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]

Originally Posted by 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.

This is what you'd like to see ??

[Jdaniel394]

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