Posted on Feb 9, 2014
How do you feel about the ACUs fitted for females?
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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
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The Air Force has developed additional sizing of the ABU for women, attempting to cover a wider range of body types and sizes. I have been told that it helps....but let's face it, very few people really ever look GOOD wearing these things!! That is why there are civies for after duty hours!! ;-)
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Maj Chris Nelson
I am afraid I don't resemble Thor very much....bald, and just don't have that physique! I have seen some guys that just don't make the uniform look good either....so it isn't just gender proof!! I think that many of the AF people feel that the greater range of sizes for off the shelf help....maybe not perfect, but better then the previous "almost 1 size fits most" ideas....
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Personally, this should have nothing to do with politics, fashion statements or budget issues. Point is, as females, we have different body types and trying to fit in a standard uniform can often be uncomfortable and restraining. As a petite female at 4'10, fitting into a standard uniform was challenging, particularly when wearing regular pants. Finding a uniform that was petite enough for me was quite challenging. Whether or not ACUs are fitted for females, the important thing is to have them fitted comfortably for you while you stay within regs.
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SFC (Join to see)
The Army isn't an individual sport, it's a team fight. Everyone wheres the same uniforms as prescribed in the regulation, everyone looks the same, individualism was abandoned when you started your first day at basic/boot.
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SFC (Join to see)
She is not talking about individualism. She is talking about the uniform pants fitting right so they are not sagging towards the bottom. She is a short woman and would need shorter trouser legs to fit her stature.
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WO1 (Join to see)
First, I have not seen the A-ACU. However, I believe that getting the blouses fitted "just a touch" would actually go a long ways to making soldiers of both genders look much better an more professional. Instead of a uniform that looks shabby and trashy and yes UNPROFESSIONAL even if it fits you (unlikely) and is worn right.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
Uniforms that fit correctly right off the shelf. If you ever find that I would be amazed and if you are the one in 100 Service member who does have a good fit, then stop criticizing those who need to have a few things taken in or let out. In my 30 years I did have a few items that fit very close to perfectly and they were hats and scarfs, not much else! Even gloves were usually to big or small.
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Let me rephrase your question. How do I feel about a double standard? I'm against it. Soldiers aren't separated by gender. Everyone is a soldier first, period. Now we have uniforms segregated as well as pt tests, and these are the people that want to get into combat roles? NOGO
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SFC (Join to see)
A) SFC Day, It was never my intent to classify EVERY female into the statement of "these people." I am not even sure how that was thought. When I said "these people" which was apparently a mistake, I was referring to the females who are pushing to get into combat roles. NOT ALL FEMALES. Not in any way shape or form.
B) SSG Woods, Not every decision that comes from DC is the right one. That has been well demonstrated numerous times just in the last 4 years.
I'm not sure how a FORUM for opinions on asked questions has turned into such a heated battle/discussion. If you post a question, you should be ready to hear responses from both sides, not just the side you agree with.
Lastly SFC Warden, never at any point did I intend to group females as a whole when making the statement THESE PEOPLE which is why I specifically stated - The females trying to get into combat roles- I have a lot of respect for every military member, regardless of gender. Gender doesn't make the person, the actions they take do.
- This got way out of hand for what is supposed to be an open discussion forum
B) SSG Woods, Not every decision that comes from DC is the right one. That has been well demonstrated numerous times just in the last 4 years.
I'm not sure how a FORUM for opinions on asked questions has turned into such a heated battle/discussion. If you post a question, you should be ready to hear responses from both sides, not just the side you agree with.
Lastly SFC Warden, never at any point did I intend to group females as a whole when making the statement THESE PEOPLE which is why I specifically stated - The females trying to get into combat roles- I have a lot of respect for every military member, regardless of gender. Gender doesn't make the person, the actions they take do.
- This got way out of hand for what is supposed to be an open discussion forum
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SFC (Join to see)
I apologize to anyone who felt offended by what I said at any point. It was never my intent to point a finger at any one group or individual. I was merely expressing my opinion on the topic. I'll work on the verbage used next time to express that opinion so as not to offend anyone.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
I understand (BELIEVE ME!) about DC but I was referring to the seniors who posted on here. I understand your frustrations with all of this individuality nonsense being forced on us but I just wish you didn't include proper-fitting uniforms in that category.<div><br></div><div>But everyone is of course entitled to their opinion.</div>
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT B. although opinions are justified in our own mind, take heed in how you present those opinions. I believe you have corrected yourself already so I will not harp on you. I just wanted to say, good job in making the correction. But this is a political world, you must be careful how you phrase something, especially on the net where inflection and emotion are void and perception trumps intent. Clarity will reduce the number of issues.<br>
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The uniform looks good regardless if you wear the right size and you are not fat.
When I was at LDAC, I wrote down my size "Small/short" for the 5 sets of acus they were going to give me. They handed me Medium longs, designed for tall men. Anyways. I asked for a smaller size and they told me that same line " This isn't a fashion show." For 2 weeks I walked around like a circus clown. When I bloused the pants they still covered most of my boots. I had to keep retightening my belt because it would slip off my hips. lol
When I was at LDAC, I wrote down my size "Small/short" for the 5 sets of acus they were going to give me. They handed me Medium longs, designed for tall men. Anyways. I asked for a smaller size and they told me that same line " This isn't a fashion show." For 2 weeks I walked around like a circus clown. When I bloused the pants they still covered most of my boots. I had to keep retightening my belt because it would slip off my hips. lol
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SGT McLamb
I don't think we look professional whatsoever in the current ACU uniforms. We look sloppy and bulky. The uniform is either too big or too small for most women. It has nothing to do with fashion. ACUs are hideous regardless if they fit properly or not.
SFC Baber
I thought the idea was ridiculous at first too. But I am tired of wearing a uniform that is enormous on me and the size smaller shows off my curves entirely too much.
We get our ASUs fitted properly don't we? Why? Because we're suppose to look professional.
Besides, what does it matter which uniform we buy with our yearly stipend? Then again, the clothing and sales store is always out of smaller sizes anyway. DLA can't get their contracts figured out and it's ridiculous.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
SFC Baber
I literally cried when I wrote my comment because I didn't want to even slightly disagree with you! (yes typical dramatic girl I know lol). I would compare the fit and comfort of the current ACU to how you would feel in one size shorter/smaller or longer/larger than the ACUs you wore. Imagine how uncomfortable and bulky that would be.
From what I have heard from everyone who wore the BDUs, both men and women loved them! They looked great too!
FYI, men look great in ACUs, like GI Joe :)
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SFC James Baber
They were great, and you were allowed to have them tailored for a better fit with no issues from command structure at all. But, like I said I have never liked ACUs from the first day, and by the way I have seen plenty of men who looked just as you have described some women look in them, ewwwww!!! LOL
Take care my favorite drama queen ;) and watch your six around them 82nd guys they are aminals fer sure. har har
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SFC (Join to see)
BDUs fit great DCUs were awesome! I think if someone alters their uniform so it fits better then so be it. When you look good you feel good. Under the Physical Fitness and Military Bearing portion of the NCOER doesnt it state "Displaying Confidence and Enthusiasm; looks like a Soldier?
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Suspended Profile
SGT M,
Warmest Regards, Sandy
SSG V. Michelle Woods
For those of us who have curves, the A-ACUs are wonderful. I ordered mine over 3 months ago and still can't get them :( I'm about to have this top altered because it's so big in the back!
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SFC (Join to see)
I guess the reason I don't like them is because I seen a larger female with them on and the top did not cover the trouser pocket and the trousers looked like skinny jeans. Maybe she was just wearing the wrong size.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
Now I see that all the time in the regular ACUs! I just don't understand how they can walk out like that.
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I feel the same way about ACUs fitted for males. Do they fit properly? If yes, then Im all for it. Now if you are speaking tailored to shape, then there is a thin line presented between professional and indecent appearance!
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I believe the Army should come up with a better fitting uniform for everyone. The one size fits all really doesn't apply. Now I'm not saying form fitted by no means because that will bring one a whole realm of issues the Army doesn't need. But you have some Solders who need special uniforms. I wear a M/S top and M/S bottom. Makes me look like I won the Biggest Loser contest but a S/R top and S/R bottom makes me look like I just came back from deployment roided up! I haven't seen or heard of these form fitted uniforms for females yet and if they have them as long as it's professional then now worries but again that's when leaders step in and make those On The Spot corrections and fix it. We NCO's have powers that are incredible when used! I SAY HOOOAH!
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I believe that the sizing needs to be tweaked for all, Personally i have a long torso but shorter arms and after a few washes my acu top shrinks like all hell, but if i get a long the sleeves are way too long. There has to be a better way for the sizes.
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