info request: US woodland BDU's

[ovl007]

yeah, i know, they're getting old-fashioned, but i still digg the classic woodland BDU's...
But i have this following question, last i've seen a big sew on chevron patch (staff sergeant)... Are these still sewn on the bdu sleeves? Has this ever been done? do you hae some pictures of it maybe?
Also, if done, where exactly on the sleeves where they sewn...

thx,

ovl007

[TacoDelRio]

Not on BDU's, but on previous uniforms (OG107's I think they were called). Rank and Branch (for officers) was moved onto the collar when the Army (and whoever else) transitioned to BDU's.

The USAF still has rank on their shoulders, as far as I know.

[4thPointOfContact]

Not on BDU's, but on previous uniforms (OG107's I think they were called). Rank and Branch (for officers) was moved onto the collar when the Army (and whoever else) transitioned to BDU's.

The USAF still has rank on their shoulders, as far as I know.

The U.S. Army has been wearing miniature pin-on or sew-on insignia on its collars since at least mind-70's. That would have been at least 6yrs prior to woodlands being issued.

[gaijinsamurai]

I believe Taco is correct regarding the Air Force still using sew-on rank insignia on the upper sleeve.
I like the woodlands pattern as an all-around camouflage, but for where I'm from (Western Oregon), there is a bit too much light-color for the woods. i prefer the Vietnam-era ripstop olive drab, or current German flecktarn.

[Lerch]

Yup, on the tips of the collar and on the flap of the kevlar vest.
As for the AF, they have their rank on their arms with the blue embroidery.

[TacoDelRio]

The U.S. Army has been wearing miniature pin-on or sew-on insignia on its collars since at least mind-70's. That would have been at least 6yrs prior to woodlands being issued.

/\
|
|
Listen to this guy. My own knowledge of pre-1980's stuff is limited.

[Ol' Bob]

Why don't the Marines or Army sew the rank on the sleeve? It seems more practical for rank identification, but then again it also makes it easier for a sniper to id as well. Is that why?

[Lerch]

Probably because it's a pain to sew patches onto your sleeves...thats my guess anyway.

[Anthony91]

Why don't the Marines or Army sew the rank on the sleeve? It seems more practical for rank identification, but then again it also makes it easier for a sniper to id as well. Is that why?

That would be my guess.

[Limeyfellow]

The story I heard was in Vietnam when they started issueing subdued rank insignia patches in 1966 they quickly run out and when the laundry was done they had a difficult time getting the same uniform back to the right men.

So in 1967 the pins where approve for use. These could then be removed from the dirty uniform and placed on a clean new uniform back from the laundry, where it was easier to just make sure they had the right unit patches on. Then in the 1970s they decided that it was a good idea all around and so dumped the patches and kept the pins.

[gaijinsamurai]

Exactly.Pin-on collar badges are easy to put on and take off. I'll take those over crap you have to have sewn-on, any day.

[lt tahoe]

Of course, most collar rank is sew-on in the past couple decades anyway (or was, before the ACU).

Promotion tends to be slower in the AF than other services, so you don't have to rip those huge rank insignia off and get new ones as often :)

[HOLLiS]

I think unit patches are one thing, rank is another. I remember seeing rank wore on the collar or hat/cover. I don't remember seeing unit pins. I was in the Marines and we did not wear unit patches. Army, I think had US Army over left breast pocket sewed, and maybe unit patch on sleave........ Wearing rank on hat/cover became real common. Some guys in my unit, would rank, in side, only pins showed. I never wore rank any wheres. People in my Unit knew who was who. The advantage of rank was more money, that was about it.


A good source to ask is the re-enactors, those guys are real sharp on this stuff.

[Rakkasans]

Probably because it's a pain to sew patches onto your sleeves...thats my guess anyway.

Sew ????... Elmer's Glue (or fabric glue). Might fall off in the wash every few loads but you just glue them back on... p-)

[Lerch]

Sew ????... Elmer's Glue (or fabric glue). Might fall off in the wash every few loads but you just glue them back on... p-)
Yeah but then the Sgt in Supply gets mad when you try to return a jacket with a big stiff patch on the arm rofl

[Kilo Golf]

Sew ????... Elmer's Glue (or fabric glue). Might fall off in the wash every few loads but you just glue them back on... p-)


Bet your uniform looks like sh!t then, spend 5 bucks and get them sewn on and quit looking like a dirtbag.

--GN