Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: gofaster on May 20, 2004, 10:35:01 AM
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Interesting tidbit from my local paper. Tiger stripes sounds cool, but the article didn't include a picture.
New Uniforms Are Not Routine For Air Force
By RICHARD LARDNER rlardner@tampatrib.com
Published: May 20, 2004
A ir Force leaders are pushing ahead with plans to outfit personnel with new combat fatigues, which seems like an innocent enough undertaking.
Far from it. In fact, a previous attempt to outfit the air troops in new togs crashed and burned. More on that in a moment.
Right now, nearly 600 personnel at nine Air Force bases are modeling the tiger-striped utility uniforms of blue, gray and green.
The fatigues not only look and feel good, according to Air Force brass, but they're made of a more durable wash-and-wear material. This saves time - and potentially saves the wearer $180 to $240 each year on dry cleaning.
The new design also would give the Air Force a distinctive look. Airmen now wear the same woodland-pattern fatigues the Army uses - too much of a reminder, it seems, that the air service was once part of the ground service.
``We wanted something that was uniquely Air Force,'' spokeswoman Jennifer Stephens said.
Assuming the ``wear test'' goes well, the Air Force chief of staff, Gen. John Jumper, could designate the tiger stripes as standard gear by the end of the year, Stephens said.
`The Manly Man'
To understand how controversial changing uniforms can be, take the catwalk back to the era of the Air Force's ``Manly Man.''
In October 1990, Gen. Merrill McPeak took over as chief of staff. A hard-charging fighter pilot, McPeak wanted the Air Force to become the dominant military service branch.
In pursuit of that vision, McPeak wanted the Air Force organized around, and run by, fighter pilots like him. For those who flew bombers and cargo aircraft, this was a bitter pill to swallow.
McPeak thought changes in appearance were needed, so he ordered a redesign of the blue dress uniform. Among the most significant changes, epaulets were removed and rank insignia was put on the sleeve.
If McPeak's goal was to be distinctive, he scored. The result was a cross between what a bus driver and an airline pilot would wear. One officer privately complained he looked like Ralph Kramden.
Perhaps McPeak's most controversial move, however, was to ban the wearing of crew neck T-shirts under the open-necked, light-blue uniform blouse. McPeak thought the combination was unkempt. V- neck tees were acceptable.
For rank-and-file airmen, however, this was more of McPeak's machismo run amok.
More Chest Hair
A series of underground ``brown papers'' began circulating inside the Pentagon poking fun at the general. In them, his reforms were mocked as ``The Emergence of the Manly Man.''
``What this type of undershirt hides is the amount of chest hair of the USAF member,'' one paper says of the crew-neck decision. ``The implication, of course, is that the more chest hair, the better.''
McPeak retired in November 1994. His replacement, Gen. Ronald Fogleman, wasted little time in reversing many fashion decisions.
No doubt aware of the previous backlash, Jumper has said feedback from the troops is essential before a change is made. The Air Force will establish a Web site soon so airmen can offer opinions.
Although far from scientific or official, an informal Internet poll of more than 600 Air Force officer candidates found close to 30 percent ``love'' or ``like'' the new fatigues; a whopping 50 percent said they ``hate'' the new tiger stripes or would wear them only if they must. The final 20 percent weren't sure.
``Nothing is set in stone,'' Stephens said. ``We don't want to make changes if the airmen don't want them.''
I hope the uniforms don't look like this:
(http://www.lollipoplingerie.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/LO4/265.jpg)
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Actually, I found a picture after all:
(http://www.af.mil/media/photodb/web/web_030709-F-3050V-073.jpg)
(http://www.af.mil/media/photodb/web/web_030709-F-3050V-104.jpg)
Stone and Sullivan
Miller
Alford
New uniform with Air Force logo
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AFPN) -- Tech. Sgt. Thomas Stone (left) and Capt. Rachel Sullivan, both with the 89th Maintenance Group here, give the optional Henley-style T-shirt a try while putting the test utility uniform through its paces on the flightline here. The blue, gray and green tiger-stripe camouflage ensemble includes many new features intended to increase functionality while providing a distinctive look for the 21st century airmen. The uniforms will undergo wear-testing beginning in January 4. Airmen from a cross section of Air Force career fields will provide feedback on the fit, durability and functionality of the proposed ensemble which will come in men's and women's cuts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)
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Well, that new Air Force uniforms look weird and I like old Army Air Corp uniforms during before Korean War.
Rafe
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Those uniforms make me want to say:
El Presidente we will slaughter the guerillas!! Off to our surplus american armored cars! Viva El Presidente!! Viva Chiquita bannana company!!!
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THEY ARE HIDIOUSE!
Most of the USAF thinks the same way. My whole contention is that most of the USAF are Air Craft Maintainers....they are the back bone of the Air Force. There is NO REASON whatsoever that somone needs to be camoflauged while working around Air Craft. My opinion....give me some coveralls makem blue. I want a taxiing A/C to see me not run me over because he cant see me
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Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
Those uniforms make me want to say:
El Presidente we will slaughter the guerillas!! Off to our surplus american armored cars! Viva El Presidente!! Viva Chiquita bannana company!!!
:aok
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Just better make sure you're not walking on apron or any other asphalt/concrete surface at dusk, night or dawn.. that'll be the perfect camo for those.
Instead step on the grass and you'll be lit like a torch... although heavy rain might make a difference even with the grass.
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My opinion....give me some coveralls makem blue. I want a taxiing A/C to see me not run me over because he cant see me
LOL! Can't make any more sense than that.
Wha't next on the list, Black Berets :rolleyes:
Charon
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Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
Those uniforms make me want to say:
El Presidente we will slaughter the guerillas!! Off to our surplus american armored cars! Viva El Presidente!! Viva Chiquita bannana company!!!
I agree with him....I think they also look similar to some uniforms ive seen from Taiwan i think it was.
Not bad looking tho.....just differrent than i would expect.
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Heck, BDUs that are dark blue with no camouflaging would be best...they ain't in combat anyway. :)
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I presume the pattern is so they can hide in the sky?!:(
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Originally posted by slimm50
I presume the pattern is so they can hide in the sky?!:(
you mean like stealth?
wow
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belt loops built into the blouse..sexy..lol
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Originally posted by slimm50
I presume the pattern is so they can hide in the sky?!:(
I guess that's to make it harder to shoot their chutes.
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Looks like they got a special deal on leftover Street Fighter the Movie costumes.
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They wanna conscript more hiphop crowd ??
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Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
Those uniforms make me want to say:
El Presidente we will slaughter the guerillas!! Off to our surplus american armored cars! Viva El Presidente!! Viva Chiquita bannana company!!!
lol me too
they look like some south american banana republic
and AF insignia on the sleeves? Only the Navy and Coast Guard do that (and those medical people under the Surgeon General), with stripes on the sleeves.
The AF should keep the collar jewelry
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Comeon guys, its the newest craze! 'Urban.'
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The Air Force as a large number 'Base Defense' units equipped like Army Infantry. I'm guessing the new uniforms are for them.
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Originally posted by Otto
The Air Force as a large number 'Base Defense' units equipped like Army Infantry. I'm guessing the new uniforms are for them.
but what is that camo style trying to do for them? are they protecting the blue angels planes when they are parked in a cornfield ?
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Originally posted by Gunslinger
THEY ARE HIDIOUSE!
Most of the USAF thinks the same way.
DO NOT!!
And most of the AF actually are not aircraft maintainers.
Tumor
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Originally posted by strk
and AF insignia on the sleeves? Only the Navy and Coast Guard do that (and those medical people under the Surgeon General), with stripes on the sleeves.
What are you talking about? Never mind I got it. The rank thing on the sleeves was officer only and I think I only saw it once or twice, was gone really quick. Nothing ever changed for the important guys who wear stripes.
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Originally posted by Tumor
What are you talking about? Never mind I got it. The rank thing on the sleeves was officer only and I think I only saw it once or twice, was gone really quick. Nothing ever changed for the important guys who wear stripes.
right - different stripes. We called them crows because of the poorly rendered eagle above the chevron. I didnt know how to say the sleeve cuff. But the bands of gold braid are pretty distinctly Navy, with insignia for line or medical oficer or whatever else on the sleeve too.
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Originally posted by Tumor
DO NOT!!
And most of the AF actually are not aircraft maintainers.
Tumor
LOL tumor
At least we are the "back bone" of the USAF ;)
Most of us would preferr a $20 set of coverals with some patches than a $60 uniform that tears and stains easily.
At least most I've talked to at edwars scratch their heads when they see them and think "WHY"
Bud
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Originally posted by Tumor
DO NOT!!
And most of the AF actually are not aircraft maintainers.
Tumor
The rest are wing wipers and desk drivers. :D
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Nilsen, just for you....
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/afjobs/bl3p0x1.htm
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I loved being able to go to work in my camos when I was in the USAF. Much better then teh smurf outfits, these remind me of something out of a movie for a freedom fighter or something. Not sure yet.
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What the HELL do they need "Tigers" for if they aren't in the Jungle? This is some "PR Clown" in a cubicle in D.C. with WAY too much FARKIN time on his hands! GEEZE! :rolleyes:
If they are going to change from Blues to Camo utilities give them the same ones the Army and Marines use - ease of procurement if nothing else.
This is almost as good as the "Black Berets" for the Army. Only person that needs to be wearing a Black Beret IMHO is a RANGER. Someone who has EARNED the right to wear it.
Don't you just love the PR crowd. :rolleyes:
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Looks like Russian Police BDU's
(http:////www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/255_1085100159_bekascitylite.jpg)
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hey!! when I was in 2% of us enlisted actually flew for a living thank you very much!!
I wore my bag to work most every day :)
oh and yes some type of coverall for the maintainers is a must. That blue stuff looks gay.
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Originally posted by Jester
What the HELL do they need "Tigers" for if they aren't in the Jungle? This is some "PR Clown" in a cubicle in D.C. with WAY too much FARKIN time on his hands! GEEZE! :rolleyes:
If they are going to change from Blues to Camo utilities give them the same ones the Army and Marines use - ease of procurement if nothing else.
This is almost as good as the "Black Berets" for the Army. Only person that needs to be wearing a Black Beret IMHO is a RANGER. Someone who has EARNED the right to wear it.
Don't you just love the PR crowd. :rolleyes:
Agree, especially about the black berets. otoh the old army utility covers were butt ugly. At least the marines have the pointy covers. anyone know what they are called?
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Originally posted by Saurdaukar
The rest are wing wipers and desk drivers. :D
chair force
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BLUE camouflage? Nope, sky and ramp backgrounds included, just doesn't make sense for ground activities unless sneaking through a waterfall.
Mute the blue and maybe okay against barren mountains. Which usually aren't exactly close to the flight line.
Clearly, with no one size fits all camou (e.g., jungle, woods, desert, snow), there is a big market for the first designer to patent an automatic electronic camouflage suit that makes like a chameleon in whatever environment it visits.
That'll go right along with clothing that automatically changes color to match the wearer's Color Me Beautiful most flattering shades.
No, no, we digress -- ultimate camou is invisibility to foes, visible to friends. Stealth clothing.
Maybe this bunch can prototype that for Tour of Duty.
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Originally posted by Halo
BLUE camouflage? Nope, sky and ramp backgrounds included, just doesn't make sense for ground activities unless sneaking through a waterfall.
Mute the blue and maybe okay against barren mountains. Which usually aren't exactly close to the flight line.
Clearly, with no one size fits all camou (e.g., jungle, woods, desert, snow), there is a big market for the first designer to patent an automatic electronic camouflage suit that makes like a chameleon in whatever environment it visits.
That'll go right along with clothing that automatically changes color to match the wearer's Color Me Beautiful most flattering shades.
No, no, we digress -- ultimate camou is invisibility to foes, visible to friends. Stealth clothing.
Maybe this bunch can prototype that for Tour of Duty.
it already in the works I believe
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Originally posted by Jester
What the HELL do they need "Tigers" for if they aren't in the Jungle? This is some "PR Clown" in a cubicle in D.C. with WAY too much FARKIN time on his hands! GEEZE! :rolleyes:
If they are going to change from Blues to Camo utilities give them the same ones the Army and Marines use - ease of procurement if nothing else.
This is almost as good as the "Black Berets" for the Army. Only person that needs to be wearing a Black Beret IMHO is a RANGER. Someone who has EARNED the right to wear it.
Don't you just love the PR crowd. :rolleyes:
No one has mentioned yet that the cover (hat for you non military types) is the same one as the Marines wear minus the eagle globe an anchor.....5 point jar type. The term Jarhead just wont have the same edge that it used to :lol
[edit]
Just so theirs no confusion the female in the pic above is wearing a black barret. That means she is "security forces" that's the USAF term for Military Police or MPs.
PS
If you see a Maroon Barret on an Air Force type, pay them mad respect It means they are a forward Air Controller....or a PJ...Combat Para Rescue IE Special Forces.....top notch guys in my book.
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Actually the PJs wear the maroon beret and Combat Controllers wear the scarlet beret. Combat weather wears the grey beret. Black is worn by TACP. Security forces wears the royal blue beret.
And as someone has already stated there is a new combat suit in the works that is highly sophisticated. The helmet (similiar to a motorcycle helmet)has a built in HUD system with a GPS tracking system. The suit itself has a built in climate control system and they are saying the chameleon camoflage is possible with todays technology but it currently has size restrictions. Suprisingly enough the suit looks much like those worn in the movie Starship Troopers. The biggest obstacle is getting the chameleon technology down to usable levels for suits such as this.
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Ugly!
Keep them in blue.
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Ugliest damn uniform I have ever seen and that includes most European camouflage patterns also. As for the US Army changing over to a beret for all troops...my Dad who is retired military after 30+ years in service thought that was the stupidest move he had ever seen. But someone here nailed it on the head exactly when the Army did that it was because it wanted to be politically correct. I imagine some PNG (pencil necked geek) desk driver who got picked on in JROTC decided that it would be nice to not have any diversity since they were all a "Army of One!". So all troops should be able to wear the black beret and be mistaken for special ops troops.
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Originally posted by Reschke
Ugliest damn uniform I have ever seen and that includes most European camouflage patterns also. As for the US Army changing over to a beret for all troops...my Dad who is retired military after 30+ years in service thought that was the stupidest move he had ever seen. But someone here nailed it on the head exactly when the Army did that it was because it wanted to be politically correct. I imagine some PNG (pencil necked geek) desk driver who got picked on in JROTC decided that it would be nice to not have any diversity since they were all a "Army of One!". So all troops should be able to wear the black beret and be mistaken for special ops troops.
what is politically correct about it? I agree that only rangers should wear black berets, but the change was to give the enlisted a more appealing uniform and increase recruitment - public relations stuff - not political correctness, if there even is such a thing anymore.
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Originally posted by Reschke
Ugliest damn uniform I have ever seen and that includes most European camouflage patterns also.
?
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Originally posted by strk
...not political correctness, if there even is such a thing anymore.
Why did you change your avatar to the symbol for Superperson strk?
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Originally posted by Holden McGroin
Why did you change your avatar to the symbol for Superperson strk?
I dunno, he was my childhod comicbook superhero favorite. like it?