Posted on Dec 17, 2014
SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
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Multicam joint
Airforce multicam
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the closest I seen to a standard uniform for the Armed Forces was the multicam uniform when I was in Kandahar, and Air Force all wearing the uniform at one point with few deviations. Would do feel about this?
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Capt Staff Officer
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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.
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SGT Infantryman
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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.
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MSgt John Taylor
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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.
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COL John Hudson
COL John Hudson
>1 y
Chief, on that same line of reasoning...the Congress of the United States, in a Branch hearing, asked the US Air Force General level leadership why the Army used Warrant Officer pilots (cheap) yet the Air Force demanded Commissioned Officers (expensive) to fly their aircraft. The answer was ludicrous...a rambling discourse about how much more talent the pilot had, AF aircraft were much more demanding to fly, and a litany of similar nonsense attempting to convince the Panel how much better AF pilots had to be. The instruments in my helicopter troop carriers and gun ships were exactly the same as those in any AF aircraft flying similar roles. In 1970, the Army sent a number of AH1G Cobra helicopter pilots (Warrant Officer) to Edwards Air Force Base in California to conduct combat trials against AF fast movers. Both types of aircraft were equipped with the same acquisition radars and told to go out and 'shoot' each other down. Results? The Army helicopters hit each and every fast mover and the jets never scored one kill throughout the exercise. In fact, the after-action reports stated the jet jocks never even saw one helicopter during the entire exercise! Go back and read about the "Flying Sergeants" in WWII.
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MSgt Billy McDonough
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Only if it saves money, in textiles these days I am not sure it would.
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PO1 Joe StMartin
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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.
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MAJ Program Technician
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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.
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COL Jeff Williams
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Applying this thought to sports, would it be ok if every team wore the same uniform?
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PO2 Avionics Technician
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100%
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SFC Deputy Station Commander
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Yes for the pattern... A "H" no for the design.
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LCpl William Fogle
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No our uniform is our calling card. Hello, USMC here! Whats the problem? Yes we can!
Change what you want, leave ours alone.
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SPC Ch 47 Repairer
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I would like to see a common dress uniform that would have branch insignia displayed. Duty uniforms should vary not necessarily by branch but actual duty performed while deployed and while in garrison. Whether it's the same in each branch is moot to me.
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SPC Ch 47 Repairer
SPC (Join to see)
>1 y
I do believe that any time on foreign soil should at the very least be in a uniform that is all the same "pattern" that would identify us as US Service Members.
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MSgt (Other / Not listed)
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Yes, and let the Marines let themselves roll their sleeves up inside out, so they can feel few and proud.
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MSgt Udm (Unit Deployment Manager)
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Let's definitely move to one uniform. The Army ACU is well designed for actual utility, and this move would consolidate supply and distribution functions, thus saving a metric butt-ton of money.
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MSG Danny Stanley
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I understand the inter-service rivalry, but we went for many years with one camouflage uniform. Sure, each service called it something different, but the pattern was the same and it saved the taxpayers a lot of money. I read somewhere that the USMC created the woodland camo pattern and the other services liked it so much they adopted it. Then the USMC did it again, but they knew the Army would get camo-envy and try to steal it again, so they put the EGA in it. I guess that made the Army mad so they had to do the impossible and create a universal camo pattern that is universally useless. Then the rest of the services had to do their own thing.

Anyway, being the cheapskate that I am, and trying to be a responsible steward of the taxpayers' dollars, I think one camo pattern for all services is a good idea. From a logistics perspective it makes sense. We have one common firearm (with few exceptions) for all services. If someone breaks their M16 they can go to any armorer and have it fixed. We have a lot of commonality amongst services so we can get back in the fight. The ability to be issued a uniform or any other gear from any unit in the field is a big plus when we consider how many units operate with multi-service assets these days.

Edit- I just reread the original question. I do not support one uniform for all services. Each service has their distinct heritage and that should be reflected in their dress uniform. However, for a field uniform I support one pattern.
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Cpl Todd Miller
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Moving to one uniform would be stealing from our culture, and identity. No thanks!
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Cpl Tactical Air Defense Controller
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Absolutely not. Uniforms are to distinguish us from the other branches and as Marines, we take pride in being different than everyone else. The Air Force and army can do what they want, but the Navy and Marine Corps will maintain our distinguishing uniforms.
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SMSgt Thor Merich
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Back in the day (late 70's, early 80's) both the Army and Air Force wore the same green uniforms for daily wear. Then the Army went to BDU's and for the most part, so did everyone else. Now, we all have to be different. It makes economic sense to have one type of uniform for all. But I would let each service add it own touch (such as sleeve rank insignia or other markings).

Each combat environment is different and the quest to find a "one camo pattern to fit all" will always fail. When down range, we should all wear the uniform that makes the most sense for the location.
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SMSgt Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent
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I would totally support it. I think the grey Air Force uniforms get dirt to easly.
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SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
>1 y
I think the Army ACU rip and fade too easy. When/if all the representatives from the branches go into the design mode, it'll be interesting what the "mutual agreed upon" uniforms look like
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PO1 Hospital Corpsman
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Yes, I think a universal combat/ utility uniform would save the DOD a ton of money. No matter what base a service member is at, they could buy utility uniform items. It worked 15 years ago when we all had the old tricolor uniforms. Why wouldn't it work now?
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Cpl Matthew Wall
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I would agree to let the Army wear the Digital Camis of the Marine Corps. On one condition though. You can stick patches all over it. You know why? Because it doesn't have VELCRO.
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SMSgt Thor Merich
SMSgt Thor Merich
>1 y
The army wont wear MARPAT. They copied the basic design pattern but they took out the black because they say "black doesn't naturally occur in nature." The design of the uniform (not the color) is poor and the amount of Velcro is silly.
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