All info in this report comes from Scott Jones of Beyond Tactical. He has posted what is the first published picture of prototypes of the new uniform we reported on earlier in the month.
Photo: Scott Jones
I urge all of you to check out his blog. Beyond makes an excellent product.
Available exclusively from Grey Group, Black Palm Syndicate is apparel for the man who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty.
One of the first things that will grab you is the detail that goes into every garment. From the quality American Apparel T-shirts and Polos to the graphics and lettering, everything fits in harmony. There is elegance in the design. Even the Black Palm Syndicate “Manifesto” is printed on the inside of every shirt to remind the wearer of what he is now a part of.
“Black Palm embodies the elite within the group; a connectedness defined by a unique desire to see all worthy tasks thru to the end. We celebrate hard work, sacrifice and individual dedication to the ultimate goal. Black Palm symbolizes a willingness to get your hands dirty and a commitment to the “all in” mentality. Acquire the mark of the Black Palm.”
There have been other motivational brands out there but nothing like this. Finally, clothing that signifies who you are. Order your Black Palm Syndicate shirts from Grey Group.
It seems someone clued Congress in on the fact that the Universal Camouflage Pattern issued to troops fighting in Afghanistan is far from the ideal. So Congress has told the Army to issue something better. Well, the first word in UCP is after all “Universal” and that makes it a compromise since it has to blend in everywhere. Oddly, Afghanistan is not monochrome and there are a variety of environments to blend in with so ultimately a “Universal” camouflage is what is called for after all. Maybe it just needs to be tuned a bit.
Here is the wording from the Conference Committee Report.
“The conferees understand that soldiers deployed to Afghanistan have serious concerns about the current combat uniform which they indicate provides ineffective camouflage given the environment in Afghanistan. Accordingly, the conferees direct that within funding made available the Department of Defense take immediate action to provide combat uniforms to personnel deployed to Afghanistan with a camouflage pattern that is suited to the environment of Afghanistan.
The conferees further direct the Secretary of the Army to provide a report on the program plans and budgetary adjustments necessary to provide appropriate uniforms to deployed and deploying troops to Afghanistan. The report shall be submitted to the congressional defense committees by the end of fiscal year 2009.”
So Congress wants the Army to reprogram money “immediately” to provide an alternative camo pattern for forces in Afghanistan and report to the Armed Services Committees before the end of the fiscal year on it will be accomplished. Can you imagine how this went over when word reached PEO-Soldier? “The jig is up, they’re on to us”.
Now please remember, that this still isn’t law. The President hasn’t signed it YET but is expected to soon.
So how will this play out? Interesting question, considering when asked just weeks ago at the Soldier Systems APBI about the possibility of alternative camouflage patterns, PEO-Soldier officials gave a curt, “No”. However, it has come to our attention that the 173d Airborne Brigade has been granted approval to wear Multicam during their OEF rotation. So that option seems open…maybe. Alternatively, it is highly unlikely that any new SOCOM patterns will be used by general purpose forces. 3-color desert pattern is still available but was replaced by the “superior” UCP so institutional momentum may veto its use. Desert MARPAT is a possibility, if the Army can wade through the interservice rivalry issues. And finally, what about an entirely new pattern, or old for that matter? Several promising designs were tested by Natick in the 2003-2004 time frame before UCP was adopted virtually out of nowhere.
Ultimately, it is going to be about cost. It isn’t just uniforms. There are a variety of other equipage and accouterments that must also be produced in an alternative pattern. And all of this while the Army is still in the throes of a complete roll out of the UCP pattern. Who will foot the bill? Congress has essentially issued budgetary guidance to the Army to reprogram funds.
Not bad, it only took them 62 years. I can’t believe it was never a safety issue before this. I mean someone had to have tripped on those big bunny ear loop laces hanging out of the Corafram Jump Boots at some point. Despite having never made it into AFI 36-2903, they insist that Airmen wear reflective belts day or night.
Please take a moment to peruse the whole list of approved changes to the Air Force uniform. But even better is that the Air Force includes all of the suggestions that didn’t make the cut and some of them are whacky as hell.
Read the entire list here.
Last Fall we wrote an article about the new lightweight boonie hat from London Bridge. After fulfilling contracts the hats are now available through Tactical Distributors.
The Ghillie-style Boonie Hat features a ragged leaf/mesh crown with an Elasticized Soft Head Band for Comfort. This means you don’t need a chin strap. The One Size Fits all hat can be easily stowed in a cargo pocket and is ultra light weight, weighing in at a mere 1.05 Oz! Ample stocks of the hat are available and discounts are available for retailers. The part number is TNT-BOONIE-WD (woodland), –MC (multicam), -DD (Desert Digital), and -UC (UCP).
They feature a Spartan helmet woven into the pattern and are made from 100% cotton. Measuring in at 44″ square, this shemagh is a limited edition so get yours before they sell out.
Available from Grey Group Training in Smoke Green and Coyote Tan.
Scott Jones, owner of Beyond Tactical recently posted an interesting story about his role in the development of the new PCU Level 9 Tactical Uniform. According to his account posted here they assembled a team of 20 “true” Medium sized Special Operators at Ready One, a NISH soft goods manufacturer who has previously produced other levels of PCU as well as “Bruce from Anthrotech, Cyndi Davis from Patagonia”, and Scott Jones. They put the team through an entire series of scenarios including range work and physical tasks to check the function of the uniform prototypes.
The uniforms will be produced commercially by Beyond Tactical and for contract by Source One.
PEO-Soldier is finalizing an improved Ghillie Suit Accessory Kit which for the first time, has included a Base Layer garment. Designed by Crye, the Base Layer, according to a PEO-Soldier briefing, provides “fire resistance as well as improved counter-surveillance protection, protection from flame and thermal threats, increased mobility and agility, increased multi-system operability, and anti-odor/anti-microbial properties.”
Of course this begs the question; is this an indictment of UCP? If snipers require superior camouflage why is it Multicam and not UCP?
