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

For the Combat Uniform, this is doable. This is exactly what we did with the BDU / DCU uniforms. All the services wore the same combat uniform for years and modified them for their particular services. That made too much sense. Then somewhere down the line with the development of the ACU, all the other services didn't like it and therefore went off to develop their own combat uniform(s). It just adds to confusion on the battlefield. This color uniform, that color uniform, these color boots, those color boots, it’s redundant, rediculious and a waste of taxpayer money.

As for each services dress uniform, I do not agree that one uniform is best. The Marines by far have had that corner of the market covered for years. They don’t look like anybody else and nobody else looks like them and by tradition that should stay that way. The Navy is second with their own unique uniforms, though without all the pomp of the the Marine Uniform. The current Army and Air Force uniforms, specially before the issuing of the Army Service Uniform, looked almost identical, except made with different color cloth. I guess that is a carry over from when the Air Force was still the Army Air Corps.

So when I see you on the battlefield, all I really need to know is that you are an American combatant and I’m really not concerned with service you represent, unless there is a specific need, and we can easily figure that later if necessary. But if I’m watching a parade, I want to see each service stand out destictively, wearing uniforms representative of each service.

Absolutely NOT !!! Our Dress Blues represent much that has to do with our heritage. ie. the Leather Neck, the Blood Stripes, the Eagle Globe and Anchor, the wide belt to hold a saber (or cutlass back in the early days), etc... Why must it ALWAYS be some "grand unification" which is nothing more than a "blandification" and total disregard for heritage and tradition? Why does it seem to me that every one of these types of questions concerning history and tradition are usually asked by Army personnel. As far as I know, you people have a long and glorious history. Why would you want to make everything the same? Is it something that has been indoctrinated in to you which makes you just want to be one homogeneous mass? What about all the BS about the frigging berets? You couldn't be happy with the Green Berets. You then had to have the Rangers Red Beret. Now (like a bunch of whine ass school children who have to get a trophy just for participating) the Army had to authorize the damn Black Beret so no ones feelings would be hurt. Sorry if I offended anyone. I am just calling it like I see it.

I think the different services have unique needs and the uniforms should reflect those needs. Creating a single uniform across the entire DOD wouldn't be a good idea in my opinion.

No I don’t support it

All the combat services should wear the same uniform. Navy has always had their duty uniform on ship. Air Force aircraft maintenance needs a different type of duty uniform. Army, Marines, and field service Air Force personnel should have the same camouflage uniform so they are recognized by each other and by allies.

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Well at one time the old BDU was worn just about by everybody is some form or another, then the Marines got their new pattern and after that everybody had their own pattern and color.

It makes sense and maybe a standard rank change too and get rid of Spc ranks and just have corporals

While I personally think the various camouflage patterns have been more a product of, "Sustained employment for DoD civilians at research labs" than anything else, I do have a couple of thoughts on previous comments. #1 The "cost-saving" argument is likely moot. At any given time, there will be some contract cost differences, but the "volume discount" on 1 million vs. 200 thousand is either zero or negligible. #2 Service differentiation can be limited to rank/service/branch and not affect much of anything. Maybe it was a different time and a different war, but I will guarantee the VC knew when they were taking on Marines vs. Army. The enemy had intel too! #3 This is the first time (to my knowledge, I may be wrong) we have had so many differences -- see my lead-I for part of the explanation. The rest is like emergency responders -- everyone wants to by both "current" and "different."

One Uniform for each theater makes sense in that all supply could work in one direction, equipment could be easier to transfer from unit to unit regardless of branch. Also if there was some kind of uniform standard for across the board so on every person walking by I can see clearly where rank should be so I am not looking all over for it. (maybe that is dated I have been out for a while) While service back in CONUS wear whatever the Branch wants their Service Members to look like. When in the face of the world look as if we stand united...