ADS has just published a new document on their website. Not only is it free, but it’s about FREE, the Army’s Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble. It is a Fire Resistant, layered clothing system, designed to protect the Soldier from the effects of flame threats while serving in adverse weather conditions down to -40 deg F.
In my opinion, FREE is a well built, well designed system. It’s only major issue, is the basis of issue. While the Army recently expanded the recipients of the system, it is still restricted to Soldiers actually assigned to operate aircraft or vehicle. This means, those who ride as passengers are not afforded the same level of protection as those operating the platform. During long transits to insertion points, whether via vehicle or aircraft, passengers are often exposed to the elements. Standard warmies including the issue ECWCS Gen III, are not FR (with the exception of the most recent Level 5 softshells). This oversight poses a danger to those passengers. I encourage the Army to expand the use of FR cold and inclement clothing systems to ALL Soldiers who operate outside the wire. They already receive FR ACUs, Army Combat Shirts and now Pants as well, so why not cold weather clothing?
But, enough of my editorializing. Head on over to the new and improved ADS website to see what FREE is all about. (I actually know that the article is pretty good, because I wrote it.)
FREE – Keeping You Warm In Spite of the Heat
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