Army streamlines service uniforms to one blue Army Service Uniform

[333MP]

Army streamlines service uniforms to one blue Army Service Uniform
June 5, 2006


WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 6, 2006) – Army service uniforms will be streamlined to one blue Army Service Uniform, the Army announced yesterday.

“World-class Soldiers deserve a simplified, quality uniform. The blue Army Service Uniform is a traditional uniform that is consistent with the Army’s most honored traditions,” said Sgt. Maj. Of the Army Kenneth O. Preston.

“We have all of these variations of uniforms – green, blue and white,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker. “It makes sense for us to go to one traditional uniform that is really sharp and high quality and which Soldiers will be very proud to wear. And that’s what we’ve done by adopting this blue Army Service Uniform that reflects simplicity, quality, utility and tradition.”

Many Soldiers already own an Army blue uniform (now to be called the Army Service Uniform) and may continue to wear it. Improvements will be made to the fabric and fit.

"What we want to do is design the uniform so it's tailored to the Soldier, so it fits his or her physique better," said Preston.

The new uniform will also be wrinkle-free.

"One of the materials that's been selected is a higher quality material than what is in the Army Green Uniform and will maintain its wearability and its looks," said Schoomaker.

The uniform will also include a gold braid on the trousers for E-5's and above. Additionally, the service cap will be authorized for wear by NCOs as well as officers.

Reduction of the number of uniforms will reduce the burden on Soldiers for purchases and alteration cost, officials addd.

Introduction in the Army Military Clothing Sales Stores should begin in fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007. Introduction in the Clothing Bag should begin first quarter 2009. The Mandatory Possession Date is expected to be fourth quarter fiscal year 2011.

A wear-out date for the Army Green Class A and White dress uniforms will be determined at a later date.

The consolidation of Army service uniforms is part of a streamlining process. In 2004, the Army reduced the number of battle dress uniforms from three to one when it adopted the Army Combat Uniform in place of the Woodland Green Battle Dress Uniform (winter and summer versions) and the Desert Combat Uniform. That uniform consolidation has been a resounding success in terms of soldier acceptance and reducing the variety of combat uniforms with which they must deal.

Army Blue as a uniform color traces its origins back to the National Blue and was first worn by Soldiers in the Continental Army of 1779.

Preston said the change reflects Soldiers' wants.

"I've talked to Soldiers and asked them what their thoughts were on the Army green, blue and white uniforms," he said. "It was always about 85-90 percent of hands that showed support for the Army blue uniform."

Besides tradition, the Army Service Uniform reflects utility, simplicity and quality.

• In utility, the blue Army Service Uniform provides a basic set of components that allow Soldiers to dress from the lowest end to the highest end of service uniforms with little variation required.

• In simplicity, the blue Army Service Uniform eliminates the need for numerous sets of green Class A uniforms, service blue uniforms and, for some, Army white mess uniforms (and tunics, for women). Streamlining various service uniforms into one Army Service Uniform reduces the burden on Soldiers in the same manner that the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) did for the field utility uniform.

• In quality, the blue Army Service Uniform is made of a durable material that is suitable for daily use without special care.

Information about the blue Army Service Uniform and its composition is available at www.army.mil/symbols/uniforms.

[USMC Chuter]

Beats the shit out of that awful-looking green potato sack called class A's..

[SSGMike.Ivy]

Have to agree with you on that one..new one looks sharp. Always admired the Marines dress uniform

[USMCRET6391]

Looks like it's based on the old 19th century uniforms to me. I like it.

[cougar7]

Those things are damned uncomfortable. Even with changes to make them more comfortable, I don't see them being very practical. Why couldn't we have gone back to the washable khakis and just updated the design?

Oh, that's right. We're looking under every rock for money.

I'm interested to see what our Class B's look like now. The current blues wouldn't be compatible, as the pants have no beltloops - they're suspender-compatible only.

As I recall, and with all due respect to our fine marine corps, I believe it's only the enlisted dress blue uniforms at which everyone gawks; not their version of Class A's. Even cooler looking are field-grade officer dress blues (marines please correct me if I'm wrong) which look like matador jackets. Sweet coats! Makes me almost want to be a marine!

[AmericanGirl]

I like the blue, but hell what do I know!

[USMC Chuter]

Ref Marine dress blues... All of them, officer and enlisted, are similar and "gawk-worthy" haha. Our Alphas (green service uniform) look good, but not as good.. All of them are uncomfortable. No such thing as a comfy dress uniform.

[Spitfire101]

Bout time they decided to get rid of the dang Class A's and introduce something with style....those were the ugliest thing ever created. Grimmy, do a google search and find out what idiot ever came up with the design of the Class A's and report your findings. (LOL ya knew I'd have to give ya hell.)