Posted on Oct 9, 2015
LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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What uniforms of all time anywhere look(ed) great and which are awful? Why?
Posted in these groups: 4276e14c Uniforms
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Responses: 23
COL Jean (John) F. B.
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LTC (Join to see) - I think it is a draw between the Greek Evzones and Pakistani Border Guard uniforms...
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
9 y
COL Jean (John) F. B.
What are you talking about COL? That uniform is FABULOUS!!! :)
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
COL Jean (John) F. B.
9 y
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PO1 John Miller - Yes, it is. Before you know it, the gender-benders will demand the US military go to something as "fabulous".

I saw an article today that the Navy was going to "unisex" uniforms. I hope they use the male version and not the female version as the choice.
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Capt Mark Strobl
Capt Mark Strobl
9 y
COL Jean (John) F. B., I was going to post something from France. But, then I saw this. No need. This can not be topped. Bad as bad gets.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
Cpl Brett Wagner
9 y
I am going to have to wash my eyes with acid now.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Not knocking the Greek Military, but this has to be one of the worst dress (ceremony) uniforms out there.
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
LTC (Join to see)
9 y
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MSG (Join to see) ....Scotty might not know
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
MSG (Join to see)
9 y
LTC (Join to see) - I think the Swiss Guard at the Vatican wear this uniform to throw off people. I understand that these boys are some of the baddest military units around.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
Cpl Brett Wagner
9 y
I have heard that about the Swiss Guards also but how tough to you have to be to protect the pope and where were they when JP2 got shot.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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Edited 9 y ago
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I say bring back the M1898 Tunics...simple, sharp, works for all services (well, ok...the Marines added some nice touches)

http://uniform-reference.net/insignia/usn/usn_ww1_service_chevron.html

For our wedding, my wife (a professional seamstress) wanted a "Historical" theme-the early 20th century. She also wanted me in uniform. I explained that my SDBs were only relevant to the period around 1930 on. She did some research, and after locating an original Navy version of the M189 tunic in a museum, made a correct pattern copy based on my rank and record, relevant to 1898 regulations. The result was pretty stunning to say the least.

(For the observant)-The regulations around the 1890s prescribed "service chevrons" for officers representing periods of overseas deployment. Rank was featured both on the sleeve and collar for the Navy, while the Army used collar rank with branch (CAV, Artillery, Infantry) insignia. The Navy used a silver anchor for "line" officers. She was even able to source original period mohair trim used in the originals as "New Old Stock", and used official US Navy trim braid for the sleeve ranks. I had the collar ranks re-created by a professional embroidery company.
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
9 y
LCDR (Join to see) Wow! What a woman! All of RP will be impressed when they read the story.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
LCDR (Join to see)
9 y
CSM Hayden-She's an amazing lady-I'm a blessed man to say the least.
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What are the best and worst uniforms worldwide of all times (yes it can be US)?
Lt Col Jim Coe
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Edited 9 y ago
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One of the best. The Black Watch. Something great about the man who can wear a kilt and still look like he would readily kick your ass anytime.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
Cpl Brett Wagner
9 y
Black Watch are wild men and have been disciplined by Her Majesty in the past. I love it.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
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The ACU had to be one of the worst uniforms ever.
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CSM Charles Hayden
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LTC (Join to see) Best uniform? Sharpest uniform? Freshly starched, color matched, cotton fatigues. (Two creases allowed across the sleeve's elbow). Shoulder patches less than 1 US Dime from the shoulder seam. Trouser legs 'pegged' to 17" with taped dog chains inside to create a draped blouse of the trousers. Shined brass belt buckle (w/o scratches). Easily recognizable yellow chevrons. Lacquered helmet liner, no more than 2 fingers from your nose, w/ appropriate decals. 1945 era button style field jacket with the fatigue blouse's collar on the outside of the open field jacket's collar exposing the CLEAN white t-shirt. Spit shined, cordovan dyed, Corcoran jump boots. And a bad ass attitude!
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
LCDR (Join to see)
9 y
Gotta admit, as working uniforms go...these have always been the top shelf.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
MSG (Join to see)
9 y
The most line item description of how a uniform should look I have ever read.
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SPC John Parmenter
SPC John Parmenter
>1 y
That was my uniform as well. Although in my time, it was worn with a "blocked fatigue cap" (Castro-style). "Baseball caps" arrived a few months before my ETS.
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
>1 y
@SPC John Parmenter You say 'Castro', I recall 'Ft Knox' style.
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PO1 John Miller
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LTC (Join to see)
I've always like the Royal Palace Guards uniform:
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
9 y
Cpl Brett Wagner
I was stationed in London for 2 years so I actually got to see changing of the Guard quite a few times.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
Cpl Brett Wagner
9 y
I was only in London 1 day so I consider myself lucky. Wish I could have seen it multiple times you always miss something. Living in the D.C. area I have watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Marine Corps dusk parade as well as the CMC's show.
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
9 y
Cpl Brett Wagner
I imagine that was a site to see. That's on my bucket list, seeing changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns, as well as the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
LCDR (Join to see)
9 y
I've always considered the Dress Blues of the Marine Corps to be the best example of an "equivalent" uniform to the old British kit...probably why they are the most coveted by all other services.
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SrA Matthew Knight
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I'm going to answer this based on my opinion of camouflage utility uniforms only rather then bringing up service dress because let's face it, most people think of dudes in camo when they think military.

Anyway, I think hands down the best so far have been the OCPs and both MARPAT uniforms. The have both taken advantage of newer camouflage styling while at the same time incorporating colors that actually camouflage the wearers. Following close behind those to for me would be the German Flectarn (of which I am lucky enough to have a set of) and the Navy's blue digital camo. These two I like only for the looks though, not really usefulness. (Although I will say that the German Flectarn does make a good autumn camo.)

Worst uniforms, production wise I would go with the ACU and ABU. They took what were good concepts with the digital camouflage but gave them absolutely useless colors that essentially destroy the camouflage capability. Non production uniforms I would say the worst of the worst at least to my knowledge was the original ABU, the light blue non digital tiger stripe pattern. The only purpose it served was to make airmen stand out and that it would have done had it been implemented, thank God it didn't.

(On a side note in regards to the blue tiger ABU, if any RP members have some extra sets laying around I would love to get my hands on some, even if I have to pay. They may look ridiculous but I collect the various patterns and can't find them anywhere. Any help would be appreciated.)
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MSgt Niclas Svensson
MSgt Niclas Svensson
9 y
I agree, those prototype blue tiger stripe ABUs were hideous. The current ABU isn't a whole lot better.
OCPs are awesome...so much more comfortable and functional. I wish the AF would forget about trying to be "unique" just adopt them.
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MSgt Steven Mahoney
MSgt Steven Mahoney
>1 y
I think the ABU works great on the flight line...have you ever tried to find an Airman for a job? I swear they mesh in with the concrete...
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Capt Richard I P.
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Edited 9 y ago
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The purpose of a military uniform used to be #1 to Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) readily on the battlefield. #2 to protect and enhance the combat effectiveness of the warrior and #3 To intimidate the enemy.

Wearing well polished similar looking armor under identifiable banners made the most sense for all three for most of human history.

After firearms the value of armor dropped measurably, but given their inaccuracy, massed volley fire was still required so the emphasis went to IFF and intimidation.

Those priorities are still present but they have shifted, mostly because of highly accurate firearms. Now being identified rapidly leads to being dead. So the IFF function has to be more subtle, accomplished through communication, planning and sometimes subtle signaling. The Protection and enhancement of combat effectiveness tends to favor concealment 1st (camouflage) and protection from physical threats (armor) 2nd, IFF 3rd and intimidation 4th.

That said we can't judge all time. Present? USMC MARPAT, multiple concealment studies bear it out, the two pattern solution works best for all possible environments. And our history and lineage give it the intimidation factor. That's why everyone is copying it, and making its IFF value low. So we just have to be careful and creative with our communications and subtle signaling.
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1SG Vet Technician
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This is quite the look from the Peruvian Special Forces
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