USMC Wannabe Blues (Army: Greens out, Blues in)

Strategy Page ^ | 8/22/08

[Dawnsblood]

After a century of green uniforms, the last one is being retired from the U.S. Army. The new "Class A" uniform, as of August 21st, 2008, will be the current blue "Dress Uniform.". By 2010, troops graduating from basic training will be issued the "dress blues" as their "Class A" uniform. The "Class B" uniform will be the dress blue trousers and a white shirt with decorations (ribbons, combat badge and so on). For both enlisted and officers, rank will be worn on epaulets. The new uniform "system" is similar to the one the U.S. Marine Corps has been wearing for decades, and that's no accident.

All this in response to decades old efforts by the troops, to drop the green "Class A" uniform (green jacket and pants, with light brown shirt and tie) and go to something, anything, more impressive.. The new Class A uniform is simply the existing dress uniform. This uniform, unlike the green Class A's, that were introduced in 1954, is based on the 19th century dress uniform. Most enlisted troops do not have the dress blue uniform, because they have to buy it themselves, and that is optional for most troops. But over the next six years, the old Class A will be phased out completely.

All this is the result of longstanding "uniform envy" soldiers have had for marines. The USMC has always sported the most impressive dress uniform, and young enlisted marines were glad to spend at least $300 to buy themselves one. The marine "Class A" uniform is also green, but a darker green, and the jacket is worn with a belt. This looks much snappier, and many soldiers have suggested something like this for a new army Class A uniform. But many career army types have been campaigning for a spiffier Class A uniform, and something in blue, preferably with a belted jacket. But instead of a new uniform design, the army simply made the current dress blues the new Class As. The dress blues have been around for a long time, and have a good reputation. That doesn't mean that a belt cannot be added down the road. The important thing right now is to dump those hideous green Class As, which have embarrassed several generations of soldiers.

The Class A uniform is not actually worn that much, with most troops wearing BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform, with the camouflage pattern) or the Class A uniform without the jacket, when at work. The BDUs come in several different shades, none of them featuring much green. So after a century, the green is gone. The army is also eliminating the all white tropical dress uniform, which was rarely used.

[Fundamentally Fair]

Leave the damn uniforms alone!

Get ready for another roumd of USAF uniform changes...the new PT gear sucks, the ABU is too hot and needs slanted pockets and they may mess with the blues too.

All I want is my crew neck t-shirt back.

[Crolis]

If I remember correctly, the leg stripe provides a distinction among enlisted, officers (thick stripe) and flag officer (two thin stripes).

As for branch colors, they are found on the background color of the shoulder tabs for rank, and also between the gold stripes on the cuff. I believe there is piping around the service cap which distinguishes the branch color.

When my dad was in the service, those areas were orange as he was Signal Corps.

[Ronin]

Cammies for shipboard sailors has to be the ultimate stupid uniform idea of all time. I literally cannot think of anything dumber except maybe shocking pink tu-tus — and I hesitate to mention that because someone on some uniform board is probably going to think it’s a great idea.

The Zelmo (let’s make everyone a chief) uniform was bad, but at least one decent uniform came out of it. The old summer Salt and Peppers. Black (Navy Blue) trousers, white shirt, combo cover (this was before we got the dixie cups back. Simple, practical, and wearable almost anywhere in the Navy.

Naturally that didn’t last. Summer dress had to be whites, winter dress had to be blues. Trying to keep any kind of white trouser wearable for more than half a day was an exercise in futility.

OK, around 1978 or so we got the cracks back. Not bad looking. You felt like a sailor when you wore them. The leftover Zumwalt uniforms were still floating around when I got out in 1986.

God only knows what they have these days.

I thought it was funny when they put US Navy on the dungaree shirts. WTF? They need to look at their shirt to figure out what service they’re in? Yeeeeeesh!!!

[Future Snake Eater]

I like these new changes. Get rid of two unnecessary dress uniforms to make it all just a bit easier (and cheaper) for everyone. Plus the Blues look a lot better than the A’s. As far as the BDUs vs. ACUs....that was a HUGELY needed change. There were many vast improvements in the ACUs. Granted, I’m not too crazy about the “foliage green” which doesn’t camouflage you against anything but a tacky couch (the Marines’ desert and woodland camo stuff is better) is still overall cheaper and very effective.

[2111USMC]

Yep. I had ‘em switched in my pea brain head.

[A.A. Cunningham]

soldiers have had for marines.

soldiers have had for Marines.

the jacket is worn with a belt.

the blouse is worn with a belt.

[centurion316]

The Army has launched a new website for the new uniform:

http://www.army.mil/asu/#

And, here's a picture of an airborne NCO wearing the Class B uniform:

In my opinion, the Army could not have made it more hideous if they had tried. Earlier, they had considered a grey shirt which looked much more military and did not permit jump boots. This is Gawd Awful, it looks like a cross between a security guard in an art museum and the drill team for the Gay Caballeros marching band. The only thing missing is the red silk sash around the waist.

All of this comes from too many compromises and too many attempts to please everyone. No danger that anyone will accuse the Army of copying the Marines, we could only wish that someone would consider that option.

[NTHockey]

We agree to disagree.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Piss Cutters are the standard Dress Cover,

Incorrect. Piss cutters are the standard service cover but the barracks cover has resumed being used as a service cover.

[Arrowhead1952]

Yes, the ACU is the WORST uniform ever. Get rid of that AND the beret.

[SolidWood]

And, here's a picture of an airborne NCO wearing the Class B uniform

Horrible. There is nothing military left. Land forces NEED drab colors, Airforces NEED Blue shades, Navies NEED dark blue/black shades. Tradition, connotation, authority and appeal. What's up with all these gaudy colors and glittery gold. That's something for the parade ground, not for service. The Brits have a better handling of this... olive green tunics in traditional 4-Pocket pattern for service and colorful dress unifors.

[SJSAMPLE]

Yep.

[SJSAMPLE]

That’s the picture I’ve been talking about.
Absolutely dreadful.
I pity the soldiers who have to wear that thing.
I was one of those who said that the black beret would never happen, and I was wrong.
I hope this abortion never sees the light of day.

[SJSAMPLE]

Fair enough.
I will leave it with this:
The USMC has outstanding uniforms and had resisted changing them every few decades.
I only with The Army would see it that way.

[LTCJ]

OK, did I miss it? Didn't see mention of the "new" cover.

Please tell me they're sticking with the classic cover for the Blues.

Beret & Blues? I don't doubt some idiot suggested it. I just threw up a little. Bleeck.

[martin_fierro]

Umm, that was done during Bush.

Ummm, no it wasn't.

[AFreeBird]

There’s a recruiting poster for ya.

[Squantos]

LOL..... :o)

New AF dress uniforms look bad. Gen “PITA” McPeak, when he was AF Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, was a fashion freak .....troops spent to much of “their money” on BS uniform changes under that POS . Troops are paid to maintain a uniform properly yet McPeak made so many changes in such a short period of time troops exceeded that allowance on a regular basis. Worst POS to ever get a star... second only to Gen Weasel Clark during my service career.

[Squantos]

LOL....Did they fire Jim Carey after his Me, Myself and Irene Bio as a RI cop ?:o)

From L-R in that photo number five looks like he may win a physical fight and the rest are gonna have to shoot the bad guy.

People that design LEO uniforms 9 times out of 10 are desk bound wannabes.

[Squantos]

LOL......Now Now.......the uniform they tried to copy was Billy Mitchell’s era in WWI........linked vs posted due it’s size.

http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/070928-F-2911S-014.jpg