In my opinion, the new boots look a lot like hiking boots, but they should be quite a bit better for handling the rocky terrain of Afghanistan.
Posted on 12/14/2010 9:15:57 PM PST by Stonewall Jackson
Fort Knox soldiers readying for a year-long deployment to Afghanistan have new equipment and uniforms to help them in their mission.
The 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, is one of the first combat teams to utilize a new form of camouflage uniform known as the MultiCam, which consists of seven different shades of camouflage that Army officials say better captures the multiple styles of terrain found within Afghanistan, from deserts and wooded areas to villages and mountains.
The MultiCam has replaced the Army Combat Uniform — ACU for short — in Afghanistan and will be advantageous in such a diverse environment, said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lewis of the 3rd Infantry Brigade. Lewis said the Army started issuing new uniforms in August.
Members of the Duke Brigade were on hand Thursday at Fort Knox to showcase and explain various equipment the brigade will use in combat, from guns to protective vests and night-vision equipment.
According to the U.S. Army, development of new camouflage patterns began in 2009. Six different patterns designed were judged by more than 700 soldiers who had been deployed to Afghanistan, ranking the patterns from best to worst based on how well they blend into different terrains and overall detectability.
In all categories, the MultiCam pattern ranked the highest.
Col. Christopher Toner, commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said each improvement in equipment provides new advantages over the enemy and advances the United States as the country with the best- trained and best-equipped military in the world.
In addition to its ability to allows soldiers to blend into their surroundings, the new uniforms also are made of flame-resistant fabric, and new mountain combat boots are part of the uniform.
Lewis said the new boots have a sole that grips terrain better.
Lewis also explained the new night vision equipment includes thermal imaging technology that pinpoints heat sources.
In the past, someone perched against a tree could go unseen with night-vision equipment, but Lewis said anything emitting heat in view of thermal technology will “pop.”
The brigade also showcased a lighter-weight plate carrier vest Thursday, which Lewis said allows for better arm circulation and faster movement.
“Lighter equals mobility,” he said.
The heavier vest is still in operation, he said. The lighter vest is used in altitude exceeding 5,000 feet.
In my opinion, the new boots look a lot like hiking boots, but they should be quite a bit better for handling the rocky terrain of Afghanistan.
FYI
Wonder if anybody ever told the Ruskies that those over sized hats make them look kind of ridiculous, their old generals in particular.
Just left Bagram and now I’m in Kandahar......they’re already wearing them here to some degree or another.
One of the small things I do for our guys and gals in uniform is tell them in the line at the airport they don’t have to take their boots off (I fly coast-to-coast weekly).
That is the one concession that TSA gives to our uniformed military.
And, FWIIW, AA lets military in uniform board with or before 1st Class AND gives them free 1st Class upgrades when available. Even as Executive Platinum, I have been bumped a few times for uniformed service members. Best bumps ever :)
Respect....thanks.
We can’t thank you enough for your service. Be safe and God bless you.
I like the new multicam, but I think they should have gone the route of the Marines and had different patterns for different environments. They’re trying to do it all with one pattern. As for the boots, it’s nice that they’ve gone to a more sensible suede-finish, and I’m glad to see the mountain boot getting the new finish, but they need to not neglect the hot-weather tropical boot. Afghanistan and the arid regions of Southwest Asia are where we’re fighting now, but radical Islam is a widespread problem (we’re already conducting ops in the Philippines), and we may be doing jungles again before we know it (more Pinoy, plus Indonesia, etc). That tropical boot hasn’t had a facelift in 20 years, and that was only to add a padded cuff at the top of the boot. I’m sure there’s a lot that can be done with new materials to make those boots more water-resistant and yet more “breathable”, and improve the sole pattern.
I’ve seen photos on a mountainside where you'd have to study real hard to pick out a whole platoon going up it.
Leave it to the Army to screw things up - \
Are the mafia outfits still making our military uniforms?
He was always treated with great respect - and I thank people like you.
the whackos tried to do what they did to our Vietnam troops - but America said “NOT THIS TIME!”
I have one of those hats in my collection of foreign military hats, also a Turkish Navy officers hat. In case I decide to become a Turkish Navy officer.
Be safe out there...thanks for being there and Merry Christmas!
Do you have any photos from your collection?
When my brother-in-law went back over to Iraq from his R-and-R in April, a TSA worker at Louisville International made him take his boots off. After he’d gone through the checkpoint, the shift manager came over and apologized to him, telling him that he shouldn’t have been asked.
>>After he’d gone through the checkpoint, the shift manager came over and apologized to him, telling him that he shouldn’t have been asked.<<
And that is a big effort.
I really do try to be a “wingman” for our Soldiers, where I can. Sometimes they don’t know all the rules, much less the perks they get. It is poignant how many times I have said :no, really, it is OK — you board now!” or, as I said, I have helped the soldiers make it through security.
The one thing I can’t help with is the STUFF they put in their pockets. I have a travel vest with 23 pockets. That is NOTHING compared to what I have seen our soldiers pull out of an apparent infinite number of pockets in their uniforms. :)
Please thank your BIL for his service.
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