Army Combat Uniform

The Army Combat Uniform or ACU is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army. It replaced the Battle Dress Uniform and Desert Camouflage Uniform. It features a number of design changes, as well as a different camouflage pattern from its predecessor.
The ACU and its component materials are manufactured by the existing industrial infrastructure in the U.S., which produced the replaced battle dress uniform. Manufacturers include American Apparel, Woolrich, Inc., Bethel Industries, and Propper International.

Universal Camouflage Pattern

The ACU uses a new military camouflage pattern called the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), which blends green, tan, and gray to work effectively in desert, and urban environments. Similar to the United States Marine Corps MARPAT and Canadian CADPAT camouflage schemes that preceded it, the pattern design is based on research into Dual Texture (Dual-Tex) Camouflage conducted in the 1970s.  It also features numerous design improvements based on input from soldiers.

The color scheme of the Army Combat Uniform is composed of a gray, tan and sage green digital pattern. The color black was omitted from the uniform because it is not commonly found in nature.  Pure black, when viewed through night vision goggles, appears excessively dark and creates an undesirable high-contrast image. In combat, the gray would tend to match the environment after use; for example, dust could cover up the gray. Gray is also a neutral color and thus does not tend to catch the eye as more saturated colors would. Body armor has been made to match the camouflage.

The ACU

Soldiers have reported that the nylon cotton fabric does not breathe as well as the cotton Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCUs) and results in a hotter uniform in high temperature climates. 

The uniform features hook and loop fasteners on the pockets. Although some concern has been expressed that the noise associated with opening Velcro fasteners would give away a soldier's position in the field, this has been determined to be a minor issue that can be negated with correct noise discipline.

The cost to each soldier is $76 per uniform, compared to $58 for a BDU, but clothing allowances in soldiers' pay have been adjusted to compensate for the more expensive uniform. All insignia is at an extra cost, as are name tapes and branch tapes. Soldiers who purchase uniforms from non-ACU approved websites or surplus stores generally have to purchase IR squares because these uniforms may not include the IR square.

Jacket

The ACU jacket uses Velcro-backed attachment for name tapes, rank insignia, shoulder pockets for unit patches, skill tabs, and recognition devices, such as the infrared (IR) feedback American flag - this provides day and night recognition for Identification Friend or Foe (IFF). The jacket also features permanent IR IFF squares that are sewn to each shoulder for nighttime identification. These reflect infrared light and can be easily seen with night vision devices. They are protected by Velcro tabs in garrison or when not in use. In garrison, the red, white, and blue cloth or IR infrared Velcro-backed flag of the United States of America is worn instead of the subdued infrared version. Subdued (non-full color) unit patches are always worn, as well as a full-color U.S. flag cloth, or IR replica, positioned so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag's right. This gives the impression that the soldier is advancing into battle with the flag unfurling behind them.  There are currently only three authorized flags for wear with the ACU: Full-Color Cloth, Full-Color IR, and Subdued IR. The subdued cloth flag is not authorized for wear on the ACU.

Pictured: ACU Jacket (Left), IR Tab Closed (Center) and Open (Right)

The jacket's Mandarin collar is worn up in combat to fit with the Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) body armor, and worn in the down position otherwise. The front closure is zippered and reinforced with Velcro, designed for use with OTV. The tilted chest pockets, cuffs, and elbow pad insert pockets also utilize hook-and-loop closure. There is a three slot pen pocket on the left arm of the jacket, and blouse bellows for increased mobility.

Skill badges worn are of a pin-on variety only. The skill tabs, which are the President's Hundred Tab, Ranger, Sapper, and Special Forces are worn on the left sleeve pocket flap. Of the four authorized skill tabs, only 3 may be worn at any one time on the ACU. A tab that is an integral part of a unit patch, such as the "mountain" or "airborne" tab, is not counted against the 3-tab-only rule. The U.S. Army Chaplaincy insignia is the only authorized branch insignia to be worn on the ACU. It is centered 1/8 inch above the right name tape. The insignia must be pinned on, not sewn on.

The jacket must not extend below the top of the cargo pocket and must not be higher than the bottom of the side pocket. Sleeves will be worn down at all times, in contrast with the earlier Army BDU policy which authorized sleeve-folding for the summer uniform.

In the field, the jacket may be replaced by the flame resistant Army Combat Shirt which is worn directly under Interceptor body armor.

Trouser

The ACU trouser is worn with a two-inch nylon web belt (Rigger's Belt), and features Velcro pouches for knee pad inserts, two forward-tilted thigh storage pockets with elastic drawstring and Velcro for closure during movement, and two calf storage pockets one on each pant leg with a Velcro closure. In addition, the pants legs can be bloused and must not extend past the third eyelet of the boots as per AR 670-1. Army Combat Pants, which are identical to the ACU trousers except for their flame resistant materials, are being issued for use in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The knee pad inserts however, are not normally issued or sold with the trousers and are sometimes extremely difficult to obtain.

Pictured: Forward-Tilt Pocket (Left) and Knee Pad Inserts (Right)

Headgear

In the field, the ACU is worn with the MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet, a patrol cap, or a boonie hat as appropriate. In garrison, the maroon paratrooper, tan United States Army Rangers, green United States Army Special Forces or black conventional unit beret or patrol cap is worn. The patrol cap is a straight-sided, flat-topped soft cap, with a double thick bill and internal pocket. The name tape is worn on the back of the patrol cap. Sew-on rank is recommended but pin-on rank is authorized on the ACU Patrol Cap and ACU Boonie Hat. The MICH (Modular Integrated Communications Helmet) Camouflage cover rank must be sewn on if worn but is often not used as the Night Vision Device mount would obstruct it.

Pictured: ACU Patrol Cap (Left), ACU Boone Hat (Center), and Army Black Beret (Right)

T-Shirt

The ACU is worn with a moisture-wicking sand colored T-shirt similar in design to the previous generation of brown poly-cotton blend t-shirts  Per AR 670-1, the previous generation of brown t-shirts are not authorized for wear with the ACU.

Footwear

The ACU is worn with tan rough-out combat boots and moisture wicking socks. Commercial versions of this boot are authorized without limitation other than they must be at least 8 inches in height and are no longer authorized to have a 'shoe-like' appearance.  Per AR 670-1 the previous generations of black leather boots are not authorized for wear with the ACU.  The only exception to this regulation is for Aviators and related support personnel (including fuel operations) when the sand colored boots are not available.

Picture:  Original Style Desert Boot (Left) and Currently Issued Style (Right)

Uniform Care

Although common practice (though not required by regulation) with the BDUs, ACUs are not to be starched. As per the ALARACT message in effect until a new revision of AR 670-1 is released, "Soldiers will not starch the Army Combat Uniform under any circumstances. The use of starch, sizing, and any process that involves dry-cleaning or steam press will adversely affect the treatments and durability of the uniform and is not authorized."

Starching the uniform has been shown to cause discoloration. It enhances the IR signature, making the uniform brighter when viewed with night vision goggles. In addition, personnel have been instructed that the uniform must be washed with a mild detergent that does not contain "optical brighteners." Detergents with optical brighteners may cause discoloration of the uniform, which would nullify the purpose of the very specific camouflage design and result in possible unwanted detection of personnel using the uniforms in combat. Some detergents have phosphorescent properties which enhance an enemy's ability to see the soldier when viewed with Night Vision Devices. Soldiers have expressed concern about the velcro on the ACU. Dirt and mud can clog the hooks and loops or they can wear out with use. Zippers have also been a topic of concern. Soldiers also express concern because the zippers (as with any zipper) can bind up, and render the uniform uncomfortable to wear, especially with Body Armor. According to the Program Executive Office Soldier "Commercial Velcro will be sold in clothing sales for the repair/replacement of Velcro. Additionally soldiers have been using the small weapons cleaning brush to clean out any sand and dirt from the pile and it has been working very well."

Initial Fielding

On 14 June 2004 -- the 229th birthday of the United States Army -- the Army today officially unveiled its new combat uniform designed with major input by the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps and enlisted Soldiers, and tested by Stryker Brigade Soldiers in Iraq since October 2003. Army senior leadership introduced the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) during a 10 a.m. Army Birthday Pentagon courtyard cake-cutting ceremony. Soldiers displayed and also suited-up in the wrinkle-free uniform with a digitized camouflage pattern.  The process of replacing the Army's current Woodland and Three Color Desert pattern BDU (in use since 1981) with the ACU was to begin in April 2005; however, the process began two months earlier through the Rapid Fielding Initiative. Currently, multiple camouflage patterns and caps are almost completely out of duty, and the ACU has replaced them all.

Controversy

Critics in the Army say the "universal" scheme concept is not practical, and that with more foliage green than any other color on the uniform, it fails to properly camouflage the user in either desert or woodland areas. However, informal studies have shown that the pattern can be effective in a wide variety of environments and conditions. Another criticism has been that the Velcro has also proven to be less durable, and more prone to opening than desired. However, soldiers are now able to buy velcro replacement kits to help alleviate this problem, although it remains an inconvenience.  Early ACU uniforms also had several issues with durability, such as ripping seams, although this may have been fixed in later production runs. Reports of low durability may not take into account that the designed wear-life of the ACU is only six months.

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 reds_renders - Veteran of:

  Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm
Operation Restore Hope / United Nations Operations in Somalia II
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom III