The Army Combat Uniform - some trivia

Whenever the government buys the plane ticket, the soldier is required to wear his uniform while flying.  While watching the soldiers go by, I have often been asked to explain different parts of their uniform and its significance.  Most people have found it interesting, so here is a little trivia on some things to look for.  

The Army's New Uniform

The Army started deploying a new uniform in February 2005 called the Army Combat Uniform, or ACU.  Priority of issue was, of course, given to the deploying and deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The Army borrowed the camouflage pattern from the Marines and added a few enhancements.  The design is called a universal camouflage pixelated pattern.  It blends green, tan, and gray with the goal to make it effective in woodland, desert, and urban environments (the old one was only useful in wooded areas).  The Army eliminated the color black from the pattern because their studies found that black was not commonly found in nature, and it was a color that catches the eyes. 

The uniform was also redesigned to work better with body armor and to provide more pockets.  For example, on the old uniform, all the pockets on the shirt were covered when body armor was worn -- now they have pockets on the sleeves.  Other changes included pockets for elbow and knee pads, and patches are now attached using Velcro.  

Sleeves

Army soldiers no longer roll up their sleeves.   In order to ensure a more uniform look for all Army soldiers, the brass decided that the sleeves would no longer be worn rolled up even in the summer.  First, this had a practical reason as it helped reduce sun and other skin injuries.  Second, it was all part of the Army's current initiative to instill a warrior attitude in the soldiers of always being prepared for combat at all times.  Most infantry units had never authorized the sleezes to be rolled up.  Lastly, the design of the new ACU's made rolling up the sleeve impractical.   

The Flag 

Prior to October 1, 2005, the American flag was only worn during joint-duty and multinational deployments. The flag is worn on the right shoulder, because, in the military, the "place of honor" is to a military member's right.  The U.S. flag is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag’s own right. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.  The rule dates back to the Army's early history, when both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the Colors into battle. As he charged, his forward momentum caused the flag to stream back.   The commander determines whether the ACU or the colored flag is worn on the uniform.  Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are currently wearing the colored flag.

The combat patch. 

You may see soldiers with two different (or same) unit patches on their right and left sleeves (like the one to the left).  All soldiers that serve thirty days or longer in a combat zone are authorized to wear the patch of the unit they served with on their right side even when they are no longer with that unit.   The unit they are curently serving with is on the left.

(No, the Santa hat is not part of the ACU ;-}) 

The Largest Unit Patch

Unit patches come in all shapes and sizes.  The largest is the one for the 1st Cavalry Division, the largest division in the US Army with over 16,000 soldiers.  Designed by the commander’s wife in 1922, it was made to "be large enough to be seen through the dust and sand at Fort Bliss." She explained that she "made it that way because it is worn by big men who do big things."

Combat Badges

Alright, how do you recognize the soldiers that have been shot at?

The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is awarded to infantryman who are assigned to a unit that engages in active ground combat, he must actively participate in such ground combat. 

The Combat Medical Badge has similar requirements as the CIB except it is awarded to medical personnel supporting an infantry unit that comes under fire.   

The Combat Action Badge is awarded to recognize other soldiers who actively engaged or was engaged by the enemy but was not part of an infantry unit.  This award was created in 2005. 

Lastly, while you are checking out the uniform of the next soldier that you see, make sure that you shake his hand and thank him.  It means alot to them!