ACU
ACU
Posted on Dec 26, 2023
Why does the Army uniform still have these giant cargo pockets? Who uses their cargo pockets, and for what reason?
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So I was helping my wife get out the door this morning as usual since I’m retired and she’s still in boots/ (AD - LTC Gaddy). As I was pressing her uniform, I thought to myself, why does the Army uniform still have these giant cargo pockets, and who uses them? In my 26+ years, I never used them and kept them pressed down to look very neat and tidy. Other than basic trainees, who uses their cargo pockets, and for what reason? Is it about time for a real Army uniform update?
OCP
ACU
Uniforms
Edited 4 mo ago
Posted 4 mo ago
Responses: 21
It's called the ACU (Army Combat Uniform), not the AGU (Army Garrison Uniform). Personally, I carried my analog brain in my cargo pocket constantly when I was in garrison.
The cargo pockets (as well as the other pockets) serve a functional role to carry any number of items that a Soldier will need in the field or combat which needs to be readily accessible - MREs and other equipment (cargo pocket), extra magazines (lower leg pockets), etc.
I suppose the military could create yet another uniform - a "garrison combat" uniform that puts form over function and the current one that puts function over form.
The cargo pockets (as well as the other pockets) serve a functional role to carry any number of items that a Soldier will need in the field or combat which needs to be readily accessible - MREs and other equipment (cargo pocket), extra magazines (lower leg pockets), etc.
I suppose the military could create yet another uniform - a "garrison combat" uniform that puts form over function and the current one that puts function over form.
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SSG Dave Johnston
From 1976 to 1980 it was either cotton fatigues or cotton polyester fatigues, no cargo pockets, pistol belt and ammo pouches if you needed to carry extra krap around. 1980 thru 1990's Woodland pattern camoflugies or the "Chocolate chips" with cargo pockets, if assigned to middle east ie MFO... The cargo pockets worked well for that crypto pad we had to carry in the field but that was in NATO's heyday. When I left Active duty in 1992 the Dept Army hadn't started to add all the additional gear GI Joe has to drag around today...
I suppose, a coverall could work for garrison duty, and just let one's "down range", "field exercise", "deployment uniforms" hang in a wall locker until needed... But then again, you'd have a whole bunch of Army junior enlisted wandering around post looking like Air Force Air Crew...
I suppose, a coverall could work for garrison duty, and just let one's "down range", "field exercise", "deployment uniforms" hang in a wall locker until needed... But then again, you'd have a whole bunch of Army junior enlisted wandering around post looking like Air Force Air Crew...
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SSG John Naquin
Stateside I used my "cargo" pocket to carry my wallet on right side, left side was used for notebook or 4x6 index cards.
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1SG (Join to see)
Actually had an mre banging against my leg all day. Hat, water bottle and note pad banging in the other pocket
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SPC Robert Nasiff
Come on, now cargo pockets are a concern? Seems some people have too much time on their hands and are looking for even the smallest issues to criticize! As for me, I would wear anything the military supplies! Much more things to worry and complain about. JMO of course!
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I was in a Long-range Surveillance Unit. We used our cargo pockets all the time in the woods. A Soldier can fit a main meal in one, and keep it from freezing. a mag can fit in it, as can a watch cap or gloves.
As an Infantryman and a Paratrooper, I used the cargo pocket or maps as a Jumpmaster, for gloves or headgear as a Grunt...
They are useful in the field but a pain in Garrison
As an Infantryman and a Paratrooper, I used the cargo pocket or maps as a Jumpmaster, for gloves or headgear as a Grunt...
They are useful in the field but a pain in Garrison
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MSG (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) - Sir, if you've never seen the Mafia run out of tobacco and energy drinks......ooofdah. It's not pretty.
Actually, now that I think about it. That's a solid battle plan. Just tell the Mafia that the enemy cut off the supply chain and then let 'em loose.
Actually, now that I think about it. That's a solid battle plan. Just tell the Mafia that the enemy cut off the supply chain and then let 'em loose.
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