Would you support a standard uniform for all branches of service? Why or Why not?

Doesn't the uniform requirement have to fit the needs on the specific mission? More so the environment that they will be going to to defend us.

Chief, and ALLCON: I was at the last combined LOGEX held at Fort Picket back in the day. A Joint Field Ex - we had Canadian military types with us as well. They shared with us the Canadian military tried that very idea, and it was the biggest "Recruiting" disaster ever in the history of the Canadian armed forces. Young people wanting to become engaged in a specific aspect of any of the armed forces sought to be recognized by the roll-specific uniforms for that area. Turning off that inducement, exchanging it for a 'one-size-fits-all' vanilla outfit, choked off their enlistment numbers in a heartbeat. Senior military leaders couldn't get that turned off quick enough. U.S. common uniform? Didn't work for the Canadians and I REALLY don't believe it would work for us!

Stupid idea

No way. Love my NWUs.

I support a standard combat uniform for all the branches. The biggest argument about having distinct uniforms is that it is "tradition". These people forget that before the whole digital camouflage fad, all the branches wore BDUs. Since then the branches have spent tons of money on their service distinct uniforms that don't provide a distinct tactical advantage. With a standard uniform, that money can be spent on more important things. A standard uniform also makes the logistics a lot easier, saving even more money. We work for the people and shouldn't be frivolously spending their money on combat uniforms that don't effectively do their job. If I am in a foxhole getting shot at, I don't care if the uniform I'm wearing shows my service's distinct look. All I care about is if it conceals me so that I'm not a bigger target for the enemy.

With that being said about the combat uniform, I think there should still be service distinct dress uniforms. This is where the argument for tradition is actually valid. If I am in my dress uniform it is a formal occasion and I actually care about pride in my service, as opposed to when I'm getting shot at. Logistically it would still cost more to have service distinct dress uniform but the services are changing their dress uniform as often. This means they aren't spending as much money on development of new uniforms. I think if they tried to get rid of service distinct uniforms for both combat and dress uniforms there would be too much backlash. I think that having a unified combat uniform will solve many of the problems they are trying to fix.

I don't know about this. Considering our different rank structures, I think having different uniforms is a good way to tell what branch you're looking at from a distance, so when you see a bit bird on someone's hat you know what to say to them.

We all wore chocolate chips in DESERT STORM. I hate to sound like a conspiroist, but how long after we all look the same before someone asks the question "why different services?"

I have a great deal of respect for our sister services, but I have more pride in my own, therefore I prefer the separate look.

Only if it saves money, in textiles these days I am not sure it would.

The concept is great, however the problem that occurs is that our working uniforms need to be closely matched to our working environments. I can not imagine any one style, or fabric that would be appropriate to working in a ships engineering pit, on a flight line, a base, a battlefield, And whichever other locations our forces find themselves working in on a day to day basis. The only time that one standard uniform would work would be if we were all working in the same environment.

The issue that arises then becomes the problem of each individual having to keep several different types of uniforms that wouldn't use for years at a time.

I like that each branch has its own identity, however I'm not opposed to wearing the same uniform during deployment, as we should all be wearing the most functional concealment in a combat zone. I also think it is odd now that the Army is getting a new pattern and it is the only non-digital of all the branches. OCP is hands down better than UCP though.