The Army Combat Shirt.

The Army Combat Shirt, or ACS is a flame-resistant shirt developed for the United States Army as an addition to the Army Combat Uniform. The ACS is a stand-alone shirt designed specifically for use with Interceptor Body Armor in warm and hot weather. The ACS is intended to greatly increase user comfort through the use of lightweight, moisture-wicking, and breathable fabrics. The ACS was created in conjunction with the USMC's Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG). The ACS, in conjunction with the Army Combat Pants, provides head-to-toe protection against burns. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... Two soldiers wearing the ACU, as well as ACU-patterned patrol cap (left) and boonie hat (right). ... Interceptor body armor in woodland camouflage with groin and neck protector. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the second smallest of the five branches of the United States armed forces, with 170,000 active and 40,000 reserve Marines as of 2002. ... Flame Resistant Organizational Gear or FROG is United States Marine Corps clothing designed to reduce the number of injuries resulting from fire and flash, due to the increased use of IEDs in the Iraq War. ...

Design

The torso of the shirt is foliage green with the Army Strong logo centered on the chest; the arms are in the Army Combat Uniform's universal camouflage pattern with integrated anti-abrasion elbow pads. No-seam shoulders minimize rubbing or chafing against armor. Other features include a double pen pocket on the lower arm, zippered storage pockets on the upper arm, concealable infrared identification tabs, and a place to attach name, rank, and flag on the upper arm. Army Strong is a recruiting slogan that is used by the United States Army. ... Two soldiers wearing the ACU, as well as ACU-patterned patrol cap (left) and boonie hat (right). ... Countershaded Ibex are almost invisible in the Israeli desert. ...

The ACS is constructed of three flame-resistant performance fabrics proprietary to Massif Mountain Gear Company. The shirt’s torso is constructed of two highly breathable flame-resistant fabrics with advanced moisture management capabilities. Both fabrics wick moisture away from the skin and dry rapidly, preventing the fabrics from sticking to the user’s skin and greatly increasing comfort under body armor. The sleeves and side panels of the shirt are constructed of a lightweight, but durable and abrasion-resistant fabric (in the Army Combat Uniform’s Universal Camouflage Print) designed to provide extra protection for areas not protected by body armor. All three fabrics feature 4-way stretch for enhanced performance and user comfort.

Background

Traditionally, flame-resistant uniforms have been reserved for military personnel such as aviators, fuel handlers and combat vehicle crew who were most likely to encounter fuel-related fires. However, the increasing frequency of improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan and Iraq has greatly increased the number of troops in need of flame-resistant clothing and uniforms. In January 2007, the Army began shipping 160,000 flame-resistant Nomex® uniforms for soldiers assigned to at-risk convoy operations. However, the Nomex uniforms restricted air movement more than the traditional Cotton/Nylon ACU and were hotter for soldiers to wear. Army equipment officials developed the ACS to provide soldiers with a lightweight, breathable alternative to the Nomex ACU. Explosive devices, as used by terrorists, guerrillas or commando forces, are formally known as Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs. ... NOMEX® is the brand name of a flame retardant meta-aramid material marketed and first discovered by DuPont in the 1970s. ... NOMEX® is the brand name of a flame retardant meta-aramid material marketed and first discovered by DuPont in the 1970s. ... NOMEX® is the brand name of a flame retardant meta-aramid material marketed and first discovered by DuPont in the 1970s. ...

See Also

• Army Combat Uniform
• Interceptor Body Armor
• Flame Resistant Organizational Gear

Two soldiers wearing the ACU, as well as ACU-patterned patrol cap (left) and boonie hat (right). ... Interceptor body armor in woodland camouflage with groin and neck protector. ... Flame Resistant Organizational Gear or FROG is United States Marine Corps clothing designed to reduce the number of injuries resulting from fire and flash, due to the increased use of IEDs in the Iraq War. ...

References

• PEO Soldier to Unveil New Army Combat Shirt by Debi Dawson, 4 May 2007
• USMC Program Manager FROG brief
• New Fireproof Army Shirt More Breathable by Matthew Cox, 19 September 2007
• [Matthew Cox, "Stopping the Burn," Army Times, 7 May 2007]

External Links

• Massif Mountain Gear Company
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