Why do Army uniforms keep changing, and who is making these decisions?

2014-08-10T13:29:17-04:00

Hey, I have a great idea. Let's get rid of the BDU and make the Soldiers buy the new more expensive ACU; then in a few years we can make them do it again with a new uniform that is twice as expensive.

Oh, let me add to that. Let's also change the PT uniform, make it more expensive and follow the same timeline by changing it again and making it almost three times more expensive.

Seriously... Who is in charge of these decisions? And why are they being made? And most importantly, why is my clothing allowance not being raised to reflect the inflated costs?

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Aug 10 at 2014 8:14 PM

2014-08-10T20:14:52-04:00

While on deployment last year, our unit discussed the new PTs when we had to vote for a design on AKO. It was interesting to hear what several NCOs and Soldiers had to say about buying another Army uniform. Some of them brought up an argument that they believe the Army should just issue everyone their initial new set of PTs since it was the Army's idea to begin with. Then again, does the budget cover every Soldier for that to make it happen? Most NCOs and Soldiers in the unit said there was nothing wrong with the current ones.

For the ACUs, all wanted a new uniform that worked better during combat in terms of camouflage and stronger and reliable material that lasted longer.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Aug 10 at 2014 8:23 PM

2014-08-10T20:23:07-04:00

Da man.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 9:47 PM

2014-08-10T21:47:50-04:00

I will replace my stuff as it wears out and, allegedly, the uniform allowance covers that.

I am just upset that my preferred setup (logo rather than words) didn't fly. I am also mad that we're not changing the ASU to the dark foliage green with shoulder patches like I voted for.

I don't care if I'm blowing money. I just want to look really, really pretty.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Aug 10 at 2014 10:04 PM

2014-08-10T22:04:41-04:00

Somebody at DA has a brother in law in the uniform business....

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 10:29 PM

2014-08-10T22:29:42-04:00

The ever-changing nature of military uniforms should be renamed to Chameleons. If they were uniforms, they would be... Uniform (adj).

I propose another uniform, I mean Chameleon for a change that would even put ISIS to shame:

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 11:44 PM

2014-08-10T23:44:02-04:00

While not related to the uniform question I posted I MUST make the following comment.

I wish the person(s) who keep changing the original title of my posts would learn basic punctuation. The comma in the above title does not need to be placed there. Also, the original title was "GIF strikes again". Why change the title? Now the post has nothing to do with my original title and even less with the RallyPoint edited title. This kind of stuff makes want to delete my account.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2014 7:34 PM

2014-08-11T19:34:36-04:00

Navy also has the same problem.

When I enlisted, we had the perfect shipboard working uniforms - dungarees. They were comfortable, inexpensive, durable, and fire-retardant. Back in the early-aughts, they came out with the less-durable "utilities." Now we have the absurd Navy Working Uniform that is dangerous, expensive, and sweltering. Officers and CPOs traded in their wash khakis for the same awful uniforms.

If they ever change things back, that's a uniform shift I will gladly embrace.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2014 8:51 PM

2014-08-11T20:51:55-04:00

And they wonder why we have money problems. I'm not saying that ALL budgetary issues would be solved with they quit doing this. However if they really took the time to think it through and got it right the first time money spent on fixing the first round of ACU's wouldn't been needed...and oh hey a new pattern a few years later wouldn't be needed if they had gone with a similar pattern a few years ago and I believe one was tested changing it wouldn't be needed now. The money that has spent on the uniform issue probably could have been spent on something better. I could be completely wrong though.....

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2014 11:24 PM

2014-08-11T23:24:28-04:00

I don't know who is in charge of this, but seriously. The DoD needs to stop spending large chunks of our budget on this Bullshit. Soldiers getting pink slips on deployments and the Army forcing everyone to buy new uniforms they just spent $1billion on in research. That Billion could have kept soldiers in service. It could have upgraded the equipment we use down range, it could have been put to fixing housing or barracks. But someone in higher just doesn't care. We've been put to the sidelines by the budget.

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Aug 12 at 2014 2:17 AM

2014-08-12T02:17:48-04:00

A black APFT shirt? Yeah that's going to fade real bad. You are probably going to end up having to go buy new ones every 2-3 months or hey will look really nasty

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Aug 13 at 2014 12:27 AM

2014-08-13T00:27:18-04:00

Personally, I'd have changed the yellow print to that silver/gray that's on the back of the current PFU.

Just my two cents

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Aug 13 at 2014 6:47 PM

2014-08-13T18:47:15-04:00

Just glad I don't have to worry about shelling out another shitton of money for a different uniform...been there, done that, threw away the t-shirts when I retired!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 6:40 AM

2014-08-14T06:40:06-04:00

(All my own opinion) I also think this is ridiculous. It is unnecessary and plain wrong. Someone is banking on this. Clothing allowance doesn't even cover cost as is, let alone 4 new uniforms. If you read the Reg on uniforms, they are only serviceable for 6 months. That means you need to buy new ones semi-annually. Not to mention boots, tailoring the ranks, ASU's alone cost me $400. I am all for new uniforms IF and only IF they issue them to us. It just doesn't make sense to me; why would you not issue your own soldiers new uniforms? That's like me getting drafted for war, then being asked to purchase my own ammo. The good idea fairy must be sprinkling that fairy dust.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2014 10:47 AM

2014-08-31T10:47:11-04:00

The changes are coming from those in leadership looking to make cash, get promoted, or both. Example: General Shinseki and the beret/uniform debacle. Turns out he was allegedly making monetary gains via investments from the contracted agencies.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2014 11:47 PM

2014-09-08T23:47:16-04:00

SGMs.....gotta keep them busy or else this happens....

http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/04/sergeant-major-academy/

Sergeants Major Academy Spokesman Admits E-9s 'Pretty Much Worthless’

FORT BLISS, Texas — Sergeants Major across the Army have reacted with stunned outrage after candid comments from a spokesman for the Sergeants Major Academy were included in a recent story in the Army Times newspaper. Command Sgt. Maj. Rory Malloy, current commandant of the Sergeants Major Academy system of professional NCO education, admitted during …

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Sep 15 at 2014 8:26 PM

2014-09-15T20:26:16-04:00

Just curious as to what we are suppose to do with all our old and now useless uniforms? Talk about waste...guess I can clothe some homeless people through my generous donations and get a tax write-off...

Response by MSG Gerry Poe made Sep 15 at 2014 8:39 PM

2014-09-15T20:39:48-04:00

Good topic and above our pay grade on deciding what we are to wear!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 7 at 2015 8:25 PM

2015-12-07T20:25:41-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Here is a photo of my first boots in 1953, definitely WW II leftovers.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-12-08T12:32:53-05:00

As a reserve officer who must buy all my uniforms...I plan on being "that guy", wearing ACUs on wear-out day. On top of the expense, I think the new uniforms look like crap. Every time I see someone in them it reminds me of a set of old, faded out, "cook white", BDUs.

Response by CWO4 Terrence Clark made Apr 15 at 2022 9:10 PM

2022-04-15T21:10:54-04:00

Read thru all the comments. Don't want to sound jaded, but those exact same comments were being made (by me, too) in the 60s, repeated in the 70s, then the 80s, and the 90s. I had hoped you young guys would have finally fixed all that.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 15 at 2022 9:22 PM

2022-04-15T21:22:55-04:00

I want to know if safety is an issue, why are the PT uniforms black?