RIGHT ON schedule, the United States Army is changing uniforms again. It does this, oh, about once every six generations or so. The uniforms from the post-war 1950s lasted through Korea, Vietnam, both Gulf Wars and the War on Terror. Not to mention minor dust-ups in Grenada and Bosnia.
Whispers through the gossip chain in the Army—and that chain is stronger than the chain of command—say the new style will be a decidedly old style. They’re bringing back the Ike Look.
The new Army Greens might be brown. The new uniform might look exactly like the old gabardine wool field coats and khaki trousers that the grunts and brass wore during World War II. Along with a spiffy tie, daddy-O. To some of us, this return to the past would be progress.
It all started with the baby boomers, of course. When they began wearing much-too-casual fare to the office (collarless Tees?) those in uniform did the martial equivalent and started wearing BDUs to the armory. Battle Dress Uniforms are otherwise known as “camo” in the real world. You’ve doubtless nodded to somebody wearing camo gear at the local deli, or talked to somebody in Walmart just getting off work at the base. Not that anybody needs to wear camo to work at the office. In fact, camo would distinctly mark you as different while walking over tile and carpet. There really was no need for “battle dress” for those sitting in the air conditioning. It was just easier.
Here’s hoping Class B uniforms make a comeback. They always seemed more professional. And the United States military is one of the most professional occupations out there. (Try going six months without a training class.)
So why go back to the Eisenhower photos for the next generation of duty outfits? This from Sgt. Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, the highest-ranking enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army, and boy, that’s saying something: “We went back and asked, when is the most prominent time when the Army’s service to our nation was universally recognized, and the answer came very quickly. That victory [in World War II], that impact on the nation, is still felt today by the sons and daughters and grandsons and granddaughters of The Greatest Generation.”
Makes complete sense.
These Class Bs would be the uniform for those at the Pentagon, the armory, inside the fort and other office jobs. A soldier would display his medals along with his rank—and a tie. Don’t forget the tie. And spit-shined shoes with laces. Let’s hope they do away with the garrison caps, if they haven’t already, and go back to the peaked caps of the old days. They’re jazzy and harder to lose.
One may assume camo and combat boots would still be needed for running around in the woods. And during an actual deployment in hostile conditions. But giving, or sitting through, a briefing on the latest cyber-warfare initiative? Iron the Class Bs, soldiers.
The uniform is important. And not just for aesthetic reasons. We were once told the soldier who doesn’t Brasso his buttons is the soldier who doesn’t dig the grenade sump.
The brass needs to get this right. As a drill instructor once noted: To err is human. To forgive divine. Neither is U.S. Army policy.