Military uniforms have gone through many changes during the 224 year history of the US Army. Revolutionary War uniforms for example were very fancy and colorful by today’s standards, but by the time of the Civil War in the 1860’s uniforms had become more utilitarian. And by the Spanish-American War it was noted that Teddy Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders” looked more like cowboys than soldiers.
By the beginning of the 20th Century duller natural tones had become the new standard for uniforms and when the US Army entered WWI, it was in uniforms in a brownish-green color called “Olive Drab”.
Hollywood stars Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable wearing two versions of the 1940-Pattern Officers Service Uniform while serving as Captains in the Army Air Force during WWII. (Source: US Army, Public Domain)
By WWII, the US Army service uniform featured the subdued colors of Olive Green and Taupe. Nonetheless, the 1940-Pattern Officers’ Service Uniform possessed an easy-going elegance. It evoked the refined shooting jackets and safari suits frequently seen in Hollywood movies, and was also frequently seen being worn by movie star soldiers like James Stewart and Clark Gable. This uniform also acquired the famous “Pinks-and-Greens” nickname due to the contrasting hues of the jacket and trousers.
One of the original Tuskegee Airmen, Colonel Lloyd McKeethen pictured in his WWII “Pinks-and-Greens” uniform. (Source: goarmywestpoint.com/custompages/army/granddaughter)
By the end of the 1940’s however the wartime uniform had lost a great deal of its prestige, so a new look was introduced in 1954 with the “Class A”, or Dress Green Uniform. The Dress Green Uniform soldiered on through the Cold War, the Gulf Wars, and into the Global War on Terror.
Finally in 2008, the Class A Dress Greens Uniform was replaced by the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU). The ASU has however been very unpopular and it will be replaced by the new Army Service Green Uniform (AGSU) starting next year. The AGSU closely follows the style of the 1940-pattern Officers Dress Uniform – the famous WWII “Pinks-and-Greens”.
Fechheimer Brothers Company catalog from November 1941 showing fabric options and prices for private-purchase M1940-Pattern Officers’ Service Uniforms.
Flying Cross®, based in Cincinnati, Ohio was one of the original producers of the “Pinks and Greens”, and has been a leading manufacturer of uniforms for US military and law enforcement personnel for the past 175 years. Based on this long history of expertise, the Army approached the company in the spring of 2017 and has been working closely with Flying Cross ever since to roll-out the AGSU on time.
Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Gen. Mark A. Milley in Sainte Mere Eglise, France June 6, 2019. (U.S. Navy photos by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Michael McNabb)
AGSUs are now being issued to a cross-section of Army personnel for wear-testing and user feedback. Earlier this month, Flying Cross also delivered 500 sets of the AGSU for Officers and NCOs participating in the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Maj. Gen. Brian Winski, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Carentan, France June 5, 2019. (US Army photos by Sgt. Steven Lopez, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade)
The Army Green Service Uniform capitalizes on the current retro style trend, includes a touch of old school Hollywood glamor, has a distinctly “American” look, and strongly connects the next generation of Soldiers with the heritage of the Greatest Generation of Soldiers.
For further information about Flying Cross and the Army Green Service Uniform, please visit www.goAGSU.com and follow Flying Cross on Instagram and Facebook.
