To buy or not to buy? Why was there such an initial rush to buy the "Scorpion" ACU amidst SMA's advice?

2015-08-10T19:34:06-04:00

If you had the opportunity, would you have bought the new OCP ACU on the very first day it was available on post? Why were so many people waiting at the doors to buy the new uniform? And what do you think the average rank of Soldiers were on the first day?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 10 at 2015 7:39 PM

2015-08-10T19:39:47-04:00

It's like the iAnything. Just have to have the newest.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 7:56 PM

2015-08-10T19:56:15-04:00

I saw a good mix of people wearing the new uniform right after it came out, probably mostly senior NCOs and officers, but quite a few lower enlisted too. I don't know why, the uniforms they were wearing the day before didn't suddenly stop being serviceable.

As for me, I'm not going to stop wearing perfectly good ACUs simply because the new pattern is out. That's throwing away money. My plan is to slowly start purchasing and wearing the new uniforms as I wear out the ones I've got now. I have until 2019 after all.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 7:56 PM

2015-08-10T19:56:52-04:00

Nope.
frankly I doubt that they are done messing with the design.
I have a veritable ton of serviceable ACUs to wear out before I procure one of these. The Army will issue it to me when it is good and ready.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 8:29 PM

2015-08-10T20:29:55-04:00

I purchased 2 sets in the first week. For a few reasons reason 1, I get my clothing allowance this month. Reason 2, the cost goes up every OCT 1st at the new fiscal year ( don't believe me ask a long term employee of C&S) they evaluate the price each year and it just happens to go up in price each year. Reason 3, I leave for deployment very soon and when I get back, I want to have them ready for wear. I know a large majority will be in the new pattern by this time next year. I was part of the transformation to the ACU from the BDU and although we liked the BDU more it was implied that one had less pride in the uniform if they were unwilling to purchase and wear. Most were in the new pattern within a few months. Also rank immaterial I believe NCO's are the majority purchasers.

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Grice made Aug 10 at 2015 8:40 PM

2015-08-10T20:40:20-04:00

I have absolutely no desire to purchase this, like others have said, until the Army says it is time for me to have it. I also still have a ton of ACUs to wear out. It was mostly Officers and Senior NCOs that have purchased the new uniform. I also don't want to purchase it as I don't want my lower enlisted to feel the pressure to have it since the 1SG does. The CDR and I feel the same way. I can say that with the Officers and Senior NCOs in my Mon-Fri job wearing the new one, the SGTs and SSGs also went out to buy them. Peer pressure.........probably.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 11 at 2015 2:14 AM

2015-08-11T02:14:25-04:00

Is there a problem with Soldiers wanting to be in the new uniform, to show pride in the uniform they wear? Most in the unit were issued the OCP (downrange of for our upcoming adventures)...I see no problem with Soldiers wanting to be in the Scorpion pattern uniform, it is a great looking uniform and much more functional!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 2:29 AM

2015-08-11T02:29:39-04:00

Currently deployed so no chance to get the new uniform.. I'm sure that the average rank was E4 and below.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 11 at 2015 5:55 AM

2015-08-11T05:55:35-04:00

UCP is hands down the worst camouflage pattern we have ever had. You damn right I would have bought some.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made Aug 11 at 2015 7:37 AM

2015-08-11T07:37:28-04:00

The majority of my troops have already purchased the OCP and are proudly sporting them everyday. If they are taking the initiative then so will I. No one is being forced or coerced to make the change but it is important for Soldiers to be proud of the uniform they put on everyday just as they are when they wear their ASUs. As a matter of fact they cleaned out clothing and sales of unit patches and now they are on back-order which is preventing me from wearing the uniform with them.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 11 at 2015 7:48 AM

2015-08-11T07:48:14-04:00

Until is in use by the masses why rush?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 11 at 2015 7:50 AM

2015-08-11T07:50:51-04:00

Because people are tired of looking like mobile Hesco Barriers or gravel pits?

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Aug 11 at 2015 10:12 AM

2015-08-11T10:12:21-04:00

Well I just made my wallet bleed making the changeover yesterday (to the new PTs at the same time as well).

Prior to it coming out I had stated I would make the change when it seemed that a critical mass at JBLM had done so. I wasn't all that enthused about going to a new uniform and was hoping not to make the switch until next FY. I don't think JBLM has as a whole, but over the last few weeks, my workplace had gone from about 5% to probably around 40%.

As much as I hate to say it, because I hate changing uniforms just to change uniforms, I think the Army got the OCP ACU right-ish. It definitely looks more "military." This is something that really stands out when you see people walking around in both. Most of the design changes I really like and feel they make the uniform more practical.

They hit the new PTs out of the park. My old PT gear has already been gotten rid of.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 11:14 AM

2015-08-11T11:14:56-04:00

Why? The old ACU pattern was garbage. It looked like something an air softer would design. The new OCP pattern looks like a military uniform and it is an effective camouflage pattern.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Aug 11 at 2015 12:36 PM

2015-08-11T12:36:45-04:00

Would somebody PLEASE explain why the idiots at Ft Jackson will issue Scorpions to RC Drill Sergeants but not to the 1SG, CDR, Supply Sgt or TNCO assigned down there? Those people couldn't park a bicycle straight.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 1:51 PM

2015-08-11T13:51:05-04:00

I plan to purchase a few sets in the next coming months. The driving force behind my decision is echoed with what others have said, it just looks more military. My enlistment started with BDU's and black boots. There was a sense of pride in having the creases on your uniform like starched blades and the black on your boots shinier than glass. I always felt the ACU uniform was a dismissal to Army tradition and was a step back in terms of wear and appearance. I understand that the lack of function of a shined boot and starched uniform becomes more apparent the more hostile the zone you are in, but the ACU was just such a poor replacement. Multicam/OCP/Scorpion has been my favorite pattern since it was introduce to deploying soldiers years ago. It is the first pattern that actually makes sense in a long time.

On a side note, for those who have purchased the new pattern, how do you feel the fit is compared to the soon to be retired ACU?

Response by SFC Stephen King made Aug 11 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-08-11T14:26:19-04:00

I miss my BDU's (Black Boots) anyway as so eloquently stated in other comments I will not be changing until the wear out date

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Aug 11 at 2015 3:00 PM

2015-08-11T15:00:27-04:00

I haven't gotten any yet mostly because I am waiting for feedback about the uniform to filter back up and then get implemented in the second wave.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 3:28 PM

2015-08-11T15:28:52-04:00

They don't make the OCP version of my SSI, so I will wait.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Aug 11 at 2015 3:42 PM

2015-08-11T15:42:06-04:00

Not to buy! I have 3 uniforms of OCP left. I will wait for the guard to issue them, as we do not get a clothing allowance!

Response by SFC Jason Porter made Aug 11 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-08-11T16:21:02-04:00

It's official I am coming out of retirement!

Response by SGT James Scott made Aug 11 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-08-11T17:11:15-04:00

I have two serviceable pairs of issued OEF-CPs that I began wearing immediately after we were authorized to ditch the fugly UCP pattern. I still want to know why the Army honestly seemed to believe that the shades of grey would blend in anywhere besides a motor pool gravel pit, especially when we were already in combat in deserts and mountains that were/are green and brown! The Multicam OEF-CP is already proven in theater, and the new OCP looks so similar so far I've really only distinguished the two uniforms by looking at the pockets lol, so we know the new Scorpion OCP works in real world combat theaters, so the answer is simple, Soldiers want their camouflage combat uniform to work, which the OCP does, and the UCP fails miserably at. So yes, as a Sergeant E5, if I didn't have my OEFCP I'd have bought the new OCP and worn it as close to the first day I could possible. Rant over, whose next in line for the soapbox?

To answer the second part of your question, in my company, our commander and 1SG, pretty much all the E7s almost all have their OEFCPs, and most of the rest wearing them are E5s and 6s with deployment experience, with only a few junior enlisted wearing the new patterns.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-08-11T18:39:14-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member , I think many people were ready for another uniform every since the UCP ACU was phased in. I hated not being able to wear BDU's and shined boots anymore. I've never been to Afghanistan, so I haven't had the opportunity to wear the OEF multi-cam, but everyone that I've spoken too loves them. I have all of my name tapes, ranks and unit patches, now I just need the OCP's. There is no Army Clothing and Sales were I'm stationed, so I don't know when I'm getting the OCP's.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 8:24 PM

2015-08-11T20:24:20-04:00

Been saying this over and over again. "The military is NOT a fucking fashion show!"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 12:17 AM

2015-08-12T00:17:59-04:00

I am full time ARNG and am thinking about a set for day to day use.

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Aug 12 at 2015 10:39 AM

2015-08-12T10:39:57-04:00

So Im not in any longer, but im willing to bet there were a few leaders who against SGMA's word forced their subordinates to buy them through coercion. That's how it was with the dress blues back in 09-10'. It wasn't "mandatory", but if you didn't have them, you made the unit look bad... so you weren't winning boards, getting the P status, etc...

Response by PO2 Nathan Meyer made Aug 12 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-08-12T10:50:47-04:00

Why is there always a line up outside GameStop whenever a new battlefield or call of duty comes out? Because it's new, "cooler" than the last, and everyone wants to play it right when it comes out.

Same principle with the new uniform.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 11:42 AM

2015-08-12T11:42:12-04:00

Oh idk maybe to look like soldiers. the ACU's color was a horrible idea. We became the British. We wear bright colors & you shoot us.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 1:02 PM

2015-08-12T13:02:23-04:00

Well, I just found out THIS WEEK that I have been selected for active duty as a chaplain. I should get orders as well as my first duty station within a month or so. I plan to buy all new OCPs, PTs, boots, etc, and get sewn-on name tapes, rank, insignia etc. Why? For a few reasons:

1. I'll have to buy them anyway, why not now? (I've saved enough money for them)
2. I want to make a first impression as a professional who takes initiative. That doesn't mean I'm a great chaplain, but you senior leaders know that if you saw your brand new chaplain walk in with ACUs and velcro everything, he would drop at least a half-point in your mind on initiative and professionalism.
3. I like them. I will join the chorus that sings "boo" to the ACU and rejoices in the OCPs.
4. I need new boots, so why not go straight for the coyote brown?
5. I guess I don't have anything more interesting to contribute to RP, so I'll have to settle for small talk about uniforms.

Senior leaders, am I wrong about first impressions? I report in November, so I want to get this right.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-08-13T13:54:20-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member the Clothing allowance for a 1st Term Soldier, at least the first year, is $153. I wouldn't be able to buy the boots for the uniform for the new one. I will wait until I get the full allowance to get them, along with the new PT's.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 14 at 2015 10:41 AM

2015-08-14T10:41:10-04:00

I have held off buying UCP replacement items since this was announced. The fielding was two years of "soon". Now my stuff is worn out and they did not ship any of my size tops with the fielding (XL-XL). So back to waiting....

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 8:49 AM

2015-08-20T08:49:46-04:00

Being a reservist I will wait till they are issued.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 8:01 AM

2015-10-04T08:01:04-04:00

Maybe because UCP is soooo ineffective? Plus it looks horrible.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2015 10:54 AM

2015-12-10T10:54:55-05:00

I will be sporting my comfortable Afghanistan earned Multicams until September 30th, 2019. Even if they issue me the new ones sooner, I wear them with pride and I think they still look better then the new ones. I will admit though, if I didn't still have my Multicams, or if I had not deployed, I would be an earlier adopter of the new uniform. I am a fan.