New Army camo

[chauncy republicans]

June 14, 2004

Army Shows 1st Uniform Redesign Since '81
Jun 14, 04:30 PM EDT
By ROBERT BURNS - AP Military Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Army revealed on Monday a redesigned combat uniform with a digital camouflage pattern that looks strikingly different from soldiers' current battle dress uniforms.

It marks the first major change in the Army uniform since 1981, said Brig. Gen. James R. Moran, who modeled the uniform for reporters at the Pentagon. He said recruits will be issued the redesigned uniform starting October 2005, and the entire Army will be outfitted by December 2007.

The uniform is being produced in a single, universal pattern to replace the two camouflage versions in current use: tan-brown for desert use and green-brown-black for woodland settings.

The pattern for the new camouflage coat and trousers is a mix of light green, tan and gray. Moran said it was designed to allow soldiers to blend into urban, desert and forest environments; it is similar to the Marines' digital camouflage uniform except that it has no black in the pattern.

Soldiers also will get a new, no-shine, tan combat boot, and the current black boots will be discontinued.

The new uniform makes more use of Velcro, and the coat fastens in front with a zipper instead of buttons. Cuffs and pockets are fastened with Velcro, and the coat collar can be turned up and fastened Mandarin-style. The uniform is roomier and made with a no-wrinkle fabric.

The coat-trousers combination costs $88, compared with $56 for the current battle dress uniform.

The new uniform was designed in part to accommodate the new Interceptor body armor that soldiers are getting in Iraq and Afghanistan for partial protection from bullets as large as 7.62mm. The Mandarin-style collar, for example, shields the neck from the Interceptor vest collar.

Moran said the Army will offer soldiers extra protection with add-on armor for the underarm area, which is not covered with protective plates in Interceptor vests. The deltoid protection will increase the weight of the armor vests from 16 pounds to 22 pounds.

About 50,000 sets of deltoid protection are to be available by the end of September.

Moran said the Army is looking for ways to protect soldiers better who risk death or injury from homemade bombs in Iraq, the weapons of choice for anti-U.S. insurgents.

"We have a clever enemy, an adaptable enemy," he said.

___

On the Net:

New uniform: https://peosoldier.army.mil/default.asp?sectionacu

[Vance]

Wait...where's your usual sarcasm?? :(

[chauncy republicans]

You can find it in a couple of the other threads. :)

[DE_Six]

Wow.

It looks awesome. Good to see the Army is going "pixellated" too.

It looks like they implemented many of improvements ushered by custom modified BDU worn by SOF.

Not sure about the single universal pattern, though. Usually, something designed to do many things does them all wrong. Or at least not perfectly.

[Operation Ivy]

No more black boots :(

[Mark Sman]

Fugly

But hopefully effective.

[Pooga]

Looks kinda funky.

[angry cow]

Um? Where the hell am I supposed to hide? In a swimming pool? Way to friggin blue, the last thing we need is to borrow any ideas from the air force, especially when it comes to camoflage coloring schemes . . .

[crazyman]

im just going to go on record now and say that using one pattern for everything is one of the worst ideas ive heard of in a LONG time.

[budanski]

http://www.claymera.com/walk-in-woods.jpg

Wow, now THATS Stealthy! ;)

[Midav]

http://www.claymera.com/walk-in-woods.jpg

Wow, now THATS Stealthy! ;)

rofl

Cool! Hope it's effective.

[angry cow]

Oops didn't read throught the army's natnick center article, turns out there are three patterns, the one that they're showing is prolly an urban uniform. I especially like how it looks like the uniform will be sterilized in combat situations. No unit patches, only subdued American flag and permanent glint tape. The way the Marines do it is the way it should be, I like wearing my stuff around garrison but there is no need for that sh!t in the field.

[Deuterium]

I'm back and.... GET YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.deuteriumox.com/milphotos/acu1.jpg

OH MY FUC*ING GOD!!!!!!!! YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING!!!!! That color just plain sucks. Let's hope this isn't the final color.

http://www.deuteriumox.com/milphotos/acu2.jpg

http://www.deuteriumox.com/milphotos/acu3.jpg

[Kitsune]

"Funky" ? "Cool"?
Sry these new colors look just terrible. And it seems to camoflage the soldiers very badly ! And just ONE color for woodland and desert?!?
They can't be serious ! Is this a joke or something?

[memphiz]

I Like CADPAT more :D

[bolter9]

Oops didn't read throught he article, turns out there are three patterns, the one that they're showing is prolly an urban uniform. I especially like how it looks like the unifomr will be sterilized in combat situations. No unit patches, only subdued American flag and permanent glint tape. The way the Marines do it is the way it should be, I like wearing my stuff around garrison but there is no need for that sh!t in the field.

This article on CNN states a single pattern...which if the picture is any indication, seems like a poor idea:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17313

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

This pattern is way to bright for a green environment there just is not enough darker colours and no black at all!

[Hullebullen]

The brownish green pattern in the first pic in Deut's post, is that supposed to be woodland pattern or Desert pattern? And the grey urban camo, looks more like a fashion statement than something useful in my opinion...

[scm77]

The pattern looks like it would be effective in an urban environment, but that's about the only place it looks effective.

[Tane Angle]

Deut, interservice rivalry, individuality, and copyrights aside, what do you think of using MARPAT as a standard uniform? I'm wary of the idea of having soldiers, Marines, AFSOC personnel and others all working near one another but wearing different uniforms. Say a soldier has been training for months now, seeing only the Army pattern, well, will his instinct take over and will he shoot anything with a gun and not in the same pattern uniform?

Also, any thoughts on this new uniform and potential problems, such as during operations that require noise discipline? Also, let's face it, if someone ever needed a sterile uniform, they couldn't go with this, as patches or no pathces the new uniform by definition is not sterile-it screams "American," no?

Thanks bud. Have a good one, and just some thoughts...

[scm77]

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/649/NewArmyCam.jpg

Where are they????

[DE_Six]

This is what I've gathered from the Lightfighter boards (they have people "in the know" over there):


have the answers to every question asked...... but its not my place to let the cat out of the bag.

A couple of things that I will say.....

Army one one star in the pattern....yes

One uniform for garrison, field, and combat use... YES

one pattern for all environments.....yes, no desert/woodland patterns

No starch..... YES, the starch will destroy the velcro. Starching/ pressing will not be authorized per IAW Ar-670-1.

Glint tape subdued Armerican flags in field/combat......AUTHORIZED!

cloth red/white/blue flags attached with VELCRO in garrison....... YES


Army of One Star in the pattern? :roll:

I really wonder how bad this pattern will stand out in a jungle...

It does everything, alright; it does nothing right.

Just my .02$ p-)

[molly747]

That pattern looks like it belongs on my grandmother's curtains.

[Hullebullen]

That pattern looks like it belongs on my grandmother's curtains.

Is your grandmother member of some militia or some kind of military buff? ;)

[DE_Six]

That pattern looks like it belongs on my grandmother's curtains.

Your grandma has debatable tastes ;)

j/k

[bolter9]

Deut, interservice rivalry, individuality, and copyrights aside, what do you think of using MARPAT as a standard uniform? I'm wary of the idea of having soldiers, Marines, AFSOC personnel and others all working near one another but wearing different uniforms. Say a soldier has been training for months now, seeing only the Army pattern, well, will his instinct take over and will he shoot anything with a gun and not in the same pattern uniform?


This is an interesting point (sorry, I know you asked Deuterium...) I have no military experience, but do have somewhat extensive experience designing information architecture for web applications. One of the more basic, but important fundamentals in information design is that people will respond to and process information much quicker if it's visually consistent and doesn't challenge any pre-concieved expectations. I would guess that uniform recognition is a similar type of visual processing function, and taking into consideration the distractions of a combat environment, it seems that you'd want to eliminate as much visual confustion as possible- So along those lines, one would think that a single uniform design would make it easier for U.S. soldiers to recognize each other.

I understand that their are other aspects involed that I really can't speak to, but from a strictly recognition standpoint, this makes sense.

[crazyman]

i know the army has been toying with the idea of a single pattern for everything, but this one wont work anywhere, period. kinda glad to see black is gone though. how much do you really see black in nature? not all that much. the design of the ACU's isnt half bad, but the pattern has got to go.

[Deuterium]

Well I like everything but the pattern color. I'll caveat it all with I'll wait for final judgment when I get a pair. As for everyone using the same pattern I'm all for it. I've seen the MARPAT desert and woodland and wasn't all that impressed when compared to the current patterns. Didn't seem to be that much improvement and the desert pattern is definitely a step backwards IMHO. I'll listen to SOTIC committee and see what their opinions are. They do this for a living. As for the VELCRO it's kinda love hate. Love the functionality/hate the noise.

[scm77]

i know the army has been toying with the idea of a single pattern for everything, but this one wont work anywhere, period. kinda glad to see black is gone though. how much do you really see black in nature? not all that much.

I think they put black in to blend with shadows.

[angry cow]

Crap I was sure I read about three color patterns somewhere on this site:

https://peosoldier.army.mil/default.asp?section=acu

But now that I read it again it says only one color pattern!
That's like taking all the advantages of the Digital Camo and ****ting on them. I have no words to express my rage at whatever bureaucrat :fork: is pushing a one-uniform solution. It is an absurd notion that no soldier would ever try. Fortunately cooler heads will prevail on this one, the outrage of our armed forces at looking like the friggin Air Force cammies is going to tear the one-uniform solution to hell and gone . . .

As to the other things, the black to represent shadows should not be in there because shadows don't generally move that fast . . . The black on the uniform should only be caused by shadows falling on the soldier where he is, not a built-in pattern.

And when I meant sterilization, I don't mean anything that would render our forces unprotected by the Geneva Convention. I mean removing rank insignia to protect agqainst snipers, and unit insignia so that the enemy doesn't know what force he's fighting. The Flag should be on there to give the soldier protectiong under geneva conventions, and of course if captured he will have to reveal his name, rank, and serial number.

[wyrm_142]

Its not bad - the velcro has sound issues, but what else is there? Fabric magnets to hold things closed?

The color - I remember reading somewhere that the gray-ish OD that we used in WW2 worked 'well' in all our AO's during the war. Granted terrain specfic designs will always work better.

Perhaps SOCOM will end up with a SOCOM uniform so the issues Deut brought forth aren't a problem... there's also the bit about hearts & minds, how does one win hearts & minds when troops look like space troopers?

Hey, and it could be worse, you could be facing the threat of wearing something that doesn't even appear close to a color in the woods (oh thank you AF!).

[Minjin]

Looks like horribly faded fabric to me...

[usa320]

they shoulda just used the same patterns as the marines. MARPART looks really good and is effective.

[Howitz]

http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=6042


"The current colors on the ACU are green-woodland, grey-urban environments and sand brown-desert. The pattern is not a 100-percent solution in every environment, but a good solution across the board."


this could be the "three" that keeps getting reffered to....maybe the designer's where color blind? This uniform would blend in hella good in an I Love Lucy episode, but who am i to comment?

[budanski]

They found that the most effective camo in Iraq was plain khaki. MARPAT, CADPAT, etc. all look the same as plain khaki when covered with dust.

[Howitz]

yeah there's a whole thread on that http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8435&highlight=desert+plain+khaki

and who is the "they" in iraq that found this out? (-cue old scruffy guy from "the wild bunch") Though it seems solid colors have a tendecy to naturally blend in with enough "environmental interaction p-)" vietnam jungle uniform etc.

[crazyman]

i know that they put black in there to blend in..but black is too dark. its darker then the shadows that would be around you, and so its a giveaway. simply using tan/brown and green is far more effective

[wyrm_142]

In other news (only posting in this thread cause its uni related):

I've found the USAF new BDU comment site (it was suppose to be active 1 APR 04).

http://www.milsurvey.com/

The best thing? You can't comment unless you're sent an e-mail. No, they didn't send mail to the @*.af.mil domain (at least I've not got it - nor have my AD friends).

[Lt_Crooks]

wow... when I posted are army grunts getting digi's everyone told me NO you... well who is laughing NOW . By the way looks like we will soon recieve the vote for worlds ugliest army with the new uniforms... and the dreaded XM8

[ibstolidude]

there's also the bit about hearts & minds, how does one win hearts & minds when troops look like space troopers?
you do what you always do and civie down your uniform and appearance

for those involved in face to face interactions it is always a balance between safety w/ PPE and the ability to build *******.

[Tane Angle]

Very nice post, bolter9, thank you for sharing your insight with us. The same to everyone else on here. I agree, bolter, I don't like the diversity of uniforms. If I remember correctly, when US troops in WWII experimented with camoflauge and other colored uniforms, there were a large number of friendly fire incidents because "only Germans wore camoflauge."

Similarly, in the first year or two of the American Civil War, many Northern regiments wore gray unforms, because gray was "fashionable" and blue was "not." And many Confederates who had previously served in the US Army continued to wear their old uniforms. As one could probably guess, this led to friendly fire problems as well. During the American Civil War, the units had large American and state flags identifying them, and they could see one another coming for at least several seconds if not minutes normally. If they still couldn't tell the difference in that longer length of time, how are two patrols whose paths have overlapped supposed to ID one another in a split second. Granted, the smoke from the powder was probably obscuring the field, but there is smoke today as well.

This is urban fighting we're talking about here, where a split second is all the time one has before it's kill or be killed. We don't need to make things anymore complex than they already are.

Let's learn from the past, no?

Have a good one, and just some thoughts...

[Henk]

Just a Question.
The uniform seems to be tested by combat soldiers, how did they come up with pockets and sleeves with velcro.
Doesn't the American army go on nightpatrols were there is a need for stealth.
Just try to open velcro at a silent night.



The mind is the best weapon.
____________________________

[G1]

Different camo for different branches is foolish, since all will operate in the same environment. If one camo is better, then it should be issued to everyone, it saves lives if it's better doesn't it!? I say MARPAT for all.

[haze99]

STARSHIP TROOPERS!








Nice to see the 7th Infantry Division, shoulder patch being worn on the right sleeve. (It was reactivated in 1999 at Ft. Carson, Co)

[Lt_Crooks]

I think the marines and army are taking this whole pride thing to far. The marines dont want to use army equitment and the army doesnt want to use the marine equitment. Marines think they are so bad " the few and the proud" they are only the few because their funding IS the smallest of all of the branches, they are a department of the NAVY. Trust me I know a marine and a army infantry solider . ARMY: "The marines are jarheads, they are not to big on education", MARINES:"The army is nothing but a hoard of un disciplened grunts, they clean up our mess " Back to the point at hand , If it is effective why not just everyone use it. Cant they see that everyone is fighting for the same cause, I believe that pride is the only reason that the ARMY is not using marpat.

[Midav]

Yup, lot's of pride issues from everywhere and anywhere...
Much like the G36 and the XM8. Sorry that I bring it up, but why not just ouright buy the G36?

Pride.

Just an example.

[MaxPayne]

http://www.deuteriumox.com/milphotos/acu2.jpg hmmm why dont they wear orange colours because it maybe could be mor effective

[Scrim]

wow... when I posted are army grunts getting digi's everyone told me NO you... well who is laughing NOW . By the way looks like we will soon recieve the vote for worlds ugliest army with the new uniforms... and the dreaded XM8

Wrong. You asked if the Army was being issued MARPAT. This is not MARPAT.

[dugdug]

urban camo??

[droopy]

I don`t think that an all around BDU is a good ideea it`s like making a tank that can dogfight ,float and submerge.

[bolter9]

http://www.deuteriumox.com/milphotos/acu2.jpg hmmm why dont they wear orange colours because it maybe could be mor effective

I'm sure the army has put a lot of research into this new pattern, but I really don't understand how they plan to get good concealment in a woodland environment. It's obvious from looking at this guys load-bearing gear, that current woodland pattern does a better job then the new pattern.

[DE_Six]

Just a Question.
The uniform seems to be tested by combat soldiers, how did they come up with pockets and sleeves with velcro.
Doesn't the American army go on nightpatrols were there is a need for stealth.
Just try to open velcro at a silent night.


Well, SOF personnel modify their BDUs and DCUs with Velcro, so I guess it must make some tactical sense.

[RS_Leo1A5]

If it is effective why not just everyone use it. Cant they see that everyone is fighting for the same cause, I believe that pride is the only reason that the ARMY is not using marpat.
Here in Germany all branches wear the same BDU. Of course, there are different parade dresses and special stuff like aircraft or ship uniforms, but the BDUs are the same.
(With minor differences: Air Force personnel have small wings under their ranksigns, Navy personnel have golden ranksigns.)

I've never understood this IMHO extreme in-fighting between the various branches of the American military or their various secret services, too.

[crazyman]

just got an email from the army today explaining this lil piece of work...supposed to start issuing it in april of 05, with priority to units deploying/already deployed. fortunatly the letter also said that the current BDU and DBDU will be authorized for wear for quite awhile after that april date, so If this pattern is as bad as it looks on here, well guess what i'll be wearing

[Operation Ivy]

http://www.deuteriumox.com/milphotos/acu2.jpg hmmm why dont they wear orange colours because it maybe could be mor effective

I'm sure the army has put a lot of research into this new pattern, but I really don't understand how they plan to get good concealment in a woodland environment. It's obvious from looking at this guys load-bearing gear, that current woodland pattern does a better job then the new pattern.

There is no way that that is the Woodland cammo, that must be the Urban cammo, and if that is the woodland it the worst cammo job ever

[DixieDude]

So what is the name for this camo?

ARMPAT?

[MCWARPIG]

First off.. I keep hearing about URBAN CAMO. What exactly is that? It is a Hollywood pattern. No camo pattern will effectively camoflage a soldier in an urban environment. The pattern shown here is as close as you can get. Breaking up the contrast of the soldier against the terrain.

Velcro is a good idea. Maybe some noise issues but I don't find myself reaching into pockets when I'm sneaking up on a position.

I think the uniform is damn ugly, the color scheme seems questionable.. but what can you do? No pattern will work in all environments. The deployed units will sport them first off and find out if they work.
I am just pissed cause my eight pair of black boots are gonna have to be **** canned soon.

[G1]

Velcro and mud don't mix. Sand and velcro don't mix. The French army had uniforms with zippers years ago, now you can only find them in maintenance units.

[Moledet]

Are they suppose to make a shape of a baby inside a womb on the ground to look like rocks?

[Midtown]

http://www.deuteriumox.com/milphotos/acu2.jpg hmmm why dont they wear orange colours because it maybe could be mor effective

I'm sure the army has put a lot of research into this new pattern, but I really don't understand how they plan to get good concealment in a woodland environment. It's obvious from looking at this guys load-bearing gear, that current woodland pattern does a better job then the new pattern.

There is no way that that is the Woodland cammo, that must be the Urban cammo, and if that is the woodland it the worst cammo job ever

Hey without actully seeing it in first person, who knows how it will be effective in a WOODLAND setting when the guy isnt standing out in the middle of a sunny field.

[IDFM203]

Well IMO it’s a bad idea if this will be the only pattern and color that the U.S. troops will have for all types of environments.

For indeed there is no singular pattern that can work for all environments though some say that standard OD colour goes the closest to working for all environments.

As such, I personally think an Israeli system of “Camo suits” is more of a ideal system for soldiers to use in the ever changing environments that they find themselves quickly changing into.

They are lightweight and can be rolled up and carried in a soldiers vest or other type of load bearing device.


As for urban camo, well besides the reverible woodland/desert camo suits (http://www.isayeret.com/camo/personal.htm) that all SF (and a lot of regular infantry have) that goes over the regular BDU’s, there is also a urban version that is used by some IDF SF forces and well I can see that as a good solution over this new BDU pattern if that’s the way the U.S. will go.

(these pics are taken from earlier postings)

http://www.isayeret.com/camo/camo-9.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/camo/cam0-23.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan10.JPG
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan4.JPG
http://www.isayeret.com/camo/camo-26.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/camo/camo-25.jpg

or even the newer ones…..

http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/ISRAELI%20CAMO/1Universal_Urban_Camo_mesh_suit_1.jpg

http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/ISRAELI%20CAMO/1Universal_Urban_Camo_mesh_suit_2.jpg

http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/ISRAELI%20CAMO/1Universal_Urban_Camo_mesh_closeup.jpg


Anyways thats just my take on this whole new switch in the U.S.

Shalom :D

[MaxPayne]

http://www.deuteriumox.com/milphotos/acu1.jpg
i cant believe these are suposed to be the same colours??? :|

http://www.deuteriumox.com/milphotos/acu2.jpg

[/img]

[pretorian669]

HEY!!!!!!!!It's only the Urban patern.There's also a woodland and desert patern of wich we haven't seen pictures yet.Just because they took pictures of the urban patern with some trees in the background it doesn't mean it's supposed to blend in there.Just give some credit to your Army
and wait for more pictures to pop up on the web of the other two paterns.

"The color scheme in the ACU capitalizes on the environments that we operate in," Myhre said. "The current colors on the ACU are green-woodland, grey-urban environments and sand brown-desert"

http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/htmlinks/Press_Releases/2004/June2004/15June2004-01.htm

[Javehn]

I read that this uniform will be universal one , for all the operation scenes , and not different scemes for different enviroments , pretorian .

[MCWARPIG]

HEY!!!!!!!!It's only the Urban patern.There's also a woodland and desert patern of wich we haven't seen pictures yet.Just because they took pictures of the urban patern with some trees in the background it doesn't mean it's supposed to blend in there.Just give some credit to your Army
and wait for more pictures to pop up on the web of the other two paterns.

"The color scheme in the ACU capitalizes on the environments that we operate in," Myhre said. "The current colors on the ACU are green-woodland, grey-urban environments and sand brown-desert"

Three colors not three patterns.
http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/htmlinks/Press_Releases/2004/June2004/15June2004-01.htm


Just looked at the new camo in the Army Times. It looks much greener and tanner in the pics there. I think the colors are a bit distorted when you see them on a computer monitor. Hopefully they are the same color hues as MARPAT without the black.

[Bombtrack]

HEY!!!!!!!!It's only the Urban patern.There's also a woodland and desert patern of wich we haven't seen pictures yet.Just because they took pictures of the urban patern with some trees in the background it doesn't mean it's supposed to blend in there.Just give some credit to your Army
and wait for more pictures to pop up on the web of the other two paterns.

"The color scheme in the ACU capitalizes on the environments that we operate in," Myhre said. "The current colors ON the ACU are green-woodland, grey-urban environments and sand brown-desert"

http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/htmlinks/Press_Releases/2004/June2004/15June2004-01.htm

Note: ON the ACU

[Operation Ivy]

Well now i wanna see the woodland so i wont be angry :D

[Bootneck]

A better pic:

http://www.theregimenthq.com/images/20040614213909990002.jpg

[Scrim]

Whats this pattern you all are talking about? All I see is a bunch of damn velcro stuck all over the place. Its like one of those suits at the fair when you jump up against the velcro wall and stick to it.

[pretorian669]

The uniform.Not the camo pattern.

[Argo AdAm]

It's clearly written that this ACU has only one pattern, with three colors: tan, green and grey.

Another article about ACU http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&ncid=718&e=3&u=/ap/20040615/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/army_new_uniform

Army Shows 1st Uniform Redesign Since '81

By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer

WASHINGTON - The Army revealed on Monday a redesigned combat uniform with a digital camouflage pattern that looks strikingly different from soldiers' current battle dress uniforms.

It marks the first major change in the Army uniform since 1981, said Brig. Gen. James R. Moran, who modeled the uniform for reporters at the Pentagon (news - web sites). He said recruits will be issued the redesigned uniform starting October 2005, and the entire Army will be outfitted by December 2007.

The uniform is being produced in a single, universal pattern to replace the two camouflage versions in current use: tan-brown for desert use and green-brown-black for woodland settings.

The pattern for the new camouflage coat and trousers is a mix of light green, tan and gray. Moran said it was designed to allow soldiers to blend into urban, desert and forest environments ; it is similar to the Marines' digital camouflage uniform except that it has no black in the pattern.

Soldiers also will get a new, no-shine, tan combat boot, and the current black boots will be discontinued.

The new uniform makes more use of Velcro, and the coat fastens in front with a zipper instead of buttons. Cuffs and pockets are fastened with Velcro, and the coat collar can be turned up and fastened Mandarin-style. The uniform is roomier and made with a no-wrinkle fabric.

The coat-trousers combination costs $88, compared with $56 for the current battle dress uniform.

The new uniform was designed in part to accommodate the new Interceptor body armor that soldiers are getting in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites) for partial protection from bullets as large as 7.62mm. The Mandarin-style collar, for example, shields the neck from the Interceptor vest collar.

Moran said the Army will offer soldiers extra protection with add-on armor for the underarm area, which is not covered with protective plates in Interceptor vests. The deltoid protection will increase the weight of the armor vests from 16 pounds to 22 pounds.

About 50,000 sets of deltoid protection are to be available by the end of September.

Moran said the Army is looking for ways to protect soldiers better who risk death or injury from homemade bombs in Iraq, the weapons of choice for anti-U.S. insurgents.

"We have a clever enemy, an adaptable enemy," he said.

In my opinion this pattern could work well, but its colors should be (or rather must be) more saturated and a little darker. But desert and woodland in one... Hmm... :|

[crazyman]

i really cant imagine a single pattern working well in both environments. until/unless you can seriously make a uniform that actually changes color, its a no go. well we've got til april, heres' to hoping that the army wisens up some.

[mocking_loudly_died]

A better pic:

http://www.theregimenthq.com/images/20040614213909990002.jpg

Velcro man with his nerf gun.
This is what happens when triple x is played to many times in the Whitehouse.

[Romulus]

Those Velcro patches are HORRIFIC!!!!! Looks like something out of Starship troopers or wing commander.. Whats with the velcro anyway? Wouldn't opening any of your pockets make a terrible 'crrrrrippppppppp" sound? Thats not to stealthy.

[crazyman]

velcro is hardly a new idea for field gear. also, i dont think ive ever found myself digging through my pockets for something i needed when i was THAT worried about being quiet. the point behind all the velcro is so you can open pockets one handed more easily. the current button ones can be annoying if youre wearing gloves and you dont want to put down your weapon

[Vance]

Check out these...I hope they haven't been posted before. Ah well.



https://peosoldier.army.mil/photos/ACU1_high.jpg

https://peosoldier.army.mil/photos/ACU3_high.jpg

[DE_Six]

A better pic:

http://www.theregimenthq.com/images/20040614213909990002.jpg

Nice minty green. Hard to believe this is the same pattern than the one on the hi-res outdoor pics. :|

Still, a universal pattern for all areas is not a good idea, IMHO. Especially for an army deployed on every continent of the planet.

[Ratamacue]

If that's the pattern that they're going to use for all environments, I'm going to cry.

[Argo AdAm]

Video - Project Manager Soldier Equipment Colonel John Norwood shows some of the new features of the ACU.
http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/2004/06/newacu.wmv

Hmm... this camo still looks too much greyish...

[Deuterium]

Another point that hasn't been made is the attempt to move, yet again, from 100% cotton. The MOST popular uniforms that soldiers have used their own money to buy, OG-107 and Hot Weather BDUs, have all been 100%. In fact sales and wear of the current Hot Weather BDU are the clear winner. I'll bet 5-10 years after this initial issue(if the uniform is still issued) there'll be a 100% cotton variety.

[California Joe]

It just sounds like a clusterf*ck in the making.

And why wasn't I consulted on this? *flips hair and stomps off in a hissy*

[Steve Andrews]

mmmmmm ****PAT

[MaxPayne]

i think the part with the single pattern is only for pattern

its one pattern with 3 colour types

see like the 3 colour desert bdu's aren't the same pattern as woodland you know what i mean

[Midav]

To play devil's advocate here, they have been testing it and even used it in Iraq.

If the feedback is good and it's effective, ie if it's stupid, but works, it ain't stupid.

Like to hear more on how effective it may be from the users themselves.

[rob]

i think the part with the single pattern is only for pattern

its one pattern with 3 colour types

see like the 3 colour desert bdu's aren't the same pattern as woodland you know what i mean

we can hope your right.

my prediction, that this pattern along with the xm8 will result is a large increase in marine core enlistment. :|

[Bombtrack]

Video - Project Manager Soldier Equipment Colonel John Norwood shows some of the new features of the ACU.
http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/2004/06/newacu.wmv


American soldiers have to pay for their uniforms?!

[Midav]

Yup. They also get a uniform allowance.

[Sierra]

the features are nice i likr it. and the more i watch the video, the more i like the colors.
also, will it only be Army that is changing. or all the military?

[vitiaz]

Looks like they completely ingnored the poll on 'Army Times'

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?s=1-292925-swatchresults.php

[Argo AdAm]

i think the part with the single pattern is only for pattern
its one pattern with 3 colour types
see like the 3 colour desert bdu's aren't the same pattern as woodland you know what i mean

It is not true, it's only your hope. Check some posts before and you will find that this is one universal camo.

[rob]

i think the part with the single pattern is only for pattern
its one pattern with 3 colour types
see like the 3 colour desert bdu's aren't the same pattern as woodland you know what i mean

It is not true, it's only your hope. Check some posts before and you will find that this is one universal camo.

don't the polish have a saying, hope is the mother of fools or something like it. my mother used to tell me that.

but remember things can change. a second pattern can be incorpirated.

*sigh* i need to stop being a damn fool.

[Deuterium]

Video - Project Manager Soldier Equipment Colonel John Norwood shows some of the new features of the ACU.
http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/2004/06/newacu.wmv


American soldiers have to pay for their uniforms?!

Yep. Enlisted get around $400 a year. Officers get $0.00. It's a big point of contention. Considering all the extra kit you buy this doesn't go very far.

[California Joe]

I remember reading that in the Victorian Era, British officers were responsible for furnishing 17 different uniforms in some regiments depending on their rank and various deployments.

[DE_Six]

Video - Project Manager Soldier Equipment Colonel John Norwood shows some of the new features of the ACU.
http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/2004/06/newacu.wmv

Hmm... this camo still looks too much greyish...

I really like the female officer commenting "Cool" on every feature the PEO officer explained. :lol:

[molly747]

I liked the little Army fashion show... reminds me of one of my favorite movies (and soundtracks)...

You know, doing fashion for the Army is an incredible thing, but today I'd like to talk about Charlie. I'd like to talk about the enemy and what they're wearing. They're wearing black. I say you can fight in the jungle in it and, at night, put on some pearls and you're ready for formal wear. This says it all to me! It's kind of a Hefner thing. They're dressed in pajamas, it's casual, it says I could fight or I could just lay around!

[Trigger]

I liked the little Army fashion show... reminds me of one of my favorite movies (and soundtracks)...

You know, doing fashion for the Army is an incredible thing, but today I'd like to talk about Charlie. I'd like to talk about the enemy and what they're wearing. They're wearing black. I say you can fight in the jungle in it and, at night, put on some pearls and you're ready for formal wear. This says it all to me! It's kind of a Hefner thing. They're dressed in pajamas, it's casual, it says I could fight or I could just lay around!

"...afterall, if you're going to fight, clash!" :D

[California Joe]

Check out the funnybone on Molly. :D

[molly747]

Check out the funnybone on Molly. :D

You have no idea... ;)

[MCWARPIG]

Saw the ACU pattern in the Army times. The colors aren't as bad looking in those pics. I think the monitors tend to add a different hue.

[crazyman]

from what i hear the uniform actually looks pretty darn good in real life...who knows. i'll have to actually see this pattern work in both environments myself before i can really accept the idea.

[pipaz]

well just something to think about, i was skimming through this poast and ive heard a lot people saying a lot of bad things :) about uniform, hmmm firstly for thouse who think that this cammo sucks, take it in considerations that most of NCO corps had there input in the dang on uniform, even my unit (reserve) wasw ask, i would think army know better waht cammo they need/want.

even though i prefer may old cammo

just something to think about for yall.... :)

[A Soldier]

As a new member of the Army I think I will be able to accept the new pattern easier than those who have been around awhile, I like the way the new uniforms look.

[MCWARPIG]

Good thing there is militaryphotos.net to bring our complaints to.... come April 2005... we won't have a choice in the matter. GUCCI camo will be the standard... like it or not.

Soldier input has become a very important part of DOD Research and Development. Some of us may be a bit resistant to change but if we get to experience improvements.... a little grumbling is about all you will get out of us.

I definately think the black beret decision may have made some of us a bit pessimistic. The ACU seems like a really big "fashion" change to the uniform even though the reasons and intent is function. (unlike the beret)


Bottom line is... ARMY transformation is here.. we are currently the Interim Force... so we better get used to it.

[MARINO]

:( Much better MADPAT or CADPAT, this camo sucks,is like if they have choose it to use like desert and european camo, buying only one kind of uniform.

[crazyman]

something that occured to me last night when i was tyring to reconcile myself to this new uniform. depending on what picture youre looking at, the uniform looks drastically different. the same thing can appear to be all grey, half green half khaki(all ugly) or a kinda mottled green/greyish brownish color...if the same uniform can look this different just based on different ways of taking pictures, background, etc...maybe it really will work when youre lying in the sand vs. IMt'ing through the jungle.

[talib_killa34]

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/649/NewArmyCam.jpg

Where are they????

rofl sick.

[pretorian669]

I don't believe in one universal pattern for all terrain ;)

http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/acu_original.jpghttp://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/acu__desert_light.jpghttp://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/acu__wood.jpg

[crazyman]

haha, pretorian...me and you keep on saying the same things, jes two different threads...

[pipaz]

well I gues we just gona have to weight and see what its gona turn out to ...........

[Javehn]

I don't believe in one universal pattern for all terrain ;)

http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/acu_original.jpghttp://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/acu__desert_light.jpghttp://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v34/pretorian669/acu__wood.jpg

Good photoshop work ...

[DPGLAW]

What I wonder is how does one pattern for all enviornments work? the terrain features in the two enviornments are quite obviously completely different, can someone who knows what they are talking about explain the logic, or lack tereof, for having one pattern for all enviornments.....

[Troop Rupert]

Having seen the ACU video ("cool!"), it strikes me that the main effort in the design of this 'one-colour-suits-all-occasions/theatres, no need to sew/iron etc,etc' kit is economy. Only Brit officers buy their own kit, with an allowance. ORs are issued gratis.
The Brit CS95 stuff is an attempt to meet those criteria, using the layering system for example, but of course, we can't rely on one cammo colour, 'cos it doesn't seem to work. (Christ, doughboys wear lots of badges, huh? I just wear the Union Flag, Tactical Recognition Flash, Para wings, name tog, and my rank...oh, it seems that lots of badges are en vogue.) :roll:
Still, that said, I'm impressed with the thought that's gone into the style and size of pockets, and the IR flag patches. I'm just a little concerned that maybe there are too many pockets - give a Tom pockets or pouches to use , and he'll just fill 'em. I'm sure we've all been guilty of that!
I hear in the grapevine, that us Brits are getting the old Olive Greens back for working dress. Man, squaddies hate change!! :cantbeli:

[crazyman]

hey, i get lonely without a lot of pockets :(

[angry cow]

You only get lonely if you don't have your hip pocket :lol:

I have heard, from a guy who heard from a guy, that the camo pattern seen all over the internet has been slightly modified. And that the decision to modify the uniform was made before the new uniform was unveiled, but that they went ahead with showing off what they had so they could get input from around the Army. Alright, carry on.

[OB Kenobi]

Velcro all over the place. Even velcro nametags. Is the army trying to save money or what?

[big80a2]

just roll around in the dust and you'll get the brown/yellow collor in the mix. Quite amased when you "dust up" OD uniforms if you do it right it really works.

[Digital Marine]

:( don't know what to think of the new uniform..... if soldiers who tested it think it's good... then it probably is...

[fantassin]

Quote:

Velcro all over the place. Even velcro nametags.


There is an easy solution: get rid of all the patches and use a stencil on the pocket like the MC.

Does one really need to show the world that one is airborne/ranger/CIB, served in the 101st in OIF and did the German para course ?

Is there really a necessity in wearing your personal files on your chest and sleeves ?

Just asking....

[Digital Marine]

maybe in chaotic situations that other soldiers need to know that they are with the right unit?

[stuntman]

I found the latest ACU pic, is this camo that good or are we seeing three versions?
http://peosoldier.army.mil/images/poster2004.jpg
Crye multicam eat your heart out!

[ElHombre]

Velcro all over the place. Even velcro nametags. Is the army trying to save money or what?

the velcro is there so that the various tags can be easily removed in order to clean the uniform itself. after washing, you would just slap the tags back on.

[Desertpilot]

It's that good. I have some here in my hot little mits and it's not as bad as it looks on paper.

Still, not as good as Multi-cam, but not that bad...

[ArmyRanger]

i havent been able to get that peo soldier website to work for me in a long time. has it been shut down?

[stuntman]

It's that good. I have some here in my hot little mits and it's not as bad as it looks on paper.

Still, not as good as Multi-cam, but not that bad...
Do you have a personal pic you can post of it? And by the way you say it isn't that bad, then why does it look so terrible on paper or in pictures? thx

And to ArmyRanger try this linkhttp://peosoldier.army.mil/index.htm

[Lt_Crooks]

http://peosoldier.army.mil/images/PEOSoldier2004booklet.pdf

here you can see a large picture of the ACU and you can tell there is more than one version if you zoom in using acrobat reader.

[Frost]

It's that good. I have some here in my hot little mits and it's not as bad as it looks on paper.

Still, not as good as Multi-cam, but not that bad...

I guess I'll have to change my opinion on it than. I hope to see some really good pictures of it soon. The known pictures (becides the above poster) make it look extremely bad.

I hope they'll field this soon if it's a good improvement.

[ElHombre]

http://peosoldier.army.mil/images/PEOSoldier2004booklet.pdf

here you can see a large picture of the ACU and you can tell there is more than one version if you zoom in using acrobat reader.

wow! thanks for the link.

[ArmyRanger]

thanks stuntman

[KB]

Velcro for the pockets? Ever tried to open a Velcro pocket fastener sitting in an OP/LP close to hostiles? Way too noisy.

[Hullebullen]

http://peosoldier.army.mil/images/PEOSoldier2004booklet.pdf

here you can see a large picture of the ACU and you can tell there is more than one version if you zoom in using acrobat reader.

Oh, those yanks and their wonderful toys...I'm envious... :|

[Raistlin]

here you can see a large picture of the ACU and you can tell there is more than one version if you zoom in using acrobat reader.
I'm sorry but what I see is one uniform in different lighting.

[Desertpilot]

How many times does it have to be said?!?!?! THERE IS ONLY ONE COLOR FOR THE NEW UNIFORM. That's why it's called UNIVERSAL camouflage...
:bash:

[Desertpilot]

Stuntman, I'll take some pic's tonight and post them for you.

[stuntman]

Stuntman, I'll take some pic's tonight and post them for you.
Thx so much I would really appreciate that!

[andytothemax]

As someone said, up close it is the world's ugliest uniform, uglier even than the Marine corps digital. However, at night this new uniform would be excellent. In low light it would blend in perfectly with the background, as woodland or black are much too dark and, ironically, stand out a lot in darkness. Think dirty streets, rock formations, and woods at night...in black and white things turn into a mottled gray which this looks great for p-)

[stuntman]

A nice pic of the new kit!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/studrican22/PEOSoldier2004bookletjpg.jpg
Enjoy..

[SPCIC]

It's funny, all the arguments made about the ACU I'd already heard 10,000 times here in my unit when it came out in Army times. The black in the uniform was eliminated because it was found that when troops were moving, the black was easy to spot, and didn't do a good job of breaking up the outline. About the need for a desert camo pattern, if you think about the evolution of warefare, and how things are going in Iraq right now, what need is there for camouflage? At the beginning of the war we had troops going over there in woodland BDUs. Even today, we have guys wearing Desert Combat Uniforms (DCUs) with woodland print flak vests and black knee and elbow pads that cover almost the entire uniform. We have guys patrolling streets out in the open during broad daylight, both mounted and dismounted. Camouflage is a bit of a moot point.

And besides... anyone who knows anything about the Army knows that a year after the uniform is introduced, some Army top brass is gonna say, "Oh sh!t, I guess we do need a different camo pattern!". I guarantee it.

[Lt_Crooks]

here you can see a large picture of the ACU and you can tell there is more than one version if you zoom in using acrobat reader.
I'm sorry but what I see is one uniform in different lighting.

yeah..ummm ,under closer observation i have come to that conclusion also .

:|

[Beowulf]

I Like CADPAT more :D

sigh...now we're gonna have to listen to all you damn Canuckleheads talking **** about how you came up with it first.... :P

[Operation Ivy]

new helmet is ugly :oops:

[ShadowNeo]

I thought it was just a MICH with a new cover?

[Midav]

This was posted from Todays Pic's - Sunday, Oct. 31st (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=28781)

http://img54.exs.cx/img54/5083/102904front2.jpg

Spc. Mario Rodriguez, with the 327th Military Police Company based in Giessen, Germany, is introduced to the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) by Maj Frank Lozano during the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting and exposition in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. CROWS already is in use in a handful of vehicles in Iraq and allows soldiers inside an uparmored Humvee to operate the turret-mounted weapon from inside the vehicle. This allows them to identify and engage targets miles away.

Looks like the soldiers in Germany are getting them.

[Pandy]

If any soldier is good enough, he can hide in any area with any camo. I can see US SF having Purple Pink Camo on and still be able to hide in Vietnam type terrian. It is just the fact that your image will be hard as **** to hide with the purple pink, but it can be done.

The idea behind the greyish camo is for Urban combat. The higher ups saw the fact that future wars will not be in the fields of Germany, fighting off an Warsaw Invasion but in City Combat in the Middle East.

The new pattern, is not designed to hide one person but to trick the enemy's eyes in seeing, well, nothing. I say this because we had a few Marines in their new camo a year ago walk into a forest. I lost sight of them less then 150 meters, and they were still standing up without face paint. And just think, I have 20/20 vision, the camo worked like a charm.

The army new camo is designed to do that, to break up your outline without even trying to hide yourself.

[Desertpilot]

Here's a pic' of the helmet cover I have:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/ssdunkel/CCUhelmet2.jpg[/url]

[panzrman]

This was posted from Todays Pic's - Sunday, Oct. 31st (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=28781)

http://img54.exs.cx/img54/5083/102904front2.jpg

Spc. Mario Rodriguez, with the 327th Military Police Company based in Giessen, Germany, is introduced to the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) by Maj Frank Lozano during the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting and exposition in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. CROWS already is in use in a handful of vehicles in Iraq and allows soldiers inside an uparmored Humvee to operate the turret-mounted weapon from inside the vehicle. This allows them to identify and engage targets miles away.

Looks like the soldiers in Germany are getting them.

Not quite yet. The targeted issue date is March '05 last I heard, with priority going to units in the deployment phase. The Major wearing the ACU is just demonstrating it during the AUSA convention in DC.

[Raistlin]

Desertpilot, because you saw it with your own eyes I have to ask you - what are the colors of the pattern? Are they neutral (grey)? A bit greenish? Blueish? More than 1 colour tone?

[Midav]

This was posted from Todays Pic's - Sunday, Oct. 31st (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=28781)

http://img54.exs.cx/img54/5083/102904front2.jpg

Spc. Mario Rodriguez, with the 327th Military Police Company based in Giessen, Germany, is introduced to the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) by Maj Frank Lozano during the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting and exposition in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. CROWS already is in use in a handful of vehicles in Iraq and allows soldiers inside an uparmored Humvee to operate the turret-mounted weapon from inside the vehicle. This allows them to identify and engage targets miles away.

Looks like the soldiers in Germany are getting them.

Not quite yet. The targeted issue date is March '05 last I heard, with priority going to units in the deployment phase. The Major wearing the ACU is just demonstrating it during the AUSA convention in DC.

My bad. Misread that.

[Rakki]

If any soldier is good enough, he can hide in any area with any camo. I can see US SF having Purple Pink Camo on and still be able to hide in Vietnam type terrian. It is just the fact that your image will be hard as f*** to hide with the purple pink, but it can be done.

The idea behind the greyish camo is for Urban combat. The higher ups saw the fact that future wars will not be in the fields of Germany, fighting off an Warsaw Invasion but in City Combat in the Middle East.

The new pattern, is not designed to hide one person but to trick the enemy's eyes in seeing, well, nothing. I say this because we had a few Marines in their new camo a year ago walk into a forest. I lost sight of them less then 150 meters, and they were still standing up without face paint. And just think, I have 20/20 vision, the camo worked like a charm.

The army new camo is designed to do that, to break up your outline without even trying to hide yourself.

Personally I think if it looks stupid but it works, then it's not stupid. I thought from the start the uniform looks geared more towards low-light conditions since it's practically US doctrine to fight at night whenever possible.

Still, in the future... will uniforms become so good at "making human eyes see nothing" that ultimately all you'll see is a OD vest floating aroun in mid-air...?

[Pandy]

If any soldier is good enough, he can hide in any area with any camo. I can see US SF having Purple Pink Camo on and still be able to hide in Vietnam type terrian. It is just the fact that your image will be hard as f*** to hide with the purple pink, but it can be done.

The idea behind the greyish camo is for Urban combat. The higher ups saw the fact that future wars will not be in the fields of Germany, fighting off an Warsaw Invasion but in City Combat in the Middle East.

The new pattern, is not designed to hide one person but to trick the enemy's eyes in seeing, well, nothing. I say this because we had a few Marines in their new camo a year ago walk into a forest. I lost sight of them less then 150 meters, and they were still standing up without face paint. And just think, I have 20/20 vision, the camo worked like a charm.

The army new camo is designed to do that, to break up your outline without even trying to hide yourself.

Personally I think if it looks stupid but it works, then it's not stupid. I thought from the start the uniform looks geared more towards low-light conditions since it's practically US doctrine to fight at night whenever possible.

Still, in the future... will uniforms become so good at "making human eyes see nothing" that ultimately all you'll see is a OD vest floating aroun in mid-air...?

Well, it's just the fact that tricking your eyes in seeing something that isn't really there. It can and has worked the other way around, in tricking the eyes in not seeing what's really there. The catch is that you need to be in the right area for that to work. For example, 150 meters into the forest will trick me in not seeing them, due to the trees and bush all over the place. But do that again with them standing in a field with no trees? You can see them from 500 meters out, easy. But if they were lying down, well... heh.

[DE_Six]

Although I can't quite visualize the ACU pattern's effectiveness without some visual support, I came across this little piece on camouflage. The author advocates a mix of grey-green and kaki for good concealement/outline-breaking. Some of what he says sounds really weird to me, but who knows?

http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/cammo.html


Shape, Shine, Shadow, Silhouette and Spacing. (Five S's of Camouflage)


Although most people do not consciously recognize it, brown is one of the most common colours in nature. Even in environments where there is a predominance of green, brown does not look out of place. Green occurs in a wide variety of shades, so there is an increased chance of a green based pattern standing out if you move onto different terrain.
The first widescale use of low visibility clothing in the British army adopted the colour khaki (which is an Urdu word meaning "dusty"). Ironically, its adoption may have been due to improvements in dyes. In Wellington's day British army red tunics soon faded into a dull russet colour. By the Victorian era it may be that advances in industrial chemistry was keeping the colours bright.
Before discussing camouflage, it is worth recapping on some of the ways the human visual cortex processes information. The brain has specialized centres that are designed to detect straight lines. Similar areas are attuned to the human face or shape. The brain also uses apparent shadow as a visual clue to an object's solidity. Most camouflage involves a combination of blending in with the surroundings and disrupting recogniseable shapes.
One of the camouflage ideas currently seeing a revival is that of double sided camouflage clothing –an idea successfully used by the German army back in the 1940s! There is a potential problem here though. Suppose we have a unit moving through the woods, so are dressed with their dark woodland pattern outmost. They reach the edge of the wood and are about to move out into a broad expanse of field, so they reverse their combat dress to show a lighter "field and desert" pattern. That's Ok for their jackets, but is any unit in enemy country really going to risk literally getting caught "with its pants down?" So our hypothetical unit crosses the field wearing light jackets but dark trousers. Such a combination will increase the individual's shadow, particularly if viewed from the air. There are few straight lines in nature, so human legs are in fact quite distinctive. If we look to nature, we'll notice that most animals have their underside and lower limbs a lighter shade to counter this effect.
Can we create a camouflage pattern that not only works in both woodland and open country, but also makes the legs less distinctive? I would suggest a pattern that is mainly made of Grey-green and Khaki drab, with a few lighter and darker patches of sand and chocolate colour. To break up the distinctive shape of the legs, arrange this colours as a form of tiger stripe. Because this pattern is overall quite light, it works well in open country and breaks up the human shape in woodland by flattening out undershadow. I call this patterm "Field and Forest Tiger."
The second distinctive shape to remove is the webbing. Many armies will issue several types of camouflage clothing, but usually the soldier only gets one set of webbing, the majority of it dark green, which he must use in desert and snowfield. Making webbing brown would help, but the straps are straight lines, which the human eye is very adept at picking out. Webbing should be made from a material with a pattern of neutral grey, beige, red-brown and charcoal. To break up the shape the colours should be printed in transverse bands. The pattern used in French "Central European" camouflage may be suitable with a change of colours. The same pattern would also break up the rectangular shape of pouches and rucksacks. This pattern can be customized with white tape for snow operations, green for jungle or black for night operations. I call this "Dispruptive Webbing Pattern" (aka DWP).
Quick consideration will reveal that our hypothetical soldier is displaying at least three different patterns to the observer –that of his webbing, that of his jacket or smock and that of his trousers. This will make it harder to resolve the information into a human shape. In other words, there is less tendency for the camouflage system to "blob-out", as often happens when just one pattern is worn.
There is one final distinctive area that must be addressed –that of the head and shoulders.
Double sided helmet covers are one option, but a better one may be the more traditional net, printed in a mix of brown and tree-bark grey. To this are tied small strips of frayed cloth of various colours, and natural vegetation is also added. The shape of the shoulders can be broken up by a coif or mantle with a netting outer, camouflaged with cloth strips in the same way. This can be pulled over the head or helmet for additional camouflage or used as a face veil. The coif is secured by the epaulettes and can be easily removed to make the jacket "garrison".
Items such as ponchos could be double sided. Alternately troops retain the issue woodland pattern poncho and are issued with a grey and brown basha sheet. This will have a bold jagged "boulder" pattern to break up the flatness of the sheet.
In temperate climates or jungle the poncho is used as a shelter and the basha as a groundsheet. In deserts, mountains or ruined buildings this is reversed. In the desert the poncho may be rigged beneath the basha to trap a layer of insulating air.

Two camouflage patterns are worth a special mention.
The first is ASAT, which was created as an all terrain pattern. Many hunters have used this, but I also recall a reviewer commenting "with ASAT you can see something is there, but can't identify what it is" ASAT may work fine for deer hunters, but I suspect that it will provide little defence against keen primate eyes with human brains attached. Enemies will quickly learn to distinguish the ASAT pattern and fire upon it.
The Hunting world does provide us with another pattern that may be of military use. "Advantage" pattern is a predominately brown pattern. Up close it looks gimmicky since actual leaf shapes, right down to the veins are printed on it. At a distance this seems to cause very effective outline disruption and blending with the background, and not just in a woodland environment. My own modest observations indicate that the pattern would be a highly effective urban pattern in European towns such as London, where reds and browns are far more common than the areas the grey, white and black "Urban SWAT" patterns seem to be intended for.

Suggestions
For "Green-temperate" and Jungle conditions I suggest a modified version of British DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) instead of US Woodland Pattern. Main colours would be Green, Khaki and Brown with smaller areas of Dark Grey (eg, Graphite) instead of the full black currently used. This Hungarian pattern of Sand, Red-Brown and Light and Dark Green is a possible choice. On the reverse of this garment would be Advantage pattern, which will serve in most other temperate conditions.
In jungle conditions camouflaged Mesh "bug suits" are a possible alternative to combat smocks.
Winter smocks would be White, with the occasional sprinkle of Dark Grey. On the other side would be Realtree Hardwood or Mossy Oak Forest Floor. This smock might be a pull-over design.
Many Middle Eastern countries use a desert pattern that is simply British DPM without the green added. British Army desert pattern also omits the black. Not only would this pattern be simple to produce, but is also very effective. Lack of the green patches makes the khaki areas bigger, increasing camouflage effect in open terrain. Once again I'd replace black with dark grey. The "snake" pattern shown on this page also looks to be very effective in sandy conditions.
I'm not sure that having a desert smock lined with a dark nightsuit pattern would be very comfortable and may increase the likelihood of overheating. An additional night smock may be more practical since it will help insulate from the chill of the desert night.
Special Forces, ASI Direct Action Teams, Sniper and other units may make use of special night camouflage coveralls. These would have a dark pattern such as that of the desert suit on one side and on the other a lighter night pattern such as "Subdued Urban" or "Sky Blue" pattern. The side most appropriate for the level of illumination and background is worn other most. This may be the same garment worn at night with desert dress.


FEEDBACK
Tony Birchill writes:-
I have been poking around your site and it's very interesting. I happen to agree very much with your conclusions about camouflage, especially the use of grey and the lighter underpainting of areas in shadow.
I'm ex-Australian army, and I managed to get hold of an old para smock back in my time, and lived in it in the field. You comments on smocks described my time in the bush perfectly! I used to keep all sorts of things in my two huge pockets that hung below my web pouches, and it was so easy to maintain personal camouflage in that thing, as well as comfort.
One thing that's interesting about the new australian uniform is that it makes your eyes sore looking at it, almost compelling you to look away. It does however work extremely well, especially after the liberal application of the local dirt. I have had patrolling soldiers stand on me because they couldn't see me! Yes, the uniform is mainly brown, in shades lighter than initially looks right. The old OD uniforms were too dark, especailly at night.
The uniform was designed after averaging out the results of about 10,000 photographs of the terrain australian soldiers normally operate in. No human input was made in the choice of colours, and intially everyone thought the pattern was wrong, until it was made up as a uniform. Now aussie soldiers are in love with the pattern.

Captain John Wilson has proposed the idea of an "Adaptable Combat Uniform" (ACUs):
I advocated long ago going to a straight khaki BDU (no pattern) and khaki TA50 (webbing) gear.
Then, develop a temporary "spray-on" ink set (similar to Bowflage) and camouflage pattern templates for various regions.
When the soldiers deploy (to the training area or to the theater of operations), they spray on the template (color-by-numbers with some adult supervision) that is dictated by the region (METT-TC).
Once they redeploy, they treat the BDUs with a solution to cut the ink and wash them in a standard washing machine. The inks should work on BDU cloth as well as TA-50, gortex, etc.

PW: A better pattern of camouflage could be made using the stencils already in existance for the current Woodland pattern.
Use a base cloth of khaki, and for woodland pattern print this with Dark Green, Brown and Graphite Grey.
For a more brown based pattern, use the same stencils and base cloth but replace the Dark Green dye with mid-grey, so the pattern is Khaki, Mid-grey, Brown and Graphite.
The same khaki cloth on its own would make be very effective in desert conditions. If desired patches of Medium brown or Grey can be added.

As an alternative to John's DIY idea, large stockpiles of khaki smocks or field dress could be built up and screen printed with the appropriate colours prior to shipment to the unit.

[Raistlin]

http://people.howstuffworks.com/military-camouflage.htm

Another interesting article about camo

[stuntman]

Here's a pic' of the helmet cover I have:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/ssdunkel/CCUhelmet2.jpg[/url]
Great pic by the way thc! Will you sell me one? ;)
I was wondering if any one knew what would be the best possible body armor, pouch, and webbing color or pattern? thanks.

[Raistlin]

I was wondering if any one knew what would be the best possible body armor, pouch, and webbing color or pattern? thanks.
What do you mean "best"?

[Poontang_Dan]

I was wondering if any one knew what would be the best possible body armor, pouch, and webbing color or pattern? thanks.

I want to know this too. So that I can buy the gears.

[stuntman]

I was wondering if any one knew what would be the best possible body armor, pouch, and webbing color or pattern? thanks.
What do you mean "best"?
Well for example, the USMC use a coyote brown otv, my question is since the acu is only one universal pattern, will it be a solid brown, grey or the same pattern and color as the acu?

[Argo AdAm]

Some photos of ACU and articles

http://www.lavenpublishing.com/monitor/2004/07July/072904/uniform.jpg
Sgt. Maj. Barry Vertner, Nonresident Sergeants Major Course, 01-04, looks at the new Army Combat Uniform, July 26.
http://www.lavenpublishing.com/monitor/2004/07July/072904/uniform072904.html

SMA Preston unveils new uniform
The Sergeant Major of the Army gave students at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy a preview of what the post transformation Army will look like, July 26.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston displayed the new Army Combat Uniform to the Nonresident Sergeants Major Course and First Sergeants Course students during one of his regular visits to the Academy.

?This uniform was designed by Soldiers, for Soldiers,? said the 13th SMA. ?It was designed to be worn with body armor because we will never go into an operation again without it.?

Preston brought one of the new uniforms in so the students could pass it around and look at the new changes which include: Velcro patches, larger pant pockets, shoulder pockets and a new camouflage pattern.

?The new uniform is conducive and will be better for Soldiers in combat,? said First Sgt. Will Mercer, NRC 01-04 student. ?But as far as the design, I?m from the old school so I still like the OD greens.?

The digitized camouflage for the new uniform will be effective in all environments, according to Preston, who added that the new uniform will come with two pairs of brown boots (jungle and temperate).

Deploying Soldiers will begin wearing the new uniform next year with the entire Army following suit no later than fiscal year 2007.

The new uniform is another step in the Army?s ongoing transformation which was the main topic of discussion during Preston?s visit.

?It?s important right now to get the right tools in the tool box so combatant commanders can accomplish their mission,? said Preston.

One way the Army will retool is by adding a division?s worth of combat power over the next year, stated Preston when answering the question, ?What does transformation mean to you besides growing more deployable forces??

?To first sergeants and below, their role in transformation should be pretty transparent. It?s you, the battalion-level leaders and higher, who are going to see the changes.?

Preston added the transformation?s unit of action teams will also mean predictability and stability to all Soldiers.

?Most Soldiers assigned to a unit of action will be encouraged to stay [after their initial three-year tour]. That means a new private straight out of [Advanced Individual Training] should come out as a sergeant promoteable or staff sergeant and should be ready to go be a drill sergeant. The news for the NCOs is Transition will make us technical experts again.?

The stability of transformation also extends to family members, Preston explained. ?It will help spouses continue their career and allow their kids to stay in the same schools,? he said.

Preston then took questions from the students which ranged from the role of the Individual Ready Reserves, to actions in Korea and the new Army Combat Uniform.

Preston ended his hour-long presentation by thanking the students for taking part in the largest transformation since World War II. ?You are really the future and you are part of a huge transition. So be proud of your service to your nation because you are truly part of the next great generation.?

http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/2004/09/newuniform.jpg
Army Staff Sgt. Ron Krauklis shows off the features of the new Army Combat Uniform to West Virginia Army National Guard Lt. Colonels Paul and Ed Muth, who are brothers, during the National Guard Association?s September conference in Las Vegas, Nev. (Photo by Master Sgt. Bob Haskell, National Guard Bureau)
http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/story.asp?id=1237

New Uniform
By Master Sgt. Bob Haskell
National Guard Bureau

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (9/21/2004) ? If they asked him once, they asked him a thousand times: ?Is that the new uniform? How do you like it?? ?Is that the new uniform? How do you like it?? ?Is that ??

Army Staff Sgt. Ron Krauklis allowed as how he liked the new Army Combat Uniform just fine.

Then he enthusiastically explained why, because ?Sgt. K? was one of the centers of attention during the four mid-September days when the National Guard Association of the United States? 126th General Conference and Exhibition occupied the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Krauklis stood out because he stands 6-foot-4 and because he was wearing the Army?s new field uniform, with its digitized camouflage pattern of desert sand, foliage green and urban gray. Many National Guard officers and civilians were seeing it in person for the first time.

Therefore, many of the nearly 4,000 National Guard people at the conference, including LTG H Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Command Sgt. Maj. John Leonard Jr., Blum?s senior enlisted advisor, asked Krauklis many questions about the Army?s new uniform that will soon replace the venerable Battle Dress Uniform and the Desert Camouflage Uniform. Many of the 419 defense contractors and other exhibitors at the conference had something to sell - much of it high-tech equipment that they maintained would help Army and Air National Guard units better manage their people and be better prepared to go to war.

But Krauklis and the rest of the team from Program Executive Office Soldier out of Fort Belvoir, Va., were telling people about something that the Army has already adopted and that National Guard Soldiers will begin wearing next year. Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army?s chief of staff, announced it would be the Army?s new field uniform on June 14, the Army?s 229th birthday.

Deploying units will be issued Army Combat Uniforms beginning next February. The entire Army is expected to have them by December 2007 when the battle dress and desert camouflage uniforms are scheduled to be phased out, Krauklis and others said.

?I like it because it?s built to go with our gear. It?s the most functional uniform we?ve had,? said Krauklis, a 17-year Army veteran who has already worn the new uniform during a couple of months of duty in Kuwait.

It was designed, tested, and then modified by enlisted Soldiers, most notably Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Myhre and others in the 2nd Infantry Division?s Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Here are some of the new uniform?s key improvements that Krauklis never tired of explaining.

-- It will be worn, sleeves-down, in all kinds of terrain, which is why Soldiers will not have to keep green BDUs and tan DCUs.

-- It is wash-and-wear and has a wrinkle-free finish so it does not have to be starched to look sharp in a garrison.

-- It has a high, Mandarin collar that prevents the collar of an outer tactical vest from rubbing against the neck and debris from falling in front of the shirt.

-- The waist-length shirt is shorter than the BDU shirt. That means it can be completely covered by an outer tactical vest and is less likely to get snagged.

-- It will be worn with brown boots, for hot and temperate weather, that do not have to be polished. For most, the black combat boots are on their way out.

-- Most of the pockets are on the sleeves and legs so they can be used when Soldiers are wearing full body armor.

-- The pockets are tilted, making it easier to get into them when Soldiers are sitting or kneeling.

-- Most of the 32 buttons on a set of BDUs have been replaced with Velcro, and the shirt is also secured with a zipper. The new uniform has eight buttons - four for the fly and two apiece for the back pockets.

-- Openings at each elbow and knee make it possible to insert comfort pads.

-- The patrol cap has a thicker bill than a BDU cap and an interior pocket.

A couple of Army Guard officers confirmed Sgt. K?s observation that once he explains the benefits of the new uniform, people ask when they can get them.

?I like the modifications. It is more compatible for the field Soldier,? observed Lt. Col. Paul Muth from West Virginia.

?The functionality of it and the thought that went into it is pretty impressive. All of the pockets are so accessible. It?s like a flight uniform,? said Capt. Richard Oberman from New Hampshire. ?I like how they listened to the Soldiers.?

http://www.arng.army.mil/guard_images/news/1492/preston.jpg
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston displays and explains the new Army Combat Uniform to Army National Guard Soldiers while visiting the Army Guard's Readiness Center in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 12. Staff Sgt. Shajn Cabrera is holding the uniform. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen, National Guard Bureau)
http://www.arng.army.mil/news/news_view.asp?nav_link_id=56&news_id=1492

Sergeant Major of the Army Preston's Projection
ARLINGTON, Va. - The time is ripe for the Army National Guard to begin transforming its brigades that are returning from combat duty into units that will be primed to take part in future Army operations, the Army?s top enlisted Soldier advised Army Guard Soldiers on Oct. 12.

?If you bring units back from a combat zone; if you reset them, patch up the bullet holes in the vehicles, put new tires on trucks and new tracks on tanks and Bradleys and if you reset them back into their legacy configurations, then shame on you,? Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston told troops at the Army National Guard?s Readiness Center.

?Now is the time to reset those units into the configuration in which they need to be for future operations,? Preston added. A window of opportunity now exists to begin that process, he said.

It was friendly advice, not a do-it-or-else message, which Preston offered to the troops he talked with that morning during his first visit to the readiness center as the 13th sergeant major of the Army, the job he assumed last January.

He had run for 25 minutes before dawn that morning with an estimated 80 Army Guard Soldiers at nearby Fort Myer, where he lives, and Preston?s visit to the Army Guard?s national center was friendly and upbeat.

It was ?a historic occasion,? observed Command Sgt. Maj. A. Frank Lever III, the Army Guard?s top enlisted Soldier and advisor to Lt. Gen. Roger Schultz, the Army Guard?s director.

Sgt. 1st Class Sean Niemi, Staff Sgt. Kevin Winn and Sgt. Lana Luciano accepted the challenge to recite, from memory, The Soldiers Creed, with Preston during a town hall meeting.

Still, the big picture about Army transformation that Preston presented during the nearly two-hour meeting was appropriate for all concerned, including the current and future generals and the colonels who will oversee the Army Guard?s part of the transformation during the next five years.

The active Army will increase its number of brigades from 33 to 43 by the end of 2006 with the option to add five more brigades by the end of 2007, Preston said, and the Army Guard will have 34 fully-manned brigades.

That, he projected, ?is going to help take the pressure off those units that are performing back-to-back deployments.? It will also help make it possible to reduce the length of deployments to places such as Iraq and Afghanistan from a year to nine months or perhaps six months and make Soldiers? lives more predictable and stable, Preston said.

?We want to get away from these 12-month boots on the ground deployments as soon as we can,? said Preston who clearly understands the hardships they create for reserve component troops who actually serve for about a year and half so they can train first and then be demobilized afterwards.

?The impact they have on our Guard and Reserve Soldiers and their families; the impact they have on their civilian careers and on their civilian employers out there is very real,? he observed.

?Ideally, we want to get to a place where, during a three-year life cycle [for active duty] Soldiers or during a six-year cycle if you?re in the National Guard, a unit will do a six-month, maybe a nine-month deployment,? Preston said. ?Transformation is really all about predictability and stability for our Soldiers and their families.?

Transformation has already started, Preston explained. The 3rd Infantry Division this year has already been transformed from three brigade combat teams into four brigade units of action, and the 101st Airborne Division is undergoing the same process, Preston said.

The Army Guard and Army Reserve will complete their transformations in 2009, he said.

The Army Guard will have 34 brigades, Preston explained, and all of them will be fully manned, whereas now many of the Army Guard?s brigades remain at only 70 percent strength, he pointed out.

There will be 21 infantry and 12 armor brigades and a Stryker brigade, Preston said.

?All of those Guard brigades will be manned at 100 percent and will be equipped with all of the newest equipment to ensure that they are postured just like their active duty counterparts,? he said.

And this is a very good time, he maintained, to begin transforming the Guard brigades as they return from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan because the Army has money and resources for transformation.

?There is narrow window of opportunity,? Preston said. ?The resources are available to slingshot the Army through transformation.?