Latest in Army Wear

". . . battle-tested in the sands of Iraq and at Army training centers.
This isn't a cosmetic redesign of the uniform. It is a functionality change of the uniform that will improve the ability of Soldiers to execute their combat mission. Every change was made for a reason. There were 18 changes made to the uniform, to include removing the color black and adapting the digital print from the Marine Corps uniform to meet the needs of the Army."

Excerpt and image from:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/acu.htm

I spent this first weekend of the New Year playing "soldier." It was drill weekend with the Texas Army National Guard. I was happy to have procured a set of the new ACU (army combat uniform.) Everyone in the army is gradually switching over to the new uniforms. I was one of only 3 people in my unit wearing the old BDU (battle dress uniform). I had planned on NOT purchasing one until I am the absolute last person to be wearing the old jungle fatigues or until the army mandates everyone to switch to the new outfit. As an officer, we are required to purchase it with our own money while the enlisted side gets them issued (free). The whole outfit with boots and badges cost close to $250. That was just a little too much for an outfit I'll wear once a month! However, as luck would have it. . .actually a really nice NCO (non-commissioned officer) had connections to someone in supply who had extra sets of the ACUs and so us officers got to pick some out. I wear size small in the unisex uniforms and there were no size small! So, cleverly, a couple of us drove to a nearby Army Navy store to see if they would be willing to take the GI (government issued) sets for ones in the right size for us. As it turns out, they were willing to trade with $10 for "restocking fee." I purchased new patchs (unit patch, US flag, rank patch, name patch, etc.), bought matching sand-colored shirts and belt and paid just a little over $50! And I did get my size boots for free from supply. Aside from cosmetic differences, the ACUs are teflon-coated and have tiny patches for IR light (infrared red) identification during night navigation, and best of all, no ironing required! The worst part of the army get-up: the black beret, it's ill-fitting, unsightly and uncomfortable! I hope who ever in the higher ups that authorized the beret will realize what a mistake it is and design something else for us.

Our unit patch, worn on the left arm. That's the Texas Lone Star. The new ACU has everything velcro, which replaced sewn-on patches and buttons.

The USA flag patch, worn over the right arm, signifies support for American troops deployed in the current war.

Here's the old Vietnam era-like "woodland" pattern uniform. I had spent hundreds of dollars on two sets of these, and now they are out of style in only a few years! What am I to do with them? The guys in the unit suggested that they make good hunting outfits. Hmm, if hubby ever picks up the sport of game hunting, he's got two sets of very sturdy and good-looking camouflage! From now on, I'll let hubby wear 'em for his paintball games if he likes. The pants and jackets are loose-fitting so I think they'll fit a range of sizes. If any friends out there who has a penchant for hunting deers or ducks or plans to engage in friendly paintball games, you are welcome to my clothes.

This old BDU pattern, however, is rampant in today's youth hip-pop fashion. You can buy anything from swimwear to capri pants.

My old retiring combat boots. Kitty finds the shoestrings amusing. Okay, they nor the wearer was ever in actual combat, but together, we did go through a few days of harsh wilderness in the Houston desert for field exercises. (a.k.a. Officer Basic Course, summer 2004) There are still dirt from that summer that never came out of those shoes.