New Army PT Uniform

Aglahad

SENIOR O-3...
10-Year Member
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Can someone tell me what's wrong with the current uniform? What justifies spending millions for new colors, slight ergonomics and design? Something tells me those tight dri-fit shirts are going to look terrible on what, 50-60% of the army?...

http://www.army.mil/article/88622/Soldiers_get_20_days_to_vote_on_new_PT_uniform/

http://www.army.mil/article/89670/N...ness_uniform_options_make_debut_at_Fort_Hood/

Oh just wait- they will change it again. I long ago gave up with the Army & uniform changes . Call me a cynic, but IMHO this is the result of two factors- first: they have a permanently constituted uniform board- the "work expands to fit those available to do it" factor. Second: there are only a couple of things that the Chief of Staff really can change that others can physically observe and each wants to make his mark and uniforms are highly visible. Each new Cof S carries his pet peeves into the job, and each appears to miscalculate how long and how expensive it really is to change even a PT uniform. So each new CofS brings his new, better, uniform ideas in with him, does the obligatory soldier survey's and ignores them if they don't agreee with his preconceived notion, or cites them as evidence of the "need" to change. Then-about the time he checks out, his new "improved uniform" that was rushed to the field with an abbreviated testing schedule starts to get fielded, with the usual amound of glitches and complaints from the field. Then the next guy gets to be the white knight, ride in and propose something new to fix the uniform problem.
 
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Maybe the money

could be spent on keeping some soldiers they are trying to muster out through force reduction? Even $3-4 a piece extra is a ton of money I'd presume.
 
Oh just wait- they will change it again. I long ago gave up with the Army & uniform changes . Call me a cynic, but IMHO this is the result of two factors- first: they have a permanently constituted uniform board- the "work expands to fit those available to do it" factor. Second: there are only a couple of things that the Chief of Staff really can change that others can physically observe and each wants to make his mark and uniforms are highly visible. Each new Cof S carries his pet peeves into the job, and each appears to miscalculate how long and how expensive it really is to change even a PT uniform. So each new CofS brings his new, better, uniform ideas in with him, does the obligatory soldier survey's and ignores them if they don't agreee with his preconceived notion, or cites them as evidence of the "need" to change. Then-about the time he checks out, his new "improved uniform" that was rushed to the field with an abbreviated testing schedule starts to get fielded, with the usual amound of glitches and complaints from the field. Then the next guy gets to be the white knight, ride in and propose something new to fix the uniform problem.

I totally agree. This situation juxtaposed to Gen Shinseki's decision to go with the beret as the standard headgear (and pissing off a bunch of former and present Rangers in the process) directly correlates with this need to "make their mark" concept. The problem is that these flippant decisions cost millions upon millions with an already stretched budget...
 
I think they must be letting some folks try out the new uniform, because I could have sworn I saw the local U ROTC unit wearing them during morning PT in a park near where I park. I am used to seeing the unit in that park, and did a double take when I saw the yellow top last week. I arrive at work typically around the time the sun peeks itself above the horizon lately and I thought the bright yellow was definitely more visible than even the reflective tape in the environment (running along a wooded greenway) to this motorist - at least in that lighting condition.

Design aside, going to this type of dri-fit type shirt is probably a nod to today's athletic clothing emphasis.

As to the cost issue, PT uniforms are probably the least expensive part of things that has the shortest life, so the overall loss on the old stock is probably minimal. I'm not going to get my shorts in a bunch over this.

Now as long as they don't make the beret part of the PT uniform... lol
 
Somebody needed a good bullet statement on their (OPR or PRF) for Lt Col or Colonel... :rolleyes:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I totally agree. This situation juxtaposed to Gen Shinseki's decision to go with the beret as the standard headgear (and pissing off a bunch of former and present Rangers in the process) directly correlates with this need to "make their mark" concept. The problem is that these flippant decisions cost millions upon millions with an already stretched budget...

Spoken like an old salt...

If you have to ask what's wrong with the old PT uniform, I have to wonder if you've ever actually worn it.
 
Spoken like an old salt...

If you have to ask what's wrong with the old PT uniform, I have to wonder if you've ever actually worn it.

Here is my opinion:
The Army on the T Shirt rips up nipples. The Shorts are made of garbage bag material that does not fit, have no usable pocket for an ID Card and the netting inside gets stretched out. The jacket is way too baggy and is not conducive to runs over 500 m (underarms zippers are a nice touch I will admit). The pants are too thick.

Using more modern fabrics, the army could achieve much better warmth with the jacket and pants with half the material thus saving room in an A Bag (PT uniform is also considered the official army relaxation and sleeping uniform for deployment).

The long sleeve running shirt's coller is too tall, the ARMY words still rip the nipples and the reflective material on the shirt (both short and long) is not effective. Both shirts fabric is too thick.

Now, should they replace in a cost constrained environment? Not sure, but assuming an average salary of $40k per Soldier, eliminating 60k Soldiers will save the Army $2.4 billion per year in just Salary costs.

Now it is tempting to think that the Chief of Staff of the Army doesn't have anything to do to make his mark on the Army other than changing uniforms and hats. These are some of the CoS driven changes since 2000. Also the Cos is instrumental in Army Strategic Planning.

2004 Brigade Realignment
Shinseki Stryker
2012 Army Brigade Reorganization
2012 Army Strategic Planning Guidance

Now, you can agree or disagree with those changes or the Army Strategic Planning Guidance process, but the Chief of Staff is instrumental in planning for the next twenty years. Determining uniform changes is a small part of his overall responsibility.
 
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I think they must be letting some folks try out the new uniform, because I could have sworn I saw the local U ROTC unit wearing them during morning PT in a park near where I park. I am used to seeing the unit in that park, and did a double take when I saw the yellow top last week. \

might be a school TShirt. I know the University of Texas ROTC has an orange shirt they do PT in.
 
Here is my opinion:
The Army on the T Shirt rips up nipples. The Shorts are made of garbage bag material that does not fit, have no usable pocket for an ID Card and the netting inside gets stretched out. The jacket is way too baggy and is not conducive to runs over 500 m (underarms zippers are a nice touch I will admit). The pants are too thick.

Using more modern fabrics, the army could achieve much better warmth with the jacket and pants with half the material thus saving room in an A Bag (PT uniform is also considered the official army relaxation and sleeping uniform for deployment).

The long sleeve running shirt's coller is too tall, the ARMY words still rip the nipples and the reflective material on the shirt (both short and long) is not effective. Both shirts fabric is too thick.

Yeah, but I mean...other than THAT, why on earth would anyone want to replace it?
 
We need to first go back to the Army greens and throw this ASU blasphemy out the window. Black over blue with yellow stripes? Who thought that was going to be a good idea? Civil war throwback? Ha. Ridiculous...bring the class A's back!

Can't forget about our ACUs either! Camouflage tests dont matter and making cool recruitment posters is a lot more important than protecting our soldiers! Can't let the Marines be the only ones with digicam. I also like how the AF jumped on the bandwagon with their "battle" uniforms...everytime I look at the color of their boots it makes me want to throw up.
 
We need to first go back to the Army greens and throw this ASU blasphemy out the window. Black over blue with yellow stripes? Who thought that was going to be a good idea? Civil war throwback? Ha. Ridiculous...bring the class A's back!

Can't forget about our ACUs either! Camouflage tests dont matter and making cool recruitment posters is a lot more important than protecting our soldiers! Can't let the Marines be the only ones with digicam. I also like how the AF jumped on the bandwagon with their "battle" uniforms...everytime I look at the color of their boots it makes me want to throw up.

First, before you criticize YOUR service's uniform, you should probably know what it consists of. The jacket is not black. It's dark blue. Army blue. Criticisms go a lot farther if you start with the right facts:

General Washington issued a general order October 1779 "prescribing blue coats with differing facings for the various state troops, artillery, artillery artificers and light dragoons. The Adjutant & Inspector General's Office, March 27, 1821 established "Dark blue is the National colour. When a different one is not expressly prescribed, all uniform coats, whether for officers or enlisted men, will be of that colour."

Ever notice how the Army, Navy, and Marines all use dark blue for their dress uniform? There's a reason for that.

Second, there is nothing new about 99% of the ASU. In fact, for officers, the Class A ASU consists of three noticeable changes: overseas stripes on the right sleeve, SSI-FWS pin (do some personal OPD and look that up) on the right breast pocket, and belted pants. Otherwise, the ASU is the same Army blue dress uniform that has existed since 1959. I bought one almost 9 years ago. Every formal event at USMA for officers occurred in blues, with the exception of graduation (which happened in Dress Whites) during my four years.

Why you're under the impression that the uniform is some sort of "throwback" is beyond me. You do realize that dark blue has been the traditional color of the US Army for most of its life, from the Continental Army through the Civil War and onward, correct?

The Class A green uniform was awful (not that you would know). It was a disgusting polyester blend. It didn't fit well. The gaudy green shirt was hideous. There was nothing becoming about that uniform...a uniform whose entire purpose was to differentiate Army personnel from civilians in the post-WWII years because of the surplus of the "pinks" and khakis in the general population.

There is some opinion on changing the uniform (most of us who earned our berets want everyone else to take them off). However, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who has worn the greens who wants them back.

In fact, since you feel so strongly, I'm certain you've logged on to AKO and taken the CSA's ASU survey for uniform adjustment.
 
First, before you criticize YOUR service's uniform, you should probably know what it consists of. The jacket is not black. It's dark blue. Army blue. Criticisms go a lot farther if you start with the right facts:

General Washington issued a general order October 1779 "prescribing blue coats with differing facings for the various state troops, artillery, artillery artificers and light dragoons. The Adjutant & Inspector General's Office, March 27, 1821 established "Dark blue is the National colour. When a different one is not expressly prescribed, all uniform coats, whether for officers or enlisted men, will be of that colour."

Second, there is nothing new about 99% of the ASU. In fact, for officers, the Class A ASU consists of three noticeable changes: overseas stripes on the right sleeve, SSI-FWS pin (do some personal OPD and look that up) on the right breast pocket, and belted pants. Otherwise, the ASU is the same Army blue dress uniform that has existed since 1959. I bought one almost 9 years ago. Every formal event at USMA for officers occurred in blues, with the exception of graduation (which happened in Dress Whites) during my four years.

Why you're under the impression that the uniform is some sort of "throwback" is beyond me. You do realize that dark blue has been the traditional color of the US Army for most of its life, from the Continental Army through the Civil War and onward, correct?

The Class A green uniform was awful (not that you would know). It was a disgusting polyester blend. It didn't fit well. The gaudy green shirt was hideous. There was nothing becoming about that uniform...a uniform whose entire purpose was to differentiate Army personnel from civilians in the post-WWII years because of the surplus of the "pinks" and khakis in the general population.

There is some opinion on changing the uniform (most of us who earned our berets want everyone else to take them off). However, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who has worn the greens who wants them back.

In fact, since you feel so strongly, I'm certain you've logged on to AKO and taken the CSA's ASU survey for uniform adjustment.

I have mixed feelings about the Army uniform. The Blues were always my favorite uniform, and the Class A's were bad- too much polyester, and ugly too bright shade of green and the mint green shirt underneath was just plumb ugly, too lightweight to carry all of the stuff that people wear on class B's and a shade about one degree off the puke green that used to be found on Army hospital walls everywhere. But I don't think that the Army did itself or the Blues any favors by making it the Class B uniform. The white shirt/ Blue pants combination when worn without the jacket is really bad especially in the short sleeve variety. I was in San Antonio yesterday and a PVt walked thru the terminal- no rank,just that short sleeve white shirt with blue pants and beret- "Wolf Cub Scouts" have a more military looking appearance. The Army could have made the Green uniform a heck of a lot more presentable by simply adding a belt going back to the TW's for a Class B uniform.
And while I no longer have to wear them for anything other than yardwork- the Army PT uniform can definitely be improved with better materials - the UnderArmour type material is far superior and truly the collar on the winter shirt is too high and uncomfortable even when you are just raking leaves in the yard! But why the heck they have to continue to change styles and colors is beyond me- simple material improvements on't get a lot of fanfare I guess, but continuity combined with continuous improvement is part of how you build a sense of pride and history in an institution. In the realm of uniforms and traditions, the Marines have figured this out - the Army seems to miss that point a lot (as did the Navy when they dumped dungarees for sea going camouflage and that weird khaki shirt/blue pants combination that I see sailors wearing around lately).
 
I also like how the AF jumped on the bandwagon with their "battle" uniforms...everytime I look at the color of their boots it makes me want to throw up.
Well, at least no one would be able to tell that you puked on them! :rolleyes:
 
And if you fall over board in the "Blueberries" they are going to find you in a bobbing ocean? Always loved the Army "tropical worsted" best and really comfortable in the Alabama heat.

Love the Onion and Duffelblog:thumb: Can't believe how many news services have picked up their stories.:shake:
 
And the "Beret" for other than GB was a bad, bad, bad idea. It was a significantly stupid idea to give all army that cover. Then again I think military traveling in airports in other than Class A's is really wrong. Might be a generational thing. They look sloppy in fatigues (might be a new nomenclature) but they would stand out a lot more in full uniform if that is what the DoD wants. If you are traveling military travel in class and show your pride with all the fruit salad. JMHO.
 
First, before you criticize YOUR service's uniform, you should probably know what it consists of. The jacket is not black. It's dark blue. Army blue. Criticisms go a lot farther if you start with the right facts:

General Washington issued a general order October 1779 "prescribing blue coats with differing facings for the various state troops, artillery, artillery artificers and light dragoons. The Adjutant & Inspector General's Office, March 27, 1821 established "Dark blue is the National colour. When a different one is not expressly prescribed, all uniform coats, whether for officers or enlisted men, will be of that colour."

Ever notice how the Army, Navy, and Marines all use dark blue for their dress uniform? There's a reason for that.

Second, there is nothing new about 99% of the ASU. In fact, for officers, the Class A ASU consists of three noticeable changes: overseas stripes on the right sleeve, SSI-FWS pin (do some personal OPD and look that up) on the right breast pocket, and belted pants. Otherwise, the ASU is the same Army blue dress uniform that has existed since 1959. I bought one almost 9 years ago. Every formal event at USMA for officers occurred in blues, with the exception of graduation (which happened in Dress Whites) during my four years.

Why you're under the impression that the uniform is some sort of "throwback" is beyond me. You do realize that dark blue has been the traditional color of the US Army for most of its life, from the Continental Army through the Civil War and onward, correct?

The Class A green uniform was awful (not that you would know). It was a disgusting polyester blend. It didn't fit well. The gaudy green shirt was hideous. There was nothing becoming about that uniform...a uniform whose entire purpose was to differentiate Army personnel from civilians in the post-WWII years because of the surplus of the "pinks" and khakis in the general population.

There is some opinion on changing the uniform (most of us who earned our berets want everyone else to take them off). However, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who has worn the greens who wants them back.

In fact, since you feel so strongly, I'm certain you've logged on to AKO and taken the CSA's ASU survey for uniform adjustment.

Wow...I stand corrected. Looked up some stuff and I feel bad about myself now

Still think greens look better though
 
And the "Beret" for other than GB was a bad, bad, bad idea. It was a significantly stupid idea to give all army that cover. Then again I think military traveling in airports in other than Class A's is really wrong. Might be a generational thing. They look sloppy in fatigues (might be a new nomenclature) but they would stand out a lot more in full uniform if that is what the DoD wants. If you are traveling military travel in class and show your pride with all the fruit salad. JMHO.

I suppose folks should take a set of Class A's to Afghanistan so their travel uniform for R&R doesn't offend your sensibilities.

The beret was not just the headgear of the green berets. It was also the headgear of the Airborne (Maroon) and Rangers (Black, now Tan).
 
Looks like the Army doesn't follow fashion trends...just kidding, neither do I.

They look like sweat-magnets, probably won't be fun for the soldiers.
 
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