We still have a few articles from last week’s Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, Florida.
We still have a few articles from last week’s Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, Florida.
I ran across this gem the other day while looking for scorpion photos on SSD. This story goes back to when this latest round of Camo Wars began in 2009. Look what the prevailing thought was. Turns out, the Afghanistan was much larger than this, throwing in several additional patterns, Here we are, almost five years on and it looks to have turned out to be a Scorpion variant of all things.
In light of an impending directive from Congress to the Army to get their camo house in order, rumors continue to circulate about an upcoming test involving four camo patterns with the Army’s current Universal Camouflage pattern serving as a control.
The four patterns are MARPAT-Woodland, MARPAT-Desert, Multicam, and Desert All Over Brush (seen below). Originally, we had heard that the fourth pattern would be the 3-color Desert pattern issued to all services prior to adoption of their new distinctive uniforms. However, based on some recent, unverified information we believe it is actually the Desert All Over Brush which interestingly gave a very good showing during the Army camo trials of 2003-2004. According to a Natick report, a modified variant of the Desert version All Over Bush pattern performed best in all environments. You can also access a briefing presented on the subject at the 2004 International Soldier Systems Conference here.
Based on a series of evaluations documented in the report and briefing slides Natick developed the variant of All Over Brush pattern.
Having said all of that, the info on that particular pattern is old news. At some point in the Spring of 2004, the Army took a serious sidestep from all of its research and adopted UCP. if the rumors are true, looking at what is on the table, neither Marine patterns would really be considered serious candidates due to a variety of morale, and as we have discussed before, branding issues. You think the black beret issue was rough, imagine the outcry from two services if the Army adopted a Marine camo pattern. Consequently, while effective, we don’t consider the MARPAT variants as serious contenders. This leaves, depending on who is telling the story, either 3-color Desert which is still used by some US Navy forces (and a few others) or the prototype Desert All Over brush pattern in addition to Crye’s Multicam. While there are limited stocks of 3-color equipment still in the system, virtually none of it is in the configuration currently used by US forces. If it were adopted, the US Soldier would literally take a five year step back in capability until production of current issue equipment could be accomplished. Additionally, there is a political dimension to such a move. UCP was sold as a superior pattern to both Woodland and 3-Color Desert. Someone would naturally ask the question of why the Army discarded a pattern in favor of something less effective.
This leaves Desert All Over Brush and Multicam. Multicam has been used operationally by select US forces to great success and even more importantly, is currently supported by the US industrial base. A wide variety of Berry Compliant products (and raw materials) are available as COTS items. Additionally, industry already offers versions of current issue equipment in Multicam. Furthermore, there are numerous lightweight and multi-purpose Soldier Systems items designed specifically for environments like Afghanistan. Multicam is a mature, widely available, low hanging fruit. On the other hand, adoption of Desert All Over Brush would require long lead times as fabric mills first perfect and then produce sufficient quantities of materials. Only then could uniforms and equipment for our Soldiers begin to be procured.
We are waiting with bated breath to see if these rumors are true and what’s more, if they are, what will come of them. Naturally, Soldier Systems Daily will keep you updated.
And we’ve been keeping you updated ever since.
It’s Scorpion – go choke on a fat one.
In the post where I suggested that readers go ask their CSM which Camo the Army had chosen, Anthony decided that I was an attention whore that was crying wolf. If you know Anthony give him a swift kick in his fourth point of contact for me.
SGT Shawn Michael Farrell was part of A-CO 1-32, 3rd BCT, 10th Mountain Division. On April 28th 2014 he was part of a team that got ambushed from multiple positions. Supporting a U.S. Army Special Forces ODA he manned a mk47 grenade launcher. Two hours into the TIC he had gone through most of the cans of ammo, his truck was shot to hell, and the MK47 went down. He quickly pulled out a SAW and exposed himself over the chicken plate to engage multiple advancing enemy combatants. He was struck by a rifle round through his arm and into his chest, but his last words to the team were “I got him”.
Developed at the request of the Special Forces Soldiers who were involved in the fight, this shirt honor’s SGT Shawn Michael Farrell actions on April 28th, 2014. The shirt features SGT Shan Farrell’s initials “SMF” along with the date he was KIA. On the back, the Gold Star signifying a combat loss, a scroll with his last quote, and the combat goat head for his service supporting 3rd Special Forces Group.
The shirt will be available for 10 days only. After this period, Art 15 will tally up the sales of the shirt and write a check to Shawn’s wife, Allison Farrell, to place into the scholarship fund she has set up in his name.
The expected ship date of the shirt is around June 2nd, 2014.
www.article15clothing.com/sgt-shawn-michael-farrell-memorial-shirt
With Memorial Day right around the corner many of us have plans to spend the weekend barbecuing with friends and family or hang out at the river. Others are eager to get a great deal on a new car or hit the mall for that big blowout mattress sale. For most us Memorial Day serves as the unofficial start of summer.
Memorial Day was first observed as “Decoration Day” to honor those soldiers who died during the Civil War. Today, Memorial Day is for recognizing all Americans who have died during military service.
Memorial Day is for remembering those fallen heroes who have given their lives in service of this great country. Without their courageous efforts we could not enjoy our liberties and freedoms as Americans. For this we are also grateful for those who continue to to serve and have serve this country. We will never forget you, Thank you.
Liberty Bottleworks is proud to employ American veterans, those very same folks who risked their lives to keep you safe. Liberty Bottleworks gives hiring preference for those who have served this country. They call it “ethical discrimination “and are determined to continue hiring more servicemen and women. Their bottles are made by Americans right here in the USA and are even made with recycled materials in a zero waste factory. Check them out at libertybottles.com and enter promo code: teamamerica for a buy one get one 50% off deal. Stay hydrated this summer and to all our servicemen, women and veterans we truly say thank you.
Katylist is holding a Memorial Day sale. Save 15% on all SnagMags concealed carry magazine carriers. Use coupon code snag15 at checkout to take advantage of the offer. Sale lasts until May 31st.
www.katylist.com/product-brand/snagmag