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So I was looking at my OCP Uniform the other day and I started to think to myself... If I can get my badges, rank, and nametapes sewed on my uniform, what was the point of switching from the BDU'S? One of the many reasons the ACU'S were brought into existence was to save Soldiers money by not having to sew everything on..fast forward 10 years and you can sew anything on and it's even more expensive now then it was then. I can go on about the buttons and how OCP looks like a different color woodland pattern but wanted to pose this question for everyone. Thoughts?
Uniforms
OCP
ACU
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 49
Personally, I really do think someone somewhere in the Army is getting some nice kickback for this.
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SSG Robert Webster
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - Those ID10TS have to try and blame someone. Heck the BDU was a failed uniform before it even got fielded.
The other thing is that it almost always goes back to $$$.
The other thing is that it almost always goes back to $$$.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - While I was stationed at Hanscom AFB, MA We had some people there from the Canadian Air Force there also, and the camo pattern on their uniforms was far superior to what i saw US Force using. Seems someone could have learned from that, they got it right. Is it that hard to see that someone has a pattern that actually works to blend with the surroundings instead of the foolish things I see being used here ?
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MAJ James Woods
I'll have to look up old acquisition articles cause I remember the (MARPAT) uniform design the Marines adopted was being looked at by the Army first but the Army didn't want it cause they wanted a one color digital scheme that fit every operational environment; which led to the atrocious ACU design.
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A retired COL or General needed an after military income so we got ACU's. We realized the ACU's sucked, but if we went back to BDU's we would be basically admitting ACUs were a bad idea so we handed off the money train to another retired COL or General to get a marginally better uniform. *I'm just guessing here.
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The worst decision was going to the mall cop uniform. Go to the WWII Korea era khaki class B, and brown shoe "pinks and greens." The troops, in a survey, overwhelmingly choose those uniforms. The colonels and generals on the uniform board at the time were 11th ACR. They ignored the troops completely. I am convinced that the uniform board is made up of men who wore leisure suits in the seventies.
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SSG Walter Corretjer
300% with you LTC Smith and SSG Hurst.It should be mandatory,to use a Class B or Class A,for light duty and office work,beside class room training.Aso when air traveling on orders,like we use to do many years back.
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SPC John Parmenter
Prior to about 1966, U.S. Army wore Class A khaki uniforms in summer -- long sleeve shirts, service or garrison caps, ties & low quarter shoes. Khakis were sometimes worn in "under arms" configuration (parades, honor guard, interior guard, etc.) -- helmets, branch-color scarves, pistol belts, & boots.
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i never felt sewing things on camo uniforms was a big problem, USAF still does., Army used to. Once its done i think its a lot easier than having to place insignia etc every time You wear the uniform.
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SSG (Join to see)
I would agree, in 2014 once I hit Khandahar I had them sew on my name tape and US Army tape. Could not stand the velcro.
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PFC Christopher Voechting
I hate the Velcro!!! What happened to noise discipline? You can hear someone opening their pocket from a thousand meters!!!
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SGM (Join to see)
Never saw the need to wear your 201 file on your chest (or license plate for that matter) anyway. You know what you've done, why does anyone have to wear it on a class c uniform other than vanity?
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
PFC Christopher Voechting - Good point, one I hadn't though of, a buttoned pocket makes no noise !
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What is old is now new, my attic looks like an Army surplus store between the changes in Utility and Dress uniforms, not counting gear. Between the good idea fairy and obvious contractor kickback and corruption this is the business as usual Army model. Somewhere in a basement office in the Pentagon the next version of Ghee wiz uniform, weapons system and training module is being created and planned for roll out. I am still waiting for my Predator invisible uniform with pulse cannon :) It will arrive just in time to bury me in it.
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The BDU really was an "outdated" pattern for where we fought (in the previous few conflicts), just like the greens were outdated when we replaced them. Like everything else, our uniforms needed to evolve with the times. The USMC chose to go with the MARPAT ("summer" and "winter" patterns). The Army went the ACU route ("universal"). The idea of a universal pattern makes A LOT of sense, but it wasn't pragmatic.. or the ACU just wasn't the right pattern (or a combination of the two). The OCP is MUCH better / closer to that idea.
As for the sewing on etc, they realized there were other issues with the ACU and adjusted it with the most recent change.
As for the sewing on etc, they realized there were other issues with the ACU and adjusted it with the most recent change.
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SGT Brian Watkins
"The BDU really was an "outdated" pattern for where we fought (in the previous few conflicts)". While I will agree the patterns needed to evolve, the process of requisitioning, bidding, research and development etc etc is so full of shit that the ACU was chosen over a more superior pattern. We fielded this shitty pattern which is not cheap, and now we are full swing back to greens. Someone is definitely getting kick backs in D.C.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SGT Brian Watkins - The Requisition process is "complex" to say the least, and full of politics. Little things from Buy American to Berry Amendment can change how we buy things dramatically because they change how fast we can get things, especially during an escalating conflict.
Remember MARPAT was approved for wear and phasing in at almost exactly the same time as 9/11 (it was essentially done when the war started). ACU happened about 2 years after that (Big Army moves a little slower). The War on Terror "escalated" the design process. We don't get the best designs when we're focused on better things.
Remember MARPAT was approved for wear and phasing in at almost exactly the same time as 9/11 (it was essentially done when the war started). ACU happened about 2 years after that (Big Army moves a little slower). The War on Terror "escalated" the design process. We don't get the best designs when we're focused on better things.
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Total pork spending. The BDU's/ACU were fine...No wonder our defense budget is so bloated.
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1 portion Good Idea Fairy, 2-5 portions O4 and O5 bucking for that next rank, baste with one O6 looking to make One Star, mix liberally with three or four contractors and a backdoor deal or two, season with budget dollar battles for the next fiscal year. Frappe thoroughly in the Government Contracts blender. Pour into individual glasses, and force-feed to the troops. Voila. New uniforms.
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SSG (Join to see)
You forgot the step where the mixture is simmer so the common sense can be separated and discarded.
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SSG Steve Finlan
You are correct, SSG. Can't have anything like sense near it. Especially common sense.
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Forget the uniforms ...think about the hats that have proliferated - both Class A, Dress and fatigue. Someone should write a history especially about fatigue hats. I can't think how many times we changed hats over my 30 year career. My least favorite was the pseudo- baseball hat of the Viet Nam era. You could never get it to look right. My favorite of all time is the old Army campaign hat. The one shown is from 1904 - and was worn by an Ordnance officer in the 10th Cavalry.
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SGT Michael Niese
Personally would rather have had the "boonie hats" for the BDU/ACU instead of beret or Ball cap. Beret for Dress Uniform.
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