New army combat uniform to debut

Army Reserve Magazine, Summer, 2004

The new Army Combat Uniform (ACU) was presented to senior Army leadership in December 2003, for potential Army fielding. In April 2004, after review by the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), the Program Executive Office (PEO) was directed to begin fielding the uniform to deploying units by April 2005, and to complete fielding to the entire Army by December 2007.

The ACU is being produced in a new Universal Camouflage "pixilated" scheme similar to the U.S. Marine Corps pattern. It has been designed for functionality and ergonomics, and to enhance Soldiers' performance and safety.

The new ACU is the culmination of many months of research and development, and is the uniform of choice by the overwhelming majority of the Army's leaders and Soldiers. Developed with direct and continuous input from Army Soldiers, the new ACU has been embraced by the Army's rank and file. The uniform will replace multiple versions of the current woodland and desert pattern battle dress uniforms (the Temperate/Hot Weather Battle Dress Uniforms and the Desert Camouflage Uniform) and will be easy to maintain, thereby decreasing out-of-pocket costs to Soldiers.

All Soldiers in the Active and Reserve Components, regardless of unit or function, will be issued the new uniform by December 2007. The ACU consists of trousers, a coat and a patrol cap. The cost of the ACU coat and trousers will be approximately $44.00 each, while the cap is expected to cost approximately $5.00. Given the anticipated increase in uniform cost, the Deputy Chief of Staff G4 is working with the Program Manager Soldier Equipment, the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff G1, and the Army Budget Office to determine if there will be an increase to the fiscal year 2006 Clothing Replacement Allowance for the ACU.

The basis of issue for the ACU will be the same as for the BDU. Four ACUs will be issued to new Soldiers in Initial Entry Training. The basis of issue for military schools also will remain at four. Made with the same nylon/cotton rip-stop fabric as the current Enhanced Hot Weather BDU, the new ACU has an estimated wear-life of six months.

Deploying enlisted Soldiers and officers will be issued ACUs at the Army's expense as an organizational issued item. Enlisted Soldiers (Active Army Clothing Bag), U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers and National Guard Soldiers will receive an initial issue of four ACUs. Already Active Army enlisted Soldiers receive a Clothing Replacement Allowance with which to buy replacement uniforms. Officers will buy the ACU at their own expense from the Army Military Clothing Sales Stores.

Some items (patrol cap, tan boots and T-shirts) are expected to be introduced concurrently with the new ACU. Other Army woodland and desert pattern items will be evaluated to determine an appropriate single color or pattern. Specific timelines have yet to be determined.

Residual stocks of BDUs will be sold or issued until exhausted and their wear-out date will be established based upon when stocks are exhausted. The wear-out date will provide an adequate amount of time for Soldiers to procure the ACU. Production ramp-up of the new ACU will cause production of the BDU to end in early fiscal year 2006.

For more information, visit the PEO Soldier Web site (https://peosoldier.army.mil) or contact Maj. Gary Tallman, OCPA/MRD, 703-697-4314, or Debi Dawson, PEO Soldier, 703-704-2802.