Posted on Jul 2, 2015
Should there be one standard combat uniform across all branches of service?
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It would certainly make it more of a uniform. The Navy has 3 different ones (although there is talk of eliminating the blueberry). It would also greatly reduce costs.
At the same time, service identity and pride (Esprit de-Corps) is an important, intangible consideration. I think that would be bolstered if our so called leaders in the Puzzle Palace could actually develop good quality, reliable, durable, comfortable, well fitting uniforms that the troops actually want and like.
I've seen far too many uniform changes over the last 35 years, that were complete flops, yet they all claimed to have had backing from the troops. It is crazy...
At the same time, service identity and pride (Esprit de-Corps) is an important, intangible consideration. I think that would be bolstered if our so called leaders in the Puzzle Palace could actually develop good quality, reliable, durable, comfortable, well fitting uniforms that the troops actually want and like.
I've seen far too many uniform changes over the last 35 years, that were complete flops, yet they all claimed to have had backing from the troops. It is crazy...
Absolutely NOT! We need to keep spending millions of dollars on uniforms. Every time one is developed and put into production another contractor needs to be hired to create another - spending millions on R&D. We need to keep all services developing their own style because it creates jobs, lets the big boys have something to play with. Lets our SNCOs/Officers get out and makes their mark on these important decisions. Just look at the legacy you'd create if you get your design approved!
No, it makes too much common sense to do something like this and we all know common sense is always put in the back of the line when we can let stupid take over; let stupid go forth in spending time and money on something else when a common uniform would save so much over all. After all, if we got so many billions to send over seas, owe China, Japan and who ever else now own the U.S.A., print money at the whim of the private bankers running the country (Fed Reserve) that soon it will take a wheelbarrow full to buy a loaf of bread, then we've surely got enough to waste on so many different uniforms.
No, it makes too much common sense to do something like this and we all know common sense is always put in the back of the line when we can let stupid take over; let stupid go forth in spending time and money on something else when a common uniform would save so much over all. After all, if we got so many billions to send over seas, owe China, Japan and who ever else now own the U.S.A., print money at the whim of the private bankers running the country (Fed Reserve) that soon it will take a wheelbarrow full to buy a loaf of bread, then we've surely got enough to waste on so many different uniforms.
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Yes....without a doubt.
Got really sick of sticking out like a sore thumb when I was on GACs.....hell.....shhhhh.....don't tell anyone......but we actually wore Army uniforms when we could just to blend in .....you know it's never good to stick out when there are snipers around.
Oh and budget blah blah.....save money blah blah....promote inter-service blah blah...
And for those that want a sense of pride or want to be seen as a Marine, Navy, Army, Air Force when walking around the mall, out to dinner, etc...wear your Class-As or Mess Dress and you will be recognized.
Battle uniforms should be universal based on the optimal uniform for the location.
Got really sick of sticking out like a sore thumb when I was on GACs.....hell.....shhhhh.....don't tell anyone......but we actually wore Army uniforms when we could just to blend in .....you know it's never good to stick out when there are snipers around.
Oh and budget blah blah.....save money blah blah....promote inter-service blah blah...
And for those that want a sense of pride or want to be seen as a Marine, Navy, Army, Air Force when walking around the mall, out to dinner, etc...wear your Class-As or Mess Dress and you will be recognized.
Battle uniforms should be universal based on the optimal uniform for the location.
I like the idea of individual branches having their own identifiable uniform, but if they really want to save money, yes one uniform. Think of the millions or even billions it would save.
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Yes the same uniform for all. Who is being held accountable for the sheer waste of taxpayer dollars?
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I honestly don't care either way, but I know it would be more difficult to enforce service standards if we were in all in the same uniform. Is that sailor/soldier/marine/airmen wearing his uniform incorrectly or are the uniform standards different for his branch? I can't imagine the services getting on board to a cross-service uniform regulation when we all have unique functions and requirements.
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SFC Chad Sowash
We didn't have an issue when we all wore BDUs and DCUs, so I'm positive it won't be an issue.
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Question: How can "one standard combat uniform" perform in Bosnia as well as Afghanistan?
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1SG (Join to see)
Having been in both areas, I can tell you that the MARPAT/MultiCam blends into both far better than the ACUs.
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yes
My opinion is if this was accomplished the availability of uniforms would grow and it would be easier to recognize all who serve. If this happens will it lead to rank streamlining as well?
My opinion is if this was accomplished the availability of uniforms would grow and it would be easier to recognize all who serve. If this happens will it lead to rank streamlining as well?
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1SG (Join to see)
There is too much tradition in the separate rank structures for any of the services to change that.
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CW4 (Join to see)
I agree, too much tradition with the rank structure, that will never happen in my opinion.
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Personally, I think having one standard uniform could get rather confusing in joint operations.
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I am old enough to remember when Robert F. McNamara was the SECDEF under President Kennedy. He wanted to standardize all kinds of things across the services. From a dollars and cents perspective standardization makes sense. Everyone gets the same boots, socks, underwear, rifle, knife, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseas. There would be fewer contracts, fewer variants, more savings. McNamara served in the Army but he was much more of an academic than a military thinker. The uniforms and equipment of the various services need to be mission specific. Some standardization might be a good thing, but the individual services are the most qualified to determine their uniform and equipment needs. Short answer: NO.
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Def should be job specific , the DOD spends a lot to develop combat uniforms but if a certain job or service might not require it such as clerks, mechanics or if your on a ship which camo is useless why devote more money for somthing that might be unnecessary .
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I had an NCOIC back in 2011 while I was in Ft. Campbell who use to tell me all the time that the military was going towards this. Well, we are 7 plus years from him telling me that and we haven't go there, but I do recognize that we might end up there some day. I'll probably be retired when we get to this point, but it would be something to see.
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What ever happened to the green machine? The fruit salad is worse that field and general scrambled eggs on the hats
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We waste too much money on so many different uniforms. .. I STILL HAVE MY BDU'S IN WOODLAND CAMO
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Yes that makes the most sense to have one standard uniform. But it won’t happen cause it makes to much sense and someone can not line there pockets with uniform change money
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