I’d look at bid rigging and some quality control payoff issues. QC inspectors at the point source should be checking out the strength of the material and the construction of the pants. Someone is not doing their job.
Did the crotch and armpits ever rot out? I remember during TET, when having problems connecting with a shower point for a month, my jungle fatigues started falling apart. I also had crotch rot to my knees and smelled like a goat, the things we do for our country.