View Full Version : New BDU'S/ACU'S SUCK
Morgan
20 February 2008, 20:45
I've been out for a while. I've seen the new Army ACU's (I think that is what they are called). They suck as far concealment. I work at a military sight in SC and happened to notice a soldier walking in the woods well over a mile from me. I wasn't looking for anyone, but his contrast was ghostly white compared to the February forest of SC. I sure hope you guys hang onto a good pair of BDU'S/ Woodland..... But that's:( just me....
Sharky
21 February 2008, 00:24
BDU's are going away in April I believe.
http://www.socnetcentral.com/vb/showthread.php?t=75144&highlight=April
TPD1280
21 February 2008, 20:44
Sounds to me like he was wearing the wrong color. IIRC, There is a grn/brn/blk set for woodland.
Husker19D30
22 February 2008, 00:17
Sounds to me like he was wearing the wrong color. IIRC, There is a grn/brn/blk set for woodland.
I've heard rumors, but never seen such a pattern myself.
I also dislike the new ACU's, but it's because they don't stand up to day to day wear and tear. The seams rip out, the camo pattern (ineffective as it is) fades quickly becoming worse than useless, and they're worthless in cold weather.
I could go on.
SHOOB
22 February 2008, 00:47
I don't know anything about this company but found this article when looking up ARPAT.
http://www.hyperstealth.com/acupat/
IrishSoldier
24 February 2008, 13:26
Does any one know where to get a good set of ACU's online? With the old
BDU's there where a number of manufacturers that built higher quality BDU's
than standard issue. I dont want to by "proper" ACU's if I don't have to.
Richman
24 February 2008, 14:38
Why would anybody go out and buy a set of ACUs? They suck. But if you insist on getting them go to www.aafes.com if you still have access.
ACU Coat
Price... $36.80
ACU Trousers
Price... $35.70
Terminator2
24 February 2008, 15:08
Works in some environments though...
Hero-Gear
24 February 2008, 16:45
Does any one know where to get a good set of ACU's online? With the old
BDU's there where a number of manufacturers that built higher quality BDU's
than standard issue. I dont want to by "proper" ACU's if I don't have to.
You do realize that Propper International makes the Army's ACUs...right?
Seanmcd82
24 February 2008, 17:00
FYI...... The Battalion I work with here at Liberty is in the process of getting 2 sets of Nomex ACU's for their soldiers who travel outside the wire often.
I am not sure who makes them, but I bet the material would be of better quality than the issue ACU's. With the IED threat over here, I would buy a few sets out if my own pocket if I wore ACU's.
If you check they are probably available through supply.
Sean
Richman
24 February 2008, 18:46
Not the best source but Wikipedia says that the ACU manufacturers include American Apparel, Woolrich, Inc., Bethel Industries, and Propper International.
From what I understand, "official" ones have the IR squares on the uniform sleeve pockets already. It is still a POS uniform regardless.
IrishSoldier
24 February 2008, 22:16
You do realize that Propper International makes the Army's ACUs...right?
No actually I didn't know that. I always had a low opinion of Propper. Does anyone know who is making the nomex variant?
Jundy
Hero-Gear
24 February 2008, 23:53
No actually I didn't know that. I always had a low opinion of Propper. Does anyone know who is making the nomex variant?
Jundy
Really?
How did you come to this opinion?
If you don't like Propper, you must absolutely HATE TruSpec.
FYI:
Propper has licensed the ITS system from Blackhawk and will be offering it for both DoD and commercial sales.
http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=87IT06
(Propper is also making the Blackhawk branded product)
Tracker275
29 February 2008, 12:49
Honestly, it would have made more sense to just use what the Marines have.
Secondly, it cracks me up. We are supposed to be focusing on becoming a "Joint" force. We are so "Joint" that every service now has their own uniform, where as before, everyone wore the same thing...the BDU.
And we wonder where the money goes....:rolleyes:
McTavish
28 March 2008, 03:43
my recommendation, if you have no unit constraints, TADgear's Force 10
BDU's are awesome...in ripstop and comes in Crye also! Tops and bottoms.
http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/apparel%20main/tad_gear_force_10_cargo_utilities.htm
RGR.Montcalm
28 March 2008, 10:26
Sounds to me like he was wearing the wrong color. IIRC, There is a grn/brn/blk set for woodland.
You're confusing ACU's with MARPAT; MARPAT comes in desert and woodland- go figure...
The worst part of all this is that evidently ARMY DOL doesn't think we're ever going to fight in the woods again soon. Everything is now ACU pattern from rucksacks to bivy covers for sleeping bags.
I can remeber nearly tripping over a sleeping soldier in a woodland pattern sleeping bag with the woodland bivy cover on it because some leaves had fallen on him overnight. Won't happen in the ACU pattern:rolleyes:
RGR.Montcalm
28 March 2008, 10:27
Works in some environments though...
That has to be the ugliest couch I have ever seen:D :D
BertF
28 March 2008, 11:26
I used to buy my BDUs at West Point. I know they are all supposed to be from the same makers and the standards are the same for everyone...but the officer's BDUs always seemed to be better made and the colors brighter than in the Clothing Sales Store. I don't think it was my imagination.
Does any one know where to get a good set of ACU's online? With the old
BDU's there where a number of manufacturers that built higher quality BDU's
than standard issue. I dont want to by "proper" ACU's if I don't have to.
regular.joe
28 March 2008, 23:45
We are supposed to be focusing on becoming a "Joint" force.
I think you spelled joint wrong...thats A. r. m. y.
skirmishline
30 March 2008, 00:24
ACUs are pretty good in western rangeland environments. They're the best stuff in sagebrush I've ever seen. So hey, the Army is all set to fight in Wyoming and Nevada! :rolleyes: :D
Overall, I think the multicam looks like it might do a lot better than any digital pattern, USMC included.
Ever notice that Israel just sticks with solid olive?
bfinelle
11 May 2008, 22:26
Let me know if I'm out of line, but in my experience with just playing paint ball with my Army recruiter and Marine buddies (I know its paint ball and not real war, but its as close as I get before I graduate college) the old BDU's don't conceal as well as the digital pattern or when I just wear straight up green. I think some of it has to do with one's ability to use their surroundings to their advantage, but overall, the BDU's just don't seem to do as well.
Like I said, just my worthless experience, and let me know if I should just shut up.
Billy L-bach
12 May 2008, 04:05
Uniform color isn't really as big a deal as it used to be...
...at least not when your armored vehicle can be seen from outer space.
Hot Mess
12 May 2008, 07:16
Let me know if I'm out of line, but in my experience with just playing paint ball with my Army recruiter and Marine buddies (I know its paint ball and not real war, but its as close as I get before I graduate college) the old BDU's don't conceal as well as the digital pattern or when I just wear straight up green. I think some of it has to do with one's ability to use their surroundings to their advantage, but overall, the BDU's just don't seem to do as well.
Like I said, just my worthless experience, and let me know if I should just shut up.
Pretty much:rolleyes:
Why would anybody go out and buy a set of ACUs?
LOL.....he will probably have to have them custom made. If you knew how big he was you'd understand. Think Chris Schott + 50%. Not fat, just big.
Heard a rumor the other day that the ACU's are already going to be phased out and they already have selected Multicam. Like I said, I just heard a rumor.
Wouldn't that be nice!
Something tells me it'll take at least 5 years.
CombatWombat
30 May 2008, 09:31
Heard a rumor the other day that the ACU's are already going to be phased out and they already have selected Multicam. Like I said, I just heard a rumor.
That's probably because the Force XXI and Army After Next promo videos are all shot with actors in Multicam. I wouldn't count on a change away from ACU anytime soon.
RGR.Montcalm
30 May 2008, 17:23
Heard a rumor the other day that the ACU's are already going to be phased out and they already have selected Multicam. Like I said, I just heard a rumor.
Not likely, since they have produced EVERYTHING in ACU digital from IBA's to rucksacks and sleeping bags in that funky gray/green color with an ACU bivy :rolleyes:. That's real tactical!
Richman
5 June 2008, 10:09
Freaking velco ripped off the fabric again. I'm going to have these name tapes sewn on and buttons added to my cargo pockets. BTW, the zippers are not commercially available (correct version anyway) so if it breaks the cheapest way to fix is is to velcro the entire front!
On a side note, you can buy the multicam version of the ACU now. I forgot which website it was on....
I'm going to have these name tapes sewn on and buttons added to my cargo pockets
Getting ready to drop a couple sets of mine to have this done.
25 ID did it right in OIF 3, they mod'd the DCU, pockets on the sleaves, velcro for the unit patch, they paid to have it done for their soldeirs.
We did the same at our unit level, out of our own funds, but it was not well received in an armor battalion.
I miss my DCU's, the Marine digi's seem alright seeing as they come in both desert and woodland. The only thing i really got on board with was the pockets on the sleeves, i still use a grenade pouch to hold my smokes though.
ACU's are worthless till you break them in, at that point they have turned white, and no longer offer any form of concealment. Seems like a non issue though because anytime we roll anymore its white light, chem lights, orange cones, we don't seem to be hiding from anyone, im waiting for the day glow uniform to be issued. Hopefully it doesn't have zippers that press into your sternum.
The new ACU combat shirt is alright though, not from a camo standpoint, but comfort, it gets my vote. Light, cool, no zippers, sleeve pockets, and pretty decent looking as long as your not a fatty. Durability is shit, it rips easy. Still it beats the ACU top.
Hot Mess
21 June 2008, 14:49
25 ID did it right in OIF 3, they mod'd the DCU, pockets on the sleaves, velcro for the unit patch, they paid to have it done for their soldeirs.
We did the same at our unit level, out of our own funds, but it was not well received in an armor battalion.
:rolleyes: We did this in OEF I and SMU's have been doing it for years. But IU guess it does take the big Army three trips to come up with something that works:rolleyes:
ACUs are pretty good in western rangeland environments. They're the best stuff in sagebrush I've ever seen. So hey, the Army is all set to fight in Wyoming and Nevada! :rolleyes: :D
Overall, I think the multicam looks like it might do a lot better than any digital pattern, USMC included.
Ever notice that Israel just sticks with solid olive?
+1
I was in west TX a while back, and the ACU blended better than anything I've ever seen. I just don't think it's possible to make a single universal pattern. The ACU is too "desert," for the woods, and too "woodland," for the desert...only seems to work well if you're fighting, as skirmishline said, in a western rangeland environment. Also, when it comes down to trying to maintain uniform standards, they are difficult. after 3 washer, my trousers have faded to a completely different color from the top. And...no matter how many times I clip the "Irish Penants" off of them, they always come back as soon as I wash them. Months later, I still have threads hanging off my uniform every time I put it on. They velcro comes off the pockets after a while, or just stops sticking together. I liked it better when we were having local tailors modify the DCUs for us to rearrange pockets and such.
grappler
21 June 2008, 15:40
Something tells me it'll take at least 5 years.
If the Navy was doing it, you could gaurantee to add 5yrs on top of that. They have been trying to develop digital cammies(blue) for the fleet for at least five years.
At least ACU's have some function to them(sleeve pockets), the Navy went from a janitor/gas station attendant working uniform to(trying to) digis because everyone else was doing it.:rolleyes:
Richman
22 June 2008, 04:07
http://www.bdmhistory.com/elusive/comic/strips/see_me.jpg
Richman
22 June 2008, 04:40
http://www.bdmhistory.com/elusive/comic/strips/velcro_patches.jpg
CarnageWhiskey
22 June 2008, 05:22
If the Navy was doing it, you could gaurantee to add 5yrs on top of that. They have been trying to develop digital cammies(blue) for the fleet for at least five years.
At least ACU's have some function to them(sleeve pockets), the Navy went from a janitor/gas station attendant working uniform to(trying to) digis because everyone else was doing it.:rolleyes:
What a waste of taxpayer money.
IF they ever get the blue digis implemented, I am pretty sure most sailors will hate those even more than the utilities (the aforementioned janitor/gas station attendant working uniform.) I don't see what was so wrong with coveralls? For that matter, I really don't see what was so wrong with dungarees either.
grappler
23 June 2008, 11:30
I don't see what was so wrong with coveralls? For that matter, I really don't see what was so wrong with dungarees either.
Neither uniform looks professional, IMO. You can starch or just iron a pair of cammies(not field cammies) and they can look sharp.
Another thing, the Navy says you're not suppose to wear utilities/dungarees out in town unless it is an emergency; but if you're at a command that wears cammies, you can...
IF they ever get the blue digis implemented...
I'm not even sure why the Navy wants to go with blue digitals. If they want to go with something new and distinctive, I'd think they'd want orange cammies. I know if I fell off the ship, I'd want to be as visible as possible. Seems like blue/grey digital cammies wouldn't blend into ANYTHING on land and the water (after you fell off the boat) is the last place you'd want to be camoflauged.
Seems like they should go with the Marine digitals (minus the EGA) and be done with it. I'd still use coveralls on ship, as they're cheap and relatively easy to clean; save the cammies for on land.
Neither uniform looks professional, IMO. You can starch or just iron a pair of cammies(not field cammies) and they can look sharp.
Another thing, the Navy says you're not suppose to wear utilities/dungarees out in town unless it is an emergency; but if you're at a command that wears cammies, you can...
They never let us go out in cammies when I was in the Navy. I never actually looked up the regs...what was the point? I didn't want to make trouble at the command. But what they told us was that since cammies are a working uniform, they fall under the same heading as coveralls/utilities/dungarees.
Spinner
24 June 2008, 18:05
Not likely, since they have produced EVERYTHING in ACU digital from IBA's to rucksacks and sleeping bags in that funky gray/green color with an ACU bivy :rolleyes:. That's real tactical!
I've still got my night desert parka from way back when, and I have a feeling that's where the whole digital design thing came from. Seems they change the design of the DCU/BDU/ACU with a lot more regularity these days, to what end I don't know.
I'd prefer Multicam, but, honestly guys, the ship has sailed.
Don't expect any change in the ACU prior to, say, 2012 or so. Even then it's unlikely, due to the FFW ensemble (beginning with the Life Support Layer) coming out a few years later (theoretically).
About the only way the outlook will change is if we end up deploying a dozen BCTs or so, to fight in the jungle.
riptide
12 September 2008, 17:40
No way Irish Squid you asked what is wrong with the dungarees? I have been out of the NAVY 13 years and I still have nightmares that I am dressed in that 1970's looking prison uniform.
It was downright embarrassing to wear. I remember seeing them for the first time on the bus on my way into bootcamp and thinking, "FUCK, I really joined the wrong service."
There is a reason many people actually burn them once they either a. get to a unit that wears cammies, or b. get out.
Just my cynical 2cents coming out.
busdriver
13 September 2008, 17:28
Not really the same I know, but I thought I'd throw this out to illustrate how badly guys who have an axe to grind can screw things up.
http://www.tigerstripeproducts.com/airforcetiger.htm
Short version: Tigerstripeproducts is the company that came up with the AF's new camo pattern. They flat out apologize on their website for the ridiculous design of the AF's ABU. They offered a bunch of designs that they are proud of and got shot down time and again. Until the AF leadership decided on the freaky blue thing we got.
BOFH
13 September 2008, 23:19
No way Irish Squid you asked what is wrong with the dungarees? I have been out of the NAVY 13 years and I still have nightmares that I am dressed in that 1970's looking prison uniform.
It was downright embarrassing to wear. I remember seeing them for the first time on the bus on my way into bootcamp and thinking, "FUCK, I really joined the wrong service."
There is a reason many people actually burn them once they either a. get to a unit that wears cammies, or b. get out.
Just my cynical 2cents coming out.
I did the same with my utilities...burned them as soon as I got my DD214. Still though...horrible as they were, the blue digital cammies are a thousand times worse.
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