American soldier uniform difference between the year 1980 and after the year 2000
Introduction
The Vietnam War Era Uniform
Vietnam War Era uniform which was also known as the Jungle Uniform was the main attire that the American soldiers used in their military operations between 1950 and 1980. The designers of this attire got their inspiration from the color code of the U.S. which is olive green. The uniform was a unique type of military attire that merged functional reality, ease and striking design. The trousers and courts were made using twill cotton poplin fabric that was closely intertwined in a manner that they easily dried up. Moreover, it gave the soldiers adequate safety from excess heat, tropical perils. The attire was also designed in a way that they were loosely fit on the body so as to provide ventilation as well as room for moisture dissipation. The rising accessibility of Tropical Combat Uniform in Vietnam, however begun replacing the Jungle Uniform for use in combat units as the former was transferred to rear locations. Nonetheless, Jungle Uniform remained one of the uniforms that the American Army has used for the longest epoch, almost three decades (Army Navy Uniforms, 2013).
Fig (i): A soldier wearing the Jungle Uniform/Vietnam Era Uniform (History by Zim, 2012)
All the Jungle had general design characteristics that distinguished them from other attires. The basic fabric used for the preparation of the cloth was cotton sateen measuring about 8.5 ounce. The structure of the shirt enabled one to either tuck or not tuck it depending with the instructions of the commander (Army Navy Uniforms, 2013). The two pockets on either sides of the chest and button front whilst the trousers also had two patch pockets on the sides accompanied with a button flap. The garments that were made of cotton often turned to greenish grey after being short period while those made of poly-cotton retained their dark colors for a prolonged period (Rottman, 2012). Cotton wind-resistant was popularly preferred in the making of the jackets so as to help the soldiers evade harsh tropical weather. The color of the garments was olive green and had four pockets; two on the upper bellows while the remaining ones on the lower side (Solheim, 2008).
The designers used three primary models: Type I, which was used between 1952 and 1963, type II that lasted for only one year and type III that was used from 1964 to the time the uniform became extinct in 1980. The first model’s short had no buttons on the sleeves but plain hem. The two pockets had rectangular flaps fixed with buttons. The trousers, on the other hand, were made up of flexible tabs on the waist area that a soldier could button at will. Every pocket was designed to have drainage eyelets on the lower part (Army Navy Uniforms, 2013).
The second model had minimal disparities with the previous design. It introduced the clipping of the flaps to the shirt so as to remove the rectangular shape. However, due to restrained production, the designers were compelled to apply the third model. Under this model, the designers used either poly cotton or plain cotton. Nevertheless, the use of poly cotton became popular in the 1970s prior to being replaced with the Woodland Battle Dress Uniform (Solheim, 2008).
The Army Combat Uniform (ACU)
The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the latest uniform that is used by the American army after replacing the Desert Camouflage Uniform that was used in the 1990s (Yardley, 2007). The uniform has been used by soldiers operating in Afghanistan as well as Iraq. Some of the striking features of the outfit are that they are flame-resistant, more durable than the predecessor and are capable of preserving moisture as well as breathability. The designers and suppliers of these products are the designers who designed the Battle Dress Uniform that replaced Vietnam War Era Uniform. Garments used in the designing of the uniform have an equal measure of nylon and cotton, though not every blend are granted officially (Dawson, 2007).
Fig (ii): A soldier wearing the current American Combat Uniform (Strategy Page, 2006).
In comparison to previous uniform, ACU uses a more upgraded pattern that is difficult to detect, the Universal Camouflage Pattern. The pattern is applicable in desert, woodland as well as urban settings. The pattern was among other patterns that had been developed by Dual Texture Camouflage that was performed in the early 1970s. Although, it blends with various environments, it has no color schemes that are perfect in particular setting and perhaps this is an indication that it could be adjusted in the near future (Dawson, 2007). The color pattern is made up of slate gray, desert sand as well as foliage green that adjusts to a darker or lighter color the more it is exposed to sunlight. The designers ignored shade black colors because they could be easily noticed even in the absence of contemporary optics but instead introduced numerous shades of light and dark grey shades. Moreover, ACU are flame-resistant and can prevent third-degree burns. The garments also contain permethrin, a chemical that secures soldiers from tropical ailments such as malaria.
The ACU shirt has sports flawless shoulder accompanied with side panels, modified anti-friction elbow pads, as well as a tiny emblem on the torso zone representing the Army Strong. The jacket is composed of hook-and-loop fasteners that the soldiers can use for storing various items and identification devices (Dawson, 2007). The designers have also employed the Near Infrared Signature Management Technology, whereby certain infrared tabs are attached to the soldiers’ uniform to help in distinguishing fellow soldiers from enemies through the night vision devices. On the other hand, the trouser has Velcro pockets with knee pads and two pockets on either sides of the leg accompanied with Velcro finishing (Yardley, 2007).
Conclusion
A critical analysis of the two types of uniform indicates that there has been an acute development in the quality of attire used by the American army. The adjustments made over the years have helped in improving the soldier’s security, reducing detection capabilities and maximizing durability. The augmenting knowledge in the fabric industry has helped designers to pick seamless fabrics that help soldiers to deliver their service effectively. Contrary to the previous Jungle Uniform which used poly cotton that faded easily, the designers of the current uniform have learnt to balance nylon and cotton to produce a more durable and flame-resistant garment. Moreover, there are indications that the present uniform could be changed in the near future because of the few faults in ACU such as failure of color schemes.
References
Army Navy Uniforms, 2013. Vietnam Era Uniform. ArmyNavyUniforms.com
(Web, 28/04/13). Retrieved from
http://armynavyuniforms.com/index.php?main_page=page_2
Dawson, D. (2007). PEO Soldier to Unveil New Army Combat Shirt. Army.mil.
(Web, 28/04/13). Retrieved from
http://www.army.mil/article/2995/peo-soldier-to-unveil-new-army-combat-shirt/
History by Zim (2012). Evolution of the Uniform. Historybyzim.com
(Web, 28/04/13). Retrieved from
http://www.historybyzim.com/2012/06/evolution-of-the-uniform/#jp-carousel-2281
Rottman, G. (2012). U.S. Army Rangers & LRRP. Oxford, OX: Osprey Publishing, 2012.
Solheim, B. (2008). Vietnam War Era: A Personal Journey. Nebraska, NE: University of Nebraska Press.
Strategy Page, (2006). New U.S. Military Uniform. Strategypage.com
(Web, 28/04/13). Retrieved from
http://www.strategypage.com/military_photos/military_photos_2004616.aspx
Yardley, W. (2007). Army is Going Wrinkle-Face; Velcro Becomes Norm. Nytimes.com
(Web, 28/04/13). Retrieved from
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/washington/07uniform.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&
