Why does everyone call the old UCP uniform ACU’s? When the current OCP’s we wear now are ACU’s ?

2020-07-27T07:09:28-04:00

For example when someone talks about the old ACU (UCP) they always just say they are ACU’s. But when they talk about the current OCP they always just call them OCP’s. So basically if I were to say I’m going to put on my ACU’s they think I’m talking about the old UCP. I feel like it’s a big misconception or something or am I in the wrong ?

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jul 27 at 2020 7:16 AM

2020-07-27T07:16:20-04:00

UCP and OCP are both considered ACUs. OCP is the current issue until replaced.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 7:18 AM

2020-07-27T07:18:22-04:00

Because the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) was the replacement for the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), and the UCP camouflage was the first type of camo used for it. So UCP and ACU became sort of blended together, because there was only UCP for the ACU. It's similar to how BDU's (And I've heard ACU's) were sometimes called "Cammies".

The UCP first started being issued/sold in 2005, and OCP didn't start rolling out until 2010-ish for deployed personnel only (Correct me if I'm wrong), and started being issued to trainees in late 2015. That's 10-ish years of "ACU = UCP" for the main force and it just stuck.

Regarding your "If I mentioned putting on ACU's they think it's the old pattern", that shouldn't really apply since OCP has been mandatory-wear since October 2019, unless your unit is just using old gear (Some people in my unit still go to the range in UCP armor and accessories).

Response by Cpl Charles Trump made Jul 27 at 2020 9:05 AM

2020-07-27T09:05:06-04:00

Uniforms! The Army needs to concentrate on being the best tankers on the battlefields, now that the Einsteins have taken tanks away from the Marine Corps! It's on yall now! Wasnt nothing wrong with the blues or the Army greens for that matter!

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jul 27 at 2020 9:08 AM

2020-07-27T09:08:35-04:00

Honestly don’t know because ‘during my day’, I was issued and only authorized to wear BDU’s; except for OD greens...which I had and was authorized to wear until they were phased out. I do know the Marine Corps refers to their uniform as ‘cammies’

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 27 at 2020 9:12 AM

2020-07-27T09:12:52-04:00

Why not just call them all fatigues? That is what I do, especially since I would not know one alphabet soup from another. LOL

Response by Cpl Charles Trump made Jul 27 at 2020 9:34 AM

2020-07-27T09:34:03-04:00

Wow 11th Cav. Remember when they were in Germany. Vietnam too. Always loved that patch! I was with 2nd ID I spent 15months in the ROK. Came home, crossed deck to the USMC. Got 9.5 years toatal.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 9:45 AM

2020-07-27T09:45:26-04:00

OCP is the latest pattern of the ACU...which replaced the UCP pattern of the ACU.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jul 27 at 2020 10:37 AM

2020-07-27T10:37:40-04:00

ACU, OCP, UCP. Shit the last good uniform was the BDU

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 11:10 AM

2020-07-27T11:10:25-04:00

Don’t forget MultiCam

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jul 27 at 2020 1:42 PM

2020-07-27T13:42:25-04:00

Who, exactly would you being saying that to, may I ask?

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 27 at 2020 1:48 PM

2020-07-27T13:48:04-04:00

Because they don't know any better. ACU is a style of uniform, UCP, OCP is a cammo pattern.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 27 at 2020 2:26 PM

2020-07-27T14:26:07-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member: Dear Shane, if I may indeed, address you by your first name, in the Army; I used to love my Class A's.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Jul 27 at 2020 4:07 PM

2020-07-27T16:07:10-04:00

What's another change in the uniform of the month club ???? I started out with cotton olive drab, white tee shirts, white handkerchiefs, etc. that soon changed and I haven't been able to keep up with all the changes since.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 27 at 2020 4:13 PM

2020-07-27T16:13:37-04:00

The uniform name hasn't changed. Only the pattern. Both sets are the Army Combat Uniform.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jul 27 at 2020 4:30 PM

2020-07-27T16:30:07-04:00

The utility uniform is the Army Combat Uniform - whether it's in the OCP pattern or UCP pattern.

People are just being dumb when they call the new uniform "OCPs" and the old one ACU. It's still the ACU.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 6:13 PM

2020-07-27T18:13:44-04:00

Old habits die hard.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 6:38 PM

2020-07-27T18:38:20-04:00

Open your jacket and read the label. It's the Army Combat Uniform. The pattern is OCP.

Response by SFC Thomas Butler made Jul 28 at 2020 6:43 PM

2020-07-28T18:43:17-04:00

Because folks in the Pentagon, who never wear any of type of utility/combat/camouflage uniform, are the ones who come up with these silly acronyms.