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Army Combat Uniform (ACU) vs. What Really Works
September 24, 2009 – 8:50 am
For the past few weeks the Army community has been flooded with discussion and controversy surrounding the Army Combat Uniform better known as ACUs to all of us who wear it. The Army times has published a series of articles concerning the original study and fielding of the ACU. The transition from the BDUs and DCUs was expected however many scratched their heads when the grayish ACU came out.
Brigadier General Peter Fuller who commands PEO Soldier announced that two Battalions will be deploying to Afghanistan with two different versions of a green/brown cammo pattern. The Multicam pattern and UCP Delta uniforms are headed downrange and apparently are going to be tested in real world operations to see if they blend better that ACUs do.
*Listen to my podcast with BGen Fuller http://bit.ly/3p9cj
ACUs are either loved or hated by those that wear them. Representative John Murtha D-PA who is the Chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee is one who doesn’t care for them. After hearing complaints from soldiers who have deployed and found that the ACUs didn’t work; Rep. Murtha told the Army they had till 30 September to come up with something new.
Having worked with the folks at PEO Soldier closely I am pretty confident that they are going to both meet the deadline set by Congress and get the results back that soldiers want to hear. Whether it turns out that Multicam or UCP Delta work better, the fielding of the new uniforms will most likely be out to units before they know it.
Considering the $5 Billion cost associated with the ACU shift, one has to assume that the Army chose the uniform that tested best and is truly the biggest force multiplier to soldiers on the ground. Whatever the outcome is, PEO Soldier and the two Battalions headed with the new digs will hopefully turn out some really useful feedback and test data from Afghanistan. And I am sure that uniform, body armor and gear manufacturers are all on the edge of their seats awaiting the announcement of what works and what doesn’t for Soldiers.
*** Update*** I’ll be interviewing CSM McPherson of PEO Soldier and have the podcast up early next week!!!
16 Responses to “Army Combat Uniform (ACU) vs. What Really Works”
I don’t mind the actual fit of the ACU, as they are pretty comfortable as compared to the old BDU…however I just need to find the right environment to fight in while wearing them… other than complete darkness they really aren’t worth a damn.
By phil.spence on Sep 25, 2009
Once this field testing is completed, it will take months (12-18)to manufacture and issue the new uniforms. During that interim period, the Army should procure a cost effective and modular camouflage system such as the Coyote Brand Camouflage. It is already being tested by the Special Operations Community with excellent preliminary results. We should do whatever it takes to ensure the survivability and lethality of our your Soldiers and Marines.
By Alfredo Quiros on Sep 29, 2009
MY GOD LET US USE OUR HEADS,, 5 BILLION DOLLARS,, NO NO, THE SOLDIER THAT IS DEPLOYED TO DIFFERENT COMBAT LOCATION IN THE WORLD ARE THE ONES WHO NEED AND ONLY NEED THE AUC FOR THAT TERRIAN TO MAKE THE BLEND FOR CONCEALMENT AND NOT STAND OUT TO BE SEEN,, EVERY WAR WE HAVE BEEN IN PROVES THAT YOU HAVE TO BLEND INTO THE TERRIAN,, NOT EVERY SOLDIER HAS TO GO GREY AT 5 BILLION DOLLARS, MAKE THEM FIT CORRECT IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE GRUNT WHO HAS TO WEAR THEM 24-7…..
By Sgt. Dennis Felmley, Combat Retired on Sep 30, 2009
The problem that I have seen in the past is that the Army likes to have feedback from all types of units and soldiers. It doesn’t really matter if a soldier who will never leave a FOB likes the uniform or not. It is about the soldiers on patrol and kicking in doors. I am not downplaying the importance of non-combat arms soldiers, they are very important, and sacrifice for the cause too. I think that everyone can understand that your camoflage on a FOB, in a truck, or IFV doesn’t matter. Lets keep our uniform feed back to the ones who need the uniform the most. On a side note, I have flown into LZs with guys wearing Multi-cam, and will say from experience, it is hard as hell to see them until you are on top of them.
By Brian Smith on Oct 28, 2009
Our unit was selected to field the multicam, and i can honestly say i was very proud to be able to sign documents saying that we will finally be able to wear something that in fact the enemy would not see hahaha (inside joke) anyways, really, ppl should stop thinking fashion show with Uniforms; a uniform is designed for concealment, not to look great to the enemy; we are past that, remember “the revolutionary war”? thats what the ACUs are looking like out here, a Damn blue uniform in a damn desert… No no no… that wont do at all… Muticam is tested, and is backed by special operations, its about time the regular grunts have similar capabilities… if you don’t know its importance, i invite you to look online for examples of its excellent concealment… Oh and another thing.. Afghanistan is not a god damn dessert, its mountain terrains with plenty of vegetation; so get Iraq out the brain housing group and focus on whats really going on .. thnx
By SPC Alberti on Nov 22, 2009
oh and just to avoid pointless arguments, the blue uniform in the dessert comment was designed as an example of how much an ACU stands out.. like a sore thumb…
By SPC Alberti on Nov 22, 2009
I am currently deployed and am wearing Crye Precision uniforms (have one on now). Both Afghanistan and Iraq have cultivated green zones around the river valleys. In any guerilla war the enemy hides among the population. The population mostly lives in the green zones, thus the need for an effective desert to green pattern. The higher ups often hate to admit mistakes. The new uniform folly (USA/USAF/USN) has beeen an expensive one. The powers that be shun irregular uniforms. My orginization has fought an uphill battle to get multicam and we still get dirty looks. Getting the higher ups to admit that they should have gone w/multicam in the first place and fix the problem is the issue. Any 9 year old air softer could have picked a better cammo pattern.
By Brian O. on Nov 22, 2009
I feel that the BDU fabric and style was fine. The only thing that should have been considered in changing was the pattern. But funny thing though, In Afghanistan, the ANA is using Woodland Pattern, like our old BDUs! So who has it right, the ANA or us? They have to live there for the rest of their lives and we just go there for a 12-18 month stint. Nevertheless, I feel that the ACU fabric and design is flawed. I dig the pockets on the sleeves but Velcro..really? The boots are cool and probably the best boot I have ever worn but another issue is, the AR is obsolete and it hasn’t been updated to meet the new standard. Commanders have discretion but it’s getting ridiculous out there. Multi-Cam/ ACU/ Woodland…what ever. Let’s stick to a pattern that works for the Soldiers for at least 20 years. Oh, and the saving Soldiers money BS is just that, BS. DCUs are OCIE and the Soldier (officer of enlisted) doesn’t spend a dime on them. They don’t keep them at the end of tour (but one) so where’s the savings when you have to change these rags every 6 months????
CPT R-
By CPT Ramello on Jan 5, 2010
multicam ftw
By crayton on Feb 19, 2010
I know from hearing my Dad talk about how much he didn’t like the new ACUs as well as a lot of people he worked with. I personally don’t like the ACUs and are awaiting the change to the MultiCam patter uniforms. The ACUs dont last very long at all between the poorly designed velcro systems to the pattern that fades after a few washes. the multicam would be a great upgrade from the ACUs if it doesnt have all the ACU defects.
By PV2 DeBusschere, Daniel on Feb 23, 2010
The pattern reminds me of the old British and Belgian airborne battle smocks. What’s next, bring back Vietnam-era Tiger Stripes?
By Dave on Feb 23, 2010
I think the new uniforms look bad ass, seen em in stores here near fort bragg, nc they arent for use as of yet for garrison or iraq deployers. So far the army has afghanistan as the main target for changing uniforms as well as a modified acu pattern it has the traditional acu colors with a brown integrated into the pattern. two test uniforms, they are also modifying the acu’s to be stronger as far as durability the collars to lay flatter, and the butt area to be more durable since peoples butts seem to rip constantly in the acu.
By PFC Epperson on Mar 2, 2010
First, let me say that whatever works best at concealment should be employed. That said, I think Multi-Cam says “We’re coming to kick some ass!” UCP-D looks like the same puke ACU now in use. Give soldiers a uniform that is functional first, and that they can also be proud to wear. Why should Marines be the only ones that look good in uniform?
By Populist on Mar 8, 2010
I’m not sure why so much of the argument is based on the camouflage pattern. Yes the ACU pattern is terrible, but what is even worse is the uniform itself. Whoever approved the fielding and issue of this uniform is both tactically ignorant and seriously lacking common sense. What a waste of tax payers’ money!There are so many things wrong with it I don’t know where to start.
Can we get any more velcro on a piece of cloth? I think it is a poor decision to have any on it, let alone in that amount. The pockets on the sleeves are too small to be of any tactical use, the ones on the chest are facing the wrong way, and why did we go to a zipper instead of buttons? The crotch blows out quickly if you are running any kind of physically demanding operations.
The design and durability of the ACU is unacceptable and I would much rather go back to modified summer weight BDUs. But we are going to waste more billions to replace the ACU with the same thing in a different pattern. Is anyone holding the decision makers accountable for any of this? It just blows my mind that we are allowing them to be so careless with our tax dollars.
By Stephan on Mar 16, 2010
The only good things about ACU’s is the comfort – thats really about it – I mean velcro? Come on what the hell? Lets think people. Oh and if your near anything green or even a small bush forget about hiding.
By SPC Henderson on Mar 27, 2010