I went to OSUT in 1990. The duty uniform was the BDU. Drill's starched the heck out of them (and mine required the same from us - thankfully there was a laundry truck outside the barracks).

What are Drill's doing now that the ACU explicitly states that: "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."?

Also, what about shining of boots? Are they allowed to wear black?

I assume that clary has some insight on this but any other imput is welcomed.

Just curious. Thx.

There will always be people that try to push the "squared away" or "high speed" look with whatever uniform, no matter the regulations.

You don't have to starch the ACUs and get that "cardboard crease", but it shouldn't look like you got hit with the wrinkle bomb. I remember being in Iraq and wearing the DCUs. It would piss off everyone to no end when some Staffer or CDR come visit or be seen in the chow hall with the "cardboard crease."

I know Drills spend a lot of time on the uniform and are constantly under the microscope for all the do (and wear). Re: the boots, I know they make the polish stuff for the tan boots, also.

Technically the BDU was also "wash and wear" but we got them pressed professionally anyway (while in garrison that is - field is a different animal).

It seems that the new ACU regulations were written to stop any sort of drycleaning whatsoever due to the ACU's increased tactical performance requirements.

Drills aren't going to be in a tactical enviornment due to their jobs. I was wondering if there was an exception to the policy for trainers in Training Units (Drills, TAC Officers, school cadre etc).

Well, Drills may not be in "tactical" enviros per se, but they do have DS units that deploy overseas to train the IZ or AFG forces.

IMO, the ACUs are not a tactical uniform. The Army went for looks over function. And it was a very bad look at that.

quote:

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Well, Drills may not be in "tactical" enviros per se, but they do have DS units that deploy overseas to train the IZ or AFG forces.

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I didn't know this!

I heard an NPR interview with a Colonel a few years ago talking about the training requirements of the Iraqi and Afghan Defense Forces. One of the challenges that he discussed, the Army was using soldiers who weren't necessarily professional trainers in training these forces and it was being left up to the ones on the ground.

He further stated that the soldiers needed over there were Major's and up and Sergeants First Class and up with at least 3 years of experience in training (IE, Senior Drill Instructors and Training unit XO's/Battalion Commanders) but the problem was that many in the the Army viewed these as dead end career paths and unit commanders didn't want to give up their most experienced soliders from line units for training duties.

I know that this commentary is WAY off the original topic but I am glad you shed some light on this. Thanks Dagger.

If anyone has any futher commentary, I'm still curious to know if they just turn their back on it or not.

chowdah, i did my drill time when we were still in BDUs. last time i was at Knox, the Drills uniforms looked ironed, but now pressed or starched. and yes, its against regulation for starch or use sizing on the ACU, but some do. as for boots, all versions of the black boot are phased out, except for maybe the mechanics steel toed black leather boot. the ACU doesnt look bad at all if you remove it from the dryer just before it is completely dry and place on a hanger and smooth the uniform out. let it sit in the dryer after the cycle is over and it will be wrinkled like nobodies business.

EDIT: as to why the no pressing is being pushed much harder with the ACU, i think, is due to wanting to keep the cost of ownership of the uniform down. like the stupid velcro patches and such are supposed to save money over paying for sewing. i could be wrong though.

[This message has been edited by clarythedrill (edited 6/14/2010 5:55p).]

I went to basic during the BDU era but we have a SFC who just left the trail before coming to us and he says it's all wash and wear for the privates ACU's and all coyote brown boots. That's what I expected as black boots have been gone since April 2008.

I wouldn't be surprised to see dry cleaning and starching of ACU's come along before long. The ACU isn't worn in combat anymore and only the FRACU's can be worn in country. So there is no point in trying to maintain an IR absorbent material or avoid the IR reflectiveness of the starch if you are never going to wear them into a combat situation.

also, if you press the uniform professionally, like at the cleaners, it will eventually melt the velcro and seal all the pockets closed, rendering them useless. much like the rest of the uniform, useless.

Thanks for the answers folks. I guess the ACUs aren't very popular. I stumbled across this image and figured I'd share it for comments.

And for couches!

Wait wait wait... you're saying the Army deploys entire Initial Entry Training TRADOC units full of junior NCOs and their untrained privates to fill MiTT taskings? Does the Army know they are doing this?

I'm sure Drill Sergeants are starching or ironing their uniforms. They are not wearing black boots just so they can shine them, that would be absurd.

1stRangersAg I hope you are joking.(My bad if you are)

What I'm saying is that there are Reserve Component units composed of Drill Sergeants, and those units/teams are deployed overseas to train forces in IZ and AFG.

just thought i would chime in being new army.

i went to basic training in 2007, and the acu with tan boots was the only uniform we wore. hell, most of our equipment like ACH covers and LBV's has the ACU print. anyways, we NEVER had to clean our boots, and as long as it looked like we tried to clean our uniforms, wrinkles were not an issue.

part of the problem with these uniforms is that, once you've had them for so long and washed them so many times, the colors fade and everyone looks like they are wearing different colored uni's.

not only that, but some of the folks coming back from the sandbox have an orange tint to their uniforms, and our reserve units won't replace them.

the FRACUs, when new, have a reddish/pink tint to them that will eventually go away after about 6 washings. then, they will develope those sweet little fuzz balls. and lets not forget about the static cling, either. the QC on both these new uniforms suck, as you better try on the uniforms prior to buying because they dont match the size on the collar or waist. what in the world was the Army thinking?

Don't forget, heaven forbid, if you try to be tactical your uniform will attract every stick, leave, etc. to the velcro.

Well, if you are actually using your uniform, the velcro doesn't work anyway.

Anyway, I am 'near' Ft. Jackson, and the DS appear to just iron their stuff.