New Army Service Uniform

[WOODHAMJM]

We really "Missed the Boat" with the new Army Service Uniform. I realize that many career soldiers have a version of the old Dress Blues. I also realize that it would be an added expense to replace what already hangs in our closet, but if we had adopted the uniform style worn by the US Army from 1775 until the early part of the 20th century, we would again look like military people and not like "Wall Street" executives. New soldiers would have the uniform issued so that wouldn't be an expense for them. Enlisted Soldiers who don't receive the initial issue of the uniform have the uniform allowance to offset the cost of buying it. For those who ask "why we want to look like Marines?", I would answer, "We would not. We would look like soldiers who respect and appreciate our long and honorable heritage and tradition". The US Marine Corps had the good sense to stay with what they had in order to preserve their tradition.

John M. Woodham
MSG (Ret) US Army

[mel44]

hummm uniforms I am still confused - we are going o the blue pants witht he yellow stripe correct? And the bus driver hats again?

[commongruntsense]

The ASU is a joke. You look like an airline pilot or a mall-cop.
Why are the arms on the class B ridiculously loose? Why is the undershirt white? Why do the officer uniforms make the enlisted ones look like they were made for Mall Guards? Why is it I see a thousand cries for khaki and multi cam, but instead we get the ASU and "gravelflage"? One simple answer.

The Upper Echelon have forgotten where they came from- Being Lowly Privates and Lieutenants, Sergeants and Captains, being in the Army as opposed to being a politician. Good Job. You've screwed us all yet again to being the mockery of the Armed Forces. We arent strong. We're full of Fat, Lazy,Undisciplined Retards with GEDs and Felonies. Army Strong? Haha I think not. Army Wrong.

"The Army Service Uniform Is Part Of Our Bloodline", and we are bleeding to death on the floor over this screw-up.

[Creaminess]

Does the Army (or any service, for that matter) really need a ton of different uniforms? Have one dress uniform per service. I realize there is history to the different uniforms and some people would freak if we got rid of something, but how about we just have one dress uniform and be done with it? Yet we have Class A's, Dress Blues, Dress Mess blue and white uniforms...it's ridiculous. I had my Dress Blues for 6 years before I ever used them, and I didn't even buy them till I was in the Army 13 years already. I wasn't really in a unit where I needed to have it till that late in my career, and I realize that some individuals are in units or positions where they may use various dress uniforms much more frequently. But it's time we settle on one uniform and stick with it. And when we do that, for a change, it would be nice if the Army would listen to feedback from the field instead of forcing it down our throats (the black beret being a prime example).

[ghostrider]

A Few words should say it all SGM of the Army and Chief of Staff. SGM has done absolutely NOTHING!! for the Army besides thinking he is taking care of enlisted matters; easily the "worst SGM of the Army "in all my years in the Army. Why did it change ?so when he does exit which can't be quick enough extended for another year. Times up SGM; pack it in and let somebody who really wants to look out for our interest take over. CSM Hill we need you!

[skiftcky]

The ASU is almost as bad an idea as the useless beret that was force fed to us by Shinseki. The purpse was to "give us distinction between ourselves and the other services". Great, now we look like every other country out there who uses a beret. However if you think about it, the ASU is very representative of todays Army. We are no longer the hard charging warriors of yesteryear who cried out CHARGE into the face of certain doom for the American cause. We are managers and caretakers. We do not win wars, we fix them. We cannot wave our flag lest it offend some one.
Maybe Im straying off the subject but it is in line with the image that the army wants the public to see. Not that we are trained and ready for close combat but that we are there to delay those who may want to shoplift from our country until help arrives.
And Ghostrider.... You nailed it on the head brother! CSM Hill, a true proffesional and leader!

[MCGYVER]

The black beret was the WORST idea any person (Officer or otherwise) in any way affiliated with the military EVER came up with. If Shinseki hadn't had such a huge ego he would have admitted his mistake and fixed it. Now, none of the C of S's since want to set the precedence of countermanding a previous C of S's orders or someone may do it to them. Sad, sad day for integrity.

[Jdaniel394]

I saw a picture of GEN Casey in his ASU with the black beret, and I was honestly embarrassed. If we are going to have a dress Uniform it should have the service cap, which may be reffered to as a bus driver cap, but do not forget it was the Army's cap before the first bus driver or police officer ever put it on. Regardless the beret with the ASU looks retarded and provides an unprofessional, dispicable look for the Army to follow. Come on Generals out there get your head out of your fourth point of contact and make us look respectable.

To caveat that let us wear the uniform, why is it when I am in a class with civilians who have to wear shirt and ties I am in ACUs this screams unprofessionalism. If you have a desk job or are in school you should be in a business uniform not field uniform. The argument we are an Army at war is not working, unless there is credible evidence that we may need to take up arms and head to the wood line to defend our homes ACUs in garrison are ridiculous.

[SailorDave]

I saw a picture of GEN Casey in his ASU with the black beret, and I was honestly embarrassed. If we are going to have a dress Uniform it should have the service cap, which may be reffered to as a bus driver cap, but do not forget it was the Army's cap before the first bus driver or police officer ever put it on. Regardless the beret with the ASU looks retarded and provides an unprofessional, dispicable look for the Army to follow. Come on Generals out there get your head out of your fourth point of contact and make us look respectable.
This is what you'd like to see ??
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06D9bu6ffqgrE/610x.jpg

[Jdaniel394]

Much more so than the one where he is wearing the beret.

[SailorDave]

Much more so than the one where he is wearing the beret.

Can't disagree there.

http://www.defenselink.mil/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2009-08/090826-A-0193C-001a.jpg

[Yggdrasil]

The Army is bastardizing their dress blues. Afterall, they went from THESE http://usafssmisawa.com/images/reu/rmd2007-wash-unk-soldier.jpg http://www.shallownation.com/images/arlington-tomb-of-the-unknowns-guard-changing1.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/3878383413_789a85c0c6.jpg

to THIS

http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/postnews/blizzard/blizzard_archives/issues/8-28-2008/photos/asu.jpg

[Nickymaz]

No offense, but this reminds me of a JRTOC uniform with all the gaudy pins etc.

I dont understand why are the services are screwing around with these uniforms, it's not like we have two wars going on or anything.

[NMWH1985]

GEN Casey makes that uniform look like shit because he's fat. That's it. The same with Mr. Airborne.

Put a squared away paratrooper in that uniform with bloused boots and a nicely shaved beret, different story.

Personally, I don't give a shit what they put me in, I'll wear it once or twice a year. I joined the Army to fight.

[Yggdrasil]

GEN Casey makes that uniform look like shit because he's fat. That's it. The same with Mr. Airborne.

Put a squared away paratrooper in that uniform with bloused boots and a nicely shaved beret, different story.

Personally, I don't give a shit what they put me in, I'll wear it once or twice a year. I joined the Army to fight.

That last paragraph sums it up right there.

Here's the thing: The Army Dress Blues were the one uniform that stood against the Marine Dress Blues. It was supposed to be a very formal, elegant uniform. Now... it has a beret with boots, unit patches, and all this other shit on it. So now, the Army gives that monopoly over to the USMC.

What could the Army have done that would have brought more dignity to the uniforms? Leave the dress blues as is, and replace the current Class A with the old belted pinks and greens. As I understand it, that's what most people in the Army were hoping for in the first place.

[ArmyBrave1]

Bring the dress blues back and leave the berets for the special operations community.

U.S. Army troopers wearing the beret does not equal being elite.

It is the p.t. standards that equal being elite. Camouflage helments, army hats or berets does nothing for the soldiers.

If the commanders want a better trained force. Raise the p.t. standards based on combat experience, medical and scientific research. It is the p.t. standards that matter.

This is what the US Army Physical Fitness Research Institute at the War College is for.

[BlissNCO]

I just don't understand the mentality of our senior leadership. I heard the SMA say, with my own ears, they won't do away with the black beret because too many people have complained about it. Too many people have complained? What sense does it make to force something widely unpopular on people who don't want it? Its an Esprit de Corps and Moral issue! Its the same thing with the ACUs. I miss BDUs very much but can live with the ACUs. The UCP, however, is an abomination. Whoever chose this must have been paid off, or have a complete lack of any combat experience. The Army should have gone with the MARPAT or MULTICAM from the beginning. Now this GEN II UCP? Come on big army leadership, admit your wrong. You can also use the winding down of operations here in Iraq as an excuse. Leaving Iraq closes a chapter in our Army's history. We can do away with it as a tribute to this chapter.

With the ASU, what ever happened to the grey shirt instead of the white one? That, I think, would give it alot of distinction. I know we are too deep into the ASU now to change it. I myself own it. Getting rid of the beret is an easy task. Jr. Enlisted can wear a black garrison cap, NCOs and officers can wear the service cap. I don't understand what this strict adherence to the beret is. The ASU-Bs with windbreaker and service cap look pretty awesome., Thats what I wear when I have to meet with locals off post for army business. I've been told now to were the beret instead and I'd rather just wear ACUs. Why doesn't the army want being a soldier to be motivating anymore?

[SSGArtillery]

thats the point, the army will invest itself so much into this grand mistake and force everyone to buy this crap that when it comes down to the next guy to take charge the damage has been done and it becomes too costly for the army to switch back to a more efficient sharper looking system... think of all the gear that has turned into ACU pattern, Hell! they sell acu wallets at the clothing stores, when the next guy takes over and says "acu really was a bad mistake by my predecessor but were in too deep to change now" then its pretty much cut n dry from there. specially if the predecessor gets a cozy job, after getting out of the military, in the company that sells the product. We care so much about badges and ornaments that we have to make it a PRIORITY to make every uniform interchangeable at the expense of military appearance and tradition
.
I guarantee the UCP Delta pattern will be chosen, we all know that the army will cop out and try to save face. just for the simple reason that its easier to blend the UCP Delta pattern with all the UCP gear thats currently out without having to replace everthing for multicam or Marpat. its all about money and saving face in the end. God forbid the yes men up in DC tell their boss that their Idea might be a little flawed.

[OEFOIFCOMBATVET]

This is what you'd like to see ??
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06D9bu6ffqgrE/610x.jpg

When you become a Flag officer, the cap in my opinion, has too much stuff on it. Junior officers and field grades have a better looking cap.

Anyway, I say return to the pink and greens.

[OEFOIFCOMBATVET]

thats the point, the army will invest itself so much into this grand mistake and force everyone to buy this crap that when it comes down to the next guy to take charge the damage has been done and it becomes too costly for the army to switch back to a more efficient sharper looking system... think of all the gear that has turned into ACU pattern, Hell! they sell acu wallets at the clothing stores, when the next guy takes over and says "acu really was a bad mistake by my predecessor but were in too deep to change now" then its pretty much cut n dry from there. specially if the predecessor gets a cozy job, after getting out of the military, in the company that sells the product. We care so much about badges and ornaments that we have to make it a PRIORITY to make every uniform interchangeable at the expense of military appearance and tradition
.
I guarantee the UCP Delta pattern will be chosen, we all know that the army will cop out and try to save face. just for the simple reason that its easier to blend the UCP Delta pattern with all the UCP gear thats currently out without having to replace everthing for multicam or Marpat. its all about money and saving face in the end. God forbid the yes men up in DC tell their boss that their Idea might be a little flawed.

+1. Excellent post. You are right about UCP Delta. I been seeing alot of soldiers wearing them around here. And God forbid we get something that looks like the Marines. Now the Brits chose Multicam.

[SSGArtillery]

if theyre too proud to admit the marpat and multicam uniforms would of been a better route to go its too late, if we wont wear marines uniform pattern then we definitely wont wear something the british beat us to. Its an ego thing when you are at the top of the pyramid, you either are the one that proposes the new idea (regardless of its flaws) or you dont go with any idea at all.

[Yggdrasil]

if theyre too proud to admit the marpat and multicam uniforms would of been a better route to go its too late, if we wont wear marines uniform pattern then we definitely wont wear something the british beat us to. Its an ego thing when you are at the top of the pyramid, you either are the one that proposes the new idea (regardless of its flaws) or you dont go with any idea at all.

It's my understanding that the reason the other services did not adopt MARPAT is because the Marine Corps trademarked it, which could mean that no other service could adopt it if they wanted to. Why DoD would even allow this is beyond me.

[joeB]

So is the ASU jacket the same Jacket as the Blues

[Ghost1s]

Does the Army (or any service, for that matter) really need a ton of different uniforms? Have one dress uniform per service. I realize there is history to the different uniforms and some people would freak if we got rid of something, but how about we just have one dress uniform and be done with it? Yet we have Class A's, Dress Blues, Dress Mess blue and white uniforms...it's ridiculous. I had my Dress Blues for 6 years before I ever used them, and I didn't even buy them till I was in the Army 13 years already. I wasn't really in a unit where I needed to have it till that late in my career, and I realize that some individuals are in units or positions where they may use various dress uniforms much more frequently. But it's time we settle on one uniform and stick with it. And when we do that, for a change, it would be nice if the Army would listen to feedback from the field instead of forcing it down our throats (the black beret being a prime example).

You mean you never went to an Army Ball in over 13 years of Service? I'm just asking.

[justin0495]

So is the ASU jacket the same Jacket as the Blues

Joe, no it's not. I ordered my ASU from Marlow White (HIGHLY recommend doing this versus buying at MCSS) and the cut of the coat is much better. Here's the excerpt from the ALARACT:

"2B. THE NEW ARMY ASU WILL INCLUDE A NEW COAT AND LOW WAIST TROUSERS FOR MALE SOLDIERS; AND A NEW COAT, SLACKS AND SKIRT FOR FEMALE SOLDIERS. THE NEW FABRIC FOR THE ASU IS HEAVIER AND WRINKLE RESISTANT OVER PREVIOUSLY MANUFACTURED UNIFORMS AND WILL CONSIST OF 55% WOOL AND 45% POLYESTER MATERIAL. THE NEW ASU COAT WILL HAVE A TAILORED, ATHLETIC CUT, TO IMPROVE UNIFORM FIT AND APPEARANCE."

[manjo85]

Question about the Class B uniform: Do we have to wear all the bells and whistles on the white short sleeve shirt? Or can we wear just the name plate and rank epaulets like we currently do with the green shirt? I'd rather not poke a bunch of holes in the shirt if I don't need to.

[justin0495]

Question about the Class B uniform: Do we have to wear all the bells and whistles on the white short sleeve shirt? Or can we wear just the name plate and rank epaulets like we currently do with the green shirt? I'd rather not poke a bunch of holes in the shirt if I don't need to.

I'm with ya on this one, Manjo. I can't stand all that crap on the Class B shirt. While the ALARACT doesn't specifically address this, I would assume that this is the case. The "spirit" of the Green Class As and Bs, I think, is the same as the ASU.

Notice the Specialist and Major in the left half of the picture. It seems they just have their nameplate, rank, and for some stupid reason, RDI on their shirts.

http://downloads.army.mil/docs/asu/classb_lo.jpg

Speaking of which, Hey! Army Leadership! Yes, you Gen Casey and SMA Preston! Put out the new AR 670-1 already! I'm tired of reading ALARACTs!

[chucksnee]

You mean you never went to an Army Ball in over 13 years of Service? I'm just asking.

Over 21 years of service here....never went to one....never cared to...

[MSMUROTC]

you've always been able to wear everything on your class B's. it's just usually never done. I assume it'll be the same thing as always -- if you earned a trinket, wear it if you want. some things (name, rank, etc.) are mandatory. beyond that, it's on you.

[CWO5SMITH]

I began my career as a Marine. I thought the uniform kinda blah looking with so little on it. I came to realize that less is best. The Army has far too much on their Class A uniform. The ASU is a disaster. Everybody says Pinks and Greens, Pinks and Greens but no one at the decision making level will listen. What better tradition than the WWII Soldier?!!?! Keep the Dress Blues for those rare special ocassions, but switch to a reusable and sharp Class A. My suggestions:
1. Pinks and Greens - all ribbons on the left side to include unit citations, nothing on the right but name tag, dump the dui on the lapels, DUMP the beret, bring back the overseas cap, switch to brown shoes
a. wear the Class B most of the time, leave the BDU/ACU/etc. for field duty
2. ACU is for field use - keep it there. We look ridiculous and unprofessional making the ACU our all purpose uniform.

[justin0495]

CW5 Smith:

Most of your suggestions have already been implemented, at least on the officer side of the house. Officers don’t wear any unit designation except for the (silly) unit combat badge on the jacket. The Service Cap is a required item for NCOs and above (but you and I both know idiot COs will rarely make us wear the Service Cap because of "lack of uniformity." My response is and will be, "Hey idiot, if it complies with the reg, by definition, it's UNIFORM!")

I kinda think that the tradition of our first real formal uniform, the Civil War uniform, works better than using the pinks and greens of a war fought 100 years later. I think most civilians on the street would be able to identify us more as soldiers with this classic Civil War type colors.

100% agreed that us wearing ACUs all the time, especially Recruiters and soldiers doing duty at major public events when the other branches are in their Dress Uniforms, makes us just look sloppy, lazy, and idiotic. Hopefully, the Army culture goes back to the dress uniform pride once more of us are in ASUs.

And, I’ve said this before. I really recommend Marlow White for your ASU. It’s a bit on the expensive side, but very worth it. No, I don’t work for them and have zero affiliation. I’m just an impressed and happy customer. F--- MCSS!

[INGUARD]

I rather have something that looked sharped as the pink and greens compared to the civil war uniforms. I dont agree that we should go with one utility uniform; nor one service uniform.

The white shirt with the blues looks awful. At least when they initially decided to go with gray; it was a decent choice but tan would have been better.

Problem is that nobody has uniform sense in the Army and the yes men are just bowing down to the SGM of the Army.

What an embarassing atrocity. I never heard so much negativity over a uniform and that should tell the people at PEO something.

[Bruce]

The good thing about going to blue uniforms is that the Cav guys will finally have a uniform to go with their hats. ;)

[MCGYVER]

The good thing about going to blue uniforms is that the Cav guys will finally have a uniform to go with their hats. ;)

LOL! Now that's funny right thar.

[Bruce]

What the ASU needs still are more badges and pins -- with a few more badges and a handful of service and training ribbons, our guys will finally look like a Soviet war hero or a Ugandan president in full uniform.

[Mac5]

GAUDY, TACKY UNIFORMS

The Class A and B versions of the ASU, as depicted in photographs published in previous issues of the Army Times, are gaudy, amateurish ensembles in direct contrast with traditional conservative military style and good taste. Addition of the Combat Service Identification Badge (CSIB) on the multi-colored ASU, along with all of the other assorted badges, ribbons, etc. (further accentuating the ridiculous beret), creates a very cluttered effect and also causes the ASU to look very much like a Boy/Girl Scouts uniform. The CSIB worn on the waist of female soldiers further adds to the Girl Scouts impression. A ribbon should have been used to denote combat service, irrespective of the unit of assignment, thereby eliminating one large hunk of colored metal on the uniform.

The Dress Blue uniform, when worn for ceremonial or formal occasions, was very appropriate and widely accepted by soldiers of all ranks. Modified into the ASU, it is not a viable day-to-day military service uniform.

The Marine Corps will now be the only U.S. armed service with a decidedly military, uncluttered and tasteful service uniform.

Mac5
9 Feb 2010