The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: philw on October 18, 2010, 12:11:29 AM
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http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/army-to-redesign-baggy-womens-uniform/story-e6frea73-1225940257031
THE US Army is testing its first-ever combat uniform expressly designed to fit the female figure, a move seen as an overdue effort to make 160,000 US women soldiers more comfortable.
Don't expect a camouflage haute couture revolution for America's military women; the changes will be visibly slight, although they are important, said the first person to try on the women's army combat uniform, or ACU.
"The unisex uniform was a little bit baggy," Major Sequana Robinson said, undoubtedly summing up the attitudes of thousands of female soldiers who for decades have had to make do with ill-fitting fatigues.
"The goal is not to have female soldiers accentuate their curves, but... it alleviates some of the excess material" that had come to typify the unisex uniform worn by far more men than women.
For years the US Army offered standard-issue unisex ACUs, which sought to neutralize gender differences but were often considered uncomfortable and unwieldy by female troops.
Robinson, assistant product manager for soldier clothing at the Program Executive Office, which is responsible for what US soldiers wear or carry and is preparing the uniform, was modeling the ACU prototype at this military base south of the capital Washington.
Some 600 women soldiers will comprehensively test the garments beginning next January. If approved by the Army Uniform Board, the female battle garments, which have undergone five years of study and design tweaking, could be rolled out as early as 2012.
Design of the new fatigues is the latest step toward gender parity in the US military, where women have broken into most areas of service and command.
Women have served in some way in the US Army since 1775. And the Pentagon has issued female uniform ensembles for decades, albeit for ceremonial events or non-combat positions.
But it does not allow women, who now make up 14 percent of the army, to be assigned to ground combat units, although they are in support units and serve as gunners, truck drivers, military police, and helicopter pilots.
In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where US troops have been fighting insurgencies that use unconventional forces and tactics, US women have increasingly found themselves in the thick of battle, when having well-fitting clothing in extreme environments can suddenly prove critical.
The woman's ACU is "definitely a first for the army," said Mary Harwood, a so-called human factors engineer for the US Army who played a key role in the difficult but key changes to the khaki and digitized camouflage uniforms.
They have made "adjustments to fit the anthropomorphic measurement of the body," she added.
What women troops will find is a garment far more accommodating of the female form.
Among the key changes are the addition of vents in back that provide space for a woman's bust; narrowing of the shoulders; replacement of trouser drawstrings with elastic waistbands; adjustment of waist-to-hip ratios; and alterations to the front and back rise.
Or, as Harwood conceded in language only a fashionista could love: "more material... to accommodate the buttocks."
Other changes include a lengthening of the coat over the hips, and repositioning of rank insignias, sleeve pockets, and elbow and knee patches.
The army said feedback from soldiers complaining that the ACU "does not properly fit most females" prompted the new design, and that preliminary tests showed the uniforms are "less bulky, more comfortable, economical and have improved aesthetics for female soldiers."
The ACU is the successor to the Battle Dress Uniform, or BDU, which the US military had assigned its troops from 1981 until 2005.
Robinson said at first she was concerned that the uniform "was going to be too tight, and unnecessarily cling to a woman's figure."
But the major quickly warmed to the idea of trading in her unisex ACU for more form-fitting fatigues that make her feel like a professional soldier.
"I'm not wearing my brother's pants, I'm wearing something made for me."
would of though they would of done this years ago
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http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/army-to-redesign-baggy-womens-uniform/story-e6frea73-1225940257031
"Among the key changes are the addition of vents in back that provide space for a woman's bust"
would of though they would of done this years ago
A pleasant thought, especially when close dancing or hugging, but shouldn't those vents be in front? Oh, and as much as I like the airing out of breasts, I wasn't aware they were in need of venting.
More seriously, wasn't the tailoring of uniforms once a common occurrence? Or only for officers?
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More seriously, wasn't the tailoring of uniforms once a common occurrence? Or only for officers?
that is what I though when they were fitted properly
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I don't believe any but officers bothered with having their Fatigue uniforms tailored, maybe DI's and Recruiters.
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I don't believe any but officers bothered with having their Fatigue uniforms tailored, maybe DI's and Recruiters.
there is (was) another issue with that. The BDUs we got back in the day had an IR reppelent spray on them. Ironing supposedly killed it (didn't stop sarge from wanting them pressed ::)), but in theory drycleaning and irons were no nos. I assume that means you couldn't get them custom made like you can class As and dress blues if you were so inclined. I guess you could still take your stuff to a tailor for a nip and tuck, but if the problem was that the butt was too small, the bust too tight and the crotch rise hit at knee level, I'm not sure how much they could do. It does seem like a good idea and relatively low dollar. Its like the adjustable stock on the M4. Having a proper LOP has got to improve marksmanship across the board.
FQ13
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No photos??????
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No photos??????
May I offer some humble suggestions that, while impractical for everyday work, are sure to be a morale boost to some troops...
(http://swimkitten.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/424x669/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/1/l111-2.jpg)
(http://womenpics.org/d/19319-1/Indian+woman+actress+Mandira+Bedi+in+camo+bikini+top.jpg)
Shameless, I know......but, someone needed to go ahead and get it over with.........so there........ 8)
And yes, I am currently advancing towards the corner.......
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FQ, it wasn't the ironing from my understanding, it was the starch, that neutralized the IR stuff, Putting a spit shine on your boots was also alleged to have some sort of bad effect, They were designed to be buff shined, but I forget the details.
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I can only speak for MY Navy time but we wouldn't be admonished for an ironed shirt or spitshined boots. Granted, I wasn't in the normal Navy so sometimes, just sometimes, I need to be reminded of the proper attire to be worn by a Petty Officer!
Socks? Underwear? Cover? Haircut? You mean I have to sew on that second stripe before I get paid for it?
"Honest Master Chief, I was on my way to the barber shop, REEEEEAAAAALLLLLYYYYY I was!!!!!!
;D ;D ;D
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Hair cuts ? We had a CO. called $100 Heller, when he got transferred my pay went up $100 a month, didn't matter if you needed a haircut or stabbed your bunkie, $100 fine. ;D
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FQ, it wasn't the ironing from my understanding, it was the starch, that neutralized the IR stuff, Putting a spit shine on your boots was also alleged to have some sort of bad effect, They were designed to be buff shined, but I forget the details.
Shoe polish was a definite no-no on a flight deck. Some silly rumor about jet exhaust being able to set it on fire.
Such a fun place to work anyway.
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Perhaps the female soldiers of the IDF are contributing??? ::)
;D
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(http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/billt460/CamoCombatBoots.jpg)
New combat boots !!
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Perhaps the female soldiers of the IDF are contributing??? ::)
;D
Big fan of the IDF ladies
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Big fan of the IDF ladies
Same, Phil. And it is an indication of the state of war in which Israel continuously operates. They are under attack every day and live as such. The women in the IDF are needed to be able to meet that threat.
We saw the picture of the IDF ladies in "civies" shopping with their weapons slung across their backs (it was in this slide show also). That is the type of readiness their country needs to protect itself and survive.
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Same, Phil. And it is an indication of the state of war in which Israel continuously operates. They are under attack every day and live as such. The women in the IDF are needed to be able to meet that threat.
We saw the picture of the IDF ladies in "civies" shopping with their weapons slung across their backs (it was in this slide show also). That is the type of readiness their country needs to protect itself and survive.
Its somewhat ironic though, that just like here, the one's who send them to fight don't serve. In Israel, the ultra-orthodox don't have to serve. Yet they are the settlers, the hardliners and the anti-secular bigots who pray daily "Thank God I was not born a woman". f..k them! They are fine with someone else's child fighting, just not them or theirs.
Here in the US? How many Hawks wore a uniform? Rush? Cheney? Kristol? Forget them. How many Congressmen or other leaders, of either party wore a uniform, or have kids in the service? Here I give credit to Palin, Biden, McCain and Webb along with a few others, but it is still damn sad when the loudest voices for war are no where to be found at the recruiting centers, and neither are their families. >:(
Sorry
Rant over
FQ13
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Actually, I have read that the percentage of congressman with children in service is higher that the general population.
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Now THAT's what I'm talking about Peg!
That sort of garb would also stop a mujahadeen in his tracks.
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(http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/billt460/CamoCombatBoots.jpg)
New combat boots !!
Steel toe Stiletto jungle boots?
Look at the N. Korean uniforms, perfect fit! ;D ;D ;D ;D
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/10/article-1319280-0B8C0C91000005DC-476_306x423_popup.jpg (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/10/article-1319280-0B8C0C91000005DC-476_306x423_popup.jpg)
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Steel toe Stiletto jungle boots?
Look at the N. Korean uniforms, perfect fit! ;D ;D ;D ;D
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/10/article-1319280-0B8C0C91000005DC-476_306x423_popup.jpg (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/10/article-1319280-0B8C0C91000005DC-476_306x423_popup.jpg)
OK, maybe we hold off on the Nook Nukes. ;D
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Being that I am currently serving in our wonderful army I must coment on this subject. Perhaps if the Army would hold the Women to the published body standards there fat asses would fit into the unifirm properly. The only problem I see is that and perhaps they may run a bit long with the current cut. Also the ACU is not to be modified for a more taylored look. I find it ironic that they did not have a problem with the old Woodland patern uniforms. Just my 2 cents.
Mike Mc
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Had a couple in my Co. that looked pretty darn nice in woodland and Jungle boots ;D
These Girls were not more than 5 foot but they led every march and Co. run.
We followed and never noticed the distance ;D
By the way, Woodland pattern isn't THAT old Youngster, and get off my F*cking Lawn ;D
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Sorry Tom but seeing as it was first issued in July of 1982 and it is currently 2010 they could be classified as Antique. So Being 17 in July of 82 when my Platoon was the First platoon in the Corps to be Issued them( I still have one original top in my closet) They are old. ;D And if I'm on your Your lawn you must have invited me or gifted it to me. But with you being old and all you forgot again. ::)
Mike Mc
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Actually, we were issued Woodland Pattern Cammies in '77 at PI.
2 pair of Camoflage utilities and 2 pair of the Green "sateen" style. When I got out in 80 the Camo Cover was authorized but scarce, for inspections we still wore the green covers that dated back to WWII.
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I may be wrong but I am pretty sure the patern you had was called the Poplin though the colors where close the material was more like rip stop and was mostly a darker shade than the 80's woodland patern. I would like for the return of the Sateen Greens for when we are in Garrison though as it looks way more professional and less like a bag of crap with the current ACU patern the Army is using
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Do you want the white "aim here at the vee" undershirts too? Sorry, one set of fatigues (alternating by climate of course). Something called fatigues or battle dress shouldn't be stylish. The army finally got that memo with the rough side out boots. How many useless hours were wasted spit shining something that was designed for traipsing in the mud? You want shiny shoes? Buy the patent leather oxfords for class A's. Otherwise? Get off my obstacle! >:(
FQ13
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I may be wrong but I am pretty sure the patern you had was called the Poplin though the colors where close the material was more like rip stop and was mostly a darker shade than the 80's woodland patern. I would like for the return of the Sateen Greens for when we are in Garrison though as it looks way more professional and less like a bag of crap with the current ACU patern the Army is using
Not sure about that, I thought "Poplin" was a material, at the time I didn't even know the Camo patterns even got names.
Sateen's + heavy starch, of course, if you started sweating the starch would re liquify and stick on you. ;D
But they did look sharp.