ACU cold weather kit?

[cameron]

Do they produce a jacket similar to the M65 in acu for cold and temperate weather conditions?

[rangerone]

Yes. They even have ACU goretex tops and bottoms.

[HoboWithAK]

The M65 is on it's way out. It's old news.

[Limeyfellow]

The US Marines are also getting Goretex top and bottoms in marpat.

This should replace the current gen 1 and gen 2 goretex ecwcs currently in service.

http://warfighter.dla.mil/special/ecwcs/ecwcs.jsp has the basic cold weather system with some nice pictures but doesn't include the new marpat and acu designs on the goretex covers.

[stuntman]

Yes. They even have ACU goretex tops and bottoms.

Your cold weather acu stuff!

https://peosoldier.army.mil/images/cie/Cold_Weather_GEAR_1822_low.jpg
https://peosoldier.army.mil/images/cie/Cold_Weather_GEAR_1888_low.jpg
https://peosoldier.army.mil/images/cie/Cold_Weather_GEAR_1838_low.jpg
https://peosoldier.army.mil/images/cie/Cold_Weather_GEAR_1884_low.jpg
Air warrior just incase you missed it!
https://peosoldier.army.mil/images/swar/AW_right_low.jpg

[angry cow]

I don't think the Air Warrior Helmet/Mask looks scary enough.

[JDBL14]

i have a question thats completely off topic bus after looking at the air warrior i wonder how good those patches stay on in high rotor-blast and parachute activity?

also, i wonder why they made the heaviest winter clothing on brown, not white?

[stuntman]

i have a question thats completely off topic bus after looking at the air warrior i wonder how good those patches stay on in high rotor-blast and parachute activity?

also, i wonder why they made the heaviest winter clothing on brown, not white?

Go up to some piece of velcro that you own or go to a store and blow really hard on it! You tell me if it will come off. LOL velcro can stand about a 1000 pounds of sidways pressure.

Because it is ment to be covered with a white nylon winter camo covering..Look at 10th mountain division winter camo coverings, they are just like windproof parkars.

[Limeyfellow]

I do like that grey coloured fleece looking insulation layer. I guess it means soon enough or the older woodland and desert ecwcs stuff should be being sold as surplus.

[rokdoc]

Because it is ment to be covered with a white nylon winter camo covering..Look at 10th mountain division winter camo coverings, they are just like windproof parkars.

That could be done, but the purpose of the loft garments was to provide an easy-on insulation layer, to throw over the soft shell suit when you've been moving and stopped for a break or when you're in a FOB in cold climates.

You'd get far too warm if you wore the loft suit when moving around much.

[MToomey]

Not that any of the jokers here would know a whole lot more but, it's worth a try...

Does anyone know when these items will be released for sale?

[rokdoc]

There are some layers that never will be commercially available, and some that will be available as seconds, and some should be available from AAFES, eventually.

Commerical copies will likely be made, but I doubt they will be of great quality. I have the long underwear which I love, and the fleece already. The fleece hangs in my closet, because I find the fit to be really crappy. It feels like it's made to be worn by a pregnant woman, rather than a reasonably fit Soldier.

[MToomey]

You have the foliage green fleece already?

Or are we talking the black ECWCS one?

[rokdoc]

I have one of the initial trial versions of the 200wt green fleece jacket. It's just a jacket. I vastly prefer my black fleece jacket.

[lt tahoe]

rokdoc--what are the differences? I love my black fleece as well, but having something less "obvious" would be nice sometimes.

[rokdoc]

Mine is lighter in color than the model pictured at the beginning of the post, and it has velcro pockets. No nylon reinforcements at all, either.

[slobo]

Your cold weather acu stuff!

https://peosoldier.army.mil/images/cie/Cold_Weather_GEAR_1838_low.jpg


Is this the "official" issue Goretex ACU set? I thought the Army went with the USMC Generation 2-style (pre-Marpat) in ACU universal pattern? This one does not to appear to have sleeve or front pockets, or cargo pockets on the pants. In fact, appears to have no pockets at all.

[Adam Wilhelm]

Is this the "official" issue Goretex ACU set? I thought the Army went with the USMC Generation 2-style (pre-Marpat) in ACU universal pattern? This one does not to appear to have sleeve or front pockets, or cargo pockets on the pants. In fact, appears to have no pockets at all.

But this one do have pockets.
https://peosoldier.army.mil/images/cie/Cold_Weather_GEAR_1904_low.jpg

[slobo]

At the Army's site, it shows three verisons without further description as "Cold Weather" -- the version above with the pockets, the version on the prior page without apparent pockets and one with long diagonal slit pockets. Hmmm..?

Are these prototypes?

http://www.peosoldier.army.mil/multimedia.asp#cie

[rokdoc]

Is this the "official" issue Goretex ACU set? I thought the Army went with the USMC Generation 2-style (pre-Marpat) in ACU universal pattern? This one does not to appear to have sleeve or front pockets, or cargo pockets on the pants. In fact, appears to have no pockets at all.


There is NO Gortex. There is a 7 layer system.

[slobo]

In this interim phase-in period (at a minimum), it appears that private purchase goretex ECWCS (Generation 1 & 2) parkas and trousers in the Universal ACU pattern are allowed.

The following link appaears to explain the application of Army Reg. AR 670-1, and speficially references gore-tex parka and trousers in either woodland or ACU pattern:

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/powerpoint/Uniforms_Presentations/acu-brief-2.shtml

Not sure of the date on this and whether things have changed. If anyone knows further, please contribute.

[p51]

In this interim phase-in period (at a minimum), it appears that private purchase goretex ECWCS (Generation 1 & 2) parkas and trousers in the Universal ACU pattern are allowed.

The following link appaears to explain the application of Army Reg. AR 670-1, and speficially references gore-tex parka and trousers in either woodland or ACU pattern:

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/powerpoint/Uniforms_Presentations/acu-brief-2.shtml

Not sure of the date on this and whether things have changed. If anyone knows further, please contribute.
I read that brief, and it’s out of date already. It suggests that any OD insignia is OK with the ACU, to include nametapes. That was going to be the case, but it isn’t correct now. I’ve heard that many chain of commands are seriously dinging troops for having standard OD green patches on them now.
I particularly liked this part:
"SOLDIERS WILL NOT STARCH THE ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE USE OF STARCH, SIZING, AND ANY PROCESS THAT INVOLVES DRY-CLEANING OR A STEAM PRESS WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT THE TREATMENTS AND DURABILITY OF THE UNIFORM AND IS NOT AUTHORIZED" I’m seeing pressed ACUs being required by leadership within some units already. I personally saw a SPC show this to his SGT, saying they’re not supposed to be pressed, and was quickly told that it didn’t matter. Press or stand tall before “da man.”
Keep in mind, BDUs were originally intended to NOT be pressed or starched as well, and look what happened. What had been intended as a COMBAT uniform became standard wear in situations where they used to wear dress shirt and slacks uniforms back in the late 1970s. Now, everyone wears a combat uniform no matter the job or location!

[rokdoc]

I particularly liked this part: I’m seeing pressed ACUs being required by leadership within some units already. I personally saw a SPC show this to his SGT, saying they’re not supposed to be pressed, and was quickly told that it didn’t matter. Press or stand tall before “da man.”



Stand tall before the man with the AR in black and white, and you walk out the winner. It's all about playing smart. If I was in a unit that required starching the ACU, I would most definitely be willing,even happy, to accept UCMJ action, and take it to a court martial. I would win, too.


Now, on the topic of Gortex garments: If you choose to spend the money, you can wear it. You're issued woodland or desert Gortex, and that is perfectly good and authorized for wear until you are issued the new ECWCS.


Of course, I wear PCU or black fleece. :-D

[slobo]

Thanx rokdoc: By PCU, are you referring to the grey/green fleece with half-zip?

[rokdoc]

There's a bunch of components to the PCU. Do a search, and you should find a couple posts by me, and a bunch of other people's.

[p51]

Stand tall before the man with the AR in black and white, and you walk out the winner. It's all about playing smart. If I was in a unit that required starching the ACU, I would most definitely be willing,even happy, to accept UCMJ action, and take it to a court martial. I would win, too.
Oh, you'd win all right, no question, but you'd incurr the wrath later on. The CSM of the unit I was talking about is "pressing" the starch issue (pun intended). I actually talked about this with him yesterday. He said, and I quote:

Well, sir (said with a high degree of sarcasm), I know what the regs state, but I will not be having a group of rag-bags under my care!
There's nothing quite like God on earth as a Sergeant Major in his own AO...

[rokdoc]

Want him squared away? PM me. :-D