Posted on Jan 25, 2019
Does anyone have information on the Close Combat Uniform and Combat Uniform worn by the 3rd Brigade 2ID and 1st Brigade 25th ID in 2004?
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I'm looking for some information from anyone who got these trial uniforms. They were DCU pattern, but looked very much like the ACU. They were also very similar with the most notable difference being split velcro on the sleeve pockets. I have a few questions about these being issued.
How many sets did you receive? Were you issued patches wit them? (unit, flag, nametapes, etc.) Both units were stationed at Fort Lewis at the same time, was it common for soldiers to hunt for uniforms from the surplus stores to have extra sets?
How many sets did you receive? Were you issued patches wit them? (unit, flag, nametapes, etc.) Both units were stationed at Fort Lewis at the same time, was it common for soldiers to hunt for uniforms from the surplus stores to have extra sets?
Military History
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Uniforms
Posted 6 y ago
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They were basically a test uniform for what would become the ACU.
They were standard DCUs, modified with the waist pockets from the coat removed and sewed onto the sleeves, and velcro in lieu of buttons. 1/25 liked them, because any vehicle crewman who has ever put camouflage nets over a vehicle hated how the buttons would repeatedly ensnare the wearer.
Thanks to them, the ACU abortion was foisted on all of us for the next decade.
They were standard DCUs, modified with the waist pockets from the coat removed and sewed onto the sleeves, and velcro in lieu of buttons. 1/25 liked them, because any vehicle crewman who has ever put camouflage nets over a vehicle hated how the buttons would repeatedly ensnare the wearer.
Thanks to them, the ACU abortion was foisted on all of us for the next decade.
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SPC Brent Melton
It is a very interesting uniform indeed. The oddity to me is that in both the CU/CCU and the ACU, the pockets on the chest are both facing inward, as opposed to being useful and facing outward which would make them accessible under body armor. It was an upgrade though when they changed the pockets from vertical to canted.
With 1/25 as well, which you may already know, a lot of guys had their standard DCUs modified with black velcro on the sleeves. This has become a very close association between those uniforms that turn up for sale and the brigade. I would love to know when/where they had the velcro added but would wager it was down range.
With 1/25 as well, which you may already know, a lot of guys had their standard DCUs modified with black velcro on the sleeves. This has become a very close association between those uniforms that turn up for sale and the brigade. I would love to know when/where they had the velcro added but would wager it was down range.
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SPC Brent Melton
Interesting, thank you for your input. Its these little mysteries that are a bit of the story that tends to get overlooked.
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While I don’t have the answers you are looking for, I have to wonder. Why are you asking?
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SMSgt Thor Merich
SPC Brent Melton - You picked the right place to get information. There are a lot of experienced folks on RP. Hopefully you can find the answers you are looking for. I know a guy who served on the Stryker Brigade at Ft Lewis around that time. I will forward your questions to him.
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SMSgt Thor Merich
SPC Brent Melton - I spoke to my buddy who was with the Stryker Brigade at Ft Lewis from 2003-2005. He said that the CCU uniforms were issued blank and individual soldiers had to get the name tapes and rank sewed on. They were only issued 2 sets. He was issued his when he deployed in late 2004. He doesn’t remember folks going to surplus stores to buy more uniforms, but he says it was possible.
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We tested out the Strykers in 2002-2003, and a few months before we deployed to Iraq in the Fall we were issued the CCU as part of 3rd SBCT a new type of unit. We also were given short barrel and buttstock SAWs with quad rails on them, EOTech holographic sights on all weapons, Mich Helmets, ski masks, black silk underwear. The elbow and knee pad inserts were trash and didn’t protect your knees, I know from experience. They were thin grey pads that gave less protection than a wheat snack bread would in you popped that in there.
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SPC Brent Melton
Great information, thanks for responding. Do you remember how many sets of the CCU you were issued? Also, do you recall seeing anyone with standards uniforms that were modified uniforms to 'match' the CCU? I'm not sure I'd be willing to sacrifice wheat snack bread for that though since it was so damned good!
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