Posted on Feb 9, 2014
How do you feel about the ACUs fitted for females?
40.2K
306
143
17
17
0
Personally I think they look horrible if you do not get the right size. I still prefer to wear the standard issue ACU. I don't think this is a fashion show and we are Soldiers, we need to look professional.
Uniforms
ACU
Women in the Military
Edited 12 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 39
16
16
0
My 1st question is why to begin with, aren't we all supposed to be Soldiers not gender separated or specific, equal across the board, why would we need fitted duty uniforms for one gender or the other, doesn't that take away from we are constantly having drilled into us about treating everyone the same and equal.
DOD is complaining about budget and money constraints, yet we are going to have two separate uniforms, spending more unnecessary funds when one uniform across the board for everyone has worked for generations of Soldiers male and female. Somebody made some money or points for after their military career on this one.
(16)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
Sir, if I had an agenda, I would say it. And if it seemed that I had an agenda that wanted people to be treated equally, well, I guess there is nothing wrong with that since the point of EO IS treating people equally. If I had Soldiers lining up for boots, yes, I would want them to fit, look at the injuries that occur from that situation when they do not fit properly. That is a given, and when I was a D.S. I observed that situation many times... too easy. But I've never seen anyone incur an injury because their uniform did not fit right. It isn't the same thing.
(3)
(0)
CPT Ray Doeksen
Terminal Lance - Terminal Lance #282 “Size Matters”
Is it just me or does no one actually know what size blouse they’re supposed to wear? Pretty much everyone you talk to buys a medium-reg, because it’s the medium, regular choice; but there are actually many sizing options available for the blouse and trousers you wear every day. For instance, I found out after I got to the fleet that I was more suited for a small-long sized blouse. It fit the waist better and the arm length was perfect, since...
(1)
(0)
CW3 (Join to see)
I'm sorry, but that's such a load of crap. A properly fitted uniform makes one look professional, and let's face it, women are built differently from men. Ignoring biological fact does not make it go away. It's not a special privilege any more than it's a privilege for me to have a longer and wider boot than you do (on account of these boats I like to call my feet).
(5)
(0)
PO1 Shahida Marmol
Equality doesn't always mean its fair. for example: A guy 6'3'' 220lbs definitely needs more food than I would at 5'2''.... Everyone wants equality I just want to be treated fairly...
(1)
(0)
14
14
0
the military is in the middle of a SHARP explosion and all some people want to worry about is how friggin good looking or cute they are in a uniform? smh sigh,,, some people....<br>
(14)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
S/S S/S heck no, but if it was me id just get a bigger set of acu's... Like i have now.
(2)
(0)
SSG V. Michelle Woods
Ok fair enough but when I wore the mediums my brigade DCO said I looked sloppy lol. But the smalls hug my curves a little too much so I'd love a uniform that doesn't show off all this back if ya know what I mean. <div>DoD doesn't listen to us anyway...</div>
(2)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
I hear ya, id rather wear a m/r top but due to my build i feel like im in class a's and cant move my arms n shoulders, it is what it is i spose. i just disagree that they should be fitted.. meh and youre right, they dont listen,
(3)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I have the same problem with the M/R and L/R. Can fit the M but the L is baggy on the sides. Like my father before me I am stocky with broad shoulders and stand 5"11 usually coming in at 185 to 195. Most of the time I don't even need to be taped. 194 is the max weight. I get it from my father who was 6'2 220-230, who also fought the Nazi's and no one carried about his uniform or appearance. I think if you can ruck and run that is all the army should worry about.
(1)
(0)
11
11
0
<p>SGT McLamb:</p><p><br></p><p>I would say we all should look professional regardless of gender. I have to agree with SFC Baber on not being gender specific. I am old school and I would prefer if we went back to shining boots and BDU's starched. </p>
(11)
(0)
MAJ John Adams
Of course, starching BDUs was strictly against regulations. They weren't meant to be "pretty". Maybe you're thinking of the old pickle suit? (Green fatigues, long may they rot in landfills.) Uniforms should fit the soldier's body, allow a full range of mobility, and be comfortable enough not to be a distraction. That probably means that women need something a little different than the men, because despite Army attempts to turn them into men, they're still women. They are NOT built like men.
(1)
(0)
10
10
0
To the men:
If the Army were a mostly female force, would you be saying the same thing about your female shaped uniform? Food for thought.
If the Army were a mostly female force, would you be saying the same thing about your female shaped uniform? Food for thought.
(10)
(0)
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
Sir, what is driving that response. I have thirty years in and I will share with you the Officers that lead from the front unify not divide!
(1)
(0)
MAJ John Adams
CH (CPT) Heather Davis - Huh? No disrespect, Chaplain, but the LT has a point. If men were in the minority, the uniforms wouldn't fit worth snot. It's not about where the officers lead from. They can do that in ACU, BDU, fatigues, or kilts. It's about making a uniform that fits the soldier.
(1)
(0)
8
8
0
I think there is a need for females to be able to get uniforms that fit, not for the looks though. I'll use my wife as a example, she has a hard time with the standard ACU uniform, she has a small waist and wide hips and the ACU's pull down to her hips when she has to perform physical work and it drives her nuts.<br><br>But in my opinion the ACU Digital Uniform looks like a sack that doesn't camouflage anything, in fact it makes you stand out like a sore thumb. I miss the old BDU's, hell I would even take the old OD Green Utility Uniform over the digital sacks.<br><br>The uniform I miss most of all is the old army khaki uniform that was worn in garrison. It was sharp looking and practical. <br><br><br>
(8)
(0)
(6)
(0)
SSG Laureano Pabon
1SG McKeown, I myself remember the Khakis they were my favorite as well, Specially when worn with Patten leather shoes.
But I also wore the Khakis worn by many officers which had better material and looked better then standard issue.
That with a service cap appeared great.
(2)
(0)
MAJ John Adams
SSG Laureano Pabon - Ah, yes! TWs! The only time I ever wore those on active duty, the squadron commander informed the officers that we had to wear starched, QM store khakis for uniformity. I don't think he owned anything else, frankly.
(1)
(0)
8
8
0
"Looking good" should be reserved for your ASUs. ACUs are a working uniform and as such are functional rather than fashionable. So.....no to the fitted idea.
(8)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
But dont you get your ASU's fitted in order to look good? I dont see the difference?
(2)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
When a BN CDR tells the BN to do motor pool close out in ASU's, i'll agree that ACU's should be fitted. One is Dress, one is duty. There is a difference as to why one is fitted and one isn't. <br>
(7)
(0)
7
7
0
Oh my goodness y'all listen please!
The photo to the left is an example of FORM FITTING uniforms.
The photo on the right is NOT FORM FITTING.
DOES EVERYONE SEE THE DIFFERENCE?
I assure you US Army females are in NO DANGER of looking anything like the females in the left!
GEEZ!!!
(7)
(0)
SSG V. Michelle Woods
My thirst for knowledge just severely...SEVERELY...backfired :( I'll have to stare at Magic Mike photos for three hours to get those images out of my head :(
(1)
(0)
LTC Jason Mackay
SSG Broadbent, got it that the guy with moobs should not be accommodated. Women are not shaped like men is all I'm saying. If you are against female fitted ACUs I recommend you don't buy any to wear.
(2)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
the problem with making a point is that someone will always try to make it their own. I was actually asking if moob guy was going to be accommodated for, and not ignored. After reading the fine print in the pic that SSG Woods posted, it DOES say the uniform will be for male and female. Woo hoo, we can all sleep better. But rest assured sir, no influence is needed in my decision to not buy any.
(2)
(0)
LTC Jason Mackay
This got adversarial, was not intended. Just trying to keep up with the conversation. I did not realize they too would be unisex, I am now educated.
(2)
(0)
7
7
0
The Military Supply Chain is currently Over-burdened with too many types of duty or field uniforms. DOD needs to create &/or establish ONE uniform for ALL branches, including the field gear as well. Espri-de-Corps can be maintained with dress uniforms.
(7)
(0)
7
7
0
I have absolutely no problem with this. If you look professional, you feel professional and then you start to act professional. If you look like a soup sandwich, well, you aren't going to feel like a professional and people will assume you are just a hot mess. Before a Soldier even opens their mouth,you have already made assumptions about them based off of appearance. Male and female bodies are different and we used to tailor our uniforms to look better anyway. As long as the uniforms are functional, they should also look professional. My humble opinion.
(7)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
The thing is Sir, some Soldiers who look like a soup sandwich do not even realize it because people will not tell them. They are afraid of EO or SHARP violations, when in reality you are squaring away a Soldier. I do agree that if you get the right size and wear the uniform properly then no it is not an issue.
(5)
(0)
5
5
0
Now that we are returning to our Garrison status I think that we need to help out our high speed Soldiers that have known nothing but war or conflict. In the 80's and 90's (Yes I am an old Phart) we had Garrison Uniforms and field uniforms. Some of us even took our BDU's to a tailor and had our uniforms Fitted so that they look professional much like our civilian couterparts. This included our covers and boots. Then he had our field uniforms that we wore in the field. Fitted uniforms may help a little but ultimately we all have to put our big boy pants on and look in the mirror to see what image we are projecting to others. If we need to fix something lets fix it so we look professional.
(5)
(0)
CH (CPT) Heather Davis
CH LTC Elkins:
I concur, and as stated all Soldiers should strive for professionalism and a it brings a sense of discipline and devotion to duty.
I remember being an E-1 in 1984 and taking the entire weekend shining my boots. General Patton himself took pride in his uniform and personally, the return of maintaining military protocol.
V/R
CH CPT Davis
(2)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
Clean uniform wrinkle free. Then prove your worth in the motorpool. I can see how looking sharp in the office could be beneficial for certain jobs but not for everyone.
(0)
(0)
SFC James Baber
<p>SFC S.,</p><p><br></p><p>That is where coveralls come into play, my BDUs were so sharp for Monday morning formations you could cut yourself on them, I kept a pair of coveralls and a change boots in my trunk that I took to formation with me, either left them in my jeep or HUMMV before formation then put them on right after breaking for work. It is all about priorities and pride in the uniform and your quality of work, I took my BDU top off, switched out boots and did my morning maintenance from PVT E2 thru SGT E5 this is how my Monday maintenance days went, once I made E6 it was more supervisory, but I still pitched in when needed. </p>
(0)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
i'd say the whole idea of lessening the monetary burden on Service Members by reducing the amount of uniforms they have to maintain would be put aside in favor of having two separate batches of uniforms; one for looking good and one for working well. don't we already have a uniform for looking good? perhaps i don't have a desk exclusive job but i take pride in my work not merely my looks.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google