What FIELD/COMBAT Uniform do you like best and why?

SSG Roger Ayscue — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:30:54 -0400

During my career, We had OG-107s, BDUs, DCU 5 color, DCU 3 color, and ACUs. Of all of these, I LOVED the OG-107s of Vietnam Fame. Along with Jungle Boots (Green Panama Soles, Canvas sides, not Nylon) they were the best uniform EVER. Next I likes Light Weight BDUs, also with Green Jungle Boots. Just like the Army to change what does not need changing...ACUs suck balls..Just saying. What say you?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 23 at 2016 11:03 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 23 May 2016 23:03:31 -0400

I selected BDU because that was the last uniform that all military services wore in the filed or in combat and was therefore the most Joint of all military service uniforms SSG Roger Ayscue I thought the OG-107 was the most comfortable uniform especially the "starchable" ones when out in the "field" when they had no starch .

Response by COL Jon Thompson made May 23 at 2016 11:04 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Mon, 23 May 2016 23:04:04 -0400

I started off wearing the old fatigues as a Vader but when I went to Ranger school, we could wear the Vietnam jungle fatigues. I still have a set. Hot weather BDUs are my next favorite uniform. I wore everything you mentioned plus the multi-cams in Afghanistan. Glad to be retired now.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 12:09 AM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 00:09:49 -0400

Where is the TYPE II and III and Multi-Cam? That is the Navy NWU II-III and we had the greens and BDU and I wore the ACU and Multi-Cam I liked but I will say that the type II AND III are the best.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 12:25 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 00:25:14 -0400

Call me nostalgic, but I still wonder what happened to the boot shining period of time in the BCT training schedule.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made May 24 at 2016 12:33 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 24 May 2016 00:33:11 -0400

Minus all the jacked up Velcro, I would say the OCP variant of the ACUs. Cammo worked pretty good in multiple areas. Plus all the pockets we always wanted on BDUs but never got. They really need to get rid of that dumb ass mandarin collar IMO.

Response by SPC Steven Schoenhut made May 24 at 2016 1:19 AM

SPC Steven Schoenhut — Tue, 24 May 2016 01:19:49 -0400

My favorite uniform was the summer BDUs. We rolled up our sleeves and I always wore the green jungle boots with the steel plate taken out and sharks teeth soles put on. I loved the fact everything was sewn on and you didn't have to worry about losing anything off your uniform during land navigation or training in the woods. I miss Monday morning where everyone was pressed and shined, if you had everything straight and looking great you got motor pool Monday off.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 4:35 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 04:35:41 -0400

SSG Roger Ayscue - I'm not sure what to call it now - but that formless shapeless thing with all the extra pockets etc for scalpels, hemostats, syringes, pens, etc - that could actually look kinda flattering when carefully tailored and yet still function in jungle heat / humidity / rain - and was relatively easy to maintain because it was crumple / crease resistant and hid blood stains. Sandy

Response by SFC John Hill made May 24 at 2016 4:56 AM

SFC John Hill — Tue, 24 May 2016 04:56:25 -0400

Wore BDU's/DCU's most of my career. Liked the temperate (summer) BDU with jungle boots. Liked that the ACU had the additional pockets, but was not a fan of the velcro closures.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 7:08 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 07:08:41 -0400

OEF-OCP... Comfortable, durable (for most), fades to match the terrain even better, no awkward zip pockets, stains disappear.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 8:06 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 08:06:33 -0400

From my own service? Definitely DCUs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 8:36 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 08:36:59 -0400

OCPs, with the convoy shirt and Nike boots.

Response by MAJ L. Nicholas Smith made May 24 at 2016 8:46 AM

MAJ L. Nicholas Smith — Tue, 24 May 2016 08:46:24 -0400

It would either be the 107s or BDUs since they seemed pretty durable and did its job in the bush. No Velcro or zippers to wear our and I always sewed buttons back on. Green canvas jungles were the best boot, followed by my Cochrans. We took great pride in our appearance and looked very professional. I could shave in the reflection on my boots.

The chocolate chips should get honorable mention. They seemed heavy and had the extra flap of fabric sewn into the back that I recall hating. I had two sets of the old DCUs in Desert Shield/Storm and it was the only uniforms I had for the duration. Somehow they held up to everything a grunt could offer although the jungle boots eventually fell apart. By the time we returned to prep for our redeployment, I had worn the same thing for nine months. My toes were poking out from the boots and my t-shirts and socks had literally rotted away.

The ACU was garbage. The camo pattern is ineffective yet the Army said, "that's ok, we'll take it!" Even after studies outlined how it was not well suited compared to the other patterns. The Velcro...where to begin. And the stitching and fabric deteriorated so quickly. I don't know how many times I inadvertently...exposed myself. Someone somewhere made money from this deal.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 10:00 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 10:00:28 -0400

On the topic of uniform.

The ACU is possibly the most flawed invention I have ever seen. My military career will encapsle the wear date for the ACU in it's entirety. The collar and the excessive velcro aside, I want to go after the so called "camouflage". When I was in Iraq by the Euphrates river, it was like wearing a VS-17 jacket, with mylar suspenders. We could not possibly be more visible, maybe if AR670-1 included mandatory PT-belts.

Some people stand fast with the "it is good for night ops", sure this might be true... but that pro doesn't outweight the plethora of the cons this uniform has. A light foliage green digicam, with bright tan accessories (shirt, boots).. holy crap, it is worthless.

And if this was not enough. If it's operational worthlessness wasn't enough - it looks even worse in garrison. The Army turned into the most sloppy looking service with the ACU - and now the OCP is already here, and some old school morons (like myself) is starching it to look halfway decent.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 10:17 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 10:17:47 -0400

For the field, I loved my 3 color DCU's. But, as much as I hated shining the boots, there was nothing better than the sight and feel of a freshly starched and pressed set of BDUs.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 24 at 2016 11:03 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 24 May 2016 11:03:36 -0400

By far the best and most comfortable uniform I ever wore were the Navy dungarees comprised of denim bell bottoms and cotton/poly long/short sleeve shirt. Then the Navy got stupid and stayed stupid ever since with their uniform decisions. The best footwear was the jungle boot which we'd modify with zipper inserts. Of the newer stuff, I only had experience with the BDU and learned quickly the tropical fabric was much more comfortable. Best Navy fancy working uniform was the "Salt and Pepper" which had the dark pants paired with the white shirts and shoulder boards. That's long gone too.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 11:05 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 11:05:47 -0400

I vote OCP..where are they?

Response by SPC Gerardo Aguilar made May 24 at 2016 12:39 PM

SPC Gerardo Aguilar — Tue, 24 May 2016 12:39:49 -0400

I liked what ever uniform they gave me that help me do my job. mission first! nothing else matters.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made May 24 at 2016 1:49 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Tue, 24 May 2016 13:49:35 -0400

In order of preference for the field:

1. Jungle fatigues in ERDL pattern (TA-50 in jump units in the late 1970s) with jungle boots.
2. Jungle fatigues in OG107, jungle boots.
3. Lightweight BDUs

For garrison, nothing beat the cotton OD green fatigues, heavily starched, with spit-shined jump boots.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made May 24 at 2016 2:28 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 24 May 2016 14:28:13 -0400

SSG Roger Ayscue I really liked the OG-107s when I first came in in 1975. I liked the way I could get them heavy starched and stand them up in the corner of my room. They just looked good. and as the starch worn off they were comfortable!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 2:31 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 14:31:06 -0400

I love my combat pajamas (ABU)!

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 24 at 2016 2:39 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 24 May 2016 14:39:51 -0400

Sumer weight BDUs and DCUs were my faves, lightweight and breathable...

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 24 at 2016 4:44 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 24 May 2016 16:44:56 -0400

A bit torn. I loved my tropical weight BDUs and DCUs, but I like the cut and functionality of the ACU, particularly in the new camo pattern.

Response by Duane Weimerskirch made May 24 at 2016 8:36 PM

Duane Weimerskirch — Tue, 24 May 2016 20:36:09 -0400

honestly i like the uniform that can stay in the closet for a while and not get sent out to be shot at because some billionaire wants to make more cash.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 25 at 2016 12:36 AM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 25 May 2016 00:36:41 -0400

ACU style was the best, although the UCP was not....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 10:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 10:22:15 -0400

i'm partial to the color palette of OCP or multicam. works well in all the environments i've used it. wish we could roll our sleeves.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 10:28 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 10:28:20 -0400

Jungle fatigues were cool!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 9:44 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 21:44:26 -0400

Roughs...

Response by LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr. made May 26 at 2016 2:56 AM

LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr. — Thu, 26 May 2016 02:56:39 -0400

The three-color desert BDUs that were issued in about 2003-2005 for deployment. They were very comfortable and depending on your local CSM, you could still roll the sleeves up. There was no silly velcro to wear out and all your scare badges and patches were permanently affixed with a needle and thread. We were even allowed to sew a nametape on the back pocket of the trousers so they'd never get lost in the laundry! What a great idea!

Then some genius came up with ACUs. While I didn't mind the color/pattern, I did mind the cut and fit of the uniform. It was terrible! Tons of sticky velcro everywhere. All those velcro patches and rank now cost 3-5 times as much as sew-on patches. $14 for 1st Cavalry! Plus, you couldn't roll up the sleeves. It had bulky elbow patches and think velcro cuffs that would snag on anything and everything. It wasn't practical to wear at most jobs so the troops simply didn't wear it. Now that's dumb!

When I came in, velcro was a noise hazard! We weren't allowed to have watch bands with velcro or wallets with velcro. In Aviation, we were forbidden from having pin-on rank or badges lest they become FOD in/around the aircraft.

Seems that as time goes on, lessons of the past are forgotten.

And don't even get me started on the loss of the one-piece Nomex flight suit!!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 9:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 09:56:04 -0400

I liked the DCU while I was deployed to Iraq in 04-05. I also like the way the ACU is put together. The pattern sucks. If they would've made a BDU and DCU camo pattern but in the ACU format I would have been in heaven.

Response by MSgt George Cater made Dec 4 at 2016 1:06 PM

MSgt George Cater — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 13:06:11 -0500

The ERDL pattern Vietnam era slant pocket jungle utilities. (Alternately, the green OG107 version). With the green Panama soled jungle boots sized 1 size bigger to take a set of running shoe insoles that made them feel much like today's $100+ rough out boots. Also always had lacing hooks retrofitted to the boots like the ancient Marine rough outs to enable fast donning even in the dark. Obtained many sets of the cammies after the Corps went to all jungle utes in '76 and through a little known section of Marine uniform regs that said old style uniform wearable til worn out, I wore my last 2 pair through retirement in '93. Had to wear a BDU utility cap tho as there never was an ERDL utility cap. S/F

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2018 5:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 17:10:49 -0400

Fatigues, Mean-Mean OD Green Machine.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 14 at 2018 7:56 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 19:56:08 -0400

None of the above.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 29 at 2018 4:20 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 04:20:12 -0500

This picture of Me was taken at Da Nang, Vietnam, in 1968, wearing jungle fatigues with the woodland camouflage pattern. Even if You got wet it would dry off very quickly. In the case of the jungle fatigues the front pockets on the shirt were slanted. I'm also wearing the jungle boots which actually had drains on them so water would not be trapped inside. Also with the BDU's that later followed that uniform all the services used the woodland camouflage pattern still and like the jungle fatigues maintained a reasonable appearance out in the field but could also be starched. With the BDUs though the pocket was no longer slanted which I though actually looked better although it didn't change the function.

Response by SPC Gerardo Aguilar made Jun 19 at 2019 3:57 PM

SPC Gerardo Aguilar — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 15:57:07 -0400

I chose the BDU. I only wore these and have no idea what any of the others were like.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Jun 19 at 2019 4:12 PM

SGT James Murphy — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 16:12:24 -0400

I served 52 years ago... not so many choices then.. 8-)

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Jun 20 at 2019 1:33 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 13:33:54 -0400

BDU's