U.S. Army considers new uniforms

[Widebrim]

And yes, we bought the CADPAT concept from the Canadians, making MARPAT. Then the Army got on the bandwagon and chose a color that only blends in with metal bleachers and cheap couches. To add insult to injury they make their poor fighting men wear those pajamas everywhere so that nobody can see the combat decorations they have been awarded.

I wouldn't say that they look like pajamas, although I do prefer my DCUs (desert fatigues)...As to why they are the color that they are, it was determined by someone that certain colors did not blend in well with most backgrounds. When I was in Iraq, our replacements from the 101st ABN wore ACUs, and I couldn't understand the color choice. Yet after seeing them in the field, I had to admit that they did blend in pretty well. Go figure.

 

[WH1]

When I was an Infantryman attached to the Cavalry in Iraq, we would sometimes go into Kirkuk Air Base to get a hot meal or some supplies. There were quite a few females carrying M-4s (which really have too short of a barrel to be very effective, but anyway...),

fftopic: I gotta call you on this one. My initial rifle qualification in the Marines was with the M16A1, I used the M16A2 in Desert Storm and used the M16A4 and M4 for multiple tours over the last few years and I have found them all to be very effective in the hands of a solid shooter. The M4 is a good weapon and the current generation of optics and attachments have made it better. I would venture that plenty of SOCOM bubbas would agree. Plus there are plenty of bad guys who have found this to be true, of course they can't say so. Of course this topic is probably better suited for the show us your guns thread or another website entirely. We should be discussing the pros/cons of the Springfield vs the M1 Garand and the M1 Carbine.

 

[Dudleydoright]

WWII UNIFORMS

QUOTE]

Where did they find three blokes who look so alike ? Were they specially cloned by the US Army ?

Dave​

 

[WH1]

Please those are US Marines, they were all "brainwashed" to look alike.

 

[Dudleydoright]

Sorry !

Apologies from this Brit for a huge clanger in mistaking US Marines for US Army.

Semper Fi Mac ! :eusa_clap

Dave

 

[WH1]

I would also like to point out that the current Marine Corps Service Alpha uniform looks exactly the same as the Forest Green Uniform shown. It has always been my favorite. So much tradition, with a great cut and style.

 

[WH1]

Apologies from this Brit for a huge clanger in mistaking US Marines for US Army.

Semper Fi Mac ! :eusa_clap

Dave

No problem all you brits look alike to us anyway, except the guys in dresses with the screechy vacume cleaner thingslol

I kid one of my best experiences in the military was time spent with a highlander outfit back in Desert Storm. Good fellas.

 

[WildCelt]

I would also like to point out that the current Marine Corps Service Alpha uniform looks exactly the same as the Forest Green Uniform shown. It has always been my favorite. So much tradition, with a great cut and style.

The only problem with Marine Corps Dress and Service uniforms is they are cut trim and slim, but still have the huge armholes you see on modern suit jackets. That exacerbates the problem of mobility. If they cut the armholes right, I'll betcha we'd wear them more often. I know I would've; the dang things had style like nothing else. I just couldn't stand the fit.

 

[Paisley]

Somehow, it always comes back to armholes.

 

[WildCelt]

Somehow, it always comes back to armholes.

You know, it does. I didn't really know what the problem was until I came here, but now that I understand it, it really irks me. I sometimes feel silly griping about armholes all the time, but it really does make a difference. The mobility I have in my dinner jacket, Ike jacket, and my great-grandpa's overcoat are far and away better than any others I have (even some modern "performance" outdoor wear I have).

 

[LondonLuke]

I liked the comment that room on the stomach was going to be needed for all the scrambled egg and gold that is authorised for wear !

In the British Army, even a vet' of Kosovo, GW1, Northern Ireland, GW2, Afghanistan and long service is unlikely ever to go higher than 9 ribbons. There was some talk of even that being too much even though it might be deserved. Mind you, we don't issue medals for everything and plenty of soldiers have none.

I'd be interested to know how many medals are available to an average serviceperson and what they were for.

Dave

I understand the US military even issues medals for passing basic training and passing shooting tests? Kind of detracts from the idea of having earned something to wear upon one's chest.


And for snazzy uniforms, check out the King's Royal Hussars. Purple trousers with the green No 2 uniforms!

 

[WH1]

Not all of the US military services issue ribbons for basic training and shooting skills, only the air force.

Marine Corps has shooting badges which predate WW2.

 

[Lone_Ranger]

I understand the US military even issues medals for passing basic training and passing shooting tests? Kind of detracts from the idea of having earned something to wear upon one's chest.

And for snazzy uniforms, check out the King's Royal Hussars. Purple trousers with the green No 2 uniforms!

I agree with you. The British do know how to make a uniform. Not even the elaborate parade dress, but they still wear the green, and tan, for what we would call a Class A. It looks good.


As for the medals. Well, it gets kind of complicated. There are medals, and then there are ribbons. Now the medals have corresponding ribbons, but some of the lesser ribbons, are ribbon only. (Lost yet?)

So it depends. The medals are the same for all branches of the US Military. The ribbons vary. The USAF issues a ribbon for passing basic training. The US Army issues a ribbon for passing basic, and advanced training, called the Army Service Ribbon.

You don't normally wear actual medals unless it is a formal occasion, and there wont be as many.

For example. I was in the Army National Guard for 8 years, and did an overseas training, but was never deployed. I have a rack with 6 ribbons on it. I actually have 7 ribbons, but one has an oak leaf for being awarded twice. If I were to wear my medals, there would only be two medals, one with an oak leaf.

http://www.usmedals.com/RibbonSelect.aspx

Speaking of the Golden Age... there are miniature medals which are a 1/2 size version of the full-size medal. You are authorized to wear the miniature medals when in a civilian tuxedo. Something you used to see, but nobody does it anymore. Maybe I'll have to find an occasion to wear the penguin suit soon?

I agree with some of the people that mentioned that the fabric makes the uniform. My friend's father was a pilot in WWII, his uniforms are hanging in the attic. Comparing them to the Class A's that I was issued, and there's really no comparison. The old Wool Elastique makes it.

 

[Lensmaster]

So it depends. The medals are the same for all branches of the US Military. The ribbons vary. The USAF issues a ribbon for passing basic training. The US Army issues a ribbon for passing basic, and advanced training, called the Army Service Ribbon.

When I was in the army we called the Army Service Ribbon the Lieutenant's ribbon. Because those poor Second Lieutenants would have to wait a while after training to earn other ribbons, the ASR gave them something they could wear on their class A's until then.

 

[LondonLuke]

Is there any real need for a ribbon for passing basic? Surely basic training is a necessary part of a job, whose only real reward should be a pat on the back and the right to join your unit? It just seems to similar to those "it's the taking part that counts" awards in primary school

 

[Paisley]

At the end of basic training, I had a bad reaction from a shot and had to stay in casual for a day. Those of us with no insignia were glad we had the ribbon so as not to be mistaken for basic trainees. That's the only purpose I can think of.

The Air Force also has a good conduct medal. If you look closely and can do basic math pretty quickly in your head, you can figure out if someone got an Article 15 in their career (administrative hand-slap for being bad).

 

[LondonLuke]

Surely after passing basic, there's no need for a soldier to hang around a training unit, so they won't be mistaken for a recruit? And if they go back as an instructor, they'll have stripes to stand them out [huh]

Oh well, I'll get back in my box

 

[Paisley]

Casual is a kind of limbo. It's for people who became ill or injured in basic training and are going to separate, complete basic or go to tech school upon recovery. In the Air Force, it's in the same vicinity as the basic training area.

 

[marineabilly]

I would also like to point out that the current Marine Corps Service Alpha uniform looks exactly the same as the Forest Green Uniform shown. It has always been my favorite. So much tradition, with a great cut and style.

I have to agree - unfortunately the Service Alpha uniforma is pretty much worn when one checks in to a new unit / duty station. The same goes for the Dress Blues - worn during the ball or special event.
I am due for orders when I return from Iraq, so I'll get the opportunity to wear my Alphas once again. The last time I wore them was back in December 2004, so it will have been five years since I've donned that uniform.

 

[marineabilly]

Here’s what I currently have in my ribbon inventory. This would be worn on the Service Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Dress Blue Delta uniforms – less the badges on the Charlie. Doesn’t look like much, but the stars indicate the number of consecutive deployments as is evident on my five Sea Service Deployment ribbons and my two tours in Iraq as indicated on the Global War on Terrorism Service medal and Iraqi Campaign Medal (the star on the Iraqi Campaign ribbon is wrong as my official records show I have only one, but on my second toure here - it's the way the program added them up). Not particularly happy with my 9mm pistol badge, but what can I say – I’m a better rifle shooter.

Here are the units I've been with, to date.

My current rank, hash marks and MCMAP belt (yes, I know... it's tan, but I'm not in a rush to break a bone or risk injury for a different colored belt)

thanks to http://marines.togherweserved.com for the images.