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New US Army PT Uniforms Revealed

Monday, August 11th, 2014

The US Army has recently revealed the new Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU), which will be available service-wide beginning in October 2015. The design, which is based on Soldier feedback, consists of 34 individual changes to the form, fit, function, and look of the APFU. The trunks, for example, feature a lighter, less stiff construction when compared to the current IPFU trunks, along with internal four-way stretch panel, a bigger key pocket, and a “convenient and secure ID card pouch.”

The APFU consists of five parts: jacket, pants, trunks/shorts, short-sleeve shirt, and long-sleeve shirt. The ensemble is modular, although it will ultimately be up to the platoon sergeants to determine the appropriate combination of components to wear.

The APFU will come in two types: Clothing Bag and Optional, visually identical, with the only difference being the use of different materials in their make. The Optional APFU will be available sometime between October and December of this year when it arrives in Army military clothing sales stores. The Clothing Bag issue variant will be issued starting April to June 2015, with Reserve, National Guard, and Senior ROTC receiving the APFU July to August 2015. The mandatory wear date will go into effect approximately October 2017, about three years after the introduction of the APFU.

www.army.mil/article/131411/New_Army_PT_uniforms_result_of_Soldier_feedback

Tags: US Army
Posted in Clothing | 67 Comments »

US Army Announces Changes To The Army Combat Uniform

Wednesday, August 6th, 2014

In addition to the recent reveal of the Scorpion W2 pattern, now known as OCP, the US Army has also announced minor changes to the Army Combat Uniform to coincide with the new camouflage pattern. Beginning in Fall of 2015, the new ACU in OCP will feature lower leg pockets with button closure instead of the current hook and loop fastener. The insert pockets for knee and elbow pads will also be removed.

Additional changes being considered by the Army Uniform Board include:

– elimination of the mandarin collar and replacement with a fold-down design
– change of the infrared square identification for friend or foe, known as the IFF tab
– removal of one of three pen pockets on the ACU sleeve
– elimination of the drawstring on the trouser waistband

Again, the US Army will begin issuing the improved Army Combat Uniform in Operational Camouflage Pattern in Fall 2015. Military clothing sales stores will begin selling the improved ACU in Summer 2015. Soldiers will be given three years, between the period of initial adoption in Fall 2015 and the Summer 2018 requirement date, to transition to the new ACU.

www.army.mil/article/131259/Soldiers_to_get_new_camo_uniform_beginning_next_summer

Tags: US Army
Posted in Camo, Clothing | 93 Comments »

Breaking – US Army Makes Officical Announcement Regarding Adoption of Scorpion W2 aka Operational Camouflage Pattern

Thursday, July 31st, 2014

Finally! To little fanfare, the US Army has just released an official statement attributed to an anonymous Senior Army Spokesperson (yes, I’m not kidding, no one put their name on this) that they’ve adopted the Scorpion W2 camouflage pattern for use as the Operational Camouflage Pattern. This means that Scorpion W2 will supplant the MultiCam pattern which was adopted as OCP into 2010. In addition, it will also replace the Universal Camouflage Pattern adopted in 2004 as the primary Camo pattern. The printers are rolling Scorpion off the line like so many $100 bills at the US Treasury.

There are no new details in the statement that have not already been disclosed by Soldier Systems Daily. The timing for sale of the items in the new pattern in Summer 2015 is in line with the May 2015 goal stated to industry last month.

Despite this announcement, which occurred after duty hours on a Thursday evening, the Army has still not released any photographs of the Scorpion W2 variant which was modified from the baseline Scorpion circa 2010. So far, everything you see online that is labeled Scorpion is not the W2 variant adopted by the Army. As both the commercial MultiCam and Scorpion W2 are variants of the original Scorpion they all have very similar shapes and colorations but are distinguishable when laid out side-by-side. In fact, both the Scorpion and MultiCam patterns were developed by Crye Associates while the Scorpion W2 modification of the pattern was conducted at the US Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Center in Massachusetts. See our article soldiersystems.net/2014/05/23/little-scorpion-camo-history for additional background.

ARLINGTON, Va. (July 31, 2014) — The Army has selected a pattern as its base combat uniform camouflage pattern. The Army has confirmed through testing that the pattern would offer exceptional concealment, which directly enhances force protection and survivability for Soldiers.

The Army is naming the pattern the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) to emphasize that the pattern’s use extends beyond Afghanistan to all Combatant Commands. The Army’s adoption of OCP will be fiscally responsible by transitioning over time and simply replacing current uniforms and equipment as they wear out.

The Army anticipates the Army Combat Uniform with the OCP will be available for purchase by Soldiers at Military Clothing Sales Stores (MCSS) in the summer of 2015.

For the most comprehensive coverage on the path forward for the adoption of Scorpion W2 as the Operational Camouflage Pattern, read our story soldiersystems.net/2014/06/30/latest-info-us-army-transition-scorpion-camouflage-including-accessory-colors-schedules

This article was updated to add details on the history of the a Scorpion camouflage pattern.

Tags: US Army
Posted in Camo | 129 Comments »

Venture Products Introduces New U.S. Army-Branded Fitness Products

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

FAIRFIELD, NJ (June 11, 2014) – Fitness experts Venture Products have entered into a license agreement with the Department of the Army to produce high quality fitness accessories that will be added to the Army’s line of licensed products. Venture Products projects the new merchandise will be on store shelves by February 2015.

The new fitness accessories will feature a rugged design with high performance features inspired by the components of the U.S. Army’s Physical Readiness Training Program (PRT), including mobility, strength and endurance. Each product will also feature an in-depth training guide.

“We’re proud to become an official licensee of the U.S. Army brand, a worldwide symbol of physical strength, honor and leadership,” says Steve Fischer, Venture Products partner.

All accessories in the new line will undergo review by a certified cross fit trainer, certified personal trainer, and a doctor of physical therapy. This panel of experts will assess the safety and effectiveness of the accessories, along with assisting in the development of workouts that will target specific muscle groups.

Venture Products’ fitness accessories line includes exercise and equipment mats, speed and conditioning ropes, wrist and ankle weights, weighted vests, strengthening and toning accessories, massage rollers and much more.

venture-products.com

Tags: US Army, Venture Products
Posted in Industry | 11 Comments »

US Army Birthday Book

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

In celebration of the US Army’s upcoming 239th birthday, the US Army has released a digital children’s book titled “Happy Birthday U.S. Army!” which is now available online.

The book, co-written by Mary Ellen Pratt and Donna M. McGrath, both employees of Army Child, Youth and School Services, and illustrated by Cara Embry, features bright, colorful illustrations and tells the history of the U.S. Army through the eyes of a child.

The book can be downloaded here: www.armymwr.com/army-birthday-book

Tags: US Army
Posted in Morale | 5 Comments »

Soldier Reenlists at Tactical Tailor

Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

US Army SPC Zoila Del Rocio Pesantez from Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s 513 Transportation Company reenlisted today at the Tactical Tailor factory. It’s where her mother works and it’s quite fitting to see a company founded by Veterans like TT host such a ceremony.