Utility or Useless: The Air Force's New Battle Uniform

re: Utility or Useless: The Air Force's New Battle Uniform

Jamie — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:05:51 GMT

The pattern is the least of the ABUs' problems. As has been cited, it's too heavy. The pockets are poorly placed and useless when in combat armor, and there's nothing to protect airmen's necks from hot brass when firing rifles. Some might say, "It's the Air Force. Those things don't matter." Those people aren't in Iraq or Afghanistan, getting pulled for "in lieu of" taskings where airmen regularly fill in for soldiers. The ABU is a nice parade uniform for temperate weather. As a battle uniform, it just shows how far removed the designers are from the front lines.

re: Utility or Useless: The Air Force's New Battle Uniform

Afrotcclassof2010 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:23:24 GMT

I'm not a big fan of ABU pattern, but ACU is not much better. The Marines got this one right but not trying to have one uniform for all environments. ABU and ACU both aren't that great.

re: Utility or Useless: The Air Force's New Battle Uniform

Anonymous1234 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:44:36 GMT

I was in the Army and the Air Force and I believe the best solution would be to just adopt the Army Uniform. The only thing wrong with it is the stupid looking velcro on the arm. Not only does it look retarded, it gets caught on the tent every time you walk in and out of the TOC. Once they get rid of that, it would be perfect.

re: Utility or Useless: The Air Force's New Battle Uniform

Hugh Morris — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:31:47 GMT

The airman battle uniform is only authorized to wear anywhere except in BATTLE! There is ANOTHER uniform for that. My question is why not just adopt the DCU, a uniform that has already been tried and tested with an ample supply to go around? But then the reality sets in and I begin to think that makes way too much sense what was I thinking...

re: Utility or Useless: The Air Force's New Battle Uniform

diana — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:19:37 GMT

Let's also consider the exorbitant cost of R&D for this damn thing. We were AT WAR when we started this, then they poured...how much into developing a new "distinctive" uniform? And for WHAT? To be distinctive. That's it. It was going to fit better--it had male and female sizes--and it would be more utility-driven. These were good goals. But why couldn't we simply adopt the Marine or the Army uniform? Because ours had to be "distinctive." Why? It just did. That was the whole point of that SEVERAL MILLION we poured into R&D (and still are, apparently, because we failed with the first several mil to take little things like uniform breathability and body armor accessibility into account WHILE WE'RE EMBROILED IN A DESERT WAR IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE BEING BLOWN TO BITS. And some forward-thinking officers have dared to complain that the AF leadership is "out of touch." WhatEVER gave them that idea? Right now, The AF is test-driving new blues uniforms, as well. Why? I'm not sure, but I'll go out on a limb and say they're probably looking for something "distinctive." Or maybe distinctiver. Jeez. The army has no monopoly on high-ranking idiocy, that's for sure. d

re: Utility or Useless: The Air Force's New Battle Uniform

Ryan — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:01:31 GMT

The Airman Battle Uniform is a joke... I've been wearing it for the last 6 months in Iraq and it is nothing short of awful. Like the article says, it is extremely hot! The material is pretty much identical to thick jeans... imagine being in the Iraq desert where is 120F wearing a jean jacket, thick jean pants, boots and a hat - it is excruciating!

What's worse is that the Air Force leadership just loves to create more and more rules and no we are restricted from even taking our blouse off unless we are performing heavy work outdoors -- and they mean HEAVY work such as construction. So the rest of us who work out side for most of the day are forced to wilter away drinking distilled water all day.

That addresses the heavy part... the next mistake which goes way beyond the material was the idea to every create the thing to begin with. All of you who have been in for at least 5 years can remember them putting out that awful bright blue uniform - many complained that the color was ridiculous to which the general's replied, "We're not looking for something that will camouflage with an environment, we only want it to be distinctive". I can remember our shop sitting in commander's call looking at each other saying "WTF?!!? Then why is it camo pattern!?!?" If I wanted bright blue camouflage I'd go to Gadzooks at the mall. Fortunately that got thrown away -- but doesn't this show where our leadership's head is? It's not focused on the war fighter... its about looking different and another star for some general up top.

And the ultimate fruition of this mess is that AF leadership never thought that maybe having a distinctive uniform in a war zone could be a problem... terrorists aren't idiots... when they see 20 guys in ACUs and 2 guys in ABUs, they always shot at the Air Force guys. So -- surprise! What was the fix?! Everyone who goes off base must now where the Army's uniform! So much for the ABU being an Airman 'Battle' Uniform...

The Army's Combat Uniform (ACU) is far superior to the AF's as well. The fabric flame retardant, very light, Velcro everything, it zips up, has arm and slanted chest pockets. What is unbelievable is that the Army created this awesome uniform before the Air Force completed theirs and the AF didn't take any of their good ideas.

I could go on -- but from first hand experience the ABU is a complete waste of money and is a joke in the field. All of us long for the days of DCUs and BDUs........

There have been so many problems lately with the Air Force (security, pt gear, etc.)

Oh Air Force........................................... where are you going.......

re: Utility or Useless: The Air Force's New Battle Uniform

JAMES — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:35:25 GMT

BWHAHAHAHAHAHA I remember when they had us send comments, even before they began production most of us hated the new uniforms design and look. but the top brass wanted it. I refuse to purchase one good thing im out in 5 months. I feel bad for the people who are staying in.