Can anyone tell me how to get the ACU collar to behave PERMANENTLY?

2013-12-17T16:35:17-05:00

Every time I get a new ACU jacket, I have to wear it for MONTHS before the collar BEGINS to lay down. Is there a simple, yet effective way to get it into shape and KEEP it that way?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 17 at 2013 4:38 PM

2013-12-17T16:38:23-05:00

With a strong command voice.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2013 4:42 PM

2013-12-17T16:42:25-05:00

cutting out the right side velcro hook pad can help it behave but It is noticeable, but if someone can tell me a way that doesn't involve this is a god amongst men in uniforms

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2013 5:07 PM

2013-12-17T17:07:21-05:00

I zip and fold the freshly laundered jacket as it is worn, then place it under my pillow the night before I wear it. The prolonged pressure from sleeping on it forces it into shape. I got that tip from my AIT instructor during FTX. It works best in the field when you place it between the layers of your sleeping bag.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Dec 17 at 2013 5:31 PM

2013-12-17T17:31:20-05:00

Take a binder clip and clip that collar down! Works like a charm!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 17 at 2013 7:22 PM

2013-12-17T19:22:56-05:00

I use a safety pin ..

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2013 10:05 PM

2013-12-17T22:05:58-05:00

Don't wear ACUs. That's as permanent as it gets.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2013 7:10 AM

2013-12-18T07:10:12-05:00

What's even more difficult is just trying to purchase a uniform where the top and bottom match!!! I have about 10 sets of ACUs and only wear about 3 of them do to the colors not matching.

Response by SPC Michael Martinez made Dec 18 at 2013 7:28 AM

2013-12-18T07:28:29-05:00

For some odd reason the really great idea of the ACU's was crafted like crap. The hook and loop on the collar is one part crafted like crap. If you move the hook portion down the collar, it will function as a stay, as it was intended, when not in use.

Personally, I used the mandarin collar to help keep my greasy choke collar off of my neck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2013 4:01 PM

2013-12-18T16:01:05-05:00

I personally use the knife hand to cut off the hook side of the hook and pale tape. We don't have valcro in the army.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 20 at 2013 7:36 AM

2013-12-20T07:36:40-05:00

In a nutshell?

Chuck Norris....

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2013 6:20 PM

2013-12-20T18:20:37-05:00

Cut the plastic part out it will help.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 7:06 AM

2014-01-08T07:06:40-05:00

I cut the Velcro off on all my uniforms, but you could try to press it flat with an iron.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jan 9 at 2014 6:57 AM

2014-01-09T06:57:48-05:00

When you find out, please let me know.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2014 1:37 PM

2014-01-11T13:37:38-05:00

I place a single stitch on the corners.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Feb 24 at 2014 10:12 AM

2014-02-24T10:12:57-05:00

I wish they would just do away with it. The Army Combat Shirt serves the purpose now. Give us back the collar and let officers put their branch back on.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2014 3:11 PM

2014-03-24T15:11:32-04:00

You have to be Combatives Level 3

Response by SGT Sarah Maxwell made Mar 24 at 2014 3:17 PM

2014-03-24T15:17:18-04:00

I only zip my zipper up to the bottom part of the top velcro piece. I've never had an issue with the collar.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Mar 24 at 2014 3:18 PM

2014-03-24T15:18:08-04:00

I usually take a spray bottle with water and wet the collar, then place Volume 1 of "Understanding My Wife" on it (approximate weight equivalent to a 1975 Buick), and keep it there until the collar says "Uncle!", then follow up with Volume 2 (also same weight).

Response by SPC(P) Delcina Myers made Mar 24 at 2014 9:25 PM

2014-03-24T21:25:18-04:00

I've ironed mine and sprayed hairspray on it to stick... OR you can get it wet and let it air dry with bobby pins (tons of them) on the collar. Those are my two tricks. Good luck, SGT O'Neill!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2014 10:04 PM

2014-03-24T22:04:09-04:00

I like to use harsh language, and if that does not work then I submit a 2028 to authorize the "popped-collar" look...........is that still trendy?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2014 6:41 AM

2014-03-25T06:41:19-04:00

Cutting off the velcro for the neck is altering the uniform which is not authorized.

What I've found that works is:
-Turn ACU top inside out and wash in cold water
-Remove from washer and turn it right side out
-Place on hangar as worn, fix the collar so that it air dries in the proper position
-When wearing the ACUs, only zip up the front to just below the top velcro patch on the inside flap of the chest

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2014 6:50 AM

2014-03-25T06:50:51-04:00

I don't know if permanently is possible. I can't speak for the ACU's right now, but every time I wear my multicams, i just wet the collar a little and it stays down for the rest of the day.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 25 at 2014 8:44 AM

2014-03-25T08:44:05-04:00

Never seemed to have an issue with this, but like a lot of posters have stated, I would wash and dry, remove, place on hangar, zip to about the top of the last Velcro patch and lightly press the collar down; seemed to work every time. If it is being extremely stubborn, wet it and press it with an iron and you'll have that collar trained to act right in no time!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 11:20 AM

2014-03-31T11:20:18-04:00

Generally it is the velcro patches that sit under the collar. Just remove the part of the velcro that inteferes with the collar fold. If you don't use the collar velcro patch, just remove it all together.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 11:31 AM

2014-03-31T11:31:47-04:00

Cut off the Velcro from that side.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 12:18 AM

2014-08-02T00:18:26-04:00

I've never had this collar issue. It must be my imposing stature and my icy glare. The issue I have is with the hook and loop fastener lasting for... one.. maybe two times wearing it..

I have learned that if you wash the blouse inside out with all the patches still on that the hook and loop becomes as strong as that glue they use for medical stuff that takes your skin with it when you try to get it off..

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2014 8:30 PM

2014-08-03T20:30:08-04:00

This thread is several months old, but I'll give you my secret, which has never failed. The trick is that it's never been about how you WEAR it, it's how you STORE it that makes all the difference.

-- First, and I know this can be hard for some, but start out with a fresh uniform. It doesn't have to be right off the rack at the MCSS (in fact, if it's that new, wash it at least once), but the fabric should not noticeably have started to become soft. If it's soft, use it for the field or for combatives.
-- Second, every time it comes out of the dryer, EVERY TIME, get it taken care of within no more than an hour. Don't let it sit in a pile for hours cementing in all kinds of strange creases.
-- Third, fold it the way I have in the attached photo*. Do not hang unless you want the collar to start going crazy again. Added bonus: it's ready to pack in a bag if you go to the gym for your PT, or in any size suitcase for travel.
-- Fourth, fold the corresponding pants and set them ON TOP of the jacket. Store them as a combined unit.

That's it! Do that, and you'll have a perfect collar every time.

* Fold instructions: (1-3 minutes at first, less than 30 seconds after practice)
1) Zip up to the point of the top standard velcro patch (the one just above the nametapes, not the one at the mandarin collar itself).
2) Turn it front side down on the floor/bed/flat surface.
3) Straighten up any and all creases everywhere - even the flaps on the back of the shoulders; use the seams on the sides as guides.
4) Fold the sleeves straight down along the same side, so each one is covering about 1/3 of the back, and flatten out things that pop up.
5) Fold one side (sleeve and body) over the middle section, then the other.
6) Put your hand in the middle, and use it to keep previous folds in place as you fold the top (collar) end over the bottom end, in half.
7) Clean up the collar; it should now look like my pic, except the collar may not be perfect yet.
8) Fold the pant legs against each other, including folding the waist in half, to make one long segment.
9) Fold the pants into thirds lengthwise, from the feet end first.
10) Place pants on top of jacket, and ensure it's allowed to sit for at least one day before pulling out again for wear.

Also: If you still wear velcro name-tapes, as long as all the velcro is good it will resist that annoying peeling up on the ends by storing it this way with the nametapes on. Just don't WASH the jacket with them on, and if you do for some reason, flip the damn jacket inside-out so the velcro has less to stick to...

Response by SSG Robert Pierce made Aug 4 at 2014 8:59 PM

2014-08-04T20:59:09-04:00

What I do is wet it down real good and then iron it. I don't iron my entire uniform though, just the collar. It seems to work for me.

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Mar 19 at 2015 3:53 AM

2015-03-19T03:53:56-04:00

This sounds weird, but go to the PX and buy a hair straightener... Yeup! That's that weird looking pair of electric tongs that females use to take the curl out of their hair. Put it on it's low setting and iron out those ate up collars before you step out each morning. I understand that the Uniform Care Standards say not to iron the ACUs (but who hasn't used Tide instead of Woolite Dark? It also works wonders on those pocket flaps on your pants!