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USMC Tattoo Policy - Ask A Marine!
U.S. Marine Corps Nylon Flag 12"x18"
Army Patrol Cap now default headgear with ACUs
Sergeant Major of the Army, Raymond F. Chandler III, said the Army Chief of Staff, General Martin Dempsey announced the change to the Patrol Cap because "The Soldiers didn't like the fact that the beret was hot -- it was not something that they wore the majority of the time," he said. "And they didn't like the fact it didn't shade the sun and it took two hands to put on. And they didn't like to carry two pieces of headgear to do different functions during the day."
Uniform changes usually occur after recommendations from the Uniform Board, but General Dempsey decided to take changes to the Secretary of the Army immediately. The Black Beret Beret has been the standard headgear for the Army ACU, but most soldiers needed to change to a patrol cap based on their billet, such as in the motor pool.
Army Combat Uniform (ACU) Cap
The new policy will make the ACU Patol Cap the standard headgear. The Black Beret will remain the standard headgear for the Army Service Uniform (ASU). It will remain an optional headgear for the ACU at the discretion of commanders.
Concerning the Black Beret SgtMaj Chandler said. "Soldiers said we don't want to wear it with this uniform ... but they do feel they look very professional wearing it with the Army service uniform."
Solders can find more information on the Army ACU Headgear changes at army.mil.
U.S. Navy Ribbon Checker
The Navy Ribbon Checker allows you to quickly figure out the correct order and precedence of your ribbons according BURPERS as given on their web page.
To find a particular ribbon, use the 'find' command available on the most commonly used browsers. An alphabetical listing of ribbons and medals is in the works, as is a "medals" page. If an entry is without a checkbox, I have not yet obtained the ribbon graphic.
Resources for Sailors
Navy Ribbon Checker
Women's Army Combat Uniform (ACU) Update
5% Discount Code "ARMYACU10" for All ACUArmy.com Military Clothing
The U.S. Army is in the midst of testing an Army Combat Uniform designed specifically for women. Currently, female soldiers wear combat uniforms that are basically smaller versions of the ones that men wear. Update from the AP.
Marine Corps getting Protective Combat Underwear
Marines-helping-Marines at Military Uniform Exchange
Every Marine in Afghanistan will get 4 pairs of Ballistic Skivvies called "Protective Undergarments" according to the Marine Corps Times. The protective underwear is already in use by British troops and is designed to protect Marines' groin from blast type injuries.
The USMC combat underwear, made of lightweight silk, provides added protection femoral arteries and genitals, but will not protect against fragmentation. The under garments look similar to bicycle shorts.
The Marine Corps will use "contingency contracting" to expedite fielding to troops in combat. The skivvies mitigate the wounds by blocking out the small particles that cause additional damage in a blast. Additionally, they contain antibacterial treatment to reduce Marines' risk of wounds becoming infected, allowing for faster recovery.
USMC RAT BOOTS TO REPLACE INFANTRY COMBAT BOOTS (ICB)
and the RAT Boot will become standard issue for all Marines. 
Danner USMC Rat Boot
Marine Corps Systems Command will add two types of RAT Boot, including a new hot weather version, to every Marine's seabag.
The Marine Corps decided to replace the Infantry Combat Boot based on negative feedback from Marines in Afghanistan. The ICB just wasn't tough enough to withstand the terrain.
The USMC RAT boot has a wider sole for more stability. It also has stitch down construction preventing problems with the sole separating from the upper boot.
The Cold Weater RAT Boot was the only version available to Marines until now. Marines wearing that boot in Afghanistan reported that boot was too hot and didn't breathe. It wasn't suitable for 120+ degree tempatures.
Marine Corps Systems Command has issued a hot weather RAT Boot verison to approximately 8,000 Marines currently deployed in Afghanistan. The boots are lighter and have air holes to allow them to breathe and drain.
The USMC RAT Boot design is based off a civilian hunting model made by Danner Boots. It was first introduced to Marines deploying to Afghanistan in 2006. The boot is more expensive than the ICB, but should last much longer.
RAT boots will continue to be a unit-issued item until 2012 when they standard wear.
Navy looking to replace Desert Combat Uniforms (DCUs)
The CNO is considering options to replace the Desert Combat Uniform or DCU according to the Navy Times. The new cammie uniform will not be a new digital brown/tan version of the Navy Working Uniform (NWU). Those uniforms are reserved for Sailors in the Naval Special Warfare Command.
Outside of the SEALs and those Sailors who support them, the rest of the Navy continues to wear the DCU. The Navy DCU contract expires in 2012. The Navy could extend the contract or choose a new design.
Alternatives to the DCU are being considered, but no decision has been made by the CNO. Currently digital desert and woodland Navy Working Uniforms (NWUs) are organizational uniforms - issued by commands. The desert digital NWU is limited to SEALs.
The Navy DCU contract expires at the end of 2012. Adm Roughead will be looking at DCU replacement options over the next year. His objective is one uniform for different Navy communities.
The CNO is considering options to replace the Desert Combat Uniform or DCU according to the Navy Times. The new cammie uniform will not be a new digital brown/tan version of the Navy Working Uniform (NWU). Those uniforms are reserved for Sailors in the Naval Special Warfare Command.
Outside of the SEALs and those Sailors who support them, the rest of the Navy continues to wear the DCU. The Navy DCU contract expires in 2012. The Navy could extend the contract or choose a new design.
Alternatives to the DCU are being considered, but no decision has been made by the CNO. Currently digital desert and woodland Navy Working Uniforms (NWUs) are organizational uniforms - issued by commands. The desert digital NWU is limited to SEALs.
The Navy DCU contract expires at the end of 2012. Adm Roughead will be looking at DCU replacement options over the next year. His objective is one uniform for different Navy communities.
Marine Corps Recalls RAT Boots
The Marine Corps Times has reported that over 8,000 Rugged All Terrain or "RAT" boots have be recalled by the Marine Corps. Many of the boots were worn by Marines deployed in Afghanistan.
Failures with the RAT boots include seam separation due to poor stitching or glue, as well as eyelets falling off. Marine Corps Systems Command has determined the problem to be poor manufacturing and use of improper materials, not poor design.
The USMC Infantry Combat Boot is scheduled to be replaced by the RAT boot in 2012.
The recalled boots are made by Bates Boots. It is uncertain exactly how many boots are currently in the operating forces, but at least one infantry battalion in Afghanistan currently has them. The recall ensures that no more hot weather Bates RAT boots are worn by Marines down range.
67,000 pairs (out of 105,000) of Bates' RAT boots have already been delivered to the Marine Corps. Danner also makes RAT boots, but the Marine Corps only purchased the boots from Bates. Delivery from Bates has been stopped. Danner and Welco versions of the RAT boots are not effected and were excluded from the recall.
Marines can find more information at Marine Corps recalls new boots from war zone in the Marine Corps Times.
Fort Benning Female Soldiers test new Army Combat Uniform (ACU)
Fort Benning Public Affairs is reporting that 150 female Soldiers from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, have begun testing the new Women's Army Combat Uniform. Each Soldier received two sets of the new ACU on 23 Feb, 2011.
Soldiers will wear the female ACUs and provide feedback to the Soldier Colothing and Individual Command at Fort Belvoir. Items evaluated will include durability, functionality, laundering and comfort.
Maj. Sequana Robinson, the assistant product manager assigned to Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, said "The ACU uniform came out in 2005 and the Army has since found out how it was functioning and worked to make changes. One of the things we found out in the feedback was that the current uniform didn't fit as well on female Soldiers."
The new female ACU features narrower shoulder width, an added elastic waistband, adjusted chest, waist and sweep ratios, repositioned elbow and knee patches, longer top length on the front and back of the uniform and adjusted sleeve length and width.
450 female Army ACU uniforms will be issued to Soldiers at Fort Benning, Fort Jackson, Fort Carson and the Joint Base Lewis-McChord for testing and evaluation. The uniform is still in the testing phase and has not yet been approved by the Army Clothing Board.
AIRMEN TO WEAR ARMY MULTICAM IN AFGHANISTAN
Airman will be wearing the Army Multicam Uniform in place of the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) in Afghanistan according to the the Air Force. The ABU and the Combat version of the ABU will be replaced with the Army MultiCam uniform currently worn by soldiers deployed to Afghanistan. (Airman currently serving with Army uniforms wear Army MultiCam Cammies).
Airmen currently wearing the Combat ABU will be the 1st to be issued MulitCam (Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or OCP).
OCP MulitCam Uniforms have been designed with bug repellant material and flame resistant material. Airman should not purchase this uniform on their own as MultiCam copies are not approved for wear.
Air Forces Central Command will purchase the OCP MulitiCam uniforms and ship them to predeployment training locations for those Airman with deployment orders.
Airman find more information about MultiCam replacing the ABU for deploying airmen in the Air Force Times.
