FORT SILL, Okla. — The first class of basic combat trainees to graduate wearing the new Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) showed off their threads Nov. 16, during a ceremony at Fort Sill.
Almost 200 Soldiers from A Battery, 1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery completed their 10-week basic combat training. The 434th Field Artillery command team and many of the drill sergeants also wore the AGSU.
Guest speaker Lt. Col. Jason Carter, Fires Center and Fort Sill Commanding General’s Planning Group director, highlighted the historical significance of the uniform.
“The Army’s greatest generation wore the iconic greens uniform when America was in the throes of World War II. Men like (generals of the Army Dwight) Eisenhower, (Omar) Bradley, and (George) Marshall wore it,” Carter said. “Now you, as our next great generation, are among one of the first in our United States Army to wear one of the most admired and recognizable uniforms in our history as it is being reinstituted to honor our heritage.
“While the Army Green Service Uniform invokes a feeling of nostalgia, it’s what’s under the uniform that counts,” Carter said. “The heart, the character, the grit, and the resolve of the American Soldier.”
Drill Sergeant (Staff Sgt.) Hayon Ju, A/1-79th FA, said the uniform links the greatest generation to millennials. She said she loved the practicality of the new dress uniforms.
“They’re a lot easier for females to set up our ribbons and badges,” Ju said. “We just go off our pocket flaps.”
Senior Drill Sergeant (Sgt. 1st Class) Antrell Bender, A/1-79th FA, said the trainees received the AGSU Oct. 14. They learned about the historical significance of the uniform. And, last week they were shown how to properly wear the uniform with adornments.
“On Saturday morning (Nov. 14), a final inspection was given to identify any deficiencies,” Bender said.
He noted that since it was the trainees’ first dress uniform they don’t have anything to compare it to, but for him, it’s the third dress uniform he has worn in his career.
“I’ve been in since we had the green dress uniform, then we switched over to the ASUs (Army Service Uniform),” Bender said.
Graduate Pvt. Rebeca Beaird, age 19, from Houston, recalled what she and some of her fellow trainees thought when they were first issued their AGSUs.
“A lot of us were thinking: Oh, Captain America, Like yea! We get to be there,” said Beaird, who will go on for further training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to become a behavioral health technician.
She said the AGSU is about building on the women’s legacy in the Army.
“Soldiers who wear this uniform are going to be honored to wear them,” she said. “Veterans who wore them will be happy to see us bring it back.”
Graduate Pfc. Tyree Smith, 20, of Indianapolis, said he was honored to be in the first class to graduate with the AGSUs. He said the uniform makes him feel like a man, ready to achieve.
Smith moves on to training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Col. Daniel Blackmon, 434th FA Brigade commander, said the AGSU is special for him because his father and grandfather served in the Army and wore similar uniforms.
He said he’s heard a lot of positive comments when wearing his AGSU. “One, the history, and two, just the way it looks.”
By Jeff Crawley, Fort Sill Tribune
In the third photo: maybe it is the angles or lighting but it sure looks like their gaining 1SG will likely have to weigh & tape test three of the four female Soldiers in the front rank.
Unfortunately, this is becoming the new norm. I’ve had several new Soldiers show up at past units who were unable to pass the APFT/HT/WT. We then had to assign them to a remedial PT training program and manage their food intake as well. This is UNSAT. There’s no reason why a Soldier should show up to a gaining unit unable to perform on day one, let alone reflect AR 670-1 regarding Wear and Appearance of the Uniform.
Unfortunately, this is an American problem, and not just a basic training problem. Of the four million Americans that come of age each year, less than 1/3 meet minimum eligibility for service (e.g. education, intelligence, aptitude, criminal record, physical, and psychological fitness). Of that cohort only about 180,000-200,000 enlist or join officer accession programs.
But don’t worry. All future wars will be space, cyber, and completely unmanned.
Due to the COVID/APFT-ACFT changeover, soldiers don’t have to pass a PT test at IET. You can join, go through AIT, get to your unit, and never have taken an APFT. IT’s not even allowed except for APFT failures. The ACFT is only diagnostic at this point.
The college kid E-4 for sure. The rest just look sturdy.
Good to see the Army wasting money on ceremonial crap.
They have to wear uniforms. It’s the Army and all.
Still a waste of noney….
Looks like an OCS graduation circa 1942.
Will Units like the 101st with airborne lineage (without berets) wear the parachute and glider patch? Will infantry get blue piping? Any word on brown jump boots? How come branch regimental unit Affiliation collar insignia are no longer used , except 506th IN?
Brown jump boots yes. Unsure on the rest.
Regimental branch insignia are still authorized… If you can find them. Someone or a group have up be willing to purchase a large enough order for them to be produced. I have both 509th and 504th crossed rifles, I was lucky to be able to find both sets although when I left Bragg back in 2012 the Airborne PX had a small supply of 504th rifles in stock.
It looks like berets are not being worn with the new uniform. if not being worn with the Army Green Uniform (for non airborne Soldiers) when would it be worn? I think this is the beginning of the end of the black beret.
Should have gone with the WWII enlisted uniform. The pants were the same color as the coat and it didn’t look nearly identical to the British officer’s uniform.
Also, they need to change the female DS hat to match the new shade of green.
Just need to give the female DS the Brown Round like their male counterparts. Problem solved.