Can a soldier wear IHWCU top with regular OCP ACU pants?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 13:36:51 -0500

Had a discussion at work about whether or not you could mix pieces of the IHWCU with the regular OCP ACUs. After some searching we came up empty handed. Can anyone shed some light on the subject or point me to where I can find the regulation on this?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 1:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 13:57:50 -0500

The only info I could find on it treat it basically the same as a standard blouse. I would assume it would be good to go, so long as the trousers are serviceable and aren’t completely faded compared to a brand new top

Info source:
https://www.benning.army.mil/Tenant/LRC/content/pdf/ALARACT%20Improved%20Hot%20Weather%20Combat%20Uniform.pdf

ALARACT%2520Improved%2520Hot%2520Weather%2520Combat%2520Uniform.pdf

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 1:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 13:59:47 -0500

The regulation for the IHWCU doesn't exist yet, the wear guidance comes from ALARACT 027/2019. The ALARACT doesn't mention this specifically, however it does say:

AFTER 1 JUNE 2019, SOLDIERS CAN PURCHASE THE IHWCU FROM MILITARY CLOTHING SALES STORES FOR WEAR IN LIEU OF THE OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN (OCP) ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM.

One uniform is worn in lieu of the other uniform, it does not address items at a component level, my interpretation is that it's all or nothing.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 2 at 2020 5:24 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 17:24:43 -0500

Don't wear mismatched uniform components. It speaks to your attention to detail. Trust me people notice.

Make sure you match the same blouse with the same trousers and the same cover (even within the same pattern). That should make sure that you even have the same amount of wear/laundry fade.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 7:03 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 19:03:51 -0500

I wouldn’t mix and match. You can tell the difference. I also have 4 sets of ACUs. I have them all labeled 1-4. The trousers and blouses are all worn together and washed together so that they fade the same. Old trick an SFC I worked with told me to do.

Attention to detail is a good thing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 7:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 19:11:16 -0500

In Hawaii, USARHAW guidance is no mix matched uniforms. This includes articles from the new generation and the initial trial fielding