Army sets wear-out date for uniform items

[CommunityEditor]

Soldiers will no longer be allowed to wear the battle dress uniform, the desert battle dress uniform and eight other uniform items beginning April 30, the Army announced Jan. 8 in a worldwide message to all commands.

The April 30 wear-out date applies to soldiers in the active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. The wear-out date for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is April 2009.

This is the first time the Army has announced a wear-out date for the BDU and desert BDU, Army spokesman Dan Baggio said.

The BDU and desert BDU were replaced by the Army Combat Uniform in 2004, and virtually all soldiers now wear the ACU.

The transition to the ACUs was not seamless, when soldiers complained almost immediately after the uniform’s debut in combat that the ACU wasn’t sturdy enough for the harsh conditions on the battlefield.

The Army is now re-stitching 1 million pairs of ACU trousers in an attempt to fix the problem of crotch seams ripping open in theater. The work, which began in the spring, likely will cost $3 million to $5 million and take about 18 months to complete.

In addition to the BDU and desert BDU, these items also have an April 30 wear-out date:

* Brown T-shirt

* Black leather combat boots

* Woodland and desert camouflage pattern caps

* Olive drab green name tape and U.S. Army tape

* Subdued olive green shoulder sleeve insignia and subdued combat patches

* Black rigger belt

* Web belt with open-faced black buckle

* Green and black jungle boots

Beginning Sept. 30, 2009, active, Guard and Reserve soldiers also must stop wearing the black knit cap and black micro fleece knit cap. The woodland camouflage field jacket will have a wear-out date of Sept. 30, 2010.

The announcement was made in an All Army Activities message, which is issued periodically and between formal revisions of AR 670-1, “Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.”

The next formal revision of AR 670-1 isn’t expected until after Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey announces his decisions on pending uniform issues such as how wartime service is displayed on the new Army Service Uniform.

The Army has announced the move to ditch the dress greens in favor of the dress blues, but the official change will not take place until Casey signs off on all the details. No timeline has been set for that change.


Article: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2008/01/army_uniforms_080114/

[SSG Rogers]

In a time when my main concern is to make it to retirement alive, and with all my limbs.....the Army seems more concerned with hosting a Branch-wide fashion show. With a PT uniform change around the corner, I really wonder what the priorities of our command is. Nothing was learned from the mistake of the black beret, or the ACU cammo pattern that only blends in at the Military Clothing Store. Maybe a new dress uniform will help me forget the years I have missed with my children. Maybe.

[CSM Herbert A.Shapiro]

What about our Airborne, Ranger , and Special Forces Troops? If their berets, and jump boots are taken from them, will they still wish to be the elite troops they now are? Such a distintion is paramount to their morale. How many suych Troopers willo n o longer wish to remain in "Harms Way" doing their regular duties, along with their combat mission s?

[cmdr1160]

Reading this tells me just how old I am. I remember when all of that stuff came into the inventory and we had to convert to it from what we had during Vietnam. In addition to being old I am now no longer fashionably correct!

I will retain my corcoran jump boots and beret as well as my Army Green Uniform so that I will have something to be buried in; just like the uniform.

[Unregistered]

I agree with the first two readers. Changing the uniform to ACUs was not cost or needed effective especially when the change came at the same time as this war began. The BDUs were fine just the way they were, sew-on patches and all.

[Unregistered]

I agree, some units need their own distinction why take that away from them, They deserve to dress different.

[thomasewatts@bellsouth.ne]

I retired in 1983 as a combat arms sfc ,in my 25 years the army canged uniforms from od to green in late 50 early 60s. now it appears that fashion is more important than weapon upgrade traing and equipment to do the job. it is ashame that being prety and in fashion is more important..but can they fight and survie i wonder
all unit pride and respect is gone. a very sad day?????

[JD99FRASER]

The Army prides itself on early morning PT with its inherent darkness and foggy conditions. Why then do we produce a black and gray PT uniform? Obviously no commander believes the current uniform is safe or there wouldn't be a universal requirement to supplement the issued uniform with a bright orange/yellow/blue etc. belt or vest. At Fort Hood, some commanders required us to wear the vests in the gyms. The Army needs to give up the PT fashion show and just produce a uniform that is functional and safe! Make it bright orange/yellow etc so that it shows up in the dark, catches headlights so that we don't need a stupid vest/belt supplement. The the idea of making the PT uniform a camouflage pattern so that we really blend into the early morning fog is beyond ridiculous. SAFETY FIRST????

I love the ASU. Just hurry up. I've said for 25 years we need the standard uniform to be the blues. But, why change much more. Just let us wear the combat patch we're accustomed to. The beret should only be for the ACU. With the exit of the black boot there obviously won't be anymore blousing of the Class A uniform, green or blue. That's going to be a big change for people. Why not the Stetson for the Class A. It's after all and "American" headgear, unlike the beret. If we want to wear the beret we should have units wearing kilts. After all it's the Scots from whom we borrowed our version of beret, not the French. We are the only former colony of the UK not to continue the tradition of the Kilt. I'd love the kilt actually but still, let us wear our Stetsons with the blues, after all both come from the cavalry tradition that won the West.

I just had to pay for another Gore-Tex....when is the ACU going to save me any money. The seams all over the uniform, especially in the shoulders are fraying because the manufacturers didn't use enough material to fold over the seams. They are ok uniforms, just make them better. Also the Army should allow us to DX our BDU pattern gear we bought to match the DCU and BDUs.

V/R
CPT Du Pre

[Retired in MI]

I have been retired from the Army for several years and still understand the need for unit and individual pride. The Army Blues need to include the indivudual's combat patch on the right shoulder! Every soldier earned that and deserves the honor of displaying it. I also think that unit pride comes from the unit patch displayed on the left shoulder, it needs to be there, too. Just like combat and service stripes need to be on the lower sleeves. Don't take all the pride markers off the new Army Blues, the troops have earned them!!

[Unregistered]

what idiot thinks this is a good idea???How much does it cost???and why are the new uniforms so
CHEAPLY Made??? from A Viet Nam Vet...1967-68...

[Unregistered]

What about the maternity BDU? I was just issued the maternity BDU's because Fort Myer has no maternity ACU's to issue. I am due 30 May, and it would be rediculous to be require to buy the ACU's for my last few weeks. Can anyone point me to a cite which addresses this issue, as I have already been questioned about my uniform.

[Unregistered]

This is not a fashion show. This is not about pride. It's that time when someone will be making a whole lot of money with all these changes. Anytime the uniforms are changed millionaires are made. Of course, there are a lot of politics involved. I only wonder how many high ranking officers and NCO's benefit from this. Certainly the soldiers below do not. They have to spend the money to conform. Get used to it! This happens every 10-15 years. It's all about economics and lining some pockets with gold stitches. MAJ J

[Unregistered]

Whether the Army should have phased out the BDU is no longer the issue; this decision was made years ago. I actually like the ACUs better because they don't require starching, they are more comfortable, you don't have to sew on new patches, and the boots don't need to be shined. Here's my problem: I currently have the token three Soldiers in my 130 man company who still wear the BDUs, so I'm glad that this policy finally makes the transition mandatory. However, there still are several issues that the Army hasn't addressed. For example, what happens to Aviation units that still wear ABDUs or flight suits? We haven't received the new AACUs yet, so I'm guessing we'll just continue with the old uniforms until we are told otherwise.

[Unregistered]

what idiot thinks this is a good idea???How much does it cost???and why are the new uniforms so
CHEAPLY Made??? from A Viet Nam Vet...1967-68...

I'm the idiot that thinks its a good idea. Uniform thats light, replaced cost free to the Soldiers every 6 mos in combat zone through ADO program. No press, reduced cost for Soldiers to keep up. More combat related, remove patches quickly for sp ops. Not made for garrison. No shine boots that continue to look good throughout wear period. One uniform for all climate areas. Easy to wash (insideout) quickly dries. I haven't bought an army uniform/boots in the last 8 years. The ADO is a great program.

[Spc. Reiniger]

While I agree that the uniform change was not needed. I really liked my BDU's. However, being a cook, and not having to deal with being the only one still putting wax on my boots. I can't help but be a little happy with the phase out.

[1SG Michael Wimberly]

What is going to be the issue on mechanics (especially techs.) coveralls ? Will it be ACU or are they be able to wear the BDU's.
It will be impossible for them to wear coveralls year-round.........Everyone knows (or should know) that dirt, grease and oils do not mix with ACU's compared to the BDU.......

[An Army Aviator]

For example, what happens to Aviation units that still wear ABDUs or flight suits? We haven't received the new AACUs yet, so I'm guessing we'll just continue with the old uniforms until we are told otherwise.

The Army almost never addresses what the Aviation units will do. We are an afterthought, but one thing is clear, they want aviators to look like everyone else. People talk about pride in their berets, combat patches, bloused jump boots, my flight suit and wings have always been my source of pride as an Army Aviator. The new Aviation ACU looks just like the regular ACU except we don't have to blouse our boots. Ever seen a soldier with his boots un-bloused? He looks like a Rag-bag! Not only that, the only uniform item that would distinguish us as aviators is gone.....our wings!!! "Oh you can wear pin-on wings." Said some Sergeant Major. No we can't!!! Aviation personnel do not wear pin-on anything. Little pin backings can cause FOD, foreign object damage. We do not risk damaging our aircraft by wearing pin-on rank or badges. Instead, we have always worn leather or cloth nametags with our wings, name and rank. Instead, some general has decided he doesn't like aviators and wants us to "disappear" into the ACU fabric of the "Strong Army". What's wrong with an ACU patterned flight suit? What's wrong with sew-on patches, rank, and wings? Do you know what happens to all that velcro in a fire? IT MELTS TO YOUR SKIN!!!

Keep the one piece flight suit and leather nametag! We are Aviators!!

CWO E. Spike Thiesmeyer

[uh60pilot1]

Well the A2C2 has been fielded, and there is STILL questions regarding our uniforms. The black boots have passed their wear-out date, so all aviators still wearing the green flight jumpsuit (pickle suit), or the ABDU, wear their desert tan boots.

In regards to the whether we can sew on flight wings to our A2C2 uniforms, some of us have taken it upon ourselves, in the lack of higher directive, and went ahead and did it anyway. The velcro is a stupid idea and the idea of velcro'ing our unit patch above our name tape, is equally stupid.

Until told otherwise, I still interchange between my A2C2 and picklesuits. I wear my wings, jump wings and air assault wings, on my A2C2.

[Lifeafter40]

Keep the one piece flight suit and leather nametag! We are Aviators!!

I agree, but the old nametag was velcro too, why not just keep the same system on an ACU patterned Flightsuit?

[Big Red One 1SG]

Ladies and Gentlemen,


Coming from someone who has served four tours in support of the Global War on Terrorism, Soldiers of the current Army are really concerned about many more things than the Army Class A or Dress Blue Uniform. I understand most complaints or point of views listed above, but most of you know that every uniform the Army has ever designed has had flaws, not met safety in one form or another, and was not compatible with all global areas that we as a nation might have or are defending or securing.

I have been very impressed with the Armys supply program that gives Soldiers free uniforms, shirts, socks, and boots in theatre while on orders supporting the nation at war. I am also acknowleding some of the flaws with the ACU. I trust and believe that our leadership identifies those problems and will work to correct them. I was in the Army when we wore the old grey PT's and I believe the new PT uniform is leaps and bounds above the old uniform. Regardless of color or fabric.

Lastly, Most of the nations leaders who are developing, testing, or implemeting uniform policies and/or procedures are people that we mentored or led at one time. If you dislike what you see start working on solutions to the problems and start finding ways to fix it. Your Soldiers need to be confident in their equipment and must trust in it to be succesful. Those of you who are on active duty leading Soldiers need to ensure that you provide that to the Soldiers under your watch.

I know I was in combat and I have several combat patches to wear on the ACU. I could care less if I have one on a uniform I am only going to wear about once a month, maybe! I don't need a combat identifier to let people know I can lead. Actions speak louder than patches or citations.

[sestilwell]

I got the ACUs a week before we shipped out, people were saying "what the heck are these?" and our sergeant replied "Its what you're deploying in. Took a long time to get everyone in one uniform. We were scattered between DCUs, BDUs and ACUs, no uniformity what so ever. Anyway, the things feel apart quick and we resulted again to DCUs (with 4 defective ACUs issued and only 2 workable DCUs issued, things got tight). Our unit supply budget was crushed but having to order more defective uniforms (to replace our current defective uniforms) rather than needed supplies. These things have a 6 month life, and cost more, rather than BDUs (I still have mine from boot camp - still good) all in the name of saving soldier money. Quick Financial Budgeting here:

BDU shirt - about $25
BDU pants - about $25
Patches (Flag, unit patch and tapes at about $.50-$1 each) + Sewing - about $10
Shirts (pack of 3) - about $10 (if that)
Boots (1 pair) - about $200-$300
Kiwi - about $5
Total Life (months) - 15(+)

Compared to

ACU shirt - about $30
ACU pants - about $35
Patches (Flag, Unit patch and Tapes at $2.50 each (really low) - $10
Replacing Lost/Stolen Patches - $10
Shirts (Pack of 3 at about $5/each) - $15
Boots (1 pair) - about $200-300
Total Life (months) - 6(+)

Sure might not seem like alot for one person, but order for thousands and you're screwed!

[sestilwell]

Ladies and Gentlemen,


Coming from someone who has served four tours in support of the Global War on Terrorism, Soldiers of the current Army are really concerned about many more things than the Army Class A or Dress Blue Uniform. I understand most complaints or point of views listed above, but most of you know that every uniform the Army has ever designed has had flaws, not met safety in one form or another, and was not compatible with all global areas that we as a nation might have or are defending or securing.

I have been very impressed with the Armys supply program that gives Soldiers free uniforms, shirts, socks, and boots in theatre while on orders supporting the nation at war. I am also acknowleding some of the flaws with the ACU. I trust and believe that our leadership identifies those problems and will work to correct them. I was in the Army when we wore the old grey PT's and I believe the new PT uniform is leaps and bounds above the old uniform. Regardless of color or fabric.

Lastly, Most of the nations leaders who are developing, testing, or implemeting uniform policies and/or procedures are people that we mentored or led at one time. If you dislike what you see start working on solutions to the problems and start finding ways to fix it. Your Soldiers need to be confident in their equipment and must trust in it to be succesful. Those of you who are on active duty leading Soldiers need to ensure that you provide that to the Soldiers under your watch.

I know I was in combat and I have several combat patches to wear on the ACU. I could care less if I have one on a uniform I am only going to wear about once a month, maybe! I don't need a combat identifier to let people know I can lead. Actions speak louder than patches or citations.

I wish I had you as a 1SG because my 1SG when I was in an Army Aviation unit was crazy - he accused me of being an Iraqi one time - a real wacko. I spent some time in FT Benning and I know what you mean about the patches, there just one piece of clothing sewed or velco-ed to another piece of clothing, its the person that means something. Coins are shiney though...

[kojack]

Ive lived through many, many changes of the uniform and political correctness ALWAYS was at least partially involved in the change. My understanding was that getting rid of khakis was the desire to "de-military" the appearance of the Soldier that came with large numbers of women in the late 70s and early 80s. The AF is STILL involved in "not wanting to look military" and look at what it has done to morale and esprit de corps in that organization. Maternity BDUs. Has anyone ever though how silly that that was and is? I remember when we did PT in BOOTs and fatigues and I ran 8 miles regualry in boots. At least being allowed to waer running shoes and sweats was great, although we had a lot more esprit and hgiher morale when we had more "military", more tradition, and less of "me first and I"m offended...." BS.