Posted on Dec 17, 2014
Would you support a standard uniform for all branches of service? Why or Why not?
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Absolutely. all factors involved (design, testing, purchase and distribution would be simplified and more cost-effective. Tradition notwithstanding(a factor embedded with many, if not most, of those opposed, would not be a primary factor over time. I'd personally like to see something of which all can be proud - regardless of branch. I do recall earlier attempts at standardization in which it was extremely difficult for those involved to even decide upon a standard belt buckle. Good luck! Great subject; good question.
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No, Here is why;
When I first joined in the 80's the Army, Marines, and Air Force. were starting to come together with the same utility or BDU Uniform mostly to add uniformity is what I was told. the navy had specific requirements that the uniforms of the time did no live up to. By the 90's the three services were wearing the camouflage uniform the Army called BDU's and the Marines simply referred to as Cammies.
The problem the Marines ran into was that the standard of the uniform did not fit well with the needs of the Marine Corps operational tempo, rarely lasted through a deployment, and there was always the costly need to issue a separate dessert uniform for deployment.
In the late 1990's The Marine Corps Uniform Board put out a survey to all Marines asking what they wanted to see or required in a combat Uniform. The survey went on for a few months and the board took all the results and came up with the uniform the Marines currently wear.
There are specific features designed into the uniform that are Marine specific. Wash and wear no iron, pockets inside the knees and elbows for pads, the pocket are designed to be conducive to wearing body armor, the material is very durable in a combat environment, and they are issued in green and tan to save money on TAP issue for Deployment.
It wasn't long after the Marines started issuing the new uniforms that the other services began working with their own designs that were specific to their needs. The navy needs uniforms that are conducive to ship life. the Air Force need uniforms that are tailored to the needs of an Airman. The Army while having most of the requirements of the Marines also need the ability to add unit patches which the Marines do not wear.
So in my opinion trying to make everybody wear the same uniform is simply short sighted to each services needs.
Money is not the issue since each service uses their individual funding in order to purchase the uniforms and once issued the service member is responsible for the upkeep of their uniforms except in specific cases of combat deployment when it is not possible to go to a uniform store and purchase replacements.
So my suggestion is that each service tailor their uniforms to their own needs and leave it at that.
When I first joined in the 80's the Army, Marines, and Air Force. were starting to come together with the same utility or BDU Uniform mostly to add uniformity is what I was told. the navy had specific requirements that the uniforms of the time did no live up to. By the 90's the three services were wearing the camouflage uniform the Army called BDU's and the Marines simply referred to as Cammies.
The problem the Marines ran into was that the standard of the uniform did not fit well with the needs of the Marine Corps operational tempo, rarely lasted through a deployment, and there was always the costly need to issue a separate dessert uniform for deployment.
In the late 1990's The Marine Corps Uniform Board put out a survey to all Marines asking what they wanted to see or required in a combat Uniform. The survey went on for a few months and the board took all the results and came up with the uniform the Marines currently wear.
There are specific features designed into the uniform that are Marine specific. Wash and wear no iron, pockets inside the knees and elbows for pads, the pocket are designed to be conducive to wearing body armor, the material is very durable in a combat environment, and they are issued in green and tan to save money on TAP issue for Deployment.
It wasn't long after the Marines started issuing the new uniforms that the other services began working with their own designs that were specific to their needs. The navy needs uniforms that are conducive to ship life. the Air Force need uniforms that are tailored to the needs of an Airman. The Army while having most of the requirements of the Marines also need the ability to add unit patches which the Marines do not wear.
So in my opinion trying to make everybody wear the same uniform is simply short sighted to each services needs.
Money is not the issue since each service uses their individual funding in order to purchase the uniforms and once issued the service member is responsible for the upkeep of their uniforms except in specific cases of combat deployment when it is not possible to go to a uniform store and purchase replacements.
So my suggestion is that each service tailor their uniforms to their own needs and leave it at that.
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I support it, not only is it cheaper in the long run it also unifys all service branches
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I believe there are significant advantages to a single form of utility uniform with specialty-authorized deviations for safety, performance, and recognition (like law enforcement, first responders, and such). Dress and formal uniforms should stay as they are; there is a lot of branch-specific heritage and culture in those.
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I think a standard uniform could eliminate some of the inter-service rivalries. Actually, I think there should not be different services. We already have different sections within the various branches that overlap: Infantry/Marines, Navy/Air Force aviators, JSOC. A person would join "The Military" to specialize in a particular field. They would be assigned to a base, most of which are joint bases now anyway, that requires that specialty.
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For the utility uniforms I would say yes, keeping branch specific rank insignia. But as others have said the Service Dress should all be branch specific. It makes sense fiscally and when it comes to force protection measures. If there was one uniform and one standard it would make spotting threats in disguise that much easier. From experience being AF I couldn't tell you if someone in the Army is wearing their uniform 100% correct or not, let alone any of the other services.
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I support this 100%! It has gone too far with each service having a different uniform. If we are worried about saving money it seems like this could be one way to do it.
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