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

I am 30 year retired Navy. Over the years the uniform has changed many times. I have one thought on this. If we change the uniform then the Service should pay for the ORIGINAl outfit, keeping up with the uniform board changes cost a fortune. Contrary to popular belief, the uniform is to keep one from shooting their buddy, not to hide oneself from the enemy. If we could put our enemy in a look alike uniform we could beat them in a day. Knowing who to shoot is the problem. Friend or foe, if the enemy looks like civilians who do we shoot? Special OPS in special conditions need special uniforms. Durable, comfortable uniforms is what gets us through a hard day.

No !! The enemy has to be able to identify Marine Corps grunts in the field and be prepared to get their asses kicked whether they run or not..

It seems that they change for the hell of it also, I can see different dress uniforms but somebody is making money off of this

I would support having common utility and physical fitness uniforms only. Don't touch the other uniforms. They represent our heritage and history, which are important for building esprit de corps.

I agree with SFC Jackson

Yes, I think all services should have the same field uniform. But in gearson, especially people who see a lot of persnnel should wear some kind of Class B uniform. Something easy to work in. Maybe just a white or tan top with OD green pants which include females. Since so many women want to integrate in a multi cultural military, there should be no dresses and the cap/hats they wear are the same. I also do not like the new female hair dress code. Again, they want to play the game to the letter that play it all the way. I AM not trying to a smart butt but its all about cleanliness and the ability to wear their hellment correctly. I was a 1SGT in Europe and was one of my biggest issues was the women could not get their helmet on corectlt or their head gear. It all comes down to safety. Also when we replied to Gulf War I we got emerdion heaters for a bit of a hot shower. The troops spent hours putting them together and getting them to lite. The next day, all of a sudden all the females (we only had about 6-8) cam Dow with either body lice or crabs. I can't remember but they got to was their clothes all nice and neat while our shut was funkey since we had limited water, no buckets to was in and because it was so cold the soap did not come out of the cloths and made several males whith charging, jock itch and rashes on their shin. Since I came from a combat Div (3rd ID) we lived gone one the boarder. I knew that a little bottle of dawn would was you cloths and come out without using a lot of waster. RANT ENDED. hope some learns from it,
Cheers fellow troopers and God bless all active duty soldier, especially the ones still deployed.

Distinguishing between work, utility, and combat uniforms that's on each branch. What one person see's on deployment or in combat should look the same or close to it. Set a handful of color arrangements for environment with the same pattern for broad use. Like the analog that was previously used nearly universally. Name and service tapes obviously will be different. The breast pocket should also show service branch so people can see what's what when not wearing a flak jacket or other armor. Rank on collar and center for armor with a background that shows rank clearly. No guessing how many rockers at distance. Each service chooses stitched, Velcro, pinned, or other for application of rank. What you wear on your head and what is on your breast pocket is a distinguishing factor.

I support it for the simple fact that a common field uniform is cheaper for taxpayers.

Every service has a different and unique function. As such each service has a different uniform that people can identify with.

Maybe so for utilities and Infantry Combat Gear, but Marines will never give up Dress Blues for Officers, Staff NCOs, and Enlisted Personnel, and Evening Dress and Mess Dress uniforms for Officers.

Absolutely not. Each branch has a unique and specific role and should be recognized for that.

Absolutely, the different branches have shared a common uniform throughout the past (e.g. OD green and the BDU are two that come to mind) and though I don’t know why the services choose to kill their budgets by choosing a different uniform pattern, I feel that it’s a great idea. First, from an economic standpoint, the overall DOD budget would be reduced (albeit marginally) as only one uniform pattern is used. Secondly, from a logistical view, it would make it easier for the troops who are co-stationed or stationed remotely to be able to purchase new uniform items and AAFES clothing and sales stores don’t have to stock as much merchandise. However, with the ability to order anything through online stores, troops have an advantage.

Not NO, but HELL NO. I became a Marine because I wanted to be one of the elite, not one of the many. I respect the other services, but they are not Marines. Keep the uniforms seperate.

Only a standard utility uniform, dress should stay the same.

It was already done, in the 1960s to late 1970s, fatigues were universal as was the footgear. Head gear was different for Marines and those sailors who wore the OD fatigues. But you could still tell Soldiers from Airmen and Marines from Sailors. I've been watching my tax dollars for the past 20 years being wasted, especially by the AF, Army and Navy on uniform changes that mean absolutely nothing but wasted tax dollars.

No, the needs of the different services are all unique to some degree or another. For the Navy and USCG for example, fire is a much greater hazard than catching a bullet because you were spotted. Uniforms need to be fire retardant, but for most units, cammo is just plain silly. The USCG also has many small boat units, where the ability to move quickly and freely in tight spaces without snagging is important. They also have to interface with the public in a First Responder/LEO capacity on a daily basis. Having said that, when deployed CG units forward deployed such as the personnel in Afghanistan, should and do wear the BDUs of the units they are deployed with.

I fully agree with SSG Scott Brady. He has really nailed it! Your two cents is worth a million. Good to see some common sense prevailing.

With a few caveats and rules, *perhaps*.
Dress uniform? No.
Working uniform? Yes - with the following caveats:
It must be able to fulfill the requirements of the working uniforms of all branches that it's replacing.
It must be fireproof.
It must have enough pockets for the various jobs performed by the men and women wearing it.
It must be able to be fashioned into a flotation device.
It must present a "smart" appearance.
It must be the *final* change of uniform, so that our military personnel can stop wasting money on new uniforms every time some former "brass" gets a job with a clothing manufacturer.

In the mid 90s BDUs were standardized across the services under Defense Secretary William Cohen. Then it changed. And here we are today. Is this FRAGO #8, #9... I can't keep up.

Regardless, we should wear the uniform based on the environment we are going to be in.

Well, I think it is a good idea, except for fellows on ships... That should be different based on their main operational area.