Changes Made to the Army Combat Uniform
The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) was introduced in 2004. Considered a significant redesign of the previous uniform, ACU replaced the Battle Dress Uniform and differed in both camouflage pattern and shape. Its jacket and trousers have been described as €shapeless,€ and completing the uniform was a moisture-wicking t-shirt, tan combat boots, and a patrol cap. On a smaller scale, ACU's design had Mandarin collars, Velcro fasteners, zippers instead of buttons, knee pouches on pants, and sleeve pockets instead of bottom pockets.
At the same time, the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) was introduced with ACU, and unlike the pattern used for BDU, UCP was designed to blend into urban and desert environments, as well as in woodlands. A digital pattern, UCP is characterized by alpha and foliage green, light brownish grey, and grey-yellow brown. Tested by PEO Soldier Systems in Iraq and at home, UCP was meant to be effective in all environments.
UCP, however, did not blend into the terrain of mountains, woodlands, and desert in Afghanistan. As a result, testing for an Afghanistan-specific pattern began in 2009, and MultiCam® was chosen out of the group. Unlike UCP, MultiCam® is a gradient pattern with a brown to light tan gradient base, with drab green dotted by dark brown and pink blotches in between. Uniforms issued to soldiers in and deployed to Afghanistan since August 2010 have used the MultiCam® pattern.
MultiCam®, on the other hand, is only used for the Army Combat Uniform in Afghanistan; all other ACUs still use UCP. Announcing at the end of 2010, the Army plans to continue with testing for new ACU camouflage, and MultiCam®, desert and woodland MARPAT, and AOR 1 and 2 make up the test group for woodland, desert, and transitional variants.
Aside from the camouflage pattern, the Army Combat Uniform has gone through minor physical changes during the past seven years. Reported by the Army Times in September 2011, stronger material is being used for ACU trousers, and pants made with rip-stop fabric are expected to arrive in February or March 2012.
Black berets, as well, are being phased out in favor of patrol caps. Over the past 10 years, black berets have been issued with Army uniforms, including ACU, but soldiers have complained that two hands are needed to put it on and that it cannot be carried in a pocket. Patrol caps, which offer ventilated sun protection, are easier to put on.
Velcro has been an additional hindrance with the Army Combat Uniform. While Velcro on the uniforms does not hold up to wear and tear, it also makes too much noise; in response, soldiers have requested €strong and quiet€ buttons. By the end of 2011, the Army Combat Uniform is expected to have cargo pockets with extender buttons rather than Velcro.
At the same time, the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) was introduced with ACU, and unlike the pattern used for BDU, UCP was designed to blend into urban and desert environments, as well as in woodlands. A digital pattern, UCP is characterized by alpha and foliage green, light brownish grey, and grey-yellow brown. Tested by PEO Soldier Systems in Iraq and at home, UCP was meant to be effective in all environments.
UCP, however, did not blend into the terrain of mountains, woodlands, and desert in Afghanistan. As a result, testing for an Afghanistan-specific pattern began in 2009, and MultiCam® was chosen out of the group. Unlike UCP, MultiCam® is a gradient pattern with a brown to light tan gradient base, with drab green dotted by dark brown and pink blotches in between. Uniforms issued to soldiers in and deployed to Afghanistan since August 2010 have used the MultiCam® pattern.
MultiCam®, on the other hand, is only used for the Army Combat Uniform in Afghanistan; all other ACUs still use UCP. Announcing at the end of 2010, the Army plans to continue with testing for new ACU camouflage, and MultiCam®, desert and woodland MARPAT, and AOR 1 and 2 make up the test group for woodland, desert, and transitional variants.
Aside from the camouflage pattern, the Army Combat Uniform has gone through minor physical changes during the past seven years. Reported by the Army Times in September 2011, stronger material is being used for ACU trousers, and pants made with rip-stop fabric are expected to arrive in February or March 2012.
Black berets, as well, are being phased out in favor of patrol caps. Over the past 10 years, black berets have been issued with Army uniforms, including ACU, but soldiers have complained that two hands are needed to put it on and that it cannot be carried in a pocket. Patrol caps, which offer ventilated sun protection, are easier to put on.
Velcro has been an additional hindrance with the Army Combat Uniform. While Velcro on the uniforms does not hold up to wear and tear, it also makes too much noise; in response, soldiers have requested €strong and quiet€ buttons. By the end of 2011, the Army Combat Uniform is expected to have cargo pockets with extender buttons rather than Velcro.
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