Identical Combat Uniforms for all Branches

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 16:11:01 -0400

Considering the ridiculous expenditure of money that has been spent on uniforms, all branches should adopt the same Combat Uniform(s). There can be several ones for different environments IE woodland, desert etc, but it is a absolute waste of money to have different uniforms for every branch. Why have we as a nation wasted hundreds of millions on ACUs and AF Service uniform which offer no camouflage unless you are fighting in a stone quarry. And who is the genius who thought blue uniforms were good at sea? You don't blend into the ship and if you fall overboard no one can see you. It does not seem to make much sense.
That is one area that would save hundreds of millions of dollars.
I believe the best choice would be the MARPAT uniform.

So should the different branches cooperate and have one uniform and what choice would be best?

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2014 4:49 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 16:49:14 -0400

I think one uniform based on location/environment and one branch. It would save money but I don't ever see it happening because of the traditions and history behind the services.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2014 10:20 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:20:15 -0400

There would be advantages - but not as much as people seem to think. In the end, the bulk of the cost would still be in the actual uniforms, not in the overhead. Since we would still need to clothe just as many service members, the savings would be reduced by quite a bit.

In addition, only the Marines have fielded a new, effective uniform - they also had the lowest development costs. This means that the issue isn't in the development, but the abysmal acquisition process of the Army and Air Force (the navy spent on par with the Marines per new working uniform but came out with a stinker - that's a separate issue). Since it's likely that the Army would have led any new initiative, that means that, not only would we still be having to try again - but we would have to re-uniform all the branches, rather than just one.

It's important to understand that uniformity has its advantages - but it also has its risks.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 7 at 2014 1:10 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 13:10:09 -0400

I would say yes, but instead of just one, make it one per environment type.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 7 at 2014 1:21 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 13:21:28 -0400

For the love of the DoD budget YES! We have service uniforms that are different.

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Nov 1 at 2014 12:25 AM

SSG Maurice P. — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 00:25:52 -0400

COMRADE CAPTAIN THE SAME IS GOOD...LETS GO STAND IN THAT LONG LINE OVER THERE...
ROFLMAO SMELLS COMMUNISTIC TO ME

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 3:04 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:04:17 -0400

It worked back in the days of BDUs when everyone wore the same uniform. Not until someone had a great idea to "save Joe some money" did we change to this worthless drab we wear now. I agree with the MARPAT which the Army lab built and should be the standard for all branches. Problem solved.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 12:34 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 00:34:08 -0500

Remember when we had camouflage that was specifically designed for the environment in which we planned to operate? I do...but then we started wearing colors that don't even occur in nature the very same year I stopped being a cadet and actually became deployable. Ah, irony...

Multicam/OCP is a step in the right direction and seems to cover a pretty wide range of environments. I think it could serve us well as a baseline garrison pattern, but we still need specialized deployment patterns. Camo has never been one-type-fits-all, and it won't be until we stop using patterns and invent some sort of chameleon suit. Until then, we need options and, at the very least, a palette of colors that occurs somewhere outside the DFAC.

Response by PO1 John Pokrzywa made Nov 7 at 2014 3:33 AM

PO1 John Pokrzywa — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 03:33:50 -0500

Totally agree. When I joined the entire military had one desert pattern, one woodland pattern, etc etc now there's like 15, and they aren't even necessarily better.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 6:04 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:04:36 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, I'm kind of good with the different uniforms for different services. I guess we could use a patch or some other distinguishing insignia to differentiate (service name tag does it on work uniforms) between the services.

That said, I'm still for different uniforms. It seems to be a part of service tradition to me.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 6:16 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:16:07 -0500

OH HELL NO! It's bad enough some idiot in the Pentagon decided the Nav have to wear that ridiculous digital "baby-blue" crap some A$$wipe called a uniform.

Response by PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith made Nov 12 at 2014 6:30 PM

PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:30:08 -0500

I have to agree with PO1 Private RallyPoint Member here. Yes, SGT Private RallyPoint Member we are one big, happy, dysfunctional family. However, just like in a real family, no two siblings are exactly alike. Not even identical twins. They have their own personalities. So, our traditions, our uniforms, these are part of what makes us who we are. It not only distinguishes us a either a Sailor, Soldier, Marine, Airman, or Coastie, but it honors the history of our service and those who wore the uniform before us.

Cheers

Response by LCDR Arthur Glover made Jan 31 at 2018 11:51 AM

LCDR Arthur Glover — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 11:51:12 -0500

Someone mentioned that Obama tried to change the covers of the male Marines dress blues. That was the FAKEST news ever. It was a skit on Comedy Central. As far a uniforms being the same. It would sure make things easier if everyone wore the same uniform. What does the word "uniform mean?

Response by Capt Sabrena Goldman made Feb 5 at 2018 10:32 PM

Capt Sabrena Goldman — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 22:32:18 -0500

Yes searching for man overboard, really not best choice!

Response by SCPO Frank Carson made Jun 25 at 2019 12:34 PM

SCPO Frank Carson — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 12:34:43 -0400

Nope, this sailor is tired of being called a soldier.