Early this Fall, the US Army will field 100 Female Cut Gen III IOTV for the 101st Airborne Division’s Female Engagement Teams serving in Afghanistan.
The female version features a slightly different cut to accommodate differences in body shapes.
Archive for the ‘PEO-Soldier’ Category
US Army to Field 100 Female Cut Gen III IOTV for 101st Female Engagement Teams
Saturday, July 21st, 2012US4CES Camo Preview
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
ADS Inc has released a few new photos of their US4CES family of camouflage, selected by the US Army as a finalist in their Camouflage Improvement Program. US4CES camouflage patterns share a common shape geometry and are offered in colorways developed specifically for Woodland, Arid, Transitional environments. Additionally, ADS and their partner Guy Cramer have introduced a specific color option for use with Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment that is complimentary to the three environmental patterns. All four of these patterns are currently undergoing the most intensive camouflage testing ever conducted by the US Army or for that matter, anyone. In these photos you can see the various patterns in live environments.
Check Out PEO Soldier’s New Look
Friday, July 6th, 2012
PEO Soldier’s new website offers a streamlined look with ready access to their latest news.
Camouflage Gets Its ‘Keep Government Out of My Medicare’ Moment
Sunday, July 1st, 2012I literally live for irony. I can write and write and write all about the camo wars and the various services’ quest for a better camouflage but I just can’t force people to READ. Regardless of the topic, folks love news by headline and they form opinions around phrases designed to titillate rather than inform.
Most recently, I had a reader comment that the Army should look to the private sector to solve their camouflage woes. Classic. They have. The US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort is investigating families of camouflage patterns developed by industry. And, PEO Soldier and their scientific arm, The Natick Soldier Systems Center are embarking on the most extensive test and evaluation undertaking ever conducted. When this is over, the Army will truly be able to say that they have thoroughly considered the latest that industry has to offer.
Commercial finalists currently undergoing field trials include
ADS Inc as Prime, partnered with Guy Cramer
Brookwood Companies
Crye Precision
Kryptek
US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort STILL Going Strong
Saturday, June 30th, 2012Despite anything you might have read elsewhere, the US Army has not abandoned their Camouflage Improvement Effort. If you haven’t heard of this before, then do a search for the term ‘effort’ here on SSD and catch up.
Here is the latest update from PEO Soldier –
As part of the ongoing effort to improve Soldiers uniforms, the Army continues to research new camouflage patterns to be printed on the existing Army Combat Uniform (ACU) design.
The ACU was presented to Senior Army leadership in December 2003 for potential Army fielding. The ACU was developed based on many months of research and development. It decreased the out-of-pocket cost burden on our younger Soldiers by replacing the three types of Battle Dress Uniforms with a one-weight, wash-and-wear uniform with improved functionality and ergonomics.
In 2009, the Secretary of the Army approved a four-phase approach to provide uniforms for personnel deployed to Afghanistan with a camouflage pattern suited to the Afghanistan environment and to evaluate an Army long-term uniform camouflage plan. Phases I-III were focused on improving Army uniform camouflage in Afghanistan. These phases are complete and culminated with the fielding of the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Camouflage Pattern to Soldiers in and deploying to Afghanistan.
The Phase IV Camouflage Effort seeks to select a family of three patterns comprising the woodland, arid, and transitional environments, which will allow the Army to operate in different terrains and conditions around the globe. The Phase IV patterns are undergoing field trials and the data from those trials will be taken to Army senior leadership for review. This will be followed by a cost-benefit analysis to determine if the Army will adopt a new camouflage pattern. The Army understands the financial constraints on the DoD and the nation, and we are committed to conducting this research and making any future camouflage uniform changes in an affordable and fiscally responsible manner.
The cost of adopting a new family of camouflage patterns will depend on many factors, including how widely the new uniform pattern would be fielded and how fast it would be adopted. If a new camouflage pattern uniform is phased in to replace existing uniforms as they are worn out, the program would either issue new uniforms to incoming soldiers or would replace older uniforms that would need replacement anyway. The uniform’s only change would be the camouflage pattern, with no changes to existing materials or design (i.e., fabric, pocket location, number of pockets, etc.).
Soldiers are our strength and purpose and deserve the best we can offer. The Army will enhance the survivability, safety, mobility, and sustainability of Soldiers by providing state-of-the-art, operationally effective individual clothing and equipment. The Army has applied the lessons learned during development, testing, and fielding of the UCP and OCP patterns to devise a better scientific testing program for evaluating camouflage.
Replacing UCP – The Truth of It All
Tuesday, June 26th, 2012I think one thing needs to be made crystal clear. The main stream media is beginning to pick up on the story that the Army is evaluating camouflage as part of the PEO Soldier sponsored Army Camouflage Improvement Effort. It must be made brutally clear that this effort may not result in a new family of camouflage patterns at all for the Army and the sponsor has not made any claims to the contrary.
What is supposed to happen is that the effort should result in a set of recommendations for Army leaders. It’s up them to decide the Army’s course of action. In fact, earlier this year I had the opportunity to ask a single question of MG Tony Cucolo, the Director of Force Development at the G8. Naturally, my question involved the replacement for UCP and whether the Army was ready to program $5 Billion over the FYDP to recapitalize camouflage. The answer didn’t do much to instill confidence. “They’re working on something down there at PEO Soldier,” came the reply.
Think about that.
Protective Overgarment Garment Instructional Videos from PEO Soldier
Thursday, June 21st, 2012PEO Soldier has released instructional videos for the various models of Protective Overgarment Garment designed to protect the wearer’s pelvic region from blast and frag associated with IEDs. The videos do a good job of demonstrating how to don and doff the systems.
Hawk Model
Crye Precision Model
PEO Soldier Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
Last Friday, PEO Soldier celebrated its 10th Anniversary as a dedication to the Soldier and a reminder of the commitment of the critical role they play to bring the best equipment to the Soldier. As part of the celebration, former PEOs were on hand including BG (Ret) James R. Moran, MG Peter N. Fuller, and MG Camille M. Nichols as well as the newly appointed PEO BG Paul A. Ostrowski. Unfortunately, MG R. Mark Brown was unable to attend due to his current deployment, but sent his warmest wishes via a video presentation. Friday also marked the PEO Soldier change of charter between MG Nichols and BG Ostrowski.
They also took this opportunity to unveil their new logo (seen above), designed by MAJ Joel Dillo. In an Army press release, MAJ Dillon commented, “I wanted to represent the Soldier of course, because that’s what PEO Soldier is all about. The logo itself includes the silhouettes of three Soldiers on patrol, backed by an American flag. I also wanted to make sure the name Program Executive Office Soldier was bold and visible. I just wanted to make sure it was something that was easily recognizable and clearly focused on Soldiers, because that’s what we focus on; an enduring type of legacy.”
Photo – US Army
