How do you feel about ACUs?

SFC Anabel Cepero — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 22:41:37 -0500

I joined the Army as the BDUs were in the last steps of being phased out. I didn't get to experience the starching and ironing of my uniform or the shining of my boots. Many have told me that they took pride in these "tedious" tasks and that even if it was mundane the BDUs were way better.

Personally, I do not like the way the ACUs are made, the velcro doesn't last long and I know it says they have a wear life of 6 months, but I'm lucky if they look good for two. Also, it says they are "wrinkle free", I beg to differ. Basically I think they look atrocious and a waste of money. I know we can come up with a better uniform than this.

What's your opinion and what would you change?

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 18 at 2014 11:17 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:17:37 -0500

point blank, they are garbage, I understand the concept that many supporters claim they are a utility uniform, but so were the BDUs and they could also be made to look professional when needed, something the ACUs will never, ever accomplish. We need to get rid of them and go back to what was successful for over 3 decades compared to something that was considered crap from the 1st year of use.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 11:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:28:14 -0500

I don't wanna take 100% of the credit here but....<div>When I was a private, back in like 99, SMA Tilley asked a group of us what needs to be changed about the Army, and my recommendation was to find different boots, cause I was spending 2 hrs a night polishing mine.</div>

Response by SSG Zachery Mitchell made Feb 19 at 2014 6:43 AM

SSG Zachery Mitchell — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 06:43:35 -0500

My ACU's last, on average, 3 - 4 months tops before they are no longer servicable. The Velcro always wears out way to fast, they fade quickly(regardless of what soap I use on them), they are not very durable as most of mine that are no longer serviceable have small holes in them. All in the same one or two spots. Right by the cargo pockets or right by the rear pocket flaps. I do enjoy the boots for the most part though. I have found a couple tricks to get them clean pretty easily.

I just wish they would give us a more durable and dependable uniform to wear. Stop wasting money on researching this pattern and that pattern. Just make a set standard across all DOD for all branches. Give us a woodland and a dessert pattern. Let each branch decide on boots separately.

I for one wish they would just use the MARPAT for all branches(obviously remove the EGA from the pattern for everyone else). That's how it was before all this new digital crap came along. Worked fine then, why not now? It would be much more cost effective and there'd be a lot less complaints i'm sure.

Response by CSM Chris McKeown made Feb 19 at 2014 7:45 AM

CSM Chris McKeown — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 07:45:02 -0500

IMO Digital ACU's are the lazy persons uniform and are no more than digital puke sacks, the way they are made nothing is even on most of them, patrol caps are normally off center in the bills. The tan suede boots are good in hot sandy climates but suck to high heaven everywhere else especially in wet climates.

Back in the day we took pride in our uniforms and was taught that the uniform represented our great country. Also you could normally gauge a soldier by his appearance and how well he took care of his uniform. Yes it takes time to iron a uniform and spit shine boots, and IMO it was well worth the time.

I still have a couple of pairs of well pressed BDU's sitting in the closet and a pair of Jump Boots that are 25 years old and I can still see the gleam from the shine on them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 8:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:09:05 -0500

Cant stand them. There is no pride in the uniform anymore. I get the wash and wear mentality, but save it for deployment/field operations and let us have a uniform that looks good for garrison. Now for the grease monkeys and flightline jockeys like myself, the constant washing and grease and hydraulic fluid was a pain in the butt...but I definitely miss the way a freshly pressed uniform looked.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 8:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:28:27 -0500

I would prefer sticking with Multicams over the ACUs. I can't stand the ACU velcro, and the ACP-D pattern is ridiculous. The Multicam pattern actually looks like a military utility/combat uniform and I've yet to have any issue with them becoming unserviceable.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Feb 19 at 2014 9:13 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 09:13:55 -0500

When we transitioned from BDU/DCUs over to the ACUs it was one of the worst decisions that the Army made...a majority of people lost pride in the appearance because of the wash and wear mentality of the inferior quality of the ACUs, as well as the switch to the tan desert boots. I used to take real pride in my appearance, not only as an NCO but as a young PFC and SPC, Sunday mornings were my time to get myself looking sharp for Mondays work call formation, and it would only take me 1-2 hours to starch my uniform and spit shine my boots. It was just the self-discipline that had been instilled in me. Granted, a starched uni and glass-like boots didn't always tell the full story of an individual Soldier, but it was a quick way to see who really gave a shit about looking like a Soldier. A quick buff from a cloth diaper and my boots were good to go for the entire week, and the uniform would still look as good on Wed as it did on Mon...just the ramblings of an older, retired Soldier, but our Army lost a bit of itself when we switched.....

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 12:31 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 12:31:31 -0500

I remember having sets of BDUs for years. If you took care of them they lasted forever. You are lucky to get a year out of this stupid digital abortion.

I agree with the others on here when we moved from the BDU to ACU we lost a lot of our professional appearance. It was a lot easier to figure out who to watch when their uniform was always jacked up and their boots were always nasty. Any Leader could pay attention and home in on a problem Soldier with a quickness.

I wish they would bring them back - I still have my favorite pair of jungle boots spit shined sitting in my garage. LOL.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 1:03 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 13:03:45 -0500

When you wash your ACU's turn them inside out and hang dry them. This will make the ACU's last much longer. I can get a good full year out of one pair by using this method. It also doesn't hurt to have them pressed. Also the newer ACU's have the buttons which I love a lot more than velcro.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 1:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 13:28:26 -0500

I joined the Army in 1999. When I got to my first unit at Fort Drum, NY I was taught that the appearance of my uniform was a direct reflection of my own motivation, dedication, and respect for the military service. I was taught very quickly some tricks of the trade for starching and ironing my BDUs and for polishing my boots. I can remember getting inspected by my leadership at morning formation and the look on their faces that told me that they respected the pride that I took in my uniform and myself.

I remember passing those lessons on to my Soldiers when I became a Team Leader and my Squad Leader giving me the pat on the back when my team looked squared away every morning.

I have deployed wearing DCUs, ACUs, and MultiCam. Now, I understand the concept behind ACUs and how they are set up to be a more combat friendly uniform. The chest pockets are much to get to when you're wearing body armor and the additional pockets on the legs are pretty useful for maps and markers or even an extra magazine. That being said, the ACUs are absolutely terrible as a garrison uniform. Not to sound like a broken record, but the Velcro is horrible and wears out way too fast. Soldiers end up with the cuffs of their blouses flapping around and the top Velcro always flaps open and looks awful.

Of course I get the concept of taking care of your uniform and making it as presentable and professional looking as possible, but ACUs don't really make that easy to do. I miss BDUs and I always will. It was said that ACUs were also going to save Soldiers money, but I believe that it costs them ore money to get Velcro replaced and zippers fixed. Not to mention that tan boots are almost impossible to keep clean. Yes, they make cleaning kits for them, but they don't work very well at all.

Bottom line is that BDUs were a much better garrison uniform and were a lot easier to maintain. Let's just hope the powers that be listen to voice of the masses and go back to them. ACUs not only cost Soldiers more money, but look at how much money it cost to make them and replace BDUs. Not really worth the price in my opinion.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Feb 19 at 2014 2:39 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:39:36 -0500

I'm certainly a minority opinion here, but I don't think looking good is a valid reason to make changes to a utility uniform.

Yes I enjoyed shining my boots, but shining them did not make score any higher on the APFT. It did not tighten my shot group at the range. I seriously doubt it had any impact on my decisions of whether or not to drive drunk.

If you want your troops to look good, we have service uniforms that fill that role very nicely.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 2:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:47:43 -0500

The main issue I have with the ACU is the pattern. The functionality is fine, for a combat uniform. Sure I remember the days of starching the BDUs in garrison, and hours of shining boots and taking pride in how they looked...but the real problem is the camo pattern. It does not work well in ANY environment. The BDU and DCU worked better than the ACU. OCP(multicam) works thousands of times better, and that's why Britain adopted it right away. Camouflage is meant to do just that. If it does not work, scrap it. If you care about looking good in garrison, then I think the prioritizes are a little off.

Response by Jason Orton made Feb 19 at 2014 2:53 PM

Jason Orton — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:53:58 -0500

I could see the ACUs going but I love the boots. I hate spending hours shining boots. In today's military where I am expected to be doing all sorts of self education, online course, etc. I think there are better ways to spend time than shining boots. In the past when soldiers needed busy work to keep them out of trouble during down time, it may have made sense. In today's army where I am expected to use my down time for professional development I do not need busy work.

Response by SFC Grant Johnson made Feb 19 at 2014 3:01 PM

SFC Grant Johnson — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 15:01:12 -0500

Not only is there the pride and appearance argument, which I feel is valid, but there is also utility. I still have my original 4 sets of BDU's. They were way more durable, the summer fabric felt great, and the buttons never failed. My ACU's have pockets that are not useable, the velcro fails quickly, and most of all..... they don't have the pen pocket in the upper chest! I lose or break pens all the time because of their positioning on the left lower arm. The chest pen pocket on the BDU's were a great feature, and kept pens hidden. The cargo pockets were also capable of holding an MRE, which came in handy in the field. Black boots are also much more durable than the desert boots we now wear. Needless to say, I miss the BDU......... Also, I never spent that much time polishing boots. Once I had a good shine built up, a quick brush shine was normally sufficient.

Response by MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 3:44 PM

MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 15:44:39 -0500

Like the beret, and countless other changes that have been implemented over the past 13 years of my service, the ACU's are a disaster
among disasters. What really gets me is that the men and women who are in
charge of these decisions DO NOT take any input from the ground level, instead
attempting to "improve" the disaster, trying to justify the mistake,
and really just delaying the inevitable.

For years Soldiers voiced their hate
for the beret, and it took over a decade for that mistake to be undone. Now, for
nearly a decade, Soldiers have complained about the ridiculousness of the ACUs
and still we wear them.

It's really all about power and money. Contractors have
all the power (i.e. those making our uniforms control what we get through contracts), and we (the American taxpayers
and Soldiers who buy the uniforms) give them all the money. Therefore, we will
keep right on wearing the ACUs, no matter of their lack of utility, non-ruggedness,

dilapidated appearance, or the lack pride we have in them.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Feb 19 at 2014 7:52 PM

CSM Michael Poll — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 19:52:05 -0500

To be perfectly honest I do not like the ACU's at all. I wish we could go back tothe BDU style uniform as it is more durable.  I do not care about the pattern used as long as it is condusive with, well, Camoflage.  I personally like the Multicam pattern but would like it on  more sturdy uniform that has absolutly NO velcro.  I prefer the black boots that needed to be polished as well, but That is a different debate.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 8:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:05:57 -0500

There are a lot of things wrong with the ACUs, but now that we can wear the PC and not the wool cover of heat cats we need to focus on other issues.

The pattern doesn't work, and needs to be replaced by one that does. The Army needs a pattern that works not one that looks good on a poster.

I think we should be able to roll up our sleeves, it would really help on those 80-100+ degree days.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 8:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:44:49 -0500

I came into the Army in 1990, went to the Gulf and then had a four-year break in service. Although we spent a lot of time on polishing and ironing and starching, we looked like a professional group of soldiers. We all had "field uniforms" too, when less starch was called for. It goes a long way on instilling pride, attention to detail, and discipline. Wanted a four-day pass? make your uniform look better than your buddy's. Now passes are given out like candy, almost an entitlement rather than something that is earned. We had inspections at pay-day activities, another tradition that is becoming lost to 12 years of war and technology. In comparison, we might as well be wearing pajamas. I am a big fan of Multi-Cam myself, the ACU digital pattern is garbage, no other way to put it. But I'd like to see some changes that bring back pride in the uniform. Beret was a colossal failure. Fine for Airborne and Rangers and SF, but the majority of Soldiers just didn't get it. It was not practical for a daily headgear. The BDU was functional in many ways. With a few tweaks like better pocket design, it was all-in-all a good uniform. I'm OK with velcro SSI and the upper arm pockets on ACUs and the pen pockets.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2014 7:56 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 07:56:29 -0500

I believe that the ACU's need to be more streamlined, the pattern changed, and actually made to fit an individual properly instead of having, as an earlier poster commented, a pajama-like fit. Also, the Velcro of course is abominable. It should be replaced with buttons.
I do however like the boots, they don't necessarily have to be a tan color but they have always been serviceable to me for the past 7 years and there are measures you can take to make them look more presentable in garrison.

Response by SGT Ryan Siefert made Feb 20 at 2014 10:03 AM

SGT Ryan Siefert — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:03:44 -0500

The Army should drop the ACU and make the Multicam the new uniform.

Response by SFC Craig Dalen made Feb 20 at 2014 11:13 AM

SFC Craig Dalen — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:13:04 -0500

It was the same as when the Army switched to the Beret. It made no sense. All it accomplished was making things more expensive and pointless.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2014 12:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:14:17 -0500

No long explination need we all know.........CRAP!!!!!!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2014 12:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:16:42 -0500

God I miss the good old days of looking straight with a pair of fresh pressed BDU's and shinny boots.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2014 1:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:50:22 -0500

I remember BDUs and DCUs; I think ACUs have zero merit in any military service. The camouflage pattern doesn't blend very well with any operational environment we have been in since they were indoctrinated, and the amount of Velcro involved makes for extremely noisy use. When I was playing OpFor, my job was made quite easy by ACUs.

In my opinion the MultiCam family of patterns is a better fit to the wide range of environments we may be called to act within.
http://www.multicampattern.com/

MULTICAM® FAMILY OF PATTERNS

The MultiCam® family of camouflage patterns is designed to help the wearer hide in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2014 1:50 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:50:34 -0500

For one the boots Yahh you can't kiwi them but at least use some carpet cleaner or something. Just saying ohh well and walking around with desert boots that looks like u have kiwi on them.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 20 at 2014 1:51 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:51:48 -0500

When I deployed to Afghanistan, I was issued a set of FRACUs. I liked some of the features the army has included. I have heard lots about the ACUs and their lack of durability. The AF has adopted the ABU in their "tiger stripe' pattern. I was very happy when I discovered that they are using fabric that is similar to the BDU WINTER Weight uniforms! I was NEVER happy with the summer weight as they wore out too fast. Boots.....I have much better things to do with my time then shine up a pair of boots....I really like the current boots. I just wish that the services could choose 1 color....I have tan...I have green.... I like the tan better...but I have both and can only wear the green ones while in AF unless deployed, then tan works.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 9:46 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:46:53 -0500

The ACU is the worst military uniform I have ever seen. As an aviator I get a birdseye view of soldiers and I can tell you that those wearing the ACU stick out like a sore thumb. It has ZERO camauflage ability. The uniform itself is not made well. It's iron free design always looks like you just pulled it out of the laundry, The collar diesn't stay down. Junk, junk junk.... Waste of tax payers $$$

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 11:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 11:15:28 -0500

I would gladly go back to the BDUs. I actually looked forward to preparing my uniform every week. From shining boots to getting the sharpest crease, you could tell who cared about their appearance.

These days, you can just pull your uniform out of the dryer and throw it on. Some people don't even bother to take off their patches before they wash their uniform. That's a big pet peeve of mine. I can't stand to see a wrinkled up unit patch on a uniform. I like some of the features in the ACU's but overall they are garbage.

Response by SFC Anabel Cepero made Feb 28 at 2014 9:52 AM

SFC Anabel Cepero — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 09:52:29 -0500

There might be a change after all, maybe they will get it right this time.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/02/27/army-considers-marine-corps-camo-for-new-uniforms.html?comp= [login to see] 943&rank=2

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 12:21 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 00:21:01 -0400

All I know is that as a Mechanic I got threw 2 sets of ACUs a year. I haven't been able ot get coveralls threw supply and at 80 bucks a set I don't have the money to spend on coveralls. What I liked about my BDUs was that they would still look good even after a hard days work. Black boots wont get discolored when oil was spilled on them, suede boots of any color will. I can recall taking pride in the way I looked then (and now). ACUs make that much harder.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 11:57 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 11:57:08 -0400

So I'm seeing this talk about Velcro ect. And I'm wondering how long it has been since you replaced your acu's. 2011 we were authorized to sew all of the name, service, rank on the uniform. Leaving shoulder patch Velcro. Plus they replaced the pockets on the trousers tabs with buttons. So all this Velcro complaint seems nill. One, let us have a uniform that functionally allows us to roll sleeves again. Two, if you think a combat uniform pattern should DRAW more fire rather than help conceal your silhouette, buy acu's. Hopefully this discussion is just gripes and old complaints and the DA gets us that 4 tier system.

Response by SPC Kara Sport made Jun 20 at 2014 12:29 PM

SPC Kara Sport — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 12:29:01 -0400

I haven't worn them but I think they look sloppy and ill fitting. I remember the stiffly starched BDU's and high shine black boots.

My biggest fuss was when we got issued the black beret. Most everyone looked like a french tourist in camo because no one could figure out how to wear them correctly *SIGH*

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2014 4:26 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 16:26:09 -0400

I fell the ACU's suck, when i got in it was BDU's like i have posted before you could tell in BDU's who took pride in there uniform and who didnt, the polished boots, the crease in the uniform from head to toe you could tell they were proud of the uniform and were serving. Now its just let me throw these on and go.

The next thing the life span of ACU's suck, the "hook fastners" or VELCRO was a crappy idea i dont like the fact the while in formation and i turn around looking for my soldiers and i get stuck to another person sleeve i dispise that....Then theres the tan boots, when i get these things dirty im like great now i gotta get a new par of boots because someone thought it was cool to do land nav at campbell in the red dirt......Did i forget to mention while wearing NVG's we light up like a christmas tree....Alright im done with my rant.....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 12:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:35:07 -0500

Hate them with a passion.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 9:14 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 09:14:42 -0500

I do miss the days of putting on a uniform, fresh from the cleaners, and hearing the starched sleeves separate into two razor sharp creases. And I slightly miss spit shining my boots. I hate the UCP acus. However, I do like MOST of the changes made to the OCP, except the buttons on the cuffs. They're all bass ackwards; instead of the button being on the actual cuff, its on the other part. its PITA to button. Other than that I love em.

Response by CPL Wilfred Roberge made Feb 21 at 2016 11:03 AM

CPL Wilfred Roberge — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 11:03:55 -0500

still have my closet of 8 pair at my mom's and all my boots, I'll march in those in a parade someday to "show my age"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2020 7:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 19:29:38 -0500

I had about 5 years in BDUs and polished boots. Never was a fan of the "starched" uniform always preferred the steam pressed creases. I loved the attention to detail it took to keep the professional appearance. I still iron my ACUs every time before I wear them.