Why so many changes to the military uniform over the past 8 years or so? When I was in, it was BDUs and DCUs.

SGT Jamell Culbreath — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:32:02 -0400

Response by SGT Chris Birkinbine made May 28 at 2015 1:43 PM

SGT Chris Birkinbine — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:43:22 -0400

I often wonder this same thing. As much as I hate going the "conspiracy theory" route, I honestly can't help but think of the old adage, follow the money.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made May 28 at 2015 2:30 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Thu, 28 May 2015 14:30:55 -0400

Some thoughts on the numerous military uniform changes over the last 8 years:
- DoD and DA became fiscally indisciplined during GWOT because Congress allowed money to be thrown at the problem rather than disciplined thought.
- Civilian leadership (DoD, Secretaries of the Services) allowed military leadership to reverse the "joint" trend the nation had been on and go a service route vice a joint route in terms of uniforms.
- Some services (USMC) allowed pride and ownership (this is a Marine uniform) to stand in the way of what was best for the nation fiscally and from a camouflage perspective.
- Army leadership made a series of dumb decisions (beret, ACU) for a variety of reasons that had more to do with cosmetics and symbolism than it had to do with combat effectiveness.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made May 28 at 2015 4:43 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Thu, 28 May 2015 16:43:28 -0400

I always noticed that uniform changes (at least for the Air Force) seemed to come in conjunction with other more substantive changes (draw downs, Regulations to Instructions, MAJCOM structure, expeditionary force, etc). Sort of waving your right hand in someones face, so they won't notice that the left hand is picking their pocket. It also allows the DoD to spread $$ into numerous congressional districts and have leverage for increasing budgets.