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Army Combat Uniform
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The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army. It is the successor to the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) and Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) worn during the 1980s and 1990s. It features a number of design changes, as well as a different camouflage pattern from its predecessor.
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The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army. It is the successor to the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) and Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) worn during the 1980s and 1990s. It features a number of design changes, as well as a different camouflage pattern from its predecessor. The ACU and its component materials are manufactured by the existing industrial infrastructure which produced the now-obsolete BDU.
Universal Camouflage Pattern
The ACU uses a new military camouflage pattern called the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), which blends green, tan, and gray to work effectively in desert, woodland, and urban environments. Similar to the United States Marine Corps MARPAT and Canadian CADPAT camouflage schemes that preceded it, the pattern design is based on research into Dual Texture (Dual-Tex) Camouflage conducted in the 1970s.
The color scheme of the Army Combat Uniform is composed of a slate gray, desert sand and foliage green digital pattern, which becomes darker or lighter depending on exposure to sunlight. The color black was omitted from the uniform because it is not commonly found in nature. Pure black, when viewed through night vision goggles, appears excessively dark and creates an undesirable high-contrast image.
The ACU
Soldiers have reported that the nylon cotton fabric does breathe better than the cotton Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCUs) and results in a cooler uniform in high temperature climates.
The uniform features hook and pile fasteners on the pockets.
The cost to each soldier is $76 per uniform, compared to $58 for a BDU, but clothing allowances in soldiers' pay have been adjusted to compensate for the increased cost. Insignia and tags, such as name and branch tapes, are extra purchases. Uniforms purchased from commercial websites and surplus stores that sell to the general public do not include the IR squares, which are restricted to military personnel because of their sensitive nature.
Jacket
The ACU jacket uses Velcro-backed attachments to secure items such as name tapes, rank insignia, and shoulder patches and tabs, as well as recognition devices such as the American flag patch and the infrared (IR) tab.
Near Infrared (NIR) Signature Management Technology is incorporated to minimize the infrared silhouette. Permanent IR IFF squares are sewn to each shoulder to help identify friendly personnel when night vision devices are used, and are protected by Velcro tabs in garrison or when not in use.
Three US flag insignia are authorized for wear with the ACU: full-color, full-color IR, and subdued IR. The US flag insignia (full-color or subdued) is worn on the right shoulder pocket flap of the ACU coat. The subdued version is only worn as directed under tactical or field conditions.
The jacket's Mandarin collar is worn up in combat to fit with the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) body armor, and worn in the down position otherwise. The front closure is zippered and reinforced with velcro, designed for use with OTV. The tilted chest pockets, cuffs, and elbow pad insert pockets also utilize hook-and-loop closure. There is a three slot pen pocket on the left arm of the jacket, and blouse bellows for increased mobility.
Only pin-on skills badges are authorized for wear on the ACU, and no more than 5 may be worn at any one time. Skills tabs, such as the President's Hundred Tab, Special Forces, Ranger, and Sapper are worn on the left sleeve pocket flap, and are subject to a 3 tab only rule. A tab that is an integral part of a unit patch, such as the "Mountain" or "Airborne" tab, is not counted against the rule. The U.S. Army Chaplain insignia is the only authorized branch insignia to be worn on the ACU. It is centered 1/8 inch above the right name tape. The insignia may be the metal pin-on variety or the black embroidered insignia on digitized fabric with hook and loop (Velcro) fasteners.
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, in contrast with the earlier Army BDU policy which authorized sleeve-folding for the summer uniform.
In the field, the jacket may be replaced by the flame resistant Army Combat Shirt when worn directly under the IOTV.
Field Jacket
The M65 Jacket comes in the ACU pattern. There are no epaulets, unlike the BDU field jacket. All four front pockets are kept, velcro patches were added to the sleeves and front. The jacket has an optional foliage green liner.
Trouser
The ACU trouser is worn with a two-inch nylon web belt (Rigger's Belt), and features Velcro pouches for knee pad inserts, two forward-tilted thigh storage pockets with elastic drawstring and Velcro for closure during movement, and two calf storage pockets one on each pant leg with a Velcro closure. In addition, the pants legs can be bloused and must not extend past the third eyelet of the boots as per AR 670-1. Army Combat Pants, which are identical to the ACU trousers except for their flame resistant materials, are being issued for use in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Headwear
In the field, the ACU is worn with the MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet, a patrol cap, or a boonie hat as appropriate. In garrison, the maroon paratrooper, tan United States Army Rangers, green United States Army Special Forces or black conventional unit beret or patrol cap is worn. The patrol cap is a straight-sided, flat-topped soft cap, with a double thick bill and internal pocket. The nametape is worn on the back of the patrol cap. Sew-on rank is recommended but pin-on rank is authorized on the ACU Patrol Cap and ACU Boonie Hat. The MICH (Modular Integrated Communications Helmet) Camouflage cover rank must be sewn on if worn but is often not used as the Night Vision Device mount would obstruct it.
T-Shirt
The ACU is worn with a moisture-wicking sand colored T-shirt. A Foliage Green T-shirt, which is 100% cotton, has been authorized for wear by select soldiers.
Footwear
The ACU is worn with tan rough-out combat boots and moisture wicking socks. Commercial versions of this boot are authorized without limitation, fitting with the following regulation: be at least 8 inches in height, be made of tan rough side out cattle hide leather with a plain toe and tan rubber outsoles, and be without zippers, metal cleats, or side tabs. While originally using full-length shoelaces like the older boots, the new boots now come in a version using a two-part closure system which consists of velcro straps at the top and a belt buckle-type closure further down.
Uniform care
Although common practice (though not required by regulation) with the BDUs, ACUs are not to be starched. As per the ALARACT message in effect until a new revision of AR 670-1 is released, "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."
Starching the uniform has been shown to cause discoloration. It enhances the IR signature, making the uniform brighter when viewed with night vision goggles.
In the past, 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 Devices. However, these instructions have been retracted.
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, requiring the use of cleaning brushes for clearing the velcro as part of daily maintenance. Zippers have also been a topic of concern. Soldiers also express concern because the zippers (as with any zipper) can bind up, and render the uniform uncomfortable to wear, especially with Body Armor. 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."
Initial fielding
The process of replacing the Army's Woodland (in use since 1982) and Three Color Desert pattern BDU with the ACU was to begin in April 2005; however, the process began two months earlier through the Rapid Fielding Initiative. Soldiers from the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were the first Army unit, active or reserve, to receive the ACU, subsequently deploying the entire Brigade into OIF combat in May 2005. Initial reception of the ACU was mixed, with complaints of insufficient durability and excessive maintenance. The use of multiple camouflage patterns within an organization is now seldom seen, as the ACU has been widely fielded.
See also
Sources
External links
- [https://peosoldier.army.mil Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier]
- [https://peosoldier.army.mil/factsheets/SEQ_CIE_ACU.pdf PEO Soldier- Army Combat Uniform Factsheet]
- [https://peosoldier.army.mil/faqs.asp#ACU PEO Soldier- Army Combat Uniform FAQ]
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- - details of proper wear and care of the ACU
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