Today, the Army officially announced that OCP uniforms would be available in US Army clothing sale stores 1 July, 2015. They also released these slides which detail how the uniforms are to be worn. The information is in line with the draft ALARACT we recently spoke about except they’ve relented on headgear for the OCP variants which can now be worn with the MultiCam or Scorpion versions. You really need to go back and read the draft ALARACT story if you want to get in the weeds on this.
These slides are from the SMA’s OCP transition pocket guide.
For more information, read the US Army published article found at www.army.mil.
29 and a wake-up.
I’ve been counting down the days too. I’m just waiting for this to be a big prank and the Army to say “NOT! We are keeping UCP forever!”
28 and a wake
2 quick questions are the Coyote Brown Boots 6″ or 8″. (Personally I hate 6″ boots).
Also are we allowed to wear sand with the new OCP ACU? i know you’ve previously reported we can’t, and I’ve heard through senior NCO channels we can’t. But those images you posted are a smidge confusing.
Additional follow up (I apologize in advanc3e for this)…..bookends?
Still nothing on the bookends
Darn….
The army times article in this week’s issue makes mention of the bookends. COL Mortlock hints that they’re still looking into the requirement and aren’t sure if there even will be one. Essentially he all but states that bookends will be developed or issued on a case by case basis, depending on the AOR.
Ditto
I’ve not seen that yet, and typically the Army Times is fairly unreliable.
Still I’m not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand specific bookends developed for a specific environment makes sense. But what will the lead time be? On the other Id really like to have a set family and start a where pattern similar to the Marines….
It’s written pretty clearly in the slides…
“Soldiers are authorized to wear the sand or the Tan-499 shirt, sand or Tan-499 belt, and tan or Coyote Brown boots during the transition period which ends 30 SEP 2019.
It appears we can wear the current sand colored items with the new uniforms, but cannot wear the new coyote colored items with the current ACU.
The slides say that you can wear both colors with both uniforms until the mandatory possesion date. Which is a plus in my book.
My slides say:
NOTE: Soldiers are not authorized to wear the Tan 499 T-shirt, Tan 499 belt, or the Coyote Brown boots with the Universal Camouflage Pattern.
The slide with the graph has both sand and coyote listed as options for the t-shirt, belt, and boots row on both of the OCP variant uniforms. Maybe I’m blind but that’s what I’m seeing.
I took ‘both uniforms’ as ACU-Universal Camo Pattern and OEF-CP\OCP-ACU. My bad.
Hopefully, they will issue the final ALARACT soon.
I’m not putting any of this out to my Soldiers until I see the final ALARACT. I’m sure that it’ll come, but I’ve found that you never count on something until it’s already happened: i.e: Never count on a 4 day weekend until you wake up Tuesday morning and realize you just had a 4 day weekend…only at that point can you beleive what the leadership told you.
Is it just me or do the OCP ACU (third image from top) sleeves look like the pockets are sewn on backwards? Seriously look at the patches and the angle of the pockets-they just look odd.
I noticed that too.
Yeah I seen that too. I am hoping that they get all those issues fixed before 1 July. Or maybe that Soldier just didn’t fix the sleeves or something.
The sleeves are supposed to be angled like that. The pockets have a zipper on the side, not velcro at the top.
They looked like they were angled backwards tho.
They’re supposed to be. If they were angled forwards then when you unzipped them everything would fall out.
Or they could be vertical like on the Army Combat Shirt and not have the pockets look so stupid-
The Good Idea Fairy strikes again!
The sleeve pockets are supposed to be angled like that. The pockets have a zipper on the side, not velcro at the top.
It still seems weird. It seems to be a change from the original pictures that were posted when the Army announced adopting OCP. In the original pictures the pockets were definitely angled in a different direction, one similar to the ACS.
I agree the original pockets seem to be oriented vertically not rearward. No one seemed to have issues with the ACS shoulder pockets so this seems to be an answer in search of a problem.
Brace for “adding to, but not taking away from the standard” from your local commands who like playing dress up.
Already happend – my CSM has put out that no soldier will wear OCP unless it is initial clothing bag item… I guess they don’t want us to look like 2005
That’s not really in the spirit of this. I bet it’s a battle he loses with that policy.
I’ll put money on he can do what ever he wants within his command as long as it’s endorsed by his CDR.
Sadly, that’s exactly the way of things.
In another article it wasn’t mentioned that big army expects mix and match (of the new uniform with ‘ACU’ pattern TA-50)
Thanks once again SSD for keeping us in the loop!
No real surprises here, which is a good thing. I do find the ability to wear OEF-CP headgear with OCP interesting but a positive change. I think the only issue I have is if we start cracking down on our own for wearing multicam MOLLE gear with OCP OCIE because the “ensembles” are supposed to be matching. Especially considering that (as I understand it) OCP is a restricted pattern so only manufacturers filling a .gov contract will have access to it. This could leave private companies stuck either with OCP knockoff patterns or just (most likely) saying screw it and sticking with multicam. Either course of action would still leave Joe (especially those in regular big-Army line units) stuck with standard-issue OCIE as their only option.
I’m not talking about Joe (or heck, myself) going out and buying every single HSGI pouch to cover his IOTV with; I just think it shouldn’t be an issue to go out and buy an extra flashlight or admin pouch…
Considering the average size of fabric cuts for pouches and even most assault sized packs, you’d be hard pressed to spot the difference between OCP and Multicam, so that admin pouch is fine unless youve got a leader who: 1)Can spot the difference between the 2 patterns based on a 10×10 in (max) fabric cut with no webbing ect.. sewn on, 2) Knows a specific item is not OCP but is in fact Multicam, and 3) actually cares at that point.
And what is you made an admin pouch out of OCP nylon you bought off of ebay?
Agree.
We just need to go back few years and remember how we mixed and matched choc-chip and coffee-stain DCU uniforms with the rest of the hodge-podge gear which belonged to BDU sets in woodland camo patterns.
Didn’t mean much then and I doubt the fine-line differences between Multicam and OCP patterns will mean much today.
OCP and MC will be a mix-and-match for a long time coming.
The slides are very interesting. They very clearly show a distinct difference between OEFCP and OCP. Id very much like to see larger pictures.
This quote from the SMA is money:
“We will still be the most lethal fighting force the world has even known even if our belts don’t match for the next few years.”
I’m not sure that they former SMA would have had such a common-sense approach.
Key note to after-market uniform dealers, it DOES authorize non-FR OEF-CP uniforms during the transitional period.
My inventory manager contacted Propper, and there is currently no time table for after market post-2019 OCP patterned (meaning actual cut of the uniform and/or in scorpion pattern) uniforms.
Jon, OPT
Where did you read in the slides that non-FR OEF-CP is authorized? I didn’t see anything mentioned – it would be nice to be able to use the commercially produced OEF-CP until OCP hits the local clothing sales.
I may have misread that, on a relook I can’t find it. Probably got my wires crossed when it referred to OCP, not OEF-CP.
I really hope that you read it correctly and I mis-read it. I think letting folks wear Propper until OCP is available at their local clothing sales is the way to go.
Though it’s tough to tell the difference between FRACU and Non-FRACU. The little piece of cloth on the sleeve and cargo pocket are the only noticeable difference. I’m not sure anyone will notice.
Question I haven’t seen an answer to. It looks like the t-shirts are a color same/passably similar to the BDU/DCU era.
Just asking because I still have some aramid and merino from back in the day.
Memo to everyone forecasted USASMA seats: How about NOT eyeballing 2nd and 3rd line gear for telltale features specific to Multicam. We ALL know that’s just a dodge to avoid paying Crye, and doesn’t affect the viability of the pattern. And there’s PLENTY else to spend valuable time on.
A slight problem is issue OCP webbing differs from Multicam webbing, the trained observer will pick that up long before they pick up the differences in the cloth.
Are you referring to that crap Army-originated webbing with the duck-hunting camo pattern that came out before Texcel or Murdock, and is even MORE disruptive to the pattern than just letting 498/499 webbing get dirty? Or did Army actually do two things right in a row and get mills producing GOOD webbing and finishing?
The basis for my question was my understanding that actual “Scorpion W2” will be close-hold for the forseeable future, meaning that folk who prefer aftermarket to USGI are “stuck” buying Multicam gear. ‘Cuz you see, I have a guy for that 😉
Yes, RFI OCP gear has different webbing. At least the stuff ADS issued us did. My tale on it is, if in doubt refer to the command; if in war or training and that is your command’s focus, you just might be in the wrong unit to begin with.
Jon, OPT
ADS is pushing gear that’s NOT either of these?
https://ssdaily.tempurl.host/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/webbing-comparison.jpg
Or this?
https://ssdaily.tempurl.host/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/MultiCam-Web-Overlay.jpg
Must be some straight up Treadstone gear.
I totally get you on staying in the “right” units. Not an option at my age and location, but I can choose WHO I work for, and a key litmus test is how many Shiites are given about Coyote, MJK or OCP kit issued by commands that value talent, or purchased personally from vendors who supply those commands.
No, ADS issued gear with the OCP webbing in your first link, I am saying it was not Multicam.
Jon, OPT
Appreciate the clarification. Thanks.
And the Air Force begins to burn with jealousy in 3 . . 2. . . 1 . . .
I’m excited for my Army brethren. If Air Force leadership can’t see logic and reasoning and continue to outfit us in vanity patterned clothing, at least I can see the joy in the faces of others who’ve been loosed from the chains of substandard gear.
My understanding, from what I’m hearing, is that the AF honchos love their ABUs just fine. Buying new uniforms eats into the new, shiny toy money. I wouldn’t count on AF leadership to actually see logic and reasoning ever again…..at least until after WWIII breaks out.
Yeah man, outfitting the whole of the Air Force in the pattern their expeditionary assets have proven in the field could cost a couple cases of stealth, FR, non-glare, non-static, EMP-hardened (but a alas, NOT lightning-hardened) F-35 instrument SCREEN WIPES…
Well the ground forces from the AF. I.E. CCT, JTAC’S, PJ’s. All wore multicam. I don’t know if that was to blend in with us, or what. But I loved when we had a JTAC attached to us. And he was wearing a crye top and combat pants. Then you look at my team and we are wearing the same thing. Just we were only allowed to wear hiking boots if we were going to be up in the mountains. They wore them all the time. sergeant major’s would hit them up on the FOB. The AF turns around. Sergeant major turns another cheek and with his tail between his legs.
The SOF Battlefield Airmen were wearing MultiCam before the Army.
But yet our leadership, in their infinite wisdom, told the rest of us that SOF not only tested and approved the ABU, but that they would be the first to proudly wear it in combat.
Thank you SSD for giving all of us in blue the chance to live vicariously through our sister services! It’s been entertaining and hopefully within the next year or so this same series of events will applicable to us!
Once the pilots see how cool the stems on their Aviators look in OCP…we’ll see flight suits in this pattern. Yet the rest of us will still be stuck in the worst looking and functioning uniform known to the US Military.
Maybe they will follow with tiger stripe color matched to OCP.
So Tru Spec’s All-Terrian Tigerstripe then?
No, no, no. No more extra costs for a “just us” uniform. It’s that same awful line of thinking that got us these hot, useless abominations in the first place.
+1 My morale is aching and my envy is flaring up. 🙁
I sense spending much time calling clothing and sales, to see if they have new uniform in stock, as I cannot wait to ditch the non-camo. Also that clothing and sales will look like a walking dead set, with empty shelves every time I get there.
Hopefully MCSS will put some stock on the web.
Hopefully MCSS is anticipating demand.
Hopefully their Admins are able to enjoy the Independence Day weekend.
Every time someone says “Clothing AND Sales” an MCSS warehouse guy replaces two boxes of Large-Regular OCP ensembles with two boxes of Medium-Extra Short pants, a gross of crests from units that folded their flags after DS I and a case of CABs (2nd award) for good measure.
This…^
I thought it was “Clothing OR Sales”.
So about the boots. Are my AR 670-1 approved Nike boots ok to continue use?
You have AR 670-1 approved Nike boots?
😉
That’s all I wear
Nike made an all leather Desert Tan version of their boot that should meet the 670-1 requirements.
So far they’ve only released this version in Desert Tan though, and 99% of soldiers think the Nike boot with the updated bottom sole is the one that meets 670-1. It’s not.
“All leather Approved Boot”: http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/sfb-field-8-leather-boot/pid-10213756/pgid-10247998
Synthetic Unapproved Boot: http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/sfb-field-8-boot/pid-855037/pgid-10267225
Sure do. The new Bike SFB Field are AR 670-1 approved, and they are truly amazing.
Nike’s had a “legal” leather boot for a minute:
http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/sfb-field-8-leather-boot/pid-10213756/pgid-10247998?k_clickid=e4ae5c84-284e-4222-8b24-433ed244fb7c&cp=usns_kw_pla!g!c!nobr!&kpid=10213756-00823233006584
A couple e-tailers have photo albums that distinguish the unauthorized synthetic from the authorized leather. I promised the Old Man I knew the difference, so he’s supremely confident that everyone in his command is wearing legal boots at rigorous SHARP training and distance learning events.
While I’m confident that Nike will start production on a Coyote leather boot, I’m waiting for Danner to do a fully-compliant, US-made boot in Coyote.
So does this mean the new OCP ACU is going back to pre-2010 non-FR NyCo Ripstop?
I could see the benefit of a FR uniform but that Rayon Ripstop is sub-par, sorry.
I’d say you’re correct. Good old nyco ripstop is back!
No more dodgy cloth-like uniform consistency and longevity of which was more reminiscent to hospital scrubs than part of a soldier’s professional outfit.
Can we DX that flag patch for garrison? It’s like no shit would we be any other army?
As a Marine, I couldn’t care less about the Army’s camo, but this does mean that the market is going to be instantly flooded with a large variety of Coyote boots, and although they will undoubtedly not be approved for wear in uniform by Marines, there are still EGA branding hijinks to be had. I honestly love Panama soled jungle boots, and would definitely pick up a pair in Coyote if they made them.
From an Army guy’s understanding of the Corps, based on Terminal Lance’s FB feed (best military humor repository in the history of forever):
Ajima (Lejeune) will be in the back room of her off-post sew shop stamping EGAs onto bootleg UA boots she got from from Ajima (Bragg), who got ’em from Ajima (Itaewon).
LCpl likes the look of the boots, sees the EGA, figures no problem, they’ll fly at Sunday’s Guard mount.
Triggers Battalion-wide Libo recall.
If we still had the iron on decals for the utilities, you could probably iron on an eagle globe and anchor to your non-issue boots!
Come on Air Force!!!!!!
Why does the Army have to be so….. Slow?
Dunno, maybe those MILLION PEOPLE ON THE ROLLS?
I’m glad to be where we are (6 months out, give or take), and I commend the people with the fortitude to pull the plug on the UCP debacle.
10 years on, I finally met ONE guy (a Reserve Officer who walks around in a mixed uniform) who PREFERS UCP.
Date Published: 1 Jun 15
Soldiers & Leaders,
Tomorrow an ALARACT message will be distributed which outlines the wear, availability and issue of Army Combat Uniform bearing the Operational Camouflage Pattern. You have until October 1, 2019 to begin wearing the uniform. I’ve attached a pocket guide and other clarifying diagrams to help you understand your responsibilities. There are four things I want to highlight for you:
1.) The Operational Camouflage Pattern will be available for purchase in Military Clothing Sales Stores beginning in the summer of 2015.
Stores will receive the uniforms over a period of six months from July to November 2015, and new Soldiers will receive Operational Camouflage Pattern ACUs beginning in January 2016.
2.) Enlisted Soldiers should begin acquiring an inventory of ACU’s with the Operational Camouflage Pattern as they receive their annual clothing allowance.
All active duty enlisted Soldiers receive an annual stipend for the purchase of uniforms and accessories. I myself will wait until I am issued my clothing allowance before purchasing a uniform with the Operational Camouflage Pattern. I encourage you to do the same by budgeting for a new uniform, belt, boots, and t-shirts as you receive your clothing allowance over the next 2-3 years. The cost of the uniform in the Operational Camouflage Pattern will be similar to the cost of the uniform in the Universal Camouflage Pattern.
Uniforms and equipment in the Operational Camouflage Pattern will be available for U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, and Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps in Summer 2016.
3.) Soldiers are authorized to mix and match t-shirts, belts, and boots with either the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or the Operational Camouflage Pattern during the transition period – expected to run through 1 October 2019.
To further ease the change, Soldiers who already have Flame Resistant ACUs in the Operational Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern will be authorized to wear them during the transition. ACUs in the Universal Camouflage Pattern will be authorized for wear until 2019 as well.
During this transition period, several uniforms and variations will be authorized in our formations. Presenting a professional appearance is very important to us as Soldiers, but we will not inconvenience or burden you during this calculated transition period. We will still be the most lethal fighting force the world has even known even if our belts or t-shirts don’t match for the next few years.
4.) In addition to the camouflage pattern change, the Operational Camouflage Pattern ACUs will incorporate minor design changes.
These improvements were a result of Soldier feedback. Changes include redesigned shoulder sleeve pockets with a zipper opening, no trouser drawstring, a button on the lower calf pocket, two pen pockets on the sleeve instead of three, and the elimination of the elbow and knee patch hook and loop (see attached Summary of Changes).
Pocket Guide: https://ako.us.army.mil/suite/doc/44835743
– Daniel A. Dailey
15th Sergeant Major of the Army
To wear OEF-CP to WOCS, or not to wear OEF-CP to WOCS???
So question….based on the picture of the new OCP Uniform is it safe to assume that we have officially ditched the Mandarin Collar?
No more Velcro on collar
Woohoo!!
Follow up…when can we get rid of those awful pen pockets?
Do you think anyone will be upset if I cut them off my new uniforms?
I just put my pens in my shoulder pocket, personally. I discovered that my most recent ACU jacket was made without the pen pocket. I didn’t even notice until the discussion came up at drill and I looked for it. Nobody seemed to care and I haven’t heard word one about it being jacked up yet. So no, probably no one would care.
Exactly! Pen pockets are absoultely useless! If one was kitted up, all they have to do is find a spot on almost all of that free space from the MOLLE loops, to the many pouches they’ll have, and put them in there. Also, ditch ALL the velcro, and iron on, or sew on patches. (iron for those who don’t know, or don’t want to).
ALARACT 085/2015
DTG: R 012016Z JUN 15
UNCLAS
SUBJ/ALARACT 085/2015 – TRANSITION TO OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN
ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM (ACU) ENSEMBLE
THIS ALARACT MESSAGE HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED BY USAITA ON BEHALF OF HQDA
DCS G-4//DALO-SUT//
(U) REFERENCES.
A. ARMY POSTURE STATEMENT, 2013
B. ARMY CAMPAIGN PLAN, 2013
C. AR 670-1, 10 APRIL 2015
D. DA PAM 670-1, 10 APRIL 2015
E. HOUSE REPORT 111-151, SEPTEMBER 2009
1. (U) THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE
TRANSITION FROM THE UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN AND OPERATION
ENDURING FREEDOM CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN ACU TO THE OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE
PATTERN ACU. THIS MESSAGE ALSO PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON THE WEAR OF THE
OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN ACU ENSEMBLE AS APPROVED BY THE
SECRETARY OF ARMY AND CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMY ON 1 MAY 2014.
POLICY CONTAINED IN THIS MESSAGE IS EFFECTIVE 1 JULY 2015.
PREVIOUSLY GRANTED EXCEPTIONS TO POLICY FOR WEAR OF THE OPERATION
ENDURING FREEDOM CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN UNIFORM OUTSIDE OF COMBAT AREAS
OF OPERATIONS REMAIN IN EFFECT.
2. (U) DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD, SOLDIERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR
ANY OF THE THREE CAMOUFLAGE PATTERNS OF THE ACU (UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE
PATTERN, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN, AND THE
OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN). ALL COMPONENTS OF THE UNIFORM MUST
BE OF THE SAME CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN THIS
MESSAGE. COMMANDERS WILL NOT REQUIRE SOLDIERS TO PURCHASE SPECIFIC
UNIFORM ITEMS PRIOR TO THE MANDATORY POSSESSION DATE LISTED IN
PARAGRAPH 10 BELOW.
3. (U) THE OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN ACU ENSEMBLE CONSISTS OF
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
3.A. COAT
3.B. TROUSERS
3.C. UNDERSHIRT (TAN 499)
3.D. BELT, RIGGER (TAN 499)
3.E. DRAWERS (TAN 499)
3.F. SOCKS, TAN, GREEN OR BLACK, CUSHION SOLE
3.G. BOOTS, COMBAT, COYOTE COLOR
3.H. HEADGEAR
4. (U) ACU WEAR POLICY. THERE IS NO CHANGE TO CURRENT WEAR POLICY
(AR 670-1) EXCEPT AS NOTED BELOW.
4.A. DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD, CLOTHING INITIAL ISSUE POINTS ARE
AUTHORIZED TO CONTINUE TO ISSUE TO INITIAL ENTRY TRAINING SOLDIERS
THE TAN/SAND COLORED UNDERGARMENTS WITH THE OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE
PATTERN ACU. SOLDIERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE SAND UNDERSHIRT;
WHITE, TAN OR BROWN DRAWERS; SAND RIGGER BELT; AND TAN COMBAT BOOTS
WITH THE OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM AND/OR OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE
PATTERN ACU COAT AND TROUSERS. THE TAN 499 UNDERSHIRT, TAN 499
RIGGER BELT, AND COYOTE COMBAT BOOTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR WITH
THE UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN COAT AND TROUSERS.
4.B. THE EXCEPTIONS OUTLINED ABOVE ALSO APPLIES TO THE COMBAT VEHICLE
CREWMAN UNIFORM, MECHANIC COVERALLS, AND THE ARMY AIRCREW COMBAT
UNIFORM (A2CU).
5. (U) INSIGNIA AND ACCOUTERMENTS WORN ON THE ACU MUST BE OF THE
CORRESPONDING CAMOUFLAGES PATTERN COLOR. THE BACKGROUND MATERIAL OF
NAME TAPES, SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA, TABS, GRADE INSIGNIA, FORMER
WARTIME SERVICE, AND SEW-ON BADGES WILL MATCH THE CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN
OF THE UNIFORM.
6. (U) THE RAPID FIELDING INITIATIVE WILL CONTINUE TO ISSUE SOLDIERS
FLAME RESISTANT ARMY COMBAT UNIFORMS IN THE OPERATION ENDURING
FREEDOM CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN UNTIL INVENTORIES ARE EXHAUSTED.
7. (U) THE ARMY’S PLAN TO TRANSITION TO THE OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE
PATTERN ACU STARTING 1 JULY 2015 AND END 1 OCTOBER 2019. THE
OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN ACU WILL BE AVAILABLE AS FOLLOWS:
7.A. (U) IN ARMY MILITARY CLOTHING STORES (AMCS) BY INSTALLATION IAW
THE ENCLOSED APPENDIX. DA FORM 3078 PERSONAL CLOTHING REQUESTS WILL
NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN ACU UNTIL JANUARY
2016. EXCEPTIONS TO POLICY PRIOR TO THE START DATE WILL ONLY BE
GRANTED BY THE CLOTHING AND SERVICES OFFICE.
7.B. AT THE CLOTHING INITIAL ISSUE POINT LOCATIONS FOR INITIAL ENTRY
TRAINING SOLDIERS IN 2QFY16.
7.C. FOR SOLDIERS (ACTIVE DUTY AND UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE
(USAR)) ON ORDERS TO PERFORM DRILL SERGEANT DUTIES AND ADVANCED
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING PLATOON SERGEANTS ARE AUTHORIZED TO OBTAIN THEIR
SUPPLEMENTAL ISSUE OF THE OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN ACU FROM
THEIR LOCAL AMCS BEGINNING ON 15 DECEMBER 2015 (1QFY16) AND HAVE 90
DAYS TO DRAW THEIR SUPPLEMENTAL ISSUE IN ACCORDANCE WITH COMMON TABLE
ALLOWANCES 50-900, TABLE NUMBER 3.
7.D. AT THE CLOTHING CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION FACILITY AT THE KENTUCKY
LOGISTICS OPERATIONS CENTER FOR ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, USAR, AND SENIOR
RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS IN 4QFY16.
8. (U) THE WEAR OUT DATE FOR THE UNIVERSAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN ACU IS
30 SEPTEMBER 2019.
9. (U) THE MANDATORY POSSESSION DATE FOR THE OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE
PATTERN ACU IS 1 OCTOBER 2019.
10. (U) HQDA G-1 POC FOR UNIFORM WEAR POLICY IS SGM EVA COMMONS,
DSN: 312-225-5473, COMMERCIAL: (703) 695-5473, OR E-MAIL:
EVA.M.COMMONS.MIL@MAIL.MIL. HQDA G-4 POC IS MAJ DANNY PADELLO, DSN:
224-2718, COMMERCIAL: (703) 614-2718, OR E-MAIL:
DANIEL.E.PADELLO.MIL@MAIL.MIL.
11. (U) THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE ARMY G-1 AND ARMY
G-4.
12. (U) THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF, G-1 IS THE PROPONENT OF WEAR AND
APPEARANCE OF ARMY UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA POLICY AND WILL INCORPORATE
THE GUIDANCE IN THIS MESSAGE INTO REFERENCE D BY 1 JULY 2015.
13. (U) THIS MESSAGE EXPIRES 15 MAY 2016.
I noticed no mention of dyed OCIE… Has that plan gone by the wayside?
Hopefully.
Two ways of dying gear:
Using products that will bleed color under conditions military personnel will expose them to.
Using products that don’t bleed color but offgas toxics.
Pass either way.
So no Tencate Defender M fire-retardant material for the new OCP ACU, anymore?
Good old NYCO Ripstop returns?
Anyone could confirm this please…thanks.
You are talking apples and oranges.
ACU is NYCO
FRACU is Defender-M
The Army is concentrating on ACUs right now. Eventually, they will begin issuing Combat Shirts and Pants in Defender-M as well as, I’m sure, FRACUs.
I don’t think I am.
FRACU has been only option for many of us for some time now, standard NyCo ACUs were nowhere to be seen since 2012. I’m sure non-FR ACUs are still available but just not for us on current deployment.
That’s why I asked.
New OCP FRACU could come later as you said, but not sure if it will be based on Defender M FR-Rayon, at least if they listened to our generally negative feedback from the field – that material simply doesn’t last long enough and doesn’t stack up to NyCo Ripstop.
It sounds like you are confused about the Army’s uniforms.
ACU = NYCO = Garrison / Noncombat deployments
FR ACU & ACS/ACP Combo = Combat Deployment
Until July 1, 2015 the only issue version of the ACU has been in UCP. It was unveiled on 14 June, 2004 and became available that fall. It has been continually available for wear since then.
Although the Army has looked at several alternative fabrics to TenCate’s Defender-M, I have not seen any large scale issue of FR ACU in those fabrics. What’s more, I fully expect the OCP version of the FR ACU to be in Defender-M. You are correct, it does not wear as well as NYCO, but it is also FR and the current version of the fabric is better than what was available just a few years ago.
I don’t believe M. Hudgeson is confused about different uniform types…it appears he is speaking from the current Middle East operational theatre or FOB/combat perspective while you’re speaking in wider terms. Both of you are correct.
Also, the so called ACP pants has been just a myth so far, those were based on Crye design but what we ended up with is just a plain old multucam FR ACU with redesigned knee area to accept Crye’s kneepads. That’s all. If some call these ACP so be it, but they’re far cry from the photos we were shown couple of years ago.
As for the new version of the DefenderM FR fabric, while slightly different to the touch it’s not much different from the old one issued from late 2010 until 6 months ago. It’s still kitchen cloth like…flimsy, thin and soft.
The Brits are running into problems using their “multi-cam” in jungle environs … what are we planning to do about jungle/tropical uniforms? Looks like that is where the next action will be coming from …
The Army will deal with that problem after it gets there.
One of the few reasons why moving away from BDU/DCU, DPM’s was a mistake, just to find a “universal camo” which does not truely exist.
In any case it would be better to either:
1: Develope different colored versions of it
2: Adopt a hole new pattern again
My sgt is saying if we want to wear the OEF-CP we have to make all the changes that the new OCP ACU have to the OEF-CP. I am confused. Is that true?