Army Service Uniform

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Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) Soldier models pose in the final prototypes of the proposed "pinks and greens" dress uniforms. A skirt and pumps would be optional for women. (Army).jpg
Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU)

The Army Service Uniform (ASU) is a military uniform for wear by United States Army personnel in garrison posts and at most public functions where the Army Combat Uniform is inappropriate. As of 2021, the Army has two service uniforms for use by its personnel. The Army Green Service Uniform, announced in 2018 and authorized in 2020, is used primarily for daily use in situations where civilians wear business attire, such as office settings or official meetings.

Contents

The Army Blue Service Uniform, which was the sole service uniform between 2015 and 2020, is used primarily as a dress uniform for ceremonial occasions or formal social situations. Over history, a number of different non-combat service uniforms have been authorized by the Army.

History

In the early days of the U.S. Army, the uniform worn in combat was essentially the same as that worn for everyday duties, as was the common practice with most armies of the time. This changed in modern times, as field uniforms were developed which were more suited for battle.

During the 19th century, Army uniforms were relatively simple. Combat soldiers in the American Civil War wore a standard dark blue coat and light blue trousers, just like personnel in garrisons or in army offices and headquarters. Uniform standards were relaxed during the war years, especially on campaign, as conditions demanded. [1]

American Expeditionary Force soldier in uniform World War I Army Uniform.jpg
American Expeditionary Force soldier in uniform

The 1899 Army Uniform Regulations provided for a cotton khaki uniform for field service, drawing on the experience of the Spanish–American War when both blue and khaki clothing had been worn. [2] From 1902 to 1917, the army had three uniforms: a service uniform of olive drab wool cloth for use by soldiers in the field, a khaki cotton version used for hot weather, and a blue dress uniform used for ceremonies and off-post wear by enlisted men. The blue uniforms were dropped in 1917 prompted by the exigencies of World War I. [3]

In 1926, the previous stand collar service coat was replaced with an open-collared coat worn with a collared shirt and necktie. In 1937, breeches were replaced with straight-legged trousers. Dress uniforms of dark blue coats and light blue trousers in a modernized form with an open collar, white shirt, and necktie, were reintroduced for officers in 1937. [4]

US Army WWII Officer pinks and greens uniform.jpg
Officers wearing the "pinks and greens" service uniform combination during World War II.
Andersoncoat.jpg
All-purpose service coat issued to enlisted soldiers at the onset of World War II.

United States Army uniforms in World War II initially included service uniforms that were intended for both field and garrison use, though some parts, such as the open-collared service coat, were used only in garrison, while items such as the M1941 Field Jacket were specifically for use in the field, and not meant to be worn in garrison. [5] By the latter part of the war, the introduction of the M1943 field uniform acknowledged the distinction between field and garrison wear.

Garrison uniforms included olive drab uniforms with coat and tie which were distinct for officers and enlisted soldiers. The officers' version had a darker, belted coat that could be worn with trousers of either matching color or a contrasting light taupe, a combination known as "pinks and greens". The enlisted service coat was unbelted and lighter in shade, and was worn with the issued field uniform trousers. Service coats would be worn with either the respective wool shirt in matching olive drab or the tan shirt from the summer uniform. [4] [6]

A summer service uniform consisting of a khaki cotton shirt and trousers was also issued to enlisted soldiers. Officers' khaki service uniforms could be made from tropical-weight worsted wool instead of cotton and had an optional unbelted khaki service coat, though these were less common as conserving wool for winter uniforms was encouraged. Unlike the winter uniforms, parts of which continued to be widely used as field uniforms, the khaki summer uniforms were quickly relegated only for garrison wear as the herringbone twill utility uniform became the preferred warm weather field uniform. Late in the war the Eisenhower jacket was introduced, originally intended for both field and garrison wear, though it too became used only for garrison wear shortly after the war. These uniforms remained in use through the Korean War. [4] [6]

The green "Class A" service uniform, worn by former Army Chief of Staff General Peter Schoomaker. Peter Schoomaker.jpg
The green "Class A" service uniform, worn by former Army Chief of Staff General Peter Schoomaker.

Because of the widespread use of army surplus clothing after World War II, a fresh, distinct uniform was seen as needed. [7] [8] In 1954, the Army introduced a new, all-ranks "Class A" service uniform in Army Green shade 444. This grey-green shade was adopted in order to provide a color which had a distinct military appearance from various uniforms of civilian service workers. [3] Originally worn with a tan khaki shirt, the shirt was switched to a pale green-grey shade in 1979. [4] The tan summer service uniform was retained with a matching coat reintroduced, but following the introduction of a tropical weight version of the "Class A" greens in 1964, the tan uniform was relegated to a "Class B" uniform with a short-sleeved shirt and no tie. The tan "Class B" uniform was phased out in the early 1980s when the green uniform with a short sleeve shirt became the standard Class B uniform. [4]

In the mid 1950s, the blue dress uniform was reintroduced as an option for enlisted soldiers. However, it was very rarely worn, being donned only by members of units such as the 3rd Infantry Regiment. [4] A white dress uniform for use in tropical areas known as 'Dress Whites', last worn in the early 20th century, was reintroduced, but was rarely used, as it was only required for officers. [4] It was retired in 2014. [8] In 2006, Army Chief of Staff General Peter Schoomaker announced that a version of the dress blue uniform would be adopted as the sole service uniform for all ranks, combining ceremonial, dress, and service uniforms through wear stipulations to reduce the number of uniforms needed. The blue Army Service Uniform made its debut at the 2007 State of the Union Address, when Schoomaker attended the address in it. [8] In 2010 it started being issued to all soldiers. [8] [9] Possession and use of the blue ASU became mandatory for all soldiers in October 2015, [9] when the green Class A uniform was fully retired. [8] [10]

Attendees at a conference of Army recruiters wearing both the blue and green service uniforms Photo of Army NCO's at conference for Army Recruiting.jpg
Attendees at a conference of Army recruiters wearing both the blue and green service uniforms

On Veterans Day 2018, the Army announced that a new Army Green Service Uniform, based on the "pinks and greens" officers' service uniform worn in World War II and the Korean War, would be introduced as the everyday service uniform for all ranks starting in 2020. [11] The uniform became available to soldiers in mid-2020. [12] By early 2021, the uniform became available for purchase at all Army and Air Force Exchange Service locations, [13] with soldiers required to purchase them by October 1, 2027. The Army Blue Service Uniform returns to its former use as a formal dress uniform. [12] [14]

Current versions

"Class A" Green Service Uniform

The Army Green Service Uniform, as worn by General Stephen J. Townsend Townsend Africom.jpg
The Army Green Service Uniform, as worn by General Stephen J. Townsend

The Army Green Service Uniform includes a dark olive drab four-pocket coat with belted waist, drab trousers, tan shirt, olive tie, and brown leather oxfords for both men and women. Women have the option to wear a pencil skirt and pumps instead. Headwear consists of an olive garrison cap or an olive peaked service cap with brown visor; units with distinctive colored berets continue to wear them. An olive trench coat is the standard all-weather overcoat with the uniform. Enlisted rank is indicated by chevrons worn on the upper sleeve. Officer rank is indicated by pins on the shoulder straps. Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) is worn above unit awards and on the shoulder straps. [14] [15] [11] [16]

In Class A configuration, the coat is worn over the green-gray shirt, on duty and while traveling. In class B configuration, the service coat is omitted, and the necktie is optional if a short-sleeved shirt is worn (known as Class C). An olive pullover sweater based on the British "Wooly pully" is authorized with the class B uniform, while optional jackets include an olive zip-front windbreaker, an olive Eisenhower jacket, and a brown leather bomber jacket. [17] Certain units including Airborne and Special Forces wear so-called "Corcoran" jump boots to distinguish themselves from other units.

Army Blue Service Uniform

The Army Blue Service Uniform for officers, as worn by General George W. Casey Jr. George W. Casey 2007.jpg
The Army Blue Service Uniform for officers, as worn by General George W. Casey Jr.

The Army Blue Service Uniform includes a midnight blue coat worn with lighter blue trousers for male soldiers and a midnight blue coat worn with either lighter blue slacks or midnight blue skirt for female soldiers. The trousers/slacks for non-commissioned and commissioned officers include a stripe of gold braid on the outer side of the leg. Generals wear midnight blue trousers/slacks with gold braid instead of the lighter blue used in lower ranks. [10] [18]

The blue service uniform is worn with a white shirt, a black four-in-hand necktie for males or black neck tab for females, and black leather shoes. Headwear includes a matching service cap with branch-of-service colors on the hat band or a beret, with black remaining the default color unless the soldier is authorized a distinctive colored beret. Enlisted rank is also indicated by chevrons on the upper sleeve, while officer rank is indicated by passant shoulder straps with branch-of-service color backing. [10] [18]

Combat boots and organizational items, such as brassards, military police accessories, or distinctive unit insignia are not worn when used as ceremonial dress. When the blue uniform is worn for social events in the evening, men may wear a black bow tie rather than a black four-in-hand necktie, and commanders may direct that headwear is not required. [10] [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

The chart below shows the current enlisted rank insignia of the United States Army, with seniority, and pay grade, increasing from right to left. The enlisted ranks of corporal (E-4) and higher are considered non-commissioned officers (NCOs). The rank of specialist is also in pay grade E-4, but does not hold non-commissioned officer status; it is common that a soldier may never hold the rank of corporal, and instead be promoted from specialist to sergeant, attaining junior NCO status at that time.

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A military uniform is a standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mess dress uniform</span> Formal evening dress worn by military personnel

Mess dress uniform is the most formal type of evening-wear uniform used by military personnel, police personnel, and other uniformed services members. It frequently consists of a mess jacket, trousers, white dress shirt and a black bow tie, along with orders and medals insignia. Design may depend on regiment or service branch, e.g. army, navy, air force, marines, etc. In modern Western dress codes, mess dress uniform is the supplementary alternative equivalent to the civilian black tie for evening wear. Mess dress uniforms are typically less formal than full dress uniform, but more formal than service dress uniform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat uniform</span> Military uniform

A combat uniform, also called field uniform, battledress or military fatigues, is a casual type of uniform used by military, police, fire and other public uniformed services for everyday fieldwork and combat duty purposes, as opposed to dress uniforms worn in functions and parades. It generally consists of a jacket, trousers and shirt or T-shirt, all cut to be looser and more comfortable than more formal uniforms. Design may depend on regiment or service branch, e.g. army, navy, air force, marines, etc. In the army branches, fabrics tend to come in camouflage, disruptive pattern or else green, brown or khaki monochrome, in order to approximate the background and make the soldier less visible in nature. In Western dress codes, field uniform is considered equivalent to civilian casual wear. As such, field uniform is considered less formal than service dress uniform, generally aimed at office or staff use, as well as mess dress uniform, and full dress uniform.

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Imperial Japanese Army uniforms tended to reflect the uniforms of those countries who were the principal advisors to the Imperial Japanese Army at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Full dress uniform</span> Uniform for wear on formal occasions

Full dress uniform, also known as a ceremonial dress uniform or parade dress uniform, is the most formal type of uniforms used by military, police, fire and other public uniformed services for official parades, ceremonies, and receptions, including private ones such as marriages and funerals. Full dress uniforms typically include full-size orders and medals insignia. Styles tend to originate from 19th century uniforms, although the 20th century saw the adoption of mess dress-styled full-dress uniforms. Designs may depend on regiment or service branch. In Western dress codes, full dress uniform is a permitted supplementary alternative equivalent to the civilian white tie for evening wear or morning dress for day wear – sometimes collectively called full dress – although military uniforms are the same for day and evening wear. As such, full dress uniform is the most formal uniform, followed by the mess dress uniform.

The United States Army in World War II used a variety of standard and non-standard dress and battle uniforms, which often changed depending upon the theater of war, climatic environment, and supply exigencies.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms of the British Army</span> Military dress

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Service dress uniform</span> Informal type of uniform used by military

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eisenhower jacket</span> Type of waist-length jacket

The Eisenhower jacket or "Ike" jacket, officially known as the Jacket, Field, Wool, Olive Drab, is a type of waist-length jacket developed for the U.S. Army during the later stages of World War II and named after Dwight D. Eisenhower. Intended to be worn on its own or as an insulating layer beneath the M-1943 Field Jacket and over the standard wool flannel shirt and wool sweater, it featured a pleated back, adjustable waist band, fly-front buttons, bellows chest pockets, slash side pockets, and shoulder straps.

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The uniforms of the Australian Army have changed significantly over the past century, although the accoutrements worn over this period have remained relatively similar. The forces of the Australian colonies and the early forces of the Commonwealth post-Federation in 1901 closely followed the uniforms of the British Army. Since then it has continued to be influenced by British but also US styles, as well as including some distinctly Australian designs, reflecting local conditions and trends.

References

  1. ↑ Philip Haythornthwaite, plates 1-33, Uniforms of the Civil War, ISBN   0-02-549200-4
  2. ↑ Randy Steffen, page 69 Volume III, "The Horse Soldier 1776-1943"
  3. 1 2 The Army Dressed Up Archived 2008-04-17 at the Wayback Machine , 1952, Dr. Stephen J. Kennedy, The Quartermaster Review, January/February 1952, Army Clothing History page, Army Quartermaster Foundation, Inc. Website, accessed 4-9-08.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cole, David (November 2007). "Survey of U.S. Army Uniforms, Weapons, and Accoutrements" (PDF). United States Army.
  5. ↑ Hwang, Tiffany US Army Field Jacket Development in Response to Material Shortages and the Exigencies of World War II in Momentum Vol 1 Issue 1 Article 3, April 18, 2012
  6. 1 2 Stanton, Shelby L. (1998). U. S. Army Uniforms of the Cold War, 1948–1973. Stackpole Books. pp. 44–45. ISBN   0811729508.
  7. ↑ "Prestige of the Soldier" Archived 2008-04-17 at the Wayback Machine , Major A. M. Kamp, Jr. The Quartermaster Review, May/June 1954, Quartermaster foundation, accessed 4-9-08.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Jahner, Kyle (October 1, 2015). "The end of the Green Service Uniform: 1954–2015". Army Times . Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  9. 1 2 AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of the Army Uniform Insignia
  10. 1 2 3 4 Official ASU Blue uniform overview, Army Program Executive Office Soldier official website, accessed October 14, 2022.
  11. 1 2 "U.S. Army to roll out new Army Greens uniform". www.army.mil. U.S. Army. November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  12. 1 2 Cox, Matthew (June 12, 2020). "New Army Green Uniform Will Soon Be Available for Soldiers to Buy". Military.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Army Uniforms". United States Army. Archived from the original on 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  14. 1 2 Official AGSU uniform overview, Army Program Executive Office Soldier official website, accessed October 14, 2022.
  15. ↑ Myers, Meghann (November 11, 2018). "It's official: Army approves 'pinks and greens' uniform on Veterans Day". Army Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  16. ↑ Garland, Chad (November 11, 2018). "What's old is new: Army rolls out 'pinks and greens' service uniform". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  17. ↑ Army Regulation 670–1: Uniform and Insignia, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. ASGU regulations, Chapter 14, pages 32-33, accessed October 14, 2022.
  18. 1 2 3 Army Regulation 670–1: Uniform and Insignia, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. ASU regulations, Chapters 11 to 12, pages 29-31, accessed October 14, 2022.
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