit. That's what I probably should have said from the start.

First look at Army's new camouflage uniforms

The Army begins to transition into new combat uniforms beginning July 1. Until the stock of current uniforms runs out, soldiers can expect a lot of mixing and matching of camo items.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 12 at 2015 9:36 AM

2015-06-12T09:36:03-04:00

Unfortunately there will be some discord during the transition' It's expected. Unit integrity is usually a good rule of thumb. When we went to Iraq we only got a partial issue of ACUs when we left MOB. Once every soldier had their full issue, the boss let us wear ACUs. There was still some mix and match with body armor and helmet covers but that was OK by with him. Body armor and helmet cover had to match each other but not necessarily the duty uniform.

Too many people have their hands in the cookie jar over these uniform changes. We need to go back to one uniform, one camo pattern and stick with it. I'd have no issue with all branches using the same pattern like it was before. It's not a matter of pride and fashion sense, It's a matter of dollars and common sense.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 12 at 2015 9:43 AM

2015-06-12T09:43:35-04:00

I kinda thought that BDUs should be kinda sloppy looking given what they are for.

I think SM should wear Class-A or Class-B when walking around in public.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 12 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-06-12T09:52:01-04:00

The new SMA, SMA Dailey, and the Army leadership, are using a common sensed approach to the phasing in of the new uniforms. It would be, and is, cost prohibitive to expect every Soldier to rush right out and purchase everything that is expected of them in order to meet the new uniform requirements. We ran into this issue when they brought the ACUs about, there were some that ran right out and purchased the uniforms immediately, and others like myself that purchased a set here and there prior to the wear out date of the BDUs/DCUs so that we didn't put ourselves into a financial bind. Would be "nice" if everyone were issued the new uniforms and that would alleviate the issue altogether, but that would be cost and time prohibitive. I am thankful that I do not have to go through this mess again, but feel bad for my son who does, but he is young, single and pretty good with his money so I don't think there will be any issues for him!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 9:55 AM

2015-06-12T09:55:23-04:00

The definition of the word "uniform" means everyone looks the same.
The Army is trying to ease the pain by having a long transition period. This saves money, wears out existing stocks, and allows the supply chain to ramp up vs surging. It also fits the Army's narrative about having different colored OCIE.

I do think it will look sloppy, but that doesn't preclude the commander from prescribing what will be worn at a ceremony or event.
Out in the motor pool, it doesn't really matter.

Response by CPT Bill McNeely made Jun 12 at 2015 11:12 AM

2015-06-12T11:12:54-04:00

Seems like we have picked up the fashion sense of the Iraq and Afghan Army. This seems to be the third big change in uniform since 2001.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jun 12 at 2015 1:32 PM

2015-06-12T13:32:08-04:00

well I cant see the material. Was that rip stop like the old summer weight Woodlands?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-06-12T14:04:38-04:00

The thing is, the Army did a camouflage replacement test for the BDU 10 years ago, and it was accepted as given that the "MultiCam" was going to be the replacement. I know a lot of people were stunned when the awful and ineffective ACU digital camo was chosen instead. But the Army was so fixated on the Marine success with their digital uniforms, they just had to have their own and nothing else would be acceptable, I guess-- effectiveness and common sense be damned.

So after 10 years of fumbling, stumbling, and bumbling, someone finally "spined up" and admitted that this train has jumped the tracks, and the expensive new toy the command got hasn't worked. So now money has to be re-diverted to a program that should have been done years ago.

Understand that the transition from plain green to the BDU camo went slowly. 20 years later the Army was still slowly, slowly phasing in BDU field equipment-- rucksacks, sleeping bags, and so on were still partially OD green and BDU camo. When the decision was made to go to ACU, they made sure the change was sweeping, and everyone got ACU field gear, top to bottom. They even re-issued fanny packs, created the lightweight "assault pack" and fast-tracked ACU ballistic vests, all with the new pattern. The Army was outfitted with the ACU gear on a scale and speed not seen before.

Now all of it --ALL OF IT-- has to be undone. Millions of dollars of technically serviceable gear is about to get surplussed because it is a crap camo pattern that won't work with the MultiCam "Scorpion" style. So this is going to be a period of confusion, and an "accordion effect" will undoubtedly be rippling through the supply & logistics chain for quite awhile. All because of a really stupid decision made by people who should have known better 10 years ago.

So I chose "I don't care either way" because even though I obviously have thoughts on the matter (ha, ha) I am willing to let this play out and accept some sloppity-ass uniform standards for a couple years if that is the price to pay for straightening out the much larger problem created by the ACU camo pattern, overall.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 3:21 PM

2015-06-12T15:21:46-04:00

While I agree it may look "sloppy", I don't see it as that big of a deal. As most have already noted the Commander can direct what uniform will be worn during any formations, events, etc. This will ease the burden on more junior Soldier purchasing the uniforms vice being issued.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 1:33 PM

2016-08-23T13:33:18-04:00

If the Army did it your way, without "surging" uniforms to each unit, it would cost Soldiers out of pocket for something out of their control. I agree with the SMA. This was the best way forward.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Aug 23 at 2016 2:00 PM

2016-08-23T14:00:46-04:00

Looks a lot like the Danish uniform