Uniform Common To All

NousDefionsDoc · 08-01-2009, 08:17

http://www.soldiersystems.net/

Congress Proposes Common Ground Combat Uniform
July 30th, 2009

In the 2010 House Defense Authorization bill there is a section that would require standard ground combat uniforms.

“Section 352—

Requirements for Standard Ground Combat Uniform This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Defense Logistics Agency, to require that future ground combat uniforms be standardized in order to ensure increased interoperability of ground combat forces and reduce tactical risks encountered when military personnel wear a different uniform from their counterparts in the other military services in a combat area.

The committee notes that, previously all the military services used the same desert camouflage uniform or the standard battle dress uniform, both in the temperate and enhanced weather versions. However, the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia of the Defense Logistics Agency, which is responsible for the manufacture of all U.S. military uniforms, now procures unique camouflage utility uniforms for each of the military services: the Army combat uniform, the Airman battle uniform, the Navy working uniform, and the Marine Corps combat utility uniform.

The committee is concerned that the recent move toward unique service camouflage uniforms has resulted in increased costs and production inefficiencies. For example, problems with consistency in fabric shading have required remanufacture of some uniforms. In addition, the costs for the unique uniforms are substantially more than for the standard battle dress uniform because of the differences in design, camouflage pattern, and type of fabric.

Most importantly, the committee is concerned that this uniqueness poses a tactical risk in theater, especially for those assigned to combatant commands or as individual augmentees who may be wearing a different uniform from those they are serving with in combat.

The committee also notes that service-specific battle dress uniforms magnify the challenges and costs associated with procuring personal protective gear and body armor that conform to the design and coloration of the basic uniform”

US Military Utility Uniforms

Well, Congress pretty much hit the nail on the head, just six years too late. This horse has been out of the barn for awhile but it does seem that the hoopla over the Army’s use of UCP in Afghanistan has attracted some thoughtful analysis. Interestingly, these are essentially the same arguments made by Robert Strange McNamara when he was Secretary of Defense during the Kennedy administration. At his direction, in the early 1960s the services moved to a standard uniform including boots and at one point, even T-shirts. However, this proposed legislation also references an issue that has been a major concern in the field and that is fratricide and OPSEC.

The services rely heavily on their individual uniforms for branding purposes so it is unclear how the departments may react to such a directive. Although, according to the document, there is some wiggle room including a reference to “future ground combat uniforms” which might allow the services to delay any changes to coincide with the fielding of future individual equipment ensembles. Another issue is that the bill references both utility uniforms as well as combat uniforms. Interestingly, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps have all adopted FR combat uniforms that closely resemble one another except in the area of camouflage. The real differences come to play in the utility uniform realm. Such distinctions might make implementation difficult.

There have been calls within industry for some time for the services to adopt a single color scheme in order to simplify production and realize cost savings. While the implications of such legislation are very deep for the military as well as industry, it is important to note that this is still just a bill and not yet law. In fact, it may not even make it out of committee.

Thanks to ADS Ventures for alerting us to this legislation. It will be interesting to find out who is promoting this particular measure.

NousDefionsDoc · 08-01-2009, 08:17

Makes way too much sense to me, especially in a Joint world.

rubberneck · 08-01-2009, 08:48

From a supply train point of view that is certainly the most efficient and cost effective way of dealing with the issue. I guess the fly in the ointment would be the new standard uniform. What if the uniform that all services could agree upon is inferior (for their uses) to what each of the collective branches currently uses. Is that a worth while trade off?

NousDefionsDoc · 08-01-2009, 08:51

I think it is a "Ground Combat Uniform" - how hard can it be?

rubberneck · 08-01-2009, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

I think it is a "Ground Combat Uniform" - how hard can it be?

We are talking about the Federal Government, aren't we? They make even the most simple of tasks impossible.

NousDefionsDoc · 08-01-2009, 09:26

I think the solution is right in front of them and already in the system.

Warrior-Mentor · 08-03-2009, 02:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

Makes way too much sense to me, especially in a Joint world.

Unless of course, you're a Marine with a desert camouflage uniform that actually blends in with a desert environment and they want you to change over to the fluorescent green ACU because the Army bought more of them, so it's cheaper than fixing the Army's mistake....

NiteTrain · 08-03-2009, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

Unless of course, you're a Marine with a desert camouflage uniform that actually blends in with a desert environment and they want you to change over to the fluorescent green ACU because the Army bought more of them, so it's cheaper than fixing the Army's mistake....

LOL...Well everybody who has been in the military longer than a day knows the "LOWEST BIDDER MENTALITY"

....so that being said...hope for the best but expect the worst

NiteTrain · 08-03-2009, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brush Okie

Why stop at each service having their own uniform. Each MOS should have theirs as well along with their own color beret for their MOS. It will help the morale.

Then everybody will be SPECIAL

219seminole · 08-04-2009, 20:25

I am an old guy who has worn starched fatigues, wash & wear fatigues, jungle fatigues, and the old sage green cotton flight suit. I don't anything about the current needs and what is wanted; my son was USMC in Iraq and I know the uniform they wear. I do watch, however, as the Army and USAF seem to spin their wheels and spend money over class A uniforms and countless variations of combat uniforms.

For the combat uniform, what is it that the guys on the ground actually need and want?

(Does the QM laundry still exist?)

Swank · 08-02-2009, 10:36

Wow. This has potential to be very very good (Marpat, MC) or a giant snafu. (ACU or worse). I'm rooting for common sense, but I've got too much time in service to hold my breath.

thrilla82 · 08-03-2009, 02:23

here's a question. would each service come together to come up with a universal way of wearing rank/insignia? or will it stand as now, where each branch has their own way?