What are your thoughts on the new OCP uniform?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 13:11:16 -0400

1. What are your thoughts on the new OCP uniform and them not being available all once. 2. Do you think mis-matching them will look silly? 3. Wouldn't it be better to get everything available all at once? 4. Should we now go back to the beret?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 8:16 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 20:16:45 -0400

Definitely not looking forward to the incurred cost. I have seen far too many uniforms and versions of each since '88. Maybe this change will last until retirement (but I doubt it)

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 6 at 2015 1:44 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 13:44:28 -0400

The army is starting to sound alot like the navy and the way they change uniforms!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 6 at 2015 1:56 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 13:56:52 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member I'm retired so I can't comment on the OCP Uniform distribution and mix and match policy, but I can tell you that we had similar issues when it came to the new ACU's distribution prior, during, and after deployments. I didn't want to leave you hanging out there RP Land with absolutely no response. I'm sure there are some active duty RP Members out there that can provide more input on the subject. Personally, I didn't like the Beret. I always liked the PC much better for garrison operations. I've always thought miss matching the uniform was stupid, but be had about 2 or 3 different versions of T-shirts with the ACUs as well. I don't know if the other service branches have gone through the same issue, but it sounds like it from SCPO David Lockwood that they have. It seems like we make a decision on a new uniform and then we have a back order for production for 8 to 12 months. Most likely the winning contractors doesn't want to pour all of it's and money into full production until they awarded the contract through DOD. Not sure, but just an educated guess.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 6 at 2015 2:15 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 14:15:49 -0400

I prefer the new uniform, everyone I speak with prefers the new uniform. We are in a period of transition and there is a misconception of mix-matching, the current T-shirt can be worn, current boots, current belt....what's the big deal? We still use the beret, for ceremonial purposes - I agree with the patrol cap as the primary headgear for the masses - units with special missions (E.g. Special Operations Forces/RANGER/Airborne) should be able to wear the green/tan/maroon beret as appropriate but for the "Big Army", the patrol cap is a better choice. I am thankful for this change and embracing it, I need your help to embrace it as well SFC Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jul 6 at 2015 3:08 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 15:08:48 -0400

I prefer the OCP, have since its first wearing while deployed because it actually looks like a ARMY uniform. The digits we are currently wearing are a knee jerk to trying to emulate the aggressive modernization that the Marine's did in ch0oosing their uniform. All services followed with the AF going to stripes. The ACU has never really done it right and everything to try and fix it has been wronged. I turned in all my OCP while PCSing last assignment change and wish I had not, it is the absolute best gear I have been issued in 28 plus years of service. The beret - NO, black boots - sure! As for available all at once, most Soldiers still have some form of deployment uniforms and its accessories. Any new recruit will be outfitted and of course OCP is always more $$$ from any retail outlet. CSMs and CDRs will not allow a formation to be mixed, and shouldn't for a change of command, however daily wear, why not until we all look like the Army again.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 3:24 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 15:24:46 -0400

First of all, the beret needs to be locked away in a time capsule and never be unlocked again. As for the uniform phase out, I agree with you on the point of having enough prior to releasing them for sale but the actual phase out works in line with the long phase out period for the ACU. This reminds me of when we started to transition to ACU's. I was a Platoon SGT stairing out at my formation and I had Soldiers in full BDU's, BDU's with tan shirts and tan boots and then I had Soldiers in full ACU's. It will be awkward for awhile but it's a necessary evil.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 6 at 2015 3:35 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 15:35:00 -0400

Beret, burn it as fast as possible. Mis-matching, no not really, went through this before with BDU's and the OD Green outfit. As for the OCP, OD fatigues would of been an improvement. Most useless camouflage I have ever laid eyes on. someone made a lot of money off of a really bad idea.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 4:14 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:14:10 -0400

Can we AV-types please be allowed to go back to the one-piece flight suit? It's darn near the same color green as the OCP.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 4:24 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:24:08 -0400

1. like
2. mismatch as in tan/brown boots/belts shoes...no, i cant figure out why they need to change the colors of those items
3.of course
4 oh hell no

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jul 6 at 2015 5:30 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 17:30:12 -0400

As an Airman, I am extremely jealous. The OCP is a pattern that looks good and works and the Army is right for finally coming to their senses and authorizing it stateside and overseas as the standard Army uniform. Now I can't wait for Gen Welsh to announce the Air Force is following suit........oh wait.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 5:43 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 17:43:35 -0400

A quick answer to question 4: HELL NO!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 6:03 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 18:03:25 -0400

Somebody's gotten rich of this. R&D + production + distribution ... Someone is rolling in the money.

The SMA's long-term /mix & match roll out plan is actually a smart move to help junior Soldiers have enough time to afford proper uniforms.

Response by GySgt Ronald Bacote made Jul 7 at 2015 8:42 PM

GySgt Ronald Bacote — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 20:42:26 -0400

Good for desert land .

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 8:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 08:14:08 -0400

Bring back the BDU/DCU era, when Soldiers had to take care of their uniforms and actually look professional, bring back the discipline and the pride of our uniform... Actually that might hurt some feelings, sorry bad idea...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 11:45 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 11:45:40 -0400

OCP is pretty close to multi cam. We wore tan tee, belt, boots with that down range. Didn't look off to me. I agree the brown tee, belt, boots will make it look better, but tan doesn't detract in my opinion.

Cost wise, for a lower enlisted, is is kinda steep. Even with clothing allowance. A decent pair of boots sounds like $120-$150, plus new tapes, patches ect. Just one complete set of OCP can run you upwards $250-$300. And this on top of a new PT uniform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 4:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:26:08 -0400

1. It would be nice if it was readily available to everyone all at once but there are a lot of people needing it. That being said I would have at least 2 sets inbound already if I could.
2. Might look like socks on a rooster but it is what it is. I wore brown t-shirts with ACUs until the last day I could because I had 10,000 of them. I wore my BDUs most of the time anyways until the very end because UPC looks terrible.
3. I still haven't heard anything about OCIE issue. Good thing most of my gear I have purchased and is either Tan/Brown or MultiCam.
4. No. Biggest PITA. I think the last time I wore one was 2009.

At this point I don't know if it really matters because you get 4 sets of flame retardant uniforms before deployment. Leave those to be produced in whatever pattern you need along with OCIE. Turn in the OCIE after deployment and get back in to the UPC ACUs. Not endorsing or saying I like them but would be easier. I miss my woodlands with a nice sharp crease and high polished boots. Much more professional looking uniform than any ACU could be no matter the pattern. Anyone read they are considering bringing back woodland for a jungle pattern anyways.

I actually hope whomever decided on the UCP in the first place and charged with fraud, waste, and abuse of funds. This has been one of the biggest wastes of money and resources. Picking a pattern that once competed with UPC to replace it because it is better? I think a 3rd grader could have picked Scorpion over UPC.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 6:20 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 06:20:03 -0400

I've been wearing the OCP now for a few weeks and the only changes I would make up to this point is 1. Go back to sewing on Unit/Combat Patch and US Flag, 2. Go back to collar rank, 3. Go back to black boots. 4. I am not a huge fan of the zipper pockets on the upper arm. Other than that fit/feel is no different than the ACU but the camouflage pattern is a significant upgrade.

As for the beret, no black beret.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2015 10:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:41:18 -0400

I really like the new OCP's. It seems easier on the eye and now to me the ACU's look like cook whites. The only issue I have is the difference in size between the mediums and larges. The medium tops come up to tight around the armpits and the larges are way to big giving an improper fit appearance.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2015 2:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 14:33:52 -0400

Much, much, much, much better. Camo pattern actually blends into something other than gravel. The sleeve pockets are better designed (except for them being slanted back), no mandarin collar. The only thing I would change is put the rank and branch insignia on the collar.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 1:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 01:23:08 -0400

Personally I understand why we need the change but if the military is having budget problems???????? Why change out the uniform and pt's that's what I don't understand.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2015 1:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:36:51 -0500

I like them a lot better than the UCP ones. After wearing a set for a few months I wish there were some things different about them:

1. The shoulder pockets - I wish they had kept the same ones from the UCP, I don't care for the slant or the IR tab cover, like the zipper though.
2. I wish they never would have put buttons on the cuffs or calf pockets. I believe these two areas are where Velcro worked great.

As far as the mismatching, its not a huge issue in my opinion. I like the fact they have the chart that specifically says what you can wear with either uniform. As far as the beret, like others have said its good for Special Ops and Airborne personnel. For everyone else the PC is good to go.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 3:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 15:37:19 -0500

I haven't had the pleasure of wearing the OCP yet. I like the color. I wish we could sew our patches on, I never change mine.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 5:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 17:18:16 -0500

Feels better, looks better! Transition is always good!

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jul 26 at 2016 10:15 PM

LTC John Mohor — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 22:15:52 -0400

I'm glad I'm retired so that i don't have to purchase another fiel uniform. The one thing I want to know is why do we have to keep matching the patch color to the uniform color? The fatigue uniform had color patches then subdued. These same subdued patchess were worn with all three variations ob BDUs( wide collar, summer weight and side buttons). Even the chocolate chip uniform from Desert Storm had regular subdued patches. Now that the patches are even removable and garrison has the red, white and blue flag patch why don't we just have all the colorized patches worn in garrison? While we're at it let's have one subdued, not three or more versions for the field and deployment?
Just my two cents worth.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Apr 6 at 2019 10:30 PM

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 22:30:42 -0400

No thanks.