U.S. Operational Army Combat Uniform

[Colin Parkinson]

Work Dress was cheap because other than the colour it was a bog standard off the shelf buy. I am wearing tactical ripstop pants I bought for $22 USD, the options are endless as long as you don't try to source exclusively from here.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

I've never bought into the argument that having too many uniforms is a bad thing. 

And neither have I. And I believe, my friend that this is because we are "old" Navy [everybody, can the store jokes, please]. We were "raised" by Chief Engineers that berated (like Scotty) us with "The right tool for the right job" and Gunners berating us with "The right dress for the right circumstances".

This has gone out of the Navy for some parts, but not all.

But I also believe we don't mind more uniforms because we are Navy. In my experience, it's the Army, and to a lesser extent the Air Force, that appears to have a problem with multiple uniforms. Perhaps it is because in the Navy we are exposed to other nations that have the whole gamut: Black's, white's, tan's, a form of Combat uniform, but also a base working dress of some sort, then coveralls when needed; and a combination of vests, sweaters, windbreakers and jackets for each, etc. We look like poor cousins some times.

BTW, your friends' sons obviously joined the Army. I can tell you that when my son was sworn into the Naval reserve two years ago, it happened on a regular training night at the unit. Everyone was wearing NCD's except the brow staff and all involved in the ceremony, including the full command team, who were wearing their service dress, with ties, as should be.

 

[dimsum]

Mods:  Perhaps a (re?) merge to the buttons/bows thread?

 

[Kirkhill]

And neither have I. And I believe, my friend that this is because we are "old" Navy [everybody, can the store jokes, please]. We were "raised" by Chief Engineers that berated (like Scotty) us with "The right tool for the right job" and Gunners berating us with "The right dress for the right circumstances".

This has gone out of the Navy for some parts, but not all.

But I also believe we don't mind more uniforms because we are Navy. In my experience, it's the Army, and to a lesser extent the Air Force, that appears to have a problem with multiple uniforms. Perhaps it is because in the Navy we are exposed to other nations that have the whole gamut: Black's, white's, tan's, a form of Combat uniform, but also a base working dress of some sort, then coveralls when needed; and a combination of vests, sweaters, windbreakers and jackets for each, etc. We look like poor cousins some times.

BTW, your friends' sons obviously joined the Army. I can tell you that when my son was sworn into the Naval reserve two years ago, it happened on a regular training night at the unit. Everyone was wearing NCD's except the brow staff and all involved in the ceremony, including the full command team, who were wearing their service dress, with ties, as should be.

Snark Alert:

Soldiers have to carry their gear. They don't live with their house. Also their field gear gets really dirty.  They don't live with a laundry, or a galley for that matter....

 

[quadrapiper]

As a concept to bat around, might having a generic working/utility/whatever rig allow the specifically field/combat uniform to become more specialized, or allow the justification of more expensive field/combat specific features/cloth types or treatments, etc.?

 

[FSTO]

Snark Alert:

Soldiers have to carry their gear. They don't live with their house. Also their field gear gets really dirty.  They don't live with a laundry, or a galley for that matter....

How many cocktail parties do the Army hold when they are deployed? 
Anyway, the Army and Air Force can look like they rolled out of a hide 24/7 for all I care, I will continue to wear TWL and Salt/Peppers when I am working ashore until the day I retire.
(Pardon my sneakiness, have had a few beers tonight!)

 

[Pusser]

Snark Alert:

Soldiers have to carry their gear. They don't live with their house. Also their field gear gets really dirty.  They don't live with a laundry, or a galley for that matter....

No opposition from me there.  I'm not saying that soldiers in the field need to take all their uniforms with them when they deploy to the field.  However, when they're back in garrison, they don't need to be in CADPAT to fill out forms on their computers either.

 

[Pusser]

And neither have I. And I believe, my friend that this is because we are "old" Navy [everybody, can the store jokes, please]. We were "raised" by Chief Engineers that berated (like Scotty) us with "The right tool for the right job" and Gunners berating us with "The right dress for the right circumstances".

This has gone out of the Navy for some parts, but not all.

But I also believe we don't mind more uniforms because we are Navy. In my experience, it's the Army, and to a lesser extent the Air Force, that appears to have a problem with multiple uniforms. Perhaps it is because in the Navy we are exposed to other nations that have the whole gamut: Black's, white's, tan's, a form of Combat uniform, but also a base working dress of some sort, then coveralls when needed; and a combination of vests, sweaters, windbreakers and jackets for each, etc. We look like poor cousins some times.

BTW, your friends' sons obviously joined the Army. I can tell you that when my son was sworn into the Naval reserve two years ago, it happened on a regular training night at the unit. Everyone was wearing NCD's except the brow staff and all involved in the ceremony, including the full command team, who were wearing their service dress, with ties, as should be.

Our Fathers won the Battle of the Atlantic wearing jackets and ties.  Just saying...

 

[Edward Campbell]

Our Fathers won the Battle of the Atlantic wearing jackets and ties.  Just saying...

ff topic:

Anecdote ~ I wasn't there (I'm not that old!) but I heard the story from someone who was ... Capt(N) (later RAdm) Harry Lay was, I think without question, Canada's toughest fighting sailor (I know, I know, "Hard over Harry" DeWolf is our hero ~ but, I suggest, that was, in some (maybe large) measure because VAdm DeWolf was, really, a nice guy, while RAdm Lay was, to be charitable, a mean SOB). Anyway, the story is that a corvette limped into St John's having sustained some (considerable) damage from really bad weather. The captain was on his bridge and ordered the appropriate compliments as he steamed, slowly, passed Capt Lay's ship. The corvette captain had lost his 'sea cabin' ~ a locally converted bunk over the chart table ~ during the storm and with it his clean white shirts. He was wearing a plaid work shirt or dark sailor's sweater, or something like that, under his tunic. Capt Lay signalled the corvette ... not to ask about damage or casualties but, simply, to order the captain to "call" on him immediately that he was alongside. The subject of the "call" was "proper dress" for combat ... yes, indeed, a shirt and tie was "required" to engage the Germans!

  Capt(N) (later RAdm) Harry Lay    A 'more typical' seagoing officer
                                                                  in the same era.

:sorry: Back to the topic ...

 

[Kirkhill]

No opposition from me there.  I'm not saying that soldiers in the field need to take all their uniforms with them when they deploy to the field.  However, when they're back in garrison, they don't need to be in CADPAT to fill out forms on their computers either.

Agreed entirely. 

Here's an idea for a field service uniform.  Cheap enough but substantial enough to survive 72 hours in a swamp - and then discard.

 

[George Wallace]

Agreed entirely. 

Here's an idea for a field service uniform.  Cheap enough but substantial enough to survive 72 hours in a swamp - and then discard.

That is quantity over quality.  I have never been a fan of that.  Fifty uniforms at $10 to replace one uniform at $100 is a whole lot more expensive, especially when the $100 uniform outlasts more than 100 $10 uniforms.

 

[Spencer100]

"If you are going to fight...Clash!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIXD3eNocV4

 

[quadrapiper]

That is quantity over quality.  I have never been a fan of that.  Fifty uniforms at $10 to replace one uniform at $100 is a whole lot more expensive, especially when the $100 uniform outlasts more than 100 $10 uniforms.

Uniforms becoming a short-term consumable alongside ammunition and food? Sounds like a supply-chain nightmare.

Rather high-volume item, even if compressed.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Agreed entirely. 

Here's an idea for a field service uniform.  Cheap enough but substantial enough to survive 72 hours in a swamp - and then discard.

I had a platoon like that.

3 days on ops in the Blackthorn Hedged, barbed wire fringed, wilderness of South Fermanagh had them looking like they were wearing ghillie's suits when we trudged back into the SF base.

And that was with good old heavy cotton Para smocks and trousers, designed to last forever. A lesser product would have seen us performing the 'Full Monty', inadvertently (or not, being my guys  ;D).

 

[Kirkhill]

I had a platoon like that.

3 days on ops in the Blackthorn Hedged, barbed wire fringed, wilderness of South Fermanagh had them looking like they were wearing ghillie's suits when we trudged back into the SF base.

And that was with good old heavy cotton Para smocks and trousers, designed to last forever. A lesser product would have seen us performing the 'Full Monty', inadvertently (or not, being my guys  ;D).

Ach.  Nothing a pint of woad wouldn't fix. 

 

[cupper]

A lesser product would have seen us performing the 'Full Monty', inadvertently (or not, being my guys  ;D).

Could well have scared the crap out of everyone. At least would have everyone thinking you were bat poop crazy.

 

[dimsum]

Agreed entirely. 

Here's an idea for a field service uniform.  Cheap enough but substantial enough to survive 72 hours in a swamp - and then discard.

We have enough problems stocking the various sizes in the CAF with 3-4 sets each (not just money but space issues).  Imagine the stocks needed for a major EX or operation if the clothes were designed to be discarded after 72 hours?

 

[Kirkhill]

Where's the Ref?  The maul has collapsed.  Time to blow down.

I said it was an idea.  I didn't say it was a good idea.  It may not even be the best bad idea I have had. Uncle! 

 

[Colin Parkinson]

When I started work I got 6 sets of deckhand uniforms and 6 sets terminal attendant uniforms. In fact my first trip out to sea with the CCG, i had to wear the BC Ferry uniform with duct tape over the BCF logo as CCG could not get it's act together in time. BCF has around 3800 employees, let's say half require a uniform, that's still 1900 people, which is likely more than any Reserve brigade. it can be done and it is being done, but out of the green box thinking is required.

 

[Kirkhill]

How about the food processing industries?

A freshly laundered uniform every day - Shirt and Pants.