<p>So rumor has it that plebes for class of 2010 will be getting the new ACU's (the new army digi-camo) for beast. Anyone know anything about this? I've got a buddy who enlisted in october, and he said that the army set a date, around october, that they would start phasing in ACU's to the entire army. I assume by june they would have gotten to the academy. But this is all speculation on my part. </p>
<p>here's a picture of the ACU: </p>
<p>In this article it specifies that by December 2007, the entire army will have these new acu's. I doubt that they will be available at usma in June as in April they will be sent to deployed units. I personally think that units in harms way should get this new uniform before usma anyway.</p>
<p>army gets them december 31, 2007.
cadet command (wp and rotc) are scheduled to get them 2010. which means, at least for rotc, december 31 2010. besides, the acu's kinda suck with the velcro nametapes and all. not too mention that in a forest environment you stick out like a sore thumb,</p>
<p>I like the old ones more.</p>
<p>It says there are multiple colors though.</p>
<p>no- ACU is just one color for EVERYTHING.</p>
<p>I have heard nothing but bad things about the new ACUs from cadets at WP. Velcro patches? Velcro? Velcro is very loud if someone didn't notice. Also, where's the pride is taking that new patch and just slapping it on your shoulder?</p>
<p>From what I understand, there are ACU's for city environments, forrest, and desert. I may be wrong though 8IzEnuff.</p>
<p>Yea, theres only one ACU which is replacing the woodland and desert BDU's. They dont come in different colors, just the one, 100% sure. If the Army says they are an improvement I have no complaints. Whatever keeps our soldiers safe.</p>
<p>When they say digitized, do they change colors or something depending on what environment? I'm so confused on these lol.</p>
<p>Nope, its just one of the new pixelated patterns (lots of small squares in different colors). Apparently, when you are in different environments the eye picks up the dominant color in the surroundings (If you are in wooded areas, the greens will be dominant, if in desert...browns). I am yet to wear any so I cant give a personal opinion, but i'm sure they will grow on everyone...Especially the practical features aka the new pocket designs zippers/ no buttons, etc.</p>
<p>If you google it you can find all sorts of information.</p>
<p>digitized to my knowledge means that instead of the curvy camo you are used to seeing, the camo is made of tiny squares. If you look closely you can kind of see that. Its sort of like pixels in pictures I guess, sorry I'm not sure of a really clear way to explain it.</p>
<p>but i'm sure they will grow on everyone...Especially the practical features aka the new pocket designs zippers/ no buttons, etc.</p>
<p>yeah- the ACU is one of those things that looks good on paper, but sucks in reality. the big thing they trumpet about it is that you dont have to starch it. i'm looking at my DBU right now and the tag says, "DO NOT STARCH." it'll only be a few months before people start feeling not squared away until the acu's are startched. ugh, and velcro sucks. and you have to wear pin on badges. talk about suck. cool things include the new collar, shoulder/arm pockets and desert boots. also, probably the worst thing, is that they are still making the uniforms out of cotton. thats a huge flaw? cotton kills. i guess higher is really designing the uniform for middle east operations, but cotton in cold weather is freakin' deadly! just a soldier's .02 on the acu's.</p>
<p>I don't think everyone fully understands the greatest thing about the ACUs... NO STARCH! NO IRONING... also you wear brown boots with them... no polishing!!! People arent going to starch them, my unit has been field testing these for a year. It's not a long stretch for people to get them this summer at the academy since a chunk of the army already has them. They're absolutely horrible in forrest invironments, great in urban. They look almost blueish in the forrest...</p>
<p>cotten doesn't kill... wearing only one layer of clothing made out of cotten might.</p>
<p>Velcro is a huge $ and time saver which you will benefit from. </p>
<p>micheal what are you talking about pride and the patch? its not like getting your unit patch sewn on over the weekend at some cleaners is some powerful emotional event. This is sooooo practical. Also since you don't sew anything on, all skill badges and such are pin on, which deters people from even wearing them, which also slows the "patch wars"</p>
<p>These uniforms are the most practical, comfortable, maintenence free uniforms the army has developed.</p>
<p>"also you wear brown boots with them... no polishing!!!"</p>
<p>Currently the boots worn by the plebes at WP are not polished either.</p>
<p>"They're absolutely horrible in forrest invironments"</p>
<p>doesn't sound like they are good for training at WP then.</p>
<p>*environment... :) my bad.</p>
<p>you dont shine your boots at wp? weird</p>
<p>The newer boots they wear are not to be shined---something to do with messing up their water-proofing. Mfg instructions say specifically not to shine.</p>
<p>no- they will stay waterproof but not as breathable. i have them now and they are pretty good. i have two pairs from bates, they are goretex. i honestly cant really notice that much differenece between the pair i spit shined and the one i didn't in terms of comfort. but polish doesn't seems to sit well or attach to the boot, so it cracks a little.</p>
<p>question might be off topic but where can I get a pair or two of the boots so I can start breaking them in? USMA does allow this right?</p>
<p>jq722--you can go ahead and get boots now, but I wouldn't really suggest it. </p>
<p>From everything I've heard from both my CoC and my LTC sponsor, the c/o 2010 WILL be issued ACUs for Beast, with the rest of the Corps transitioning into them next year. ROTC won't be issued them until 2010.</p>
