 Two soldiers wearing the ACU. The Army Combat Uniform, or ACU, is a new combat uniform (battledress) to be worn by the United States Army. It uses a new camouflage pattern called universal camouflage pattern, or UCP. It blends green, tan, and gray to work effectively in woodland, desert, and urban environments. It also features numerous design improvements based on input from soldiers. Combate Naval de Iquique - oil on canvas painting by Thomas Somerscales, XIX century Combat, or fighting, is purposeful violent conflict between one or more persons or organizations, often intended to establish dominance over the opposition. ...
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organisation whilst participating in that organisations activity. ...
US Army soldiers wearing the new Army Combat Uniform, Desert Camouflage Uniform, and a World War II-era uniform (L to R) Battledress is a general term for the military uniform worn into combat, as opposed to display dress and formal uniforms worn at parades and functions. ...
The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States armed forces and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...
Camouflage became an essential part of modern military tactics after the increase in accuracy and rate of fire of weapons at the end of the 19th century. ...
Modern soldiers. ...
The process of replacing the Army's current BDU "woodland" pattern (used since 1981) with the ACU was to begin in April 2005; however, the process actually began two months earlier through the Rapid Fielding Initiative and is scheduled to be completed by December 2007. Currently, multiple camouflage patterns and caps are in use at Army posts. It has been suggested that Desert Camouflage Uniform be merged into this article or section. ...
April 2005 : ↠- January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December - → Hamas and Islamic Jihad have declared, in principle, their intention to join the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). ...
December 2007 is the twelfth month of that year and has yet to occur. ...
The ACU and its component materials will be manufactured by the existing industrial infrastructure in the U.S., which produces the current battle dress uniform. It has been suggested that Desert Camouflage Uniform be merged into this article or section. ...
The ACU
- Patrol cap: a straight-sided, flat-topped soft cap, with a double thick bill and internal pocket. Nametapes are now worn on the back of the patrol cap. The ACU, like the BDU, is worn with the black beret in garrison; the patrol cap may be authorized for the field by the unit commander when wear of the helmet is not necessary.
- Jacket:
- Hook fastener-backed U.S. Army and last name tapes
- Hook fastener-backed rank insignia over the breastbone.
- Loop fastener-faced shoulder pockets for unit patches, skill tabs, and recognition devices, such as the infrared (IR) feedback American flag - this provides day and night recognition for Identification friend or foe (IFF).
- Permanent infrared (IR) IFF squares are sewn to each shoulder for nighttime identification.
- Mandarin collar, worn up in combat to fit with the Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) body armor, worn in the down position otherwise.
- Zippered front closure, reinforced with hook and loop fasteners, designed for use with OTV.
- Tilted chest pockets with hook-and-loop closure, to fit with the OTV.
- Blouse bellows for increased mobility.
- Hook-and-loop cuff closures.
- Three-slot pen pocket on the left arm for use with the OTV.
- Elbow pouches for elbow pad inserts.
- Moisture-wicking tan T-shirt or brown T-shirt.
- Two-inch tan nylon web belt (Rigger's Belt)
- Trouser:
- Knee pouches for knee pad inserts.
- Two forward-tilted thigh storage pockets with elastic drawstring and hook-and-loop tape for closure during movement.
- Two calf storage pockets with hook-and-loop closure, one on each leg; the pockets are bellowsed.
- Moisture-wicking socks
- Tan suede combat boots, either hot weather or temperate weather versions.
- Infra-red identification squares. These reflect IR and can be seen with night-vision devices. They can be protected by velcro tabs when not in use.
The Personal Armor System Ground Troops Helmet (PASGT, pronounced Pass-get)—also known as the Fritz helmet after its resemblance to the German Stahlhelm—is a Kevlar helmet issued as standard infantry combat wear in the US Military. ...
Velcro: hooks (left) and loops (right). ...
The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States armed forces and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...
Image of two girls in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves. ...
Flag ratio: 7:12; nicknames: Stars and Stripes, Old Glory The flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars...
In telecommunications, identification, friend or foe (IFF) is a crypto identification system designed for command and control. ...
Image of two girls in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves. ...
A mandarin collar is a short unfolded stand-up collar style on a shirt or jacket. ...
Image of a small dog taken in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than visible light, but shorter than microwave radiation. ...
Notes The color black was omitted from the uniform because it is not commonly found in nature [1]. Pure black, when viewed through night vision goggles, appears excessively dark and creates an undesirable high-contrast image.
The olive drab, tan, and green battle dress uniforms are now replaced by a neutral gray-green and light tan with dapples.
In combat, the gray would tend to match the environment after use; for example, dust could cover up the gray. Gray is also a neutral color and thus, does not tend to catch the eye as more saturated colors would. Body armor is being made to match the camouflage, although it is not in common use yet as the Army transitions to the new uniform. Often, body armor is mismatched with components of the desert uniform and is replaced when units get the new body armor in the form of conversion kits that allow the current armor's camouflage material to be replaced by the ACU style material. ...
The cost to each soldier is $76 per uniform, as compared to $58 for a BDU, but clothing allowances in soldiers' pay have been adjusted to compensate for the more expensive uniform. All insignia is at an extra cost, as are name tapes and branch tapes. Soldiers who purchase uniforms from websites or surplus stores generally have to purchase IR squares to be sewn on. ISO 4217 Code USD User(s) the United States, the British Indian Ocean Territory[1], the British Virgin Islands, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the insular areas of the United States Inflation 2. ...
It has been suggested that Desert Camouflage Uniform be merged into this article or section. ...
The pattern expected to be the future replacement of the ACU's UCP is MultiCam. Multicam is a camouflage pattern developed by Crye Precision with the US Army Natick Soldier Research Center for the Future Force Warrior portion of the Future Combat Systems program, not the Army Combat Uniform program as is commonly thought. ...
Proper wear In garrison, the red, white, and blue flag of the United States of America is worn instead of the subdued infrared-absorbent version. Subdued unit patches are always worn. The full-color U.S. flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag’s own right. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward. The appropriate replica for the right shoulder sleeve is identified as the reverse side flag.
Special skill badges worn are of a pin-on variety only. The skill tabs, which are the President's Hundred Tab, Ranger, Sapper, and Special Forces are worn on the left sleeve pocket flap. Out of the four authorized skill tabs, only 3 may be worn at any one time on the ACU. A tab that is an integral part of a unit patch, such as the "mountain" or "airborne" tab, is not counted against the 3 tab only rule. The Army Black Beret is authorized for use with the ACU. The Presidents Hundred Tab The Presidents Hundred Tab, a full-color embroidered tab of yellow 4 1/4 inches (10. ...
Ranger Tab The Ranger Tab is a military decoration of the United States Army which signifies completion of the U.S. Army Ranger School, a three month course providing instruction in small-unit combat tactics in woodland, mountain, and swamp operations. ...
The Sapper Tab is a military badge of the United States Army which was authorized in June 2004 by the Army Chief of Staff, General Peter Schoomaker. ...
Special Forces Tab The Special Forces Tab is a decoration of the United States Army which is awarded to any service member who completes the Special Forces Qualification Course, or the Special Forces Officer Course, at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. ...
Basque style Beret Black beret with military emblem A beret (pronounced in English, except in American English in which it is pronounced ) is a soft round cap, usually of wool felt, with a flat crown, which is worn by both men and women. ...
Sewn on rank is only authorized on the ACU Patrol Cap, ACU Boonie Hat, and Kevlar Camouflage cover.
The U.S. Army Chaplaincy insigne is the only authorized branch insigne to be worn on the ACU. It is centered 1/8 inch above the U.S. Army name tape. The insignia must be pinned on, versus sewn on.
In garrison, the infrared (IR) squares are to be covered with the tabs. In the field, the tabs can be folded back and hook-fastened to the underside of the pocket flap, exposing the IR squares(see above section). Image of two girls in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves. ...
The Army Combat Uniform, or ACU, is a new combat uniform (battledress) to be worn by the United States Army. ...
Unlike what was common (though not required by regulation) with the BDUs, ACUs are not to be starched. As per the ALARACT message amending AR 670-1, "Soldiers will not starch the Army Combat Uniform under any circumstances. The use of starch, sizing, and any process that involves dry-cleaning or steam press will adversely affect the treatments and durability of the uniform and is not authorized."
The jacket is worn hook fastened and zipped. The Mandarin collar is normally worn down. The jacket must not extend below the top of the cargo pocket and must not be higher than the bottom of the side pocket.
Sleeves will be worn down at all times. Unlike with BDUs, rolling sleeves is not permitted.
The hook fasteners for internal pads on the elbows and knees must be closed at all times.
In addition the pants legs must be bloused and must not extend past the third eyelet of the boots as per AR 670-1
Uniform care Starching the uniform has been shown to cause discoloration. In addition, personnel have been instructed that the uniform must be washed with a mild detergent that does not contain "optical brighteners." Detergents with optical brighteners may cause discoloration of the uniform, which would nullify the purpose of the very specific camouflage design and result in possible unwanted detection of personnel using the uniforms in combat. Some detergents have phosphorescent properties which enhance an enemy's ability to see the soldier when viewed with Night Vision Goggles. Soldiers have expressed concern about the velcro on the ACU. Dirt and mud can clog the hooks and loops or they can wear out with use. According to the Program Executive Office Soldier "Commercial Velcro will be sold in clothing sales for the repair/ replacement of Velcro. Additionally soldiers have been using the small weapons cleaning brush to clean out any sand and dirt from the pile and it has been working very well."[2] Optical brighteners, optical brightening agents, fluorescent brightening agents or fluorescent whitening agents are dyes that absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and re-emit light in the blue region. ...
See also An infant Cuttlefish blends into the surrounding sand substrate. ...
It has been suggested that Desert Camouflage Uniform be merged into this article or section. ...
These BDU pants have the chocolate-chip camouflage pattern. ...
The Desert Camoflage Uniform (DCU) is essentially the same as the US Armys Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) uniform, only featuring the three-color desert camoflage pattern of light tan, pale green, and brown as opposed to the dark green, black, brown, and dark tan of the BDUs woodland...
Woodland MARPAT uniform (shirt and boonie hat). ...
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces to global crises. ...
A sample of the temperate woodland CADPAT design. ...
The Canadian Forces (CF) (Fr: Forces canadiennes (FC)) are the combined branches of the military of Canada. ...
The Airman Battle Uniform. ...
Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ...
Interceptor body armor in woodland camouflage with groin and neck protector. ...
Example of camouflage. ...
External links |
Feeds |
Contact