These US Army photos of MSG Benjamin Owens wearing the Operational Camouflage Pattern (Scorpion W2) variant of the Army Combat Uniform with the new zippered upper arm pockets adapted from the Army Combat Shirt appeared this evening on the web. MSG Owens serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to COL Robert Mortlock, Project Manager (PM) Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment (SPIE) at PEO Soldier.
(more…)
One more time. This time, it’s not a draft and has actually been published. The only additional info we have on this new ensemble is a year old.
soldiersystems.net/2013/07/26/more-on-the-new-army-physical-fitness-uniform
FOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
PLEASE DISSEMINATE TO ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL.
SUBJECT: THE NEW ARMY PHYSICAL FITNESS UNIFORM (APFU) AND THE NEW BLACK MICROFLEECE CAP
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, REQUEST THE WIDEST POSSIBLE DISSEMINATION
1. (U) REFERENCES:
A. (U) OPERATIONAL FORCES INTERFACE GROUP REPORT, DATED 3 MAY 12, SUBJECT: TOTAL ARMY SURVEY OF THE IMPROVED PHYSICAL FITNESS UNIFORM (IPFU) TO ALL 50 STATES AND VARIOUS WORLDWIDE LOCATIONS.
B. (U) OPERATIONAL FORCES INTERFACE GROUP REPORT, DATED 7 JAN 13, SUBJECT: IMPROVED PHYSICAL FITNESS UNIFORM (IPFU) PHASE II.
C. (U) OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF G-4, MEMORANDUM DATED 26 AUG 13, SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMY (CSA) APPROVAL OF THE 144TH ARMY UNIFORM BOARD (AUB) RECOMMENDATIONS.
2. (U) THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW ARMY PHYSICAL FITNESS UNIFORM (APFU).
3. (U) SOLDIERS’ FEEDBACK PROMPTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW APFU. TO GAUGE ACCURATELY THE SOLDIERS’ OPINIONS, THE ARMY CONDUCTED AN ONLINE SURVEY FROM 6 FEB TO 7 MAR 12. THE SURVEY GENERATED MORE THAN 76,000 SOLDIER RESPONSES. THE SOLDIERS’ RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE MODIFICATIONS TO THE APPEARANCE, THE ADDITION OF HIGH PERFORMANCE FABRICS, AND MEASURES TO INCREASE COMFORTAND FIT. FROM 9-29 OCT 12, A SECOND SURVEY CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE SOLDIER PREFERENCE FOR COLOR AND DESIGN OF THE FITNESS UNIFORM. MORE THAN 190,000 SOLDIERS VOTED ON 64 DESIGN AND COLOR COMBINATIONS. SOLDIERS ULTIMATELY RECOMMENDED THE BLACK AND GOLD ENSEMBLE.
4. (U) THE PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE SOLDIER WORKED WITH NATICK SOLDIER RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER TO REDESIGN THE CURRENT IPFU. THE GOAL WAS TO USE HIGH PERFORMANCE FABRICS WITHOUT INCREASING THE COST OF THE NEW APFU. THE NEW APFU FEATURES 34 IMPROVEMENTS: IMPROVED ID/KEY POCKETS, A REDESIGNED STRETCHABLE LINING IN THE TRUNKS, HEAT MITIGATION, AND FEMALE SIZING (PANTS/JACKET). ALL OF THESE CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED BASED ON SOLDIERS’ INPUT. THE ARMY CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE TECHNICAL TESTING AS WELL AS USER ASSESSMENTS IN VARIOUS CLIMATIC REGIONS TO OBTAIN SOLDIER’S FEEDBACK AND TO VALIDATE THE APFU FORM, FIT, AND FUNCTION.
5. (U) THE NEW APFU ENSEMBLE CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. (U) APFU JACKET: BLACK W/GOLD ARMY LOGO
B. (U) APFU PANTS: BLACK W/GOLD ARMY LOGO
C. (U) APFU LONG SLEEVE SHIRT: BLACK W/GOLD “ARMY” LETTERING
D. (U) APFU SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT: BLACK W/GOLD “ARMY” LETTERING
E. (U) APFU TRUNKS: BLACK W/GOLD “ARMY” LETTERING
6. (U) THE NEW APFU EMSEMBLE IS QUICK DRYING, MOISTURE WICKING, AND USES LIGHT-WEIGHT FABRICS. THE APFU ENSEMBLE IS NOT REFLECTIVE. THE T-SHIRTS AND TRUNK LINERS WILL NOT HAVE ANTIMICROBIAL CAPABILITIES AT THIS TIME. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, THE ARMY WILL CONSIDER ADDING ANTIMICROBIAL CAPABILITIES.
7. (U) THE ARMY PLANS TO INTRODUCE THE NEW ISSUED APFU OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THE NEW APFU WILL BE AVAILABLE:
A. (U) FOR ARMY MILITARY CLOTHING STORES (AMCS) IN 1QFY15. DURING THE APFU INTRODUCTION, DRILL AND ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL TRAINING (AIT) PLATOON SERGEANTS AT CLOTHING INITIAL ISSUE POINT (CIIP) LOCATIONS ARE AUTHORIZED TO OBTAIN THEIR SUPPLEMENTAL ISSUE OF APFU ITEMS FROM THEIR LOCAL AMCS IN 2QFY15.
B. (U) FOR CIIP FOR INITIAL ENTRY TRAINING (IET) SOLDIERS IN 3QFY15,
C. (U) FOR THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, ARMY RESERVE, AND SENIOR RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS SOLDIERS IN 4QFY15.
D. (U) THE WEAR OUT DATE FOR THE IPFU IS 30 SEP 17. THE MANDATORY POSSESSION DATE FOR THE APFU IS 1 OCT 17 (1QFY18).
8. (U) THE ARMY IS INTRODUCING AN OPTIONAL COMMERCIAL APFU ENSEMBLE, WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AMCS’ STARTING 1QFY15 (DEC 14). THIS WILL ALLOW SOLDIERS AN OPTION TO PROCURE AN APFU IN ANOTHER FABRIC WITH THEIR PERSONAL FUNDS. THE OPTIONAL APFU WILL BE IDENTICAL IN APPEARANCE TO THE NEW ISSUED APFU, BUT WILL BE MADE WITH HIGHER PERFORMANCE FABRICS AT AN INCREASED COST TO THE SOLDIER. SOLDIERS MUST PROCURE THE OPTIONAL ITEMS WITH THEIR PERSONAL FUNDS. IN ADDITION, THE OPTIONAL PURCHASE APFU INCLUDE THE JACKET AND PANTS IN UNISEX AND FEMALE SIZES.
9. (U) SOLDIERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR A MIXTURE OF ISSUED AND OPTIONAL APFU COMPONENTS. SOLDIERS ARE UNAUTHORIZED TO MIX THE WEAR OF NEW APFU COMPONENTS WITH THE IPFU COMPONENTS.
APFUS ARE AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON AND OFF DUTY, ON AND OFF THE INSTALLATION, AND WHEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMANDER.
10. THE ARMY IS CHANGING THE COLOR OF THE MICROFLEECE CAP FROM GREEN TO BLACK FOR WEAR WITH THE NEW APFU AND THE NEW ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM. THE NEW BLACK MICROFLEECE CAP WILL BE AVAILABLE:
A. (U) AT ARMY MILITARY CLOTHING STORES (AMCS) IN 1QFY15. DURING THE BLACK MICROFLEECE CAP INTRODUCTION, DRILL AND AIT PLATOON SERGEANTS AT CIIP LOCATIONS ARE AUTHORIZED TO OBTAIN THEIR SUPPLEMENTAL ISSUE OF THE BLACK MICROFLEECE CAP FROM THEIR LOCAL AMCS IN 2QFY15.
B. (U) AT CLOTHING INITIAL ISSUE POINTS FOR IET SOLDIERS IN 3QFY15,
C. (U) AT THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, ARMY RESERVE, AND RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS SOLDIERS IN 4QFY15.
D. (U) THE WEAR OUT DATE FOR THE GREEN MICROFLEECE CAP IS 30 SEP 18. THE MANDATORY POSSESSION DATE FOR THE BLACK MICROFLEECE CAP IS 1 OCT 17 (1QFY18).
11. (U) HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (HQDA) POINT OF CONTACT IS MAJ DANNY PADELLO, OR MS. BRYANT-HARPER.
12. (U) THIS MESSAGE WILL EXPIRE IN MARCH 2024 UNLESS SUPERSEDED BY OFFICIAL GUIDANCE FROM HQDA.
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEATS: NONE
NEWINGTON, N.H. (July 31, 2014) — SIG SAUER® has launched a redesigned webstore, offering an expanded selection of SIG SAUER branded clothing, merchandise, accessories, and a new line of Mitch Rosen designed holsters.
The SIG SAUER webstore has always been the premier online resource for factory parts and accessories. Now fans can show their affinity for the SIG SAUER brand with a selection of men’s and women’s shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and drinkware.
“SIG SAUER owners are passionate about their firearms,” said Jeff Creamer, SIG SAUER Executive Director and Chief Merchandise Manager. “Now they can show that passion with products that fit the SIG SAUER brand.”
In addition to new clothing, SIG SAUER has partnered with Mitch Rosen Extraordinary Gunleather to provide a line of SIG SAUER-specific holsters, including hard-to-find holsters for handguns such as the SP2022®, 1911, P320, P250® and P290®. Right- and left-hand models are available in most patterns.
“Mitch Rosen is one of the top holster manufacturers out there, and we’re excited to offer these products,” Creamer said.
While many of the products in the webstore are new, Creamer said they are just the beginning.
“Expect to see more and more products being added in the future,” he said. “We’re working with some of the best clothing and accessory manufacturers to develop some really cool items.”
Edit: SIG Sauer has revised their shipping rates for SIG apparel. They’ll be cutting shipping to $9.95 and offering free shipping on all order $100 or more.
Marietta, GA – July 24, 2014 – TRU-SPEC®, one of the leading suppliers of uniforms and personal equipment to the military, law enforcement and public safety markets, has added the MultiCam Tropic™ and MultiCam Arid™ patterns, developed by Crye Precision, to their popular Tactical Response Uniform selections, designed to meet the unique needs of Tactical Professionals, Law Enforcement and Special Operations personnel operating in high-risk environments.
The MultiCam Arid™ pattern was developed to effectively reduce the visual and near-IR signature of a person operating in desert environments, which predominantly consist of open sand and rock. This particular palette compliments and overlaps portions of the main MultiCam® pattern; so pairing the apparel results in a well coordinated, functional concealment system.
The MultiCam Tropic™ pattern was developed to reduce the visual and near-IR signature of a person operating in dense jungle environments; areas that predominantly consist of lush vegetation that remains relatively unaffected by seasonal changes. Much like that of the MultiCam Arid™, the pattern’s palette compliments and overlaps portions of the main MultiCam® pattern; allowing for overlapping and coordination.
“TRU-SPEC® is thrilled to once again partner with Crye Precision and INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand team to expand our offerings of MultiCam® through our TRU line of apparel,” stated TRU-SPEC® Vice President of Marketing, Darrell Jacks. “We continue to offer all of our tier-one law enforcement, special operations and tactical professional units a line of trusted apparel that matches their performance in ensuring our safety.”
The MultiCam Tropic™ and MultiCam Arid™ patterns join TRU-SPEC®’s current offerings of MultiCam® and MultiCam Black™. The new patterns will be available through selected TRU-SPEC® dealers at the end of August 2014. Visit www.truspec.com or facebook.com/TRUSPEC to find a dealer near you.
Warrior Culture Gear is re-releasing last year’s Extortion 17 memorial shirt in a limited run of 500, with all proceeds after production costs going to Warfighter Foundation to benefit their efforts. The shirts come in Black with the Extortion 17 Memorial design on the front and the Warfighter Foundation logo on the left sleeve. The back displays the names of the servicemembers who lost their lives on August 6, 2011.
www.warriorculturegear.com/products/limited-run-extortion-17-memorial-shirt
Kitanica’s Backcountry pants are now available in Kryptek Typhon, but for a limited time only. Made from 50/50 NyCo ripstop fabric and Mil-Spec A-A-55301 nylon webbing, the Backcountry pant comes with 2 hip pockets, 2 rear pockets, and 2 knife/cell phone pockets on each leg for plenty of carry space. The riveted button waist features a YKK metal fly zipper, and a 7 belt loop, contoured waistband. A Velcro side cinching system allows the wearer to adjust the pant to their liking, and reinforced knees, a reinforced seat, and bar-tacked stress points make for an overall durable pant.
Made in the USA.
I’ve been around long enough to have been issued (yes, issued) the original Arc’teryx LEAF Combat Pant. When they came out almost 10 years ago to complement to the Combat Jacket, they were awesome; a very durable, sofshell pant in Black or Crocodile that had pockets where you needed them. But, over time, we all (including Arc’teryx) felt that the civilian-derived design was dated and they began to fall out of favor.
At SHOT Show 2014, Arc’teryx unveiled a completely redesigned Gen 2 Combat Pant. The don’t really look like a “Combat Pant” and some have criticized the name for that reason. But the name has legs, going back 10 years to when there weren’t a plethora of “combat pants” on the market. In fact, it’s only been in recent years that all weather models have come out to fill the void of the LEAF pant during the period it wasn’t available. This new Gen 2 Combat Pant doesn’t scream tactical and, like its predecessor definitely has it’s genesis in the mountains.
Last month, Arc’teryx LEAF invited me and a few of my fellow tactical writers to a media event in Chamonix, France. For several days we were immersed in all things Arc’teryx including an opportunity to try out several products for ourselves, while applying basic mountaineering skills on the Mer de Glace, a world famous glacier. One of those items was the new Combat Pant (Gen 2).
My experience was excellent. I am a warm person so I kind of expected to overheat in the high summer temps on the ice but my legs remained comfortable even though I was in a T-shirt for much of the movement. Once the gusty, rainy weather moved in and I put on an Alpha LT Jacket, the Combat Pant’s Tweave Durastretch helped me remain plenty warm, and dry, head to toe. I haven’t worn the pant in hot, humid weather yet but if you look at the photos you’ll notice that some guys were wearing Atom LTs while I was in a ventilated, short sleeve running shirt. Everyone wore what made them comfortable. One of the reasons I didn’t overheat may be that the interior of the pockets are half mesh which helps with ventilation as well as keeping the pockets from filling with sand and dirt.
Another advantage of the Durastretch fabric was its abrasion resistance. We climbed and scrambled over a variety of obstacles and despite a short fall right into the rock, knee first, not a scratch on the pants. They also held up very well to the crampons we wore, despite not having a reinforced section at the ankle. I appreciate the bungee at the ankle hem which allowed me to close the pant over the top of my mountaineering boots so that I didn’t need gaiters this trip.
Overall, the fit is comfortable. They almost seemed oversized when I first looked at them but the fit was great. The articulated design and gusseted crotch is better than the original model and I was able to move a lot better in them as we negotiated the frozen terrain. Don’t forget, the Durastretch fabric has some inherent mechanical stretch as well. If you don’t plan to layer and are on the edge size-wise, I’d round down.
These pants boast 10 pockets and they are situated so that you can wear a harness with the pants. In fact, we wore the E220 Riggers Harness with its removable leg loops. You may notice in the photos that we used the stowable flaps on the cargo pockets to retain the excess material of the leg loops while not in use.
Offered in Crocodile and Wolf Grey, sizes Small – XXLarge. Sizing is generous if anything, with room to layer.
Bottom Line
I like them and recommend them to those that are looking for a high quality, all-weather tactical pant. They’ve definitely earned a place in my kit bag.
Pro
Comfortable, generous fit
Extremely durable
Unobtrusive pocket layout
Con
Haven’t tried them in humid weather yet
Need more colors!
I’m not going to get in the weeds over price. Yes, they are expensive. You get what you pay for and these are worth every penny. I know, I ended up buying a pair. Buy once, cry once!
To order yours, visit leaf.arcteryx.com.
