The US Army Uniform
With the season of shows not that far away, and certainly with us all looking forward to Beltring especially, I have put this item out for dissemination amongst us, to help us look the part and maintain accuracy in what we portray. For those of us that have seen Beltring, I think we would all agree that the amount of attention to detail by all the living history/re-enactors groups is pretty spectacular to say the least. It is easy to see just how far people go to ensure they get it right because with a show such as Beltring, the hundreds of "experts" will far more quickly cast you the critical eye long before anybody else gives us the thumbs up. There is nothing worse than having one of these so called "know it all-know nothings" types just come along and with just one stupid comment, rain on your day after the work and money that you yourself have put in. Believe Andy and Me, we’ve dealt with these people!!!
To that end, I have poured over some of the U.S.AMY UNIFORM REGULATIONS, in particular the UNIFORM AND APPEARANCE and taken out some of the basics in order that we get it just spot on and not only to look professional and keep those "experts" at bay, but more to the fact that if we are going to represent the modern combat soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) we will do it respectfully, accurately and in a manner befitting those that have fallen in harm’s way whilst on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe it to them.
The good thing with modern ACU and such like, is that we couldn’t have it any easier in regard to mobile phones, thermo flasks, iPods, radio and music and even the BBQ. The uniforms are comfortable to wear, modern fabrics ensure we are happy in any weather condition and to only have to stick some patches on with Velcro, how much easier could we have it? How many world war2 soldiers stood on the beaches of Normandy on mobile phones telling family and friends they've just landed!!
To that end, I will describe some of the basic requirements from the regulations in the following text. I will also put some pictures on as well in case anybody is not too sure, it provides a basic "quick look" guide so we look how we should. In all fairness, I think overall we are almost 'spot on' but as I have found out myself, it’s the small things that make a difference and I myself have made mistakes in just what is what and where it does or doesn’t go.
Basic courtesy
When entering a public building, any headdress is to be removed on entry and then replaced as you are about to exit the building. All headdresses are to be worn squarely and central upon the head. This is basically for the beret and the patrol cap.
When in public, correct titles of rank and last names are used. E.g. Good morning Major Goodman........Good morning Sergeant 1st class (Stafford)
Respectful towards civilians (holding doors open, that kind of thing!)
Keep ourselves in a tidy manor (Look Sharp! is the phrase) and that of our surroundings, litter always trashed, I don’t think we have a problem there.
Uniform
Headdress
Beret. A standard Army black beret with the Army flash of blue with white stars on the edge. All soldiers and NCOs to wear the unit DI pinned centrally in the flash. Officers are to wear silver/gold rank, again pinned centrally in the flash.
• Patrol Cap. ACU patrol cap, usually worn in the field when not in combat dress. Rank by all soldiers/officers will be worn centrally on the front. This can be either Black metal pin-on or stitched. On the rear of the patrol cap, a Velcro ACU nametape is attached by the wearer. Peak should be formed and hat worm squarely on the head (in other words, not like a rapper’s baseball cap!)
• Helmet MICH/ACH Kevlar. This is worn when in full field combat dress and is part of the Personal Body armour System. Regulation is that it is also worn when in transport, e.g. M35 truck, humvee, when in transport off base or in the field. On the helmet is fitted an ACU cover. Retainer straps can be fitted to the rear of the helmet (Or Para cords) to help keep goggles, helmet band in place. A night
vision mount can be attached to the front, either with a strap or screw fixed to the helmet directly. Chin straps to be fastened at all times (forget Kelly’s Heroes!!) On each side of the helmet is a black coloured heart. This represents the 502 Infantry Regt (2nd Brigade Combat team)
• Jungle Hat. This is worn in the field, usually when the helmet is removed. As with the patrol cap, rank is worn by all ranks, either sewn on or pin-on black metal, front and centred. Although a Velcro attachment IS NOT fitted to the rear, it is quiet common for a soldier to sew a nametape onto the rear. This hat can be authorised for wear by local command in hot climates or if humid conditions persist.
• Fleece Hat. This item is part of the ECWCS (Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System) it is made of micro-fleece pile fibre and foliage green or black in colour. It can be worn under the Helmet or in areas where temperature remains cold.
P.T. Training Kit
• Upper Body. P.T. Uniform is standard for all ranks regardless. There are 3 types of upper body kit to be used. A T-Shirt, grey in colour, and on the front the word "ARMY" and on the rear, a large "A". These are printed in a reflective print and the shirts can either be short sleeve or long sleeve. The cold weather/warm-up jacket again is grey in colour, a zipper closure up the front with the word "ARMY" in black embroidered on the top left of the chest. A large V-shape is present on the front and rear. This looks black in colour during daylight but is in fact reflective when seen at night.
• Lower Body. Shorts are black in colour with the word "ARMY" in reflective print on the left side. Sometimes, a Unit patch is sewn above the ARMY logo. Tracksuit bottoms can also be worn. These are again, plain black in colour with no print however again; a Unit patch may be sewn onto the upper left part of the wearer’s leg.
ECWCS (Warm Clothing and Gore-Tex)
• Jacket. There are 2 types of Gore-Tex jacket in use with the USARMY. These are the "Generation II" and "Generation III" There is sight differences in each, the most notable being on the older Gen II, it has a large fixed hood and inside, a fleece can be zippered in. On the new type Gen III, the hood is rolled into a deep collar and it is worn with a separate fleece jacket if needed. On each jacket, there are sleeve and lower pockets and a press studded flap centred on the chest to affix the Gore-Tex rank tab. On the pocket flap of the upper left sleeve, a name tape is sewn on. These are the only patches on the jackets.
• Trousers. Gore-Tex trousers can be worn over standard ACU combat trousers. These have a draw cord closure around the hips and a zipper from knee to ground on the left and right side so they can be taken on and off over combat boots.
• Fleece jacket. A polar Tec fleece jacket is to be worn under the Gore-Tex jacket or soft shell jacket. It is foliage green in colour with reinforced shoulder and elbow patched. On the front chest are Velcro attachments to apply a USARMY on the left side, as you wear it and on the right side a nametape and above, centred over the nametape, a rank. This is common to all ranks.
ACU (Army Combat Uniform)
• Jacket. ACU jackets are the main part of the uniform that we will wear mostly. There is Velcro on the upper part of each sleeve to attach Unit/National Flag/Blood type and on the front upper chest part, attachments for USARMY and Nametape. Again, a rank attachment front and centred on the chest for all ranks. On the upper left sleeve Velcro, a current Unit Divisional patch is worn, in our case a 101st Airborne Division patch. A qualification rocker, e.g. Recon, K-9, Ranger, may be worn above the divisional patch. Also, a blood type, either in I.R. (Infra-red) or ACU can be worn upper or lower most. On the right sleeve, uppermost on the pocket flap, a National flag is worn. Regular wear; it will be full colour, reversed stars in either regular or I.R. patch. NO OTHER TYPE IS AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR. In combat dress, either a reversed colour flag or I.R. flag (plastic type) can be worn. Again, no other variation of the National flag can be worn. Below the flag, a "combat patch" can be worn when duration of 30days or more has been served under either the current unit or of a previous unit. If a soldier has met these requirements with 2 or more previous units, a choice can be made as to which patch is worn. Please note these are DIVISIONAL UNITS ONLY! No authority whatsoever is given to the wearing of coloured patches, commemorative patches, special operations or "I’m an infidel" type made up patch!! Sleeves are to be worn completely down. No rolled up cuffs. This regulation is for all climates. Above the USARMY, qualification and skills badges in black metal pin-on may be pinned for display however NO MORE THAN THREE (3) CAN BE WORN AT ANY ONE TIME. Examples of these badges are, CIB, Para Wings, Air Assault, Pathfinder, and Combat Action. However worn, the CIB (Combat Infantryman Badge) if received will be worn uppermost above all other qualifications.
• Combat Trousers. ACU Combat trousers are multi function, specifically designed for soldiers use in order to carry a multitude of kit and equipment. In recent years, a nametape can be worn, sewn over the top edge of the right rear hip pocket. A belt can be worn around the waist in either black or sand.
• T-Shirt. A T-Shirt is to worn at all times under the ACU Jacket. There are two colours authorized for wear, sand and foliage green however sand is the most common.
• Boots. These are "desert" type boots and in recent years, the USARMY has made significant improvements for soldier’s Combat boots. There are some good manufacturers of issue boots such as Altama, Danner, Belleville and plenty of private purchase boots available. As long they are desert boots, all will fit into place.
There are some types of ACU clothing that may be worn, notably:
• Soft Shell Jacket
• M-65 Combat Jacket
• MA-1 Pilots Jacket
I will describe these at a later stage but as a guide, all patches, ranks, nametapes etc. come under the same regulation as the ACU Jacket.
Combat wear
In this section, I will briefly describe the kit that makes the combat wear. This includes the OTV (Outer Tactical Vest) Body armour and the UBACS (Under Body Armour Clothing System) shirt.
• OTV Body Armour. This is a multi function item of personal protective kit. It is MOLLE based which means all attached kit can be placed wherever the soldier feels it best suits his individual needs. It has detachable sleeves, collar and groin protection and can be worn however the soldier best feels however, in combat situations, local command may stipulate a minimum wearing of each separate item. On each sleeve, there are Velcro panels to attach Unit Divisional Patch, National Flag and blood Types.
• UBACS Shirt. This item of clothing can only be used in harmonization with the OTV Body armour. It consists of moisture wicking body panel front and back and sleeves of ACU material, sometimes reinforced over the rear of the shoulders. There are Velcro panels on the upper part of each sleeve but there is a slight difference as to how the patches are worn on the right sleeve when compared to how a usual ACU shirt patches are worn. The Velcro shows pretty much how the patches go on but I will describe it here. Uppermost, the National Flag (as per regulation) Centre, a rank and Bottom, a nametape.
Combat Packs Sleeping system
There are many different types of pack available to the soldier. These include:
• Field pack
• Deployment bag
• Assault pack
• Med pouch
• Rifle bag
The sleeping system is the 5 piece MOLLE Sleeping system. It is a combination that allows a comfortable sleep covering all climates from Hot/Humid right through to coldest winter. The outer shell of this system is a Gore-Tex Bivi bag in ACU camouflage.
This covers pretty much the basics so as to getting the correct items of clothing, kit and patches all worn in the right time at the right place. This subject is not exhaustive and as development of new kit comes into use, there will always be amendments and updates but as far as we go, this will keep us up to date and in line.
In ALL combat scenarios, eye protection is worn and soldiers do tend to wear eye protection for normal daily duties.
If there are any questions for me, please get in touch and I will always be happy to help.
One last thing, in true USARMY speaks on this issue "LOOK SHARP!"
Best wishes to you all
SFC J. Stafford
HOORAH!
The following websites are perfect for regulation Patches, nametapes and such like. Official USARMY suppliers, USA based and post international to UK:
• www.1800nametape.com
• www.ebay.com (type in ACU on the search and it opens up on some excellent stuff)
Guys, when buying stuff, it is all out there. Stay away from repro if possible, it might be slightly more expensive for original pieces of kit but it is far more worth it in the long run and when comparisons are made to lesser well-made copies, the differences are very clear. Look for original contractor’s labels and NSN equipment codes.