It’s official. We received word this afternoon from those close to the program that the solicitation has been delayed due to scheduling conflicts related to briefing key Army decision makers. We still expect the solicitation to be released very soon. In fact, it could go very soon as a decision based on a paper copy of the briefing may be reached over the weekend.
Don’t forget today is Wings for Warriors at Lendy’s here in Virginia Beach from 2 PM until 6:30 PM. Proceeds benefit the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation.
Ever wanted to just attach all of your MOLLE gear directly to your uniform and just ditch your vest and pack? Then US Cav has the answer for you. They are now taking pre-orders for Tru-Spec’s TRU Xtreme MOLLE Xtreme uniform system featuring 80% more MOLLE.
Check out the details at www.uscav.com.
Now, let’s see if these guys get a letter from BAE for gratuitous use of the term “MOLLE”.
We told you Mayflower Research and Consulting has been working on some new kit. This new 24 hour Assault Pack is just one example. Designed to carry a 100 ounce water reservoir, it can be worn as a pack or attached directly to armor via the Velocity Systems Swiftclip. For those of you looking for something a little smaller, Mayflower has a back panel in the works that should have you covered.
Don’t let the black zipper concern you. This is only a prototype. They will be sourcing Coyote zippers for the production versions which will be available in two to three months.
Tactical Tailor just wrapped up a sale to benefit the Red Cross’s efforts to assist victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Customers raised $2346 toward the cause.
According to the Army News Service
WASHINGTON, APRIL 1, 2011 — In a fingertip-to-the-brim nod to its American frontier history, the Army is changing hats again – returning to the tumultuous days of the horse Cavalry in the wild west and adopting a dark blue Stetson as the official headgear for the current force of 1.1 million Soldiers.
“We figure the Stetson will be popular with the troops,” said Sgt. Maj. Bob S. Stone, Army Uniform Board headgear task force president. “It’s been a while since we have changed the headgear, so it’s time. Plus a Stetson is functional and down right American.”
But reminiscent of the controversial switch from the garrison cap to the black beret, the Army faces opposition from one community deeply opposed to losing its special identity with the Stetson – the Armor branch.
“Why in the heck are they doing to us what they did to the snake-eaters?” asked one officer familiar with the board’s deliberations. “If you ain’t Cav, you ain’t ought to be wearing a Cav hat. That just ain’t right.”
But the sheer functionality of the wide-brimmed American-classic Stetson won over the majority of the board.
“You can keep the sun out of your eyes, the hat won’t melt to your head on a sunny day, and female Soldiers can tuck long hair under a Stetson a lot easier than with the current beret,” says Stone. “Plus we’ve already gone back to blue jackets for the service dress uniform. The Stetson actually completes the look.”
The voting of the board fell along predicable lines, but was completed weeks ahead of schedule. In a surprise move representatives from Forts Bragg, Campbell and several undisclosed forward locations around the world pushed the vote for the Stetson to a head.
Representatives from various garrison activities and the Human Resources Command tried in vain to keep the beret, citing the cache it brings to wearers as well as practicality. According a dissenting member, “at least you can fold a beret and put it in your pocket. Where are you going to put your ten-gallon hat in your cubicle?”
The beret is not completely leaving the Army inventory, as communities who previously wore berets will return to or keep their traditional colors of maroon (airborne), black (Ranger) and green (Special Forces). Additionally Rangers will be allowed to keep the tan beret for use in desert climates. “We’ve at least earned that, for all grief we took in losing the black beret in the last go-round,” said one unidentified tab-wearing board member.
Stone refused to address rumors that the Army Uniform Board will next consider adoption of a black western-style or ‘cowboy’ boot to replace the current inventory of black low quarters for wear with the Army Service Uniform. Sources expect that if the board moves toward boots, the Armor community will likely push for the return of cavalry-use-only jodhpurs and spurs, as a concession for having lost its prior if informal and exclusive right to wear a Stetson.
There will be some restrictions on wear. In a nod to other dress blue uniform traditions, general officer Stetsons will be black and must have a completely flat brim. All other wearers of dark blue Stetsons will be allowed any combination of opposing but matching curls of the side brims, up-to-twenty-degrees up or down. However no single-side flapping of any portion of the brim will be allowed.
The Army’s official adoption date of the Stetson will be April Fool’s Day, 2012.
Oddly enough, this actually makes a lot of sense.
Chalk it up to an internet April Fools prank, but the murmurs now circulating that the Army has canceled the Camouflage Improvement Effort solicitation are FALSE. The solicitation has NOT been canceled. We still expect the solicitation to be released, even if it is not today for some reason.
According to PEO Soldier, we should expect to see the Army Camouflage Improvement Effort Solicitation released sometime today. It had been delayed twice due to staffing issues. This is a project that is being briefed all the way up to the Secretary of the Army so there can be delays along the way due to scheduling conflicts. It’s to be expected. The original time line briefed at the Industry Day was very aggressive so it comes as no surprise to see some slip. Whether it is released today or not, don’t let these slight pauses lead you to believe that this thing has lost steam. You can be assured that, as soon as we have word it is out, we will let you know.
