Do you iron your ACUs?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:10:43 -0400

Just trying to get a feel for who actually irons their ACUs. I am starting to see it more and more especially here in TRADOC land. I do think that some are actually having them commercially pressed, but who knows.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2014 10:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:15:47 -0400

This is why I miss BDU's and black boots. Let's get back to a standard of taking pride in the way we look. And no I do not and have not seen anyone that irons ACU's.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jun 19 at 2014 10:24 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:24:28 -0400

I used to iron my ACU's it is routine for me to iron my clothes.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 19 at 2014 10:54 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:54:15 -0400

Yes I do......especially if it is something high visibility, never hurt to take pride in looking like a professional Soldier.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2014 11:55 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 23:55:27 -0400

I confess I take them to the cleaner

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 12:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:19:42 -0400

I've always ironed my uniforms. Old habits are hard to break. I also don't like the feel of my ACU's without starch in them. Who's still putting creases in them?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 4:42 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 04:42:15 -0400

Unless it's a formal ceremony, I haven't seen the need to iron my ACUs but that has more to do with where I am at currently. Go ahead and press your ACUs and then walk around this sweatbox going to the chow hall and back to work. Your ACUs will look as bad as if you never washed them!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 7:15 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 07:15:59 -0400

I used to. Then I realized that the creases last about an hour and it's pointless.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Jun 20 at 2014 8:12 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 08:12:47 -0400

I seldom iron mine, I just hang it up right out of the dryer, but I do know people who take theirs to the cleaners.

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Bergeron made Jun 20 at 2014 10:22 AM

1SG Jeffrey Bergeron — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 10:22:44 -0400

I don't , however there are Soldiers here (Fort Stewart) that get them pressed or steamed. I miss the BDUs and I like the multicams.

Response by CW4 Richard Jackson made Jun 20 at 2014 10:52 AM

CW4 Richard Jackson — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 10:52:58 -0400

I did, I also ironed my flight suits. Call me weird, I didn't like the "just crawled out of a duffle bag look".

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 20 at 2014 11:01 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 11:01:33 -0400

With this cool (R) in my rank I don't iron! But, I do Iron my civies when I go to work.

Response by LTC Paul Mullins made Jun 20 at 2014 12:53 PM

LTC Paul Mullins — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 12:53:11 -0400

I have started to in the past 4 months as my current ACUs have started to come out of the dryer with wrinkles no matter what, due to age I suspect. I haven't begun to starch yet! And I am very partial to starch! I have noticed some peopel in the HQs that have been getting them pressed at the cleaners, but not starched.

When I had BDUs I used to boil starch (powder) and then pour in during the rinse cycle and then iron them dry upon removing them from the dryer. Looked as good as the cleaners. And my buttons came out unbroken, no extra creases, etc that you sometimes received from the cleaners.

Response by MSG Martin C. made Jun 20 at 2014 1:22 PM

MSG Martin C. — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 13:22:44 -0400

I do and I know what the reg says but it's a habit I have. The main issue I have with the rule it's that the purpose of not ironing or starching it's because it makes the pattern visible in combat operations, got it however I will never deploy with those informs because I will either get FRCUs or multi-cam. So if any leader out there runs into me and my press uniform and would like to give me a 4856 I would gladly take it, I will rather look press than look as if was hit with a wrinkle grenade.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 3:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 15:54:34 -0400

I iron mine.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 20 at 2014 5:10 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:10:20 -0400

No I just shake mine out really hard.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 5:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:13:49 -0400

Starching and commercial pressing is against regs. You can, however iron them by hand, but you cannot put creases in the uniform. Because you can't have creases in, to me it's a waste of time to iron, not to mention I've owned T- shirts that can withstand wrinkles better than these uniforms. Plus with the horrible stitching and tailoring on the ACU, it just looks bad, and ironing accents the lousy work. Also, with the cheap dye that they use for the uniforms, ironing helps fade the uniforms even faster.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 5:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 17:28:51 -0400

Wow, I guess I am the only one. To me it is a combat uniform. It shouldn't be ironed. I also believe that it should not be worn in a place where a civilian would wear professional attire. Pressing ACUs to me is like press jeans to wear at an professional business meeting. If a civilian in a similar level of leadership would wear a suit so should a soldier, their suit being Class A's.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 6:00 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 18:00:23 -0400

It specifically says not to in the regulation so no.

Response by 1LT Shawn McCarthy made Jun 22 at 2014 4:17 PM

1LT Shawn McCarthy — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 16:17:47 -0400

I was told not to.
And I ALWAYS do what I'm told.
(Especially when it's convenient for me).

Response by SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh made Jun 25 at 2014 4:22 AM

SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 04:22:23 -0400

Not only do I not do it but none of my guys do it and if I catch them doing it they're in for some trouble. Then again we all wear FRACUs so not like you can iron them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2014 3:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 15:56:23 -0400

Sure do, with no starch

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Aug 29 at 2014 6:28 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:28:19 -0400

I do not iron my ACUs.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2014 7:16 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 19:16:43 -0400

I do not, I never have them wrinkled though.

Response by CW2 Ben Schwartfigure made Aug 30 at 2014 4:15 PM

CW2 Ben Schwartfigure — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 16:15:42 -0400

SFC(P) Gilley, if they're doing it, they're wrong. The uniforms are wash and wear. If they are worried about them looking wrinkled, there is a simple way of dealing with that. I was a Drill Sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood as well as an AIT instructor. At no time did I have an unprofessional appearance, but I also reinforced the regulation by not doing what I was not authorized to do. Without getting into all the reasons why we don't do it, I will offer a simple suggestion to maintaining the ACUs without ironing. When I wash them, I immediately pull them out of the washer, lay them on the floor, button up or zip up everything and then smooth them out with my hands while they are still damp. I either leave them on the floor out of the way until they dry, or I hang them up on seperate hangers to dry. This has been very effective for me and is in line with the wash-and-wear policy on the uniforms. Hope that helps.

CW2 Schwartfigure

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 13 at 2014 3:31 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 15:31:19 -0400

I always liked the look of a pressed uniform. My biggest question is why SSG & above? It seems like a command would require it of everyone...maybe just be harder on non-compliant NCOs as we're expected to set the example.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 13 at 2014 3:39 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 15:39:28 -0400

On the AF side, AFI actually forbids pressing ABUs.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 3:43 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 15:43:34 -0400

I retired from the Army before ACUs were required. I thought the idea was that they were not to be pressed, but I just looked up AR 670-1, and I see that "Soldiers may need to press these items to maintain a neat, military appearance." And DA Pam 670-1 says: "Soldiers will not starch the ACU under any circumstances. Using starch, sizing, or any process that involves dry cleaning or a steam press will adversely affect the treatment and durability of the uniform, and it is not authorized."

So, I am all for pressing the uniform. I agree that it does present a more professional appearance. And it's a heck of a lot easier than "breaking starch" every day (or twice a day, depending on unit of assignment).

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Sep 13 at 2014 4:03 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 16:03:05 -0400

I joined in the 80s and was sent to the Cav in Germany, Boarder patrol and all that. I do not remember anyone NOT being starched to the hilt. I loved the outer wrap with the starch and creases so hard that the trousers snapped when walking. r the double wrap where one had a sort of double crease around the sides.
We used candle wax to make the creases stick, sewed the pockets all closed and kept liquid starch and spray starch ready at all times. Boots were also highly shined at all times.
When on the boarder or in the field one did not press but one used the uniforms that were starched a million times and were faded almost to a light grey (who remembers those, they were the best!).
In the end I agree; you look good, you feel good, you feel good, you perform good.
For ANYONE transitioning to the civilian world, the same holds true, if not more so. Go to your interviews in a suit and tie, regardless what the position is, clean cut, shaven and neatly groomed.
Employees and team members automatically look up to someone who is always squared away, obviously the leadership ability plays a massive role on top but the benefit of the doubt is there.
There are so many things one can do to increase the chances in the civilian world, I woudl love to give classes on how to hold an interview and how to dress, speak and present yourself.
I run a relatively large corporation as a self employed Leader and have held over 1000 interviews in 9 countries over the years, I could write a book about it.
Should anyone wish some tips, feel free to drop me a line.
Steady on!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 9:58 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 21:58:53 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member, I don't mean to offend, and I want to share my opinion with you, as I understand the theory behind what they did with their uniform, but I feel like, as breaking regulation in doing so, means you are in the wrong. I take great care of my uniforms and always make sure I'm squared away.
In my last unit, my commander, she creased/pressed her uniforms, so I agree it looks professional, but I feel you are in the wrong for crease/pressing any part of the uniform, as it is a "wash and wear" uniform.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2014 9:39 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 21:39:39 -0400

I love the way my ACUs look when I press them. It reminds me of the good ol' days of the BDUs

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 12:15 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:15:58 -0400

1SG Private RallyPoint Member what is it with uniforms and NCOs? I do not get why it is such a hot topic.....BUT.....at the same time it is some of the same NCOs who go and ignore the regulations? I am not saying officers are not the same way about other things, but it just bugs me. I remember starching the BDUs and wondering how I would be able to walk normal again with the amount that the "light starch" at Fort Leonard Wood gave to my BDUs. I heard, but never saw in regulation, that you could not press the ACUs at all. I went with that and just loved it. I still refuse to press the ACUs. It is a field uniform and it should be left alone. Whoever at TRADOC is doing this is probably the same that used to remove buttons to have a "smoother" appearance of the pockets. I wish there would be one regulation and one uniform that we could stick to and just let it be for the rest of my career and stop changing the regulations and then ignoring it. Standards are standards.

I am absolutely, 100%, positive there are some who are not following regulations and that some of them are probably higher ranking than most think or want to believe. I challenge us all to confront these with the regulations and gently mentor them to do what is right. (stepping off the soap box now).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 10:07 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:07:03 -0400

I understand the pressure to iron your uniform, especially those of us who came up with BDUs and had to starch the crap out of them to hold a sharp crease. The problem I have is that there is guidance out that instructs us as to how we are supposed to wear our uniform. The "I know what it says, but I like my way better" excuse is weak. You wouldn't accept that from your junior Soldiers, so why is it okay for you? It's no different than if I said, "I know the regulation says to wear my PC with the bill to the front, but I prefer to wear it backwards." Don't enforce the rules unless you're following the rules!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 3:20 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 15:20:31 -0400

AS a E3 that works in a hospital enviroment I Always iron my ACUs and try to get sharp creases. I work with veterens and I interact with their familys and not to mention the basic training soldiers here at fort jackson. So looking like sharp is a must.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Sep 18 at 2014 1:06 AM

SSG Kevin McCulley — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 01:06:47 -0400

I do after I get them out of the dryer and on an as needed basis.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 7:59 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 07:59:49 -0400

I stare at my ACUs and dare them to wrinkle!

Not really. I do iron mine, without creases, on occasion if I feel they need it. Typically, I just pull them out of the drier and hang them up.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Dec 15 at 2014 9:44 PM

SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 21:44:43 -0500

I wore BDUS and old green jungle boots till their wear out date and only wore the ACU cause I had to. Wash and wear is the standard for that overpriced baggy piece of crud so thats all I did. I bought 3. One is complete the other 2 my sons use. My middle just made shorts of one pair of pants. Of all the fatigues my father brother and I wore over a combined 64 years of service, my dads OGs were the best and looked great starched and pressed with highly spitshined boots.
Stick to the reg. Steam but no crease starch or iron the ACU.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 3:59 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 15:59:41 -0500

throat punch that guy

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 5:02 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:02:52 -0500

There was discussion about this when they were introduced. The were supposedly designed not to hold a crease. Because it becomes and escalation of uniform preparation to starching.

The BDU (yes I wore them) was never to be starched but you had too for them to hold a crease during wear. The startch makes them highly visible under night vision. If you want to look awesome wear Class Bs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2015 5:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:59:56 -0500

Heck no. I wash them and let them air dry.

1SG Private RallyPoint Member I left Fort Lee in June and did not see much ironing but then again I did not really leave my department much. I can tell you no one in my department did.

It seems to make the last longer as well. I also do not machine dry the fitness uniform.

I would think that is this uniform got ironed it would not last even a month. It barely lasts six months with normal wear.

On to the new Duty Uniform in July. Let's see what that is like. Hopefully much better.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jan 16 at 2015 11:56 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:56:52 -0500

I don't and here is why...

Per DA Pam 670-1 page 21/303
4-7 General Guidelines

"...k. The following care instructions MUST be followed when caring for the combat uniform to maximize the service life and maintain optimum performance. Soldiers will—
(1) Not starch the combat uniform under any circumstances. Using starch, sizing, and any process that involves dry cleaning or a STEAM PRESS will adversely affect the treatments and durability of the uniform and is not authorized."

I capitalized 'MUST' and 'STEAM PRESS' because 'steam press' would imply ironing right? Now, if we go back to the BDU's, that is a whole different ball game. We were expected to 'highly starch' (they could stand on their own) our BDU's. Well, I was expected to or my CSM would of literally kicked my ass. I was his driver and I also had to Armor All the complete outside of his HUMMV...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2015 6:46 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 18:46:55 -0400

Well the reg says not too I used to dry clean but after a while the Velcro won't work so I just quit that all together

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 12:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:36:10 -0500

I do not iron my ACU's. Sometimes I have to iron the corners of the cargo pocket flap because they won't lay flat. It's a stupid uniform.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 5:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 17:01:47 -0500

I do small presses. That is, I flatten my collar, press the flares in the back of the shoulders, and flatten down the pocket flaps. But that's all. You are actually not supposed to press creases into them (detracts from the fall-down appearance of the uniform, which violates 670-1).

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Feb 25 at 2016 1:03 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 13:03:07 -0500

No. It was a waste of time in BDUs, it's a bigger waste of time now. We train as we fight, and as an Army, we really have two modes, fighting and getting ready for fighting. We already have too many elements tangential to getting after those who wish to do harm to our nation.

And yes, I remember having one HIGHLY starched set of BDUs in the closet, one HIGHLY shined pair of boots beneath them and pressing a WORKING uniform every night before I went to work in a motor pool.

If the name of the uniform has "COMBAT" or "BATTLE" in it, as a rule of thumb, I shouldn't have to treat it like a business suit. It IS a suit for business, but sometimes we forget what our actual business is.

If a starched ACU is appropriate, Class Bs would be more appropriate. It's why they are issued.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2016 11:57 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 11:57:19 -0500

This is an old discussion, but I would like to add some clarity to this topic.

Per DA PAM 670–1:
- Soldiers will not starch the combat uniform under any circumstances. Using starch, sizing, and any process that involves dry cleaning or a steam press will adversely affect the treatments and durability of the uniform and is not authorized.
- Soldiers may roll press uniforms, as necessary.

Roll pressing is removing substantial wrinkles from clothing without creating creases. In answer to the discussion question, yes I roll press (iron) my uniforms when needed. I do not create creases. I do use the steam feature on my iron (this is not the same as using a steam press).

The attached photo is a steam press. The steam press can be found at your local dry cleaning business. That is why DA PAM 670-1 refers to dry cleaning or using a steam press as one and the same.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Feb 27 at 2016 12:10 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 12:10:40 -0500

Day before drill, i wash/dry and iron it.

Response by PV2 Victoria Krieg made Apr 18 at 2017 9:24 PM

PV2 Victoria Krieg — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 21:24:15 -0400

I just hang them up right after they come out of the dryer.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 10 at 2020 10:06 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 10:06:59 -0400

Nah. Since you're not authorized to use any starch or related products, you can get the same result throwing them in the dryer for five minutes...