Where is the new Army Hot Weather (IHWCU) uniform?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:01:13 -0400

On June 1st the Army was supposed to release the hot weather uniform according to ALARACT 027/2019. I haven't heard anything else about it, can't find it at clothing and sales, not online and most people aren't tracking this. Does anyone know where it stalled? Why can't I get them?

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jun 4 at 2019 10:04 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:04:44 -0400

Checked with clothing sales?
http://soldiersystems.net/2019/04/10/starting-1-june-soldiers-may-wear-the-improved-hot-weather-combat-uniform/

Starting 1 June, Soldiers May Wear The Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform - Soldier Systems...

To little fanfare, Army Chief Of Staff GEN Mark Milley authorized the Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform as an optional purchase item, last October. According to ALARACT 027/219, beginning 1 June, Soldiers may purchase it from Clothing Sales Stores and wear it in lieu of the OCP Army Combat Uniform. Alternatively, some units may issue the IHWCU as Organization Clothing (TA-50). An alternate size variant will be available by October. Soldiers...

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jun 4 at 2019 10:44 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:44:37 -0400

I am trying to figure out how much lighter they really are? The standard issue OCP’s are pretty lightweight as it is. Besides, it’s all the other gear that makes you really hot and not the OCP itself. In my unit, we wear the combat shirts under our gear which helps a lot to keep you cooler.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2019 2:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:08:47 -0400

I'm currently here at Fort Benning Sergeant. They were supposed to release them June 1st here and at 2 in Hawaii. However when I went Saturday to buy them they told me it's delayed and they don't know when it'll be available.. Bummer.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jun 4 at 2019 2:09 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:09:58 -0400

If history repeats itself, and the army is fielding a new hot weather uniform, then the next war will be in freezing cold conditions, somewhere like: Alaska, Newfoundland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, etc.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2019 2:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:14:25 -0400

I was issued mine as an RFI item right before deployment, like 2 weeks before we left. So if they are being fielded through RFI right now I would not be surprised if they are back logged.
They arent much cooler than the OCP-FR, still not as cool as the combat shirts. Also, they dont have back pockets for your wallet or magazine when you clear your weapon. They are cool to have, but not worth spending money on. I would wait for it to be issued to you.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 4 at 2019 4:37 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 16:37:18 -0400

You soldiers and your uniforms... Here you go.

Sorry had to do it.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Jun 5 at 2019 3:08 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 15:08:22 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member my guess is someone thought it needed a change

Response by CW4 Eric Clayton made Jun 5 at 2019 10:03 PM

CW4 Eric Clayton — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 22:03:18 -0400

Mine will be at Clothing Sales! I am retiring in 87 days!

Response by SPC Cesar Freytes made Jun 12 at 2019 5:29 PM

SPC Cesar Freytes — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 17:29:23 -0400

Yes its next to the wool uniform we used back in the day. Joking aside the best hot weather uniforms I used was the old jungle fatigue's

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2019 7:33 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 07:33:23 -0400

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/06/26/tired-of-sweating-in-your-acus-try-these-new-hot-weather-cammies/

Tired of sweating in your ACUs? Try these new hot-weather cammies

The uniform will be available for purchase but not a required clothing bag item.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 2:16 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 02:16:22 -0400

Uniforms are being sold in Hawaii and at Fort Benning initially. By February 2020, the plan is to have the IHWCU available at all clothing and sales. The issue the army is facing currently is supply and demand along with expectation management. It was not truly believed they would sell the way they have. The Army is also basing sales of the uniform on how much it wants to produce. So it is likely there will be a slinky effect in fielding the uniforms (I.e. pants may arrive before tops, etc.) Hope that helps

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2019 10:25 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 10:25:59 -0400

Just to verify, I used a pair of the original hot weather issued uniforms in Afghanistan earlier this year and was not that impressed (super lightweight but baggy tops, no back pockets, the mesh ankle gators were only annoying in Afghanistan, no velcro on the top flap of the shoulder pockets). The ones they are fielding to clothing and sales now are the version 2’s. The big changes are they added the back pockets back in, added Velcro to the top flap (think original acu shoulder pockets) and adjusted the shoulder pockets to be more ergonomically correct. Great uniform for hot weather, but I think most people are buying them because it’s not as baggy as the OCP’s (who were they sizing those off of??) and a zipper shoulder pocket is the most garbage idea on a field top since the idea of Velcro cargo pockets. Either way- they’re totally sold out at Benning.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2019 12:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 12:58:06 -0400

Any Update On the IHWCU at Ft Benning? I see they're always sold out with the Regular sizes. When do they restock?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 11:51 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 11:51:22 -0400

Hoping they might have some of these available at Sill later this year when I go. Would be nice to pick up a set just to see if they are any cooler.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 4:38 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 16:38:35 -0400

I bought a pair yesterday before I left fort Benning and they are life changing!