[JGarcia]

*Hijack*

I too think that aside from the field uniforms we have in the army, (which I think are some of the best in the world,) the dress/service uniforms we have are many and as a whole not that good looking. I think the Army had it right in decades past, but the constant op tempo the Army has, I think its certainly not that important to fix the dress uniform problems right now. I think the CG has plenty on his plate right now.

But I would I say we have too many gull darn gidgets and widgets on our uniform. I have seen the CIB/CMB's doled out to people who don't deserve them and BSM's handed out like candy since I have deployed. I used to wear my first CIB that I was awarded from serving in the first Gulf War. But after this second gulf war, I quit wearing it, or the one with the star I am now authorized to wear.

Here is why: Of the three rifle companies who deployed in our Battalion, one fire team, killed 3 iraqi insurgents, and our single company got mortared twice. Because of this the entire BN, even those REMF's who were unfit to travel north with us, (because of disciplinary problems, and lack of physical fortitude) are wearing them. Even the BC who was on leave when the 3 insurgents were killed, and was not at camp when we were mortared, is wearing one.

My father, actually served in Korea as a grunt and earned 2 Bronze Stars (w/V device), and a CIB. I don't know what he did, cause he never talks about it. I consider it a personal insult to all of those who actually earned the badge to continue wearing it. So I don't.

Many units in the Army, depending on the commander, have no shame, and will stop at nothing to hand out bogus awards. There are regulations for administering these awards, but when LTC's don't follow them, I think appropriate for the Army to step in and implement change

There are too many ribbons and medals and badges and patches and name tags and branch insignia and unit crests and service stripes and combat hash marks and unit awards and on and on.

We look like carnies selling buttons and ribbons at the fair!

A simple classy minimalist uniform, that looks sharp, but is free of all this crap is what we need. If we were to use shades of grey, with black ranks and stripes, and a high collar like the west point cadet uniform we would look sharp. I think grey with black buttons/stripes present a look that is kick ass.

If you need all those badges to make you look like a stud your prolly not a stud. I think we have a culture of I am better than you cuz I have more stuff, instead of a culture of what have you done for the Army today?

Imagine a Soldier who would have to be good at PT to make his uniform look good. We are wrapping turds in ribbons these days.

I am a SSG authorized 5 rows of ribbons and CIB (2nd award) AASLT and Airborne, Infantry so I have the blue cord, and disks. If I can give up this stuff so can others. I would glady only wear ribbons given for acts of heroism or valor, there should be damn few others that are authorized, shit can the CIB's (every pogue in the BN's are getting them now) or at least change the requirements so that only those directly engaged in a fight are authorized.(I doubt that the Army could honestly police its ranks to do so correctly)

And name tags? Well everywhere you go that requires a name tag usually requires some sort of facility ID card as well that must be worn at all times ( e.g. the pentagon) Shit can the name tags.

We would be a much more honest Army if you just didn't have a procedure to award the lies and half truths written by some for awards.

This also helps send the message "An Army of One" by making all Soldiers look the same in the uniform. We should all be riflemen first and whatever MOS you are second.

The high collar could have a US on the right side and a SMALL branch insignia with BN digits underneath, on the left side. Epaulets for officers, sleeve rank insignia for enlisted. A thick black stripe going down the leg on the trousers. I think it would be cool, its a start.

*Drop the Army service ribbon.

*Drop the PLDC ribbon, you got the stripes...enough said.

*Drop the over seas ribbon...you are doing your job enough said.

*Drop the National defense service medal.

*Drop the Airborne, Air Assault ovals.

*Drop the shoulder crests. Over kill.

*Drop unit citations unless you earn them, wear them on the left side.

*Drop the name plate, tacky.

*One marksmanship (MM, SS, or EX) qual badge no clasps.

*One unit crest on the right side.

*NCO rank more apparent by a prominant display on the sleeves, I mean to say larger stripes on the jacket.

True, a change of uniform does not speak to the root of the problem, which I don't have the answers for. But I hope that the uniform suggested sends a message to all of us, that we are all riflemen first, and distinguishes those whose bravery or deeds of valor, stick out like a sore thumb no matter where they go. My impetus behind the idea of a uniform without so many bobbles and bits of shiny things, is a deep desire to keep us honest. When someone walks in a room with a medal on his chest, it should mean something. Lets honor those among us deserving of recognition. But be honest about who those people are. Keep the uniform simple, uncluttered, and sharp.