Posted on Feb 10, 2014
Why do we wear an Army "Combat" Uniform when we are not in combat? i.e. Garrison?
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What's the point in calling it a combat uniform when 90% of the folks who wear it are not in combat?
Why am I wearing a "combat" uniform walking around inside a hospital in South Carolina?
Why do I need to be camouflaged or digitized at the PX on family day?
As a matter of fact, the folks who are actually in COMBAT in Afghanistan, don't even wear the Army COMBAT Uniform.
This is pissing me off the more I think about it. Why I ask....just why?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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Because it's cheaper to have ONE type of uniform to issue and maintain than two.
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How about we go back to Khaki's (C or charlies) in garrison? The WWII style uniforms were suitable for everything in the garrison setting, and still present a sharp appearance. Brown leather shoes can be shined daily, and the uniforms could be pressed/starched as needed.
Then those working in the motor pool, mechanics, combat vehicle crew, etc, could use coveralls as needed in their work areas without having to change in 2-3 different uniforms.
This would leave the ACU or its replacement for field use only, and duties "under arms" (MPs, gate guards etc) could still be carried out in the "C" uniforms, leaving the ASU/Bs as a dress/formal uniform.
It worked for years, but was changed for "better" uniforms, which have only seemed to get worse, and more expensive over the years.
Then those working in the motor pool, mechanics, combat vehicle crew, etc, could use coveralls as needed in their work areas without having to change in 2-3 different uniforms.
This would leave the ACU or its replacement for field use only, and duties "under arms" (MPs, gate guards etc) could still be carried out in the "C" uniforms, leaving the ASU/Bs as a dress/formal uniform.
It worked for years, but was changed for "better" uniforms, which have only seemed to get worse, and more expensive over the years.
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I have the unpopular opinion that we should go back to the OD green uniform in garrison. My reasoning:
1.) Professional and useful in a training environment. Not as great as multcam but the cost-benefit is not to be discounted.
2.) it can be ironed and starched with the boots spit polished for daily inspections
3.) cheaper!
4.) larger rank. I've been known to promote a 1SG to CSM in low light conditions... But on the downside I would miss seeing the older SPC that I work with being saluted because the rank together with his salt and pepper hair is sometimes construed as LTC especially by other services.
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At Bragg 1972/74/75, we had a class-B uniform Khaki's, you were always told work fatigues were not allow off post to wear, not to stop at any store to shop, gas station, alway had to have eather Class -A or B uniform. You could have it on going home, but not to stop and use in the open.
Going to the on post exchange, no fatuiges either, civies or class A or B uniform. On post movie theather, same, you could eat at the mess hall in fatuges.
Going to the on post exchange, no fatuiges either, civies or class A or B uniform. On post movie theather, same, you could eat at the mess hall in fatuges.
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Would you rather wear your service Alpha uniform that's quite uncomfortable
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I think it shows that you are always ready to go to combat! Fight how you train type of thing…
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I have long advocated the four uniform system. IPFU for PT; ACU for field or duty under arms; coveralls for all manual labor; and ASUs/Bs for everything else.
We came to adopt 100% combat dress because we were suddenly an Army at war. That it why we authorized the sowing on of the reverse flag insignia on the combat vehicle crewman uniform amongst other things. The Pentagon people couldn't hop out of their dress uniform and into some fatigues fast enough to show that, even though they were currently non-promotable REMFs, they supported the fight.
Now we have a generation of leaders who know nothing but that and it's scary.
We came to adopt 100% combat dress because we were suddenly an Army at war. That it why we authorized the sowing on of the reverse flag insignia on the combat vehicle crewman uniform amongst other things. The Pentagon people couldn't hop out of their dress uniform and into some fatigues fast enough to show that, even though they were currently non-promotable REMFs, they supported the fight.
Now we have a generation of leaders who know nothing but that and it's scary.
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1LT (Join to see)
I didn't mean to insult or upset you and I am sorry if I did.<br>The wear of the dress uniform was not a daily thing in most units, we starched the BDUs to oblivion in its place and that's a different subject. I recall hearing about the Pentagon affecting a switch back to dress as the uniform of the day around 2010. <br><br>In short: Everyone. The training calendar should prescribe the activities and the associated uniform for the day. PRT can be conducted in IPFU or (modified) ACUs. All active logistics functions (maintenance, transportation, supply, etc) and other manual labor should be done in coveralls. Any duties that involve being under arms, in the field, or otherwise completing SMCT tasks should be in ACUs. This leaves orderly rooms, staff, analysts, and all other positions that aren't better suited for exercise, labor, or combat uniforms in Bs.<br><br>This of course means that some people may wear three different uniforms in a day when the training calendar calls for that. Cooks, medics, and assorted other job fields (such as plain clothes CID) would retain their special uniforms for their special duty.<br><br>I am just really sore with seeing a someone sitting at a desk in an uniform that was designed to be worn and wrinkled under body armor instead of an appropriate "I'm in an office and I will look presentable" uniform. <br>
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SFC Casey O'Mally
1LT (Join to see) Sir, I signed up and served before we were a nation at war. Uniform of the day, most days, was still the "combat" uniform. (Back then it was BDUs, not ACUs, but it was still our combat uniform.). And, aside from ceremonial duties like Change of Command), mine were never starched, let alone starched into oblivion. AR 670-1 at the time, as well as the care instructions of the uniform itself specifically prohibited starch.
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Well, prior to that, it was the Battle Dress Uniform in Garrison.
Wearing ASUs all day might be a tad bit more annoying.
Wearing ASUs all day might be a tad bit more annoying.
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