Army Combat Uniform

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The Army Combat Uniform or ACU is the latest combat uniform (battledress) worn by the United States Army. The process of replacing the Army's current Woodland and Three Color Desert pattern BDU (in use since 1981) with the ACU was to begin in April 2005; however, the process 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.

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.

Contents 1 Universal Camouflage Pattern 2 The ACU 2.1 Jacket 2.1.1 Field Jacket 2.2 Trouser 2.3 Headwear 2.4 T-Shirt 2.5 Footwear 3 Uniform care 4 See also 5 External links 6 Sources

[edit] Universal Camouflage Pattern

Main article: Universal Camouflage Pattern

The ACU uses a new military camouflage pattern called the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), commonly called ACUPAT or ARPAT, which blends green, tan, and gray to work effectively in desert, 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.^[1] It also features numerous design improvements based on input from soldiers.

The color scheme of the Army Combat Uniform is composed of a gray, tan and sage green digital pattern. The color black was omitted from the uniform because it is not commonly found in nature.^[2] Pure black, when viewed through night vision goggles, appears excessively dark and creates an undesirable high-contrast image. 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 has been made to match the camouflage.

[edit] The ACU

Soldiers have reported that the nylon cotton fabric does not breathe as well as the cotton Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCUs) and results in a hotter uniform in high temperature climates.^{[citation needed]}

The uniform features hook and loop fasteners on the pockets. Although some concern has been expressed that the noise associated with opening velcro fasteners would give away a soldier's position in the field, this has been determined to be a minor issue that can be negated with correct noise discipline.

Acu ir closed.jpg IR tab closed.

Acu ir open.jpg IR tab opened.

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 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.

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."^[3]

[edit] Jacket

The ACU jacket uses velcro-backed attachment for name tapes, rank insignia, 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). The jacket also features permanent infrared (IR) IFF squares that are sewn to each shoulder for nighttime identification. These reflect infrared light and can be easily seen with night vision devices. They are protected by velcro tabs in garrison or when not in use. In garrison, the red, white, and blue cloth or IR (infrared) velcro-backed flag of the United States of America is worn instead of the subdued infrared version. Subdued (non-full color) unit patches are always worn, as well as a subdued or full-color U.S. flag cloth, or IR replica, positioned so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag's right. This gives the impression that the soldier is advancing into battle with the flag unfurling behind them.^[4]

The jacket's Mandarin collar is worn up in combat to fit with the Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) body armor, and worn in the down position otherwise. The front closure is zippered and reinforced with hook and loop fasteners, 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.

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. 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 U.S. Army Chaplaincy insignia is the only authorized branch insignia to be worn on the ACU. It is centered 1/8 inch above the last name tape. The insignia must be pinned on, not sewn on.

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 or the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, rolling sleeves is not permitted.

In the field, the jacket may be replaced by the flame resistant Army Combat Shirt which is worn directly under Interceptor body armor.^[5]

[edit] Field Jacket

The M65 Jacket now comes in the ACU pattern. The shoulder boards are deleted, the front pockets are kept and large velco patches are added to the sleeves. The liner comes in the default foliage green color.

[edit] 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 hook-and-loop tape for closure during movement, and two bellowed calf storage pockets with hook-and-loop 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.^[6]

[edit] 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, a black 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. Nametapes are worn on the back of the patrol cap. Sew-on rank is recommended but pin-on rank is also 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.

[edit] T-Shirt

The ACU is worn with a moisture-wicking sand T-shirt.

[edit] Footwear

The ACU is worn with tan rough-out combat boots and moisture wicking socks. Commercial versions of this boot are authorized without limitation other than they must be at least 8 inches in height.

[edit] Uniform care

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 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. 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." ^[7]

[edit] See also

• U.S. Army Service Uniform
• Army Combat Shirt
• U.S. Army trial patterns
• Chocolate-chip camouflage
• Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform
• MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet
• Improved Outer Tactical Vest
• Airman Battle Uniform
• List of camouflage patterns

[edit] External links

• GlobalSecurity.org page on ACU (with pictures)
• ACU Brief (ArmyStudyGuide.com) - details of proper wear and care of the ACU
• Army page on ACU
• PEO Soldier- Army Combat Uniform FAQ

[edit] Sources

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