Velcro!
MORALE: American Soldiers Look Different Now
Strategy Page
August 11, 2005: You will be noticing American troops in Iraq wearing strange new uniforms this Summer. For decades, the U.S. Army has been trying to produce a fatigue (work/combat) uniform that did not instantly generate a long list of complaints from the troops. The new ACU (Army Combat Uniform), replaces the current battle dress uniform (BDU) and the desert camouflage uniform (DCU). The ACU is the first new field uniform since 1981. The first troops, other than those who wore the test versions last year, using the ACU are now arriving in Iraq.
The ACU contains dozens of new features, and changes to older field uniforms. Some of the major changes, all in response to numerous requests from the troops, include;
Mandarin (high) collar that can be worn up or down. When worn up, this keep crud from getting down inside the shirt, and eliminates chafing from the protective vest.
A “pixilated” (like the little dots you see in a digital photo) camouflage design. Sometimes called "digital" design. The pixilated cammo pattern does a better job at hiding the wearer from human observers. This effect was first noticed over three decades ago, and some other nations have since adopted the new type of cammo.
Rank insignia can be attached above the right chest pocket with Velcro. Troops don’t like wearing rank insignia in combat, as a smart enemy will concentrate on higher ranking troops.
Velcro is also used for attaching the unit patch, skill tabs and recognition devices. This spares troops the hassle of sewing on, and later removing, patches. The Velcro also allows all the patches and such to be removed before the uniforms are sent to the laundry, or when going into combat.
Zippered front on the shirt, which is easier to close than buttons.
Elbow pouch for internal elbow and knee pad inserts. The introduction of knee and elbow pads in the 1990s saved thousands of infantry troops from painful, and sometimes permanent, injuries. Infantry spend a lot of time getting down on elbows and knees when in combat. The inserts are cheaper and easier to use than the more traditional elbow and knee protectors similar to those you see in sporting goods stores.
Elastic leg cuff, a useful item for keeping the crud out your boots when you are in the field.
Tilted chest pockets with Velcro closure. Makes the pockets easier to use when wearing your webbing gear.
Three-slot pen pocket on bottom of sleeve. Again, convenience.
Velcro sleeve cuff closure. Keeping the crud at bay once more.
Shoulder pockets with Velcro. When troops are wearing their webbing gear and packs, shoulder pockets are the only ones you can get at easily.
Forward tilted cargo pockets. Again, convenience.
Integrated blouse bellows for increased upper body mobility. Again, convenience.
Integrated Friend or Foe Identification Square on both left and right shoulder pocket flap. This is a current method for making it easier to avoid friendly fire incidents. The Velcro makes it easy to take these patches off at night, when they tend to make the troops more visible.
Bellowed calf storage pocket on left and right leg. Again, convenience.
Moisture-wicking desert tan t-shirt. Troops have been buying these with their own money for years. Cooler than regular t-shirts because the wicking removed the sweat and cools you off. This sort of t-shirt has long been popular with athletes, hikers and the like.
Patrol Cap with double thick bill and internal pocket. Complaints about the fragile bill, and troops sewing pockets into the older cap led to this.
Improved hot-weather desert boot or temperate-weather desert boot. Many complaints and recent experience in Afghanistan and Iraq.
During development, three different versions of the ACU were created and over 10,000 uniforms were manufactured and tested in Iraq and at Army training centers. Hundreds of changes were made in response to soldier comments. While the new uniform looks ugly to many civilians, it’s very comfortable. This is partly do to the bagginess. But in combat, the troops prefer loose and comfortable to tight and fashionable. The ACU was approved for mass production last Summer, and everyone will have it by 2007. The new uniform costs about $86 per set, about $30 more than the old uniforms. The army will be increasing clothing allowances for this, although many troops are just issued the uniforms (four sets at a time). As more suggestions come in from ACU users, the army will develop ACU 2.0.
strategypage.com |
