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USMC Inclement Weather Combat Shirt Features TenCate Fabrics

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

The new Inclement Weather Combat Shirt (IWCS) is a FR shirt designed to be worn in place of the FROG blouse during cold weather. Think of it as replacing the Desert Combat Jacket with increased capability. The Marines will purchase 180,000 IWCS from Short Bark Industries who are well known in the automotive world for their seat covers. Short Bark’s design incorporates several products from the TenCate Defenderâ„¢ M family. Most notably this is the first military adoption of a TenCate Defenderâ„¢ M laminate. The IWCS also includes a new stretch woven technology as well as two variations of knit fabrics. Nick Pence, Military Market Manager for TenCate Defense & Tactical explains: â€œThe flame resistant IWCS was designed to provide increased protection from wind and rain while offering breathable water repellency for cold weather climatesâ€.

I recently spoke with the team at TenCate about the challenge of color matching different printed fabrics on a single garment that the DCJ had to deal with and they told me that they are out in front of this issue and we shouldn’t see any of those types of shading issues.

Tags: TenCate
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Something Wild This Way Comes

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Wild Things has launched a new web address to go along with their new division Wild Things Tactical. In honor of their long-term commitment to providing quality expedition level outdoor clothing and equipment to elite military forces, WTT was created to oversee an entire new line of products being unveiled this spring. Last fall we gave you a taste of what’s coming with their Lightweight Softshell Layer. This product as well as several others are already being used by troops in combat.

I was able to review products at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and they have some really cool stuff coming including FR pieces, and most of it will be available in MultiCam for those of you heading to Afghanistan. Personally, I have been using Wild Things clothing for over five years and they have always taken great strides to be on the leading edge of fabric technologies. I really like their stuff. Some of you may already be familiar with Wild Things and not realize it. They designed the level 7 puffy suit that is part of ECWCS Gen III.

While the new website isn’t quite ready yet, be sure visit www.wttactical.com and sign up for announcements of the release of this new line.

Tags: Wild Things Tactical
Posted in Clothing, FR, Multicam | Comments Off on Something Wild This Way Comes

PEO-Soldier Has Got You Covered

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Literally…last year they began fielding the new Lightweight Performance Hood, which replaced the hot and bulky Flash Hood, long issued to armor crewman. This new Hood is a no-melt, no-drip performance piece very similar to what NASCAR drivers and pit crew wear. This is critical to ensuring that Soldiers will actually wear the garment.

â€œWe understand that Soldiers are less likely to wear the hood if it is hot or irritating,â€ said LTC Michael Sloane, PM SCIE. â€œThe LPH has a ventilated mesh dome to minimize heat stress in hot or dry climates, while providing limited heat retention in cool climates. It is moisture-wicking, anti-microbial and anti-odor,â€ LTC Sloane added.

Mr Jeff Myhre Assitant Program Manager at PEO-Soldier added, â€œWe are always on the lookout for new fabrics and technologies to prevent Soldiers from having to suffer second- and third-degree burns, we want Soldiers to have FR protection wherever and whenever they need it.â€ To this end, the LPH is small enough to fit in a grenade pouch.

Each deploying Soldier receives two LPH which is Foliage Green but may soon be offered in a new shade more compatible with MultiCam for troops serving in Afghanistan.

Lightweight Performance Hood from PEO Soldier on Vimeo.

So hats off, (and hoods on) to PEO-Soldier for their work at keeping Soldiers safe.

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MultiCam – What You’ll Get

Friday, March 5th, 2010

In a recent interview with PEO Soldier’s COL William Cole and LTC Mike Sloane they detailed efforts to field complete ensembles of clothing and equipment in MultiCam required for combat patrols in Afghanistan. This first article will discuss what is being issued.

In addition to four FR ACUs and Army Combat Shirts in the new pattern each Soldier will receive an accessory kit consisting of name tags, rank, and shoulder sleeve insignia. The Army Institute of Heraldry still has to weigh in on the colorway and designs of individual SSIs. Other uniform components include Generation III Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System. PEO-Soldier is also hard at work getting Patrol Caps, Sun Hats, Knee and Elbow Pads as well as entire MOLLE sets into production. These will include Individual First Aid Kits in addition to the new Tactical Assault Panel seen in the accompanying photo supplied by the program office. IOTV covers and Helmet Covers as well as Nape Pads will also be produced in MultiCam. Every detail is being seen to in order to meet their fielding goals of mid-summer.

In order to meet this deadline a new contract will soon be let by PEO-Soldier for FR ACUs. Rather than relying on the current sustainment contract managed by Defense Supply Center Philadelphia for FR ACUs in UCP, this will allow the numerous improvements to the ACU design we wrote about last year to be cut in early to this new purchase along with the change to MultiCam.

Photo: Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown

What you won’t get are MultiCam ACUs. Lots of guys are already running out and purchasing several sets in the hopes that one day they will be able to wear them. However, this isn’t the case. Although specific wear policy hasn’t yet been released for troops in Afghanistan, this has the potential for being a dream scenario for uniform nazis. If you thought it was hard to sneak into the chow hall after a patrol in your Army Combat Shirt, don’t even think about wearing your ACUs in MultiCam. Current in-theater policy requires Soldiers to protect themselves by wearing FR ACUs, whether UCP or MultiCam. If you are in the wrong uniform you will stick out like the proverbial sore thumb.

Certain organizations on the other hand have fielded standard 50/50 NYCO (50% nylon/50% ripstop cotton blend) uniforms for some time. However, these do not provide the same level of Fire Resistant protection afforded uniforms manufactured from Tencate’s Defender-M like the issue FR ACU. Already industry is hard at work producing clothing and equipment on MultiCam that are designed specifically for use in Afghanistan. This includes FR products. Over the next several weeks Soldier Systems Daily will begin to unveil these products to you.

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And So It Begins…

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

The Army dropped a rather large sources sought notice today for Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniforms (FR-ACUs) in MultiCam. Up to 40,000 sets per month for six to eight months are to be delivered pre-treated in Permethrin. The short notice to answer (10 days) is indicative of the dedication to quick fielding that PEO-Soldier is paying to this issue. Expect to see numerous other solicitations hit the street soon.

It is very important to note that, based on information already released by PEO-Soldier, they are only planning on fielding clothing and equipment that would be used on a combat patrol. This includes FR-ACUs as well as Army Combat Shirts. The new ACS will feature MultiCam sleeves and Coyote torso. For those Soldiers leaning forward in the foxhole, this does NOT include the 50/50 NYCO ACU that you currently wear in garrison and on the FOB. I would not suggest that you run out and purchase a basic load of ACUs in MultiCam just yet. I am still awaiting additional information on this subject but as of now, based on what has already been said, Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan will find themselves in the standard ACU in UCP while on an FOB or other deployed base and wearing MultiCam FR ACUs while outside the wire.

Posted in ACS, ACU, Clothing, FR, Multicam | Comments Off on And So It Begins…

Propper’s MultiCam FR Combat Uniform Available

Friday, February 19th, 2010

The MultiCam FR Combat Uniform is sew to the official FROG specifications and is made of patented Defender M flame-resistant fabric from TenCate. The combat shirt also features an enhanced X-Static DRIFIRE knit torso which reduces core body heat, prevents bacteria growth and provides odor control. All thread, zippers and loop components are also flame-resistant. These are the exact same materials and findings used in the USMC issue FROG ensemble.

Other features include:

-Reinforced mandarin collar and zipper
-Raglan sleeves for enhanced range of motion
-Angled sleeve pockets with hook and loop panel for quick access
-Contoured, reinforced elbow
-Contoured, stretch waistband
-Comfortable, moisture wicking, fast drying torso
-Reinforced seat and articulated knee
-Bellow style cargo pockets
-NIR-Compliant

The MSRP is $289.99 for the Trouser and $189.99 for the shirt. Available in Small, Medium, Large and Extra-Large in regular and long lengths.

It is important to note that Propper is the only manufacturer of the Crye designed USMC FROG.

This may be the last commercially available FR MultiCam for awhile with impending Army orders requiring the vast majority of fabric production for the immediate future. Units requiring immediate FR uniforms should take a look at this.

Tags: Crye, Propper
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DRIFIRE Donates FR Shirts and Blankets to Haiti

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Responding to a call for aid to earthquake damaged Haiti from the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), DRIFIRE has assisted the Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) organization by shipping approximately 1,650 comfortable FR shirts to be distributed to two orphanages.

“We’ve worked with the AAFA and K.I.D.S. in the past, donating more than 500 garments during the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina. We’re happy to join them in supporting orphans in Haiti with our products. Our donations may be a tiny piece of the overall relief effort, but we wanted to be involved and we’re excited for our chance to directly impact these orphanages,” says Kim Scarbrough, Executive Assistant at DRIFIRE, who is leading the company’s efforts in Haiti.

The flame retardant shirts sent in DRIFIRE’s first shipment feature moisture wicking and antimicrobial technology that is crucial for staying dry and comfortable in humid, warm climates. The second shipment will include rolls of raw fabric made of soft, comfortable material in response to the strong need for blankets. The fabric also features antimicrobial technology, cutting down on germs and odor. In addition to blankets, the fabric can be used to make clothes, tents and other garments to help keep the children protected and comfortable.

DRIFIRE isn’t stopping there. They plan to continue helping the orphanages on a long-term basis as more products become available for shipment in the coming weeks. Additional aid will be spread among the communities in Haiti as needed.

“Everyone at DRIFIRE is eager to contribute to helping the people in Haiti. From warehouse employees working overtime to get products shipped, to the executive team coordinating with AAFA and K.I.D.S. to make this all happen, we’re thankful and proud to be part of such a generous, hard-working company. Working together is crucial in these times of need, and we hope that our efforts will encourage and inspire others in the FR apparel and safety industry to donate high quality, life-saving products to those who need them,” says Scarbrough.

Tags: Drifire
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German Police Women Getting New Bras

Friday, February 5th, 2010

In a move somewhat reminiscent of the Swedish Combat Bra we reported on last year, the German government has been hard at work testing new brassieres for their female police officers. Designed to be worn under body armor, the new bras feature no metal or plastic parts. Apparently, there are three different styles that have been certified for wear. This version features thick pads for protection and a blend of cotton, polyester, spandex and polyamide with no buttons or fasteners which can cause secondary injuries. Additionally, the material offers a certain degree of fire resistance. Already available for issue, British Police women are asking for something similar.

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