FORT KNOX, Ky. — A line formed inside the Fort Knox Military Clothing Sales store July 8 as several recruiting students anticipated being the first to be issued the Army’s newest uniform — the Army Green Service Uniform.
Considered a nostalgic nod to the greatest generation — who fought in World War II — the green and beige uniform has caused strong reactions in civilians and Soldiers alike.
“This is kind of cool, especially for these students, because they’re going to be the face of the Army when they go out there,” said Sgt. 1st Class Wesley Wills, career recruiter and Army Recruiter Course instructor. “To put them in the new uniform makes sense to me because they’re going to be engaging the public. It’s going to be good for the Army.”
In Week 4 of the six-week recruiter course, the 70 Soldiers attending were divided into two groups so Army & Air Force Exchange Service personnel could effectively issue all pieces of the uniform set. The set issued to the recruiters includes a service coat, two pairs of pants, a long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirt each, a pair of shoes, socks, tie, belt, gloves and the distinctive cap.
“This uniform goes back to our historical identity,” said Wills. “When I was out recruiting and wore the Army Service Uniform, a lot of times I was asked if I was in the Air Force. Whereas, I believe these are a little truer to who we are.”
Already a recruiter in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sgt. Rochelle Walsingham said she was excited to be part of the class that gets the uniform. She noted some differences from other uniforms.
“It’s a little heavier than the other ones. The jacket’s a lot heavier and more durable than other jackets are,” she said. “But the AGSUs are more form-fitting for the females. That was a big problem for the ASU for the females. These actually fit more to your form, and we were told you are able to take them out more or bring them in more, so it helps a lot.”
She said when her unit found out she would be one of the first to get issued the new uniforms, they wanted her to take some pictures.
“They’re very jealous,” said Walsingham. “They said, ‘What?!? You already get yours?’ I said, ‘Yeah, and I don’t have to pay for it.’”
Uniforms will go on sale to other Soldiers who want to buy them beginning July 10. Drill sergeants are expected to be the next group to receive the uniforms, and new recruits are expected to be issued the uniforms in the fall. AAFES officials say other installations will begin receiving them shortly afterward.
Emmanuel Belt, the Fort Knox Military Clothing Sales store manager, said they found out in April that Fort Knox would become the first to receive the uniforms. Excitement at the installation has been building since.
“I’m really surprised at how much enthusiasm there is with this uniform,” said Belt. “I thought people wouldn’t want to spend any more money on uniforms, but they all really want this uniform. And it looks great, too.”
By Eric Pilgrim
Hell yeah. More wasted money on an outdated concept.
Like the Airborne.
Army wasting money on outdated concepts as usual.
Oh, IDK about that… This was the uniform that the Force asked for during the initial polls sent out by SMA Chandler back in the day, when he was looking to change from the Greens… He ignored that just like the Multicam uniform was ignored during the Natick study in favor of UCP. So, waste? Nah. This is the Army FINALLY listening to Soldiers and moving toward the right course. Waste would be UCP, Blues as everyday wear, etc.
^ What he said +1.
It’s definitely a waste. Dress uniforms serve no legitimate purpose.
Yeah, they do. It identifies a member of the US military as a member of the profession of arms. Being a professional requires you to dress for the occasion. Sometimes, that means a suit, or even a tuxedo.
SSD,
so when are all the Solders going to be issued dress mess?
As tuxedos aren’t day-to-day wear, they are optional. As members of the profession, they can most certainly purchase them.
This ISN’T a dress uniform. This is a service uniform, the same as ACUs (of whatever camouflage). It is the most formal of the service uniforms, for duties where a suit is appropriate rather than a work shirt/t-shirt and jeans.
I can’t wait until the “vintage” Vietnam Era uniforms, including plain green camie’s with white T’s are the next uniform “change”!!! Maybe they can include some 80’s-90’s??? You think the Trannies will get to cross dress too???
OUT
Ed,
transgender Soldiers will wear the uniform that matches the gender listed in their file.
I don’t know why you have to be so disrespectful to Americans volunteering to defend you.
Sorry Bob, or Bobbi. There is only the Gender they were born with. You should get up now, your knee’s and back must be hurting from bowing before the “woke” ignorant tyrants.
: ) Have a Nice Day!
As I thought. You’re too much of a coward to own up to your own words on why you’re disrespecting people who have pledged to defend their country.
The Soldier makes the the uniform, I’m sure current and future Soldiers will make it a good one.
This is like finding out one of your favorite musician’s latest albums is just a “greatest hits” compilation or a single.
There better be some good B-sides…
I hope we bring back OG-107s next!
I don’t know what was wrong with the U.S. Army Dress Green service uniform that was worn for many years by myself and others from 1954 until 2015 before it was changed to the blue Army Service Uniform in 2010 and now back to the WWII browns/greens. The Marines have not changed their iconic blue service uniforms much over the last 100 years and everyone can identify with them when you say or think of a Marine.
I will always be Army Green. What does the Army say to recruits these days? Please post you replies.
Psssst. Marines haven’t worn a blue (more specifically, a blue coated) service uniform in over 100 years. Their service uniforms are forest green, khaki, or camouflage, sometimes with light blue pants.
There dress uniforms, however, are all blue. Service vs. dress uniform is an important distinction to the (arguably less consequential) discussion of uniforms in general.
Joe, great comment.
Just like many don’t realize the Army has been wearing Blue even longer than the Marines (1779 vs. 1789 respectively).
Heck, Marine Dress Blue’s are a direct descendant of the “Legion of the United States” an Army unit from 1792.
The Army Dress Greens were an ugly green leisure suit. I can’t believe whenever I read comments nostalgic for that trash. Probably the same people who wish we could go back to wasting all our time polishing boots. I welcome the change, but won’t buy one unless I get promoted in the next two years.
Since the AF has an obsession with heritage amidst its own identity crisis, can we get these too? Just let us keep our blue and white stripes to set us apart.
Early on the USAF wanted Blue service uniforms, of course what happened was they got their wish. Problem is the top Dress Uniforms for the other 3 Services are their Blue and the USAF was stuck trying to either find a dresser stand in in White or Black or dress up the Blues. Then came “Admiral” McPeak who somehow took an Airforce uniform and designed a Naval/airliner uniform. Which went over like a vegetarian option at a Beef industry luncheon. I have no skin in the game but it always seemed to me that if they wanted to fix two birds with one stone and go “Heritage” Reset the USAF uniform to the Uxbridge blue set of the 50’s 60’s with the Silver tans uniform as the Service dress and Blues as the more formal.
To be fair to McPeak, sleeve stripes for Air Force officer rank are pretty common the world over, having followed the RAF model.
Only if the USAF becomes a Department of the Army.
At a minimum, we’ll stop trying to get rid of the A10 every other year. (Better yet, it’ll get assigned to the ground commander.)
Good for them!
While there is much to complain about with the numerous uniform changes many of them lack the reasoning behind why decisions were made that turned out to be bad in hindsight. E.G. We left the WWII uniform because the huge surplus required to clothe an EIGHT MILLION man Army found its way into the civilian sector and everyone from bus drivers to plumbers were wearing it.
I’m overjoyed so many Soldiers are excited about this uniform change and looking forward to it. The demand will be very strong way before the wear out date.
As a retired Soldier I’m looking forward to getting a set sometime.
It’s very typical of the Army to spend a lot of money fixing a problem it created. We had a serviceable and recognizable uniform in the green Class As. This was done away with in the name of efficiency to simplify the clothing bag. Objections were made at the time that the dress blues would be too formal for day to day use.
It’s especially galling for National Guardsmen. The only time the vast majority wear their service uniform is for their DA Photo for the promotion/retention board. Now that the photos are going away, there is really no occasion for a drilling Guardsmen to wear the service uniform.
Other issues with the AGSU is the requirement that Soldiers must now maintain 2 separate sets of accessories to go with the green and blue uniforms. This was a problem that was solved with the introduction of the AG44 uniform in the 1950s, but is now resurrected with the new service dress.