SSG Matthew Thomas 12440 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Maybe I am a bit old school in saying I liked the Shined Boots and Pressed Uniforms. You would take pride in the fact that your uniform was squared away. Now you wear a pajama uniform. I feel the military needs a garrison professional uniform and a field/deployment uniform. Am I the only one??? 2013-11-27T10:42:39-05:00 SSG Matthew Thomas 12440

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Maybe I am a bit old school in saying I liked the Shined Boots and Pressed Uniforms. You would take pride in the fact that your uniform was squared away. Now you wear a pajama uniform. I feel the military needs a garrison professional uniform and a field/deployment uniform. Am I the only one???

2013-11-27T10:42:39-05:00 2013-11-27T10:42:39-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 12468

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm ready to go back to the BDU's myself. I have a couple pair of highly shined boots in my closet just begging to be brought out of retirement!!

2013-11-27T11:57:18-05:00 2013-11-27T11:57:18-05:00 1SG Steven Stankovich 12563

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SSG Thomas, I understand your argument.&amp;nbsp; I was the last person in my SQDN to change from BDUs to ACUs.&amp;nbsp; I thoroughly enjoyed shining my boots and pressing my uniform everyday.&amp;nbsp; With that being said, let me offer you another perspective.&amp;nbsp; The instilling of pride in your uniform or your Soldiers begins with you.&amp;nbsp; You can still conduct in-ranks inspections of your Soldiers.&amp;nbsp; You can still ensure that they are wearing the uniform correctly, that their haircut is within regulations, and check ID cards and ID tags.&amp;nbsp; Conduct a Class A or B inspection on a regular basis.&amp;nbsp; Maybe make the Class B uniform the uniform of the day a few times a&amp;nbsp;month.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;If you show that it is important to you and the Army, that degree of importance will be adopted by your Soldiers.&amp;nbsp;

2013-11-27T15:45:36-05:00 2013-11-27T15:45:36-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 12575

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>no you are not the only one, as they all say " Its the new digital army" , uniforms are bad, we got no money for anything, but hey we drive on. lol

2013-11-27T15:59:09-05:00 2013-11-27T15:59:09-05:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 12598

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;ve only worn the ACU, so I can&#39;t speak to the BDU. However, I am glad that I don&#39;t have to shine boots. It seems tedious, and I&#39;m not sure how professional it is. (It&#39;s only professional if the institution says it is. I mean, seriously, how many other professions have the hair cuts that we have? After I get my hair cut for drill, I look like a fool on Monday because my military &quot;professional&quot; hair cut looks stupid in the civilian work place.) I do, however, iron my ACUs in the same way that I iron my civilian clothing. Wrinkles look stupid. Oh, and I have every sewed on to my ACUs for the same reason; it just looks better.&amp;nbsp;

2013-11-27T16:23:19-05:00 2013-11-27T16:23:19-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 13123

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>We are not required by USAREC to wear our ASU's but I have all of my recruiters wearing the B's (because it freaking hot in Cali) every Monday and Thursday. The ACU's are "fine" but not for recruiting.

2013-11-28T17:29:22-05:00 2013-11-28T17:29:22-05:00 LTC Martin Metz 13677

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Professionalism can be exhibited externally by the uniform, but in battle it also comes from something more within us. I polished boots&amp;nbsp;from my days as a ROTC cadet&amp;nbsp;in 1971 up to when I was issued ACUs in 2006 for deployment. Quite frankly, I don&#39;t miss the spit shining one bit. I thought the first ACU uniform I was issued did seem somewhat pajama like, but practicable (if a little less durable than the BDUs). There is a move on for more wearing of the Class A and B uniforms in garrison / office environments as a counter to the very casual attitude we developed with the comfortable ACUs. Knowing the military as I do up to my retirement in 2011, I expect the Army to go too far in the other direction with much more emphasis on a &quot;dressier&quot; look. Who knows,&amp;nbsp;some General or CSM of the Army trying to make a name for themselves&amp;nbsp;may decide to return to their early days in the Army with the need for high shine boots and direct everyone be immersed in the tradition again. It won&#39;t be first time, nor the last.

2013-11-30T12:40:39-05:00 2013-11-30T12:40:39-05:00 CPO Jon Campbell 13723

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I picture a day when everyone wears a suit like the kind the cop wears in the TV show Continuum. It would be a smart suit that could change from to match the occasion. Imagine walking into a building in BDUs, pushing a button and having your clothes appear as full dress with the appropriate ribbons and devices appearing exactly in the right places. <div>I think if the services had spent half the money they wasted on all the new camo tech like that would be a reality today. </div>

2013-11-30T15:26:58-05:00 2013-11-30T15:26:58-05:00 Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member 13745

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Personally, even going back to the BDU days, let's call it like it is - wearing camo, when you work in a office, looks pretty silly.  If we want to go back to a basic utility uniform for garrison duty - whether or office or something that doesn't require coveralls (MX) or the actual use of camo on a regular basis, I think we'd be better off going back to fatigues - whether we keep the old "pickle suit" color or not.  Otherwise, heck, I work in the NCR, it's blues (class Bs) Mon - Thurs, ABUs on Friday, like it was before 9-11.  But yeah, I wish we had something utilitarian but not camo for garrison wear.  <br>

2013-11-30T16:02:30-05:00 2013-11-30T16:02:30-05:00 SPC Private RallyPoint Member 13753

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have to agree with you SSG Thomas.  The ACU looks horrible in Garrison.  Not being able to starch and press them takes away from the squared away look of the Army in garrison. <br>

2013-11-30T16:17:21-05:00 2013-11-30T16:17:21-05:00 SGT Tommy Silvas 13761

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Iam from the BDU era I do find the new uniforms Different With the Velcro   patches  and all, not judging just a different era but it is hard for me to get use to the absence od spit shinned boots, another thing I find odd is seeing soldiers at airports in the camo uniform, in my day that wasn't allowed it was class A uniform or civilian clothes.

2013-11-30T16:39:30-05:00 2013-11-30T16:39:30-05:00 SGT Tommy Silvas 13764

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><p>Old style jungle fatigues with the slanted pockets my maroon beret and spit shined jump boots that looked good</p><p> </p>

2013-11-30T16:44:07-05:00 2013-11-30T16:44:07-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 13765

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I wore BDU&#39;s when I was in the Marines back in the nineties. The BDU/ACU is a working uniform, the kind of uniform that you should be able to wear in the field, or working under a truck, or for any other sort of situations that the service uniforms just aren&#39;t appropriate.&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;That being said, I can&#39;t tell you the amount of time that I had to spend pressing and starching BDU&#39;s, spitshining boots, applying M-NU to insignias, etc.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The garrison creep really became ridiculous. If you had a small, tiny rip that you repaired or a small stain on a field uniform, regardless of what the regs said they became unserviceable.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I never want to go back to that again. I understand the concept of looking good in uniform and being &quot;squared away&quot;, but anybody that has had to deal with zero defect mentality that ran rampant back then will understand that I have no desire to go back to the days of buying a new set of BDU&#39;s every month or so because the ones I had &quot;didn&#39;t look new enough&quot;, or had a minor oil spot that didn&#39;t cut the mustard.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;If we were to make a change to wearing class B or C uniforms in garrison it would just end up the same place it did back then- with Soldiers having to buy a new belt tip/buckle monthly and new shirts on a regular basis way outside of the clothing replacement allowance because of the leadership insisting on the zero defect mentality.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I absolutely think that payday activity uniform inspections are important- it lets the leadership ensure that dress uniforms are kept squared away for when they are needed, and establishes a bit of esprit de corps- but I don&#39;t want to see that every day.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Regardless of what we say to each other that it wouldn&#39;t end up that way we can look back at history and see that&#39;s exactly the cycle we will end back up on.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;

2013-11-30T16:45:10-05:00 2013-11-30T16:45:10-05:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 13769

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I miss the old days when you had to starch your BDU's and spit shine your boots it was such an art form. Then on Mondays doing an in ranks inspection and seeing the pride on joes face when he knows he looks good. Them where the good old days!!! ATW!!!

2013-11-30T16:53:29-05:00 2013-11-30T16:53:29-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 13802

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think what we ought to do is make the ACUs as is the garrison dress, and come up with a better camo for a combat uniform.  <div>I've spent way too much time and money ironing, dry-cleaning, and shining stuff for daily duties.  I remember when they require creases  in your combat/utility uniform; in my opinion, garrison mentality gone too far, up there with with award ceremony formations at Balad.  Great way to line us up for the enemy mortar teams...</div>

2013-11-30T18:11:37-05:00 2013-11-30T18:11:37-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 13822

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I grew up with BDUs and took pride in having spit shined boots and uniforms so starched one had to punch and kick through the starch.  As a young Soldier I was only concerned with exceeding expectations.  As I grew more experienced I realized how much time was being squandered for a false sense of pride.  I found it more beneficial to have my Soldiers spend twenty minutes studying a particular aspect of their MOS then 30 minutes on a shine often lost in 15 minutes.  After all it is what a Soldier knows that truly sets them apart from their peers.  <div>   For the most part those who maintained a sharp appearance day after day did perform better than those who could not be bothered.  However there were some Soldiers who were all appearance and no substance.  I think possessing attention to detail is essential to all military members and can still be reinforced by the in ranks inspection.  One would be surprised if just normal uniform standard were inspected.  For instance presence of green vs white socks, authorized tan rigger type belt, ID tags (OCONUS assignments), ID card, government travel card, weapons card, military/civilian drivers license...  </div>

2013-11-30T19:21:59-05:00 2013-11-30T19:21:59-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 13828

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I miss those days. I recall seeing a recruiter in his dress uniform and it looked sharp. The appearance of a dress uniform would stand out. Now we only have ACU as the common uniform. It is a combat uniform. It was not meant for a formal event or even as office wear. It looks sloppy. I am often wondering when did the persona change. In WWII the uniform was a honor to wear and soldier would be found wearing it for formal events instead of civilian attire. They had pride. <div><br></div><div>I take pride in my uniform and always keep it ready for any situation that may arise as another has already mentioned. </div>

2013-11-30T19:32:09-05:00 2013-11-30T19:32:09-05:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 13871

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I came in the Army just as they changed to the ACUs; in fact my basic was one of the first cycles to get ACUs. I never got to experience shining of boots and pressing and starching your uniforms. I do want to comment on the military looking professional. Every time someone writes a post on how we look as professionals a lot of people argue about how it doesn't compare to civilian jobs, how CEOs have longer hair why cant I, and things of that nature. I just have to say so what. You are not a member of a civilian company, you are not working in a fortune 500 company, you are not a CEO in a civilian office. For those people who want to compare yourselves to your civilian counterparts. Get out and go get a civilian job. When someone questions your professionalism and you counter by comparing yourself to a completely different field all you are really doing is helping their argument. You can not uphold the standards of a service member and look professional. Pretty soon people in the military are going to start arguing about why they have to do things compared to others jobs. Cooks complaining they have to wear hats in the kitchen but mechanics don't have to wear hats, S shops complaining that aviation gets to wear flights suits and look professional why cant I, and non airborne complaining that airborne gets to wear boots in ASUs and I wanna to.  Looking professional has to do with the job you currently have and the position you currently hold. I have seen a lot of dirty looking guys that look perfectly professional behind the register at a gas station should we start letting our forces emulate them or should we continue to be the standard.

2013-11-30T21:24:45-05:00 2013-11-30T21:24:45-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 18969

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I miss the sharper-looking BDUs and black boots myself. I still iron (and sometimes starch) my ACUs, I have 3 pairs of boots (one for rucking, one for work, one for sponsoring SOQ/NCOQ/SAMC boards), and I have leather low-quarters just so I can get my spit-shining fix (plus they last forever and don't scuff like the patent leather ones.) I probably just have too much time on my hands, but when I joined the Army, (before 9/11), it was because of how much respect I had for the uniform.

2013-12-11T13:56:43-05:00 2013-12-11T13:56:43-05:00 WO1 Private RallyPoint Member 18972

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>To this day I stare in disbelief at my floor in the barracks and the multiple iron marks on it.

2013-12-11T14:03:51-05:00 2013-12-11T14:03:51-05:00 SSgt Lonnie Montgomery 19265

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><p class="MsoNormal">SSG Thomas, I agree with your comments and add a couple of<br />my own.  <p></p></p><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">When we as a nation receive our war casualties for the 1st<br />time on American soil it should be done in our dress uniforms.  The official receiving party as well as those<br />assigned to carry each flag draped caskets is representing our nation as well<br />as her military.  This solemn duty should<br />be performed with military precision, appearance, and pride.<p></p></p><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Fatigues, BDU’s are work uniforms and as such should be worn<br />in garrison/post/base only.  They should<br />not be seen at airports, shopping malls, ball games and the like unless in an official<br />work capacity.  <p></p></p><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Old school maybe, tradition yes, military pride hell yes!<p></p></p>

2013-12-12T02:57:03-05:00 2013-12-12T02:57:03-05:00 PO1 Donald Kennelly 329510

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When I was in the "green navy" I found that on the Army bases that the spit shining and starched uniforms were a bit overboard as I saw younger soldiers dressed down for minor infractions such as scuffed boots after walking across base. I wore BDUs as was expected to have a shine and an ironed crease without starch as you could see the sheen in NVGs. I thought this was fine for normal use. I was of senior enough that I had no issues with those zero tolerance uniform Nazis on either AF or Army bases (I didn't wear rank insignia).<br /><br />HOWEVER, my first 15 years in the "blue navy" saw a switch from what looked like janitorial uniforms back to dungarees (denim pants, chambray shirts) that were perfectly suited to the Navy, both on shore and at sea. We were not authorized to wear them off base. The idea was that the denim was tough enough for day in, day out maintenance work and when ironed, they looked perfectly fine for those in the administrative services. <br /><br />I recently was at a boot camp graduation (in my blues) and found that they have switched from dungarees to a blue camouflage uniform similar to BDUs and had to wonder at the reasoning behind this change. I cannot figure out the adoption of blue camo print. Plain blue BDUs I can almost see IF it has the same wear as denim (which I doubt). You would WANT to be seen if you were blown or fallen overboard into the sea, and there is NO way that it could be appropriate as a uniform on land.<br /><br />Okay, long story short.. There are times that camo/BDUs are what is needed. In the field without spitshine or starch. On base maintenance? Maybe. I think the uniform should be able to match the worktype on base and if deployed or playing games the no shine / starch is appropriate. As stated before, it's a matter of the NCOs incorporating professionalism into their folks plain and simple. Adaptation to the regs and support thereof is necessitated.

2014-11-16T12:45:20-05:00 2014-11-16T12:45:20-05:00 2013-11-27T10:42:39-05:00