The new U.S. Army uniform is a near replica of the World War II version. Can the Army meet its recruitment quotas of teen millennials with a throwback image from the Greatest Generation? Bill Whittle thinks the it’s brilliant.
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Capt. America Throwback: New U.S. Army Uniform Recalls World War II
The new U.S. Army uniform is a near replica of the World War II version. Can the Army meet its recruitment quotas of teen millennials with a throwback image from the Greatest Generation? Bill Whittle thinks the it’s brilliant.
15 replies on “Capt. America Throwback: New U.S. Army Uniform Recalls World War II”
From the middle ’50s and the “Modern Army Green” you had Dress Blues (kinda like what they wear now for dress uniform but were only for formal and semi-formal occasions), Class A’s (Green trousers and blouse– different weight material for summer and winter), Class B’s (normally Khakis), and then Fatigues/OG’s depending on when).
Changing back to the WWII style won’t matter much if the body inside isn’t motivated and proficient. It will, however, look better than using ACUs for all occasions (including travel). Curious, though, what color will the shoes be? Also, IIRC, only officers had the pinks-and-greens scheme, enlisted had the same color blouse and trousers.
The Army might want to consider, however, reducing the number of medals and ribbons given out. Today’s soldier with five or six years in has more fruit salad than Curtis E. LeMay. Time to consider backing off on ribbons for schools, each different theater, etc. Heck I even got an Overseas Service Ribbon for Hawaii, which while technically over part of an ocean, is still a state.
We’re slapping Bill Whittle? Where’s the end of the line?!?
The dress uniform should look as great as you can get it. That generation did the most and it is the one best remembered. The main similarity is the cut, not the materials. To those who do not know the history of the uniform the wear, the service will instruct them in great detail. Spit and polish is discipline, and soldiers require discipline and must have it to a greater degree than any civilian. If you are asking a person to die doing their job–its a job requirement by the way that no civilian job has–then dressing sharply and acting in good behavior (discipline) is very little to ask and necessary to the mental focus. Nothing is ever made better by lowering standards, only by raising them. There is no draft, these are all volunteers, and they need to be able to meet the standard. Not everyone is equal in this regard and not everyone can serve. And recruits need a challenge or they are not worth a darn. If they can’t accept a challenge of discipline, they have no place on the battlefield. These are the people sworn to protect and serve the Constitution (not a party, not a president, not a Congress), and this thin gray line must never fail, even if all the others do. They are in effect our Night’s Watch, the wall between us and the wolves. Reminding us of the Greatest Generation in uniform also instills a standard of similar discipline that they will strive to replicate. That is a good thing. I only hope the uniform for the U.S. Space Force is going to look as good!
This is a uniform that truly sets a group of people apart. “We are the people who spit and polish (and who tuck our shirts in).” I really like the stability it evokes.
Special request: would someone please post a link to the old our current uniforms? I’m not sure how they compare to earlier ones.
Also, I would like to see Bill modeling his proposed uniform for BW dot com.
The Army is no longer blue, they are tickled pink (and green) with their new uniform. The soldiers response is not all good, as might be expected from career soldiers and officers, because over the last few years, the Army has changed uniforms almost like underwear, and you are right, the Army has changed its messaging, more often than that.
I have watched with chagrin over the years as Army messaging, and especially uniforms have wandered all over the place since I was discharged. It presents the idea that not even the Army knows who it is or who it wants to be. It definitely seems to be trying to mirror pop culture. Even at that, it is a failure.
This does not go a long way in inspiring public confidence. Frankly, it makes the Army look weak and indecisive. And again, Bill is absolutely right, no one has any doubts about the Marines and just about anyone who sees a uniformed Marine on the street knows exactly who they are and what they stand for. That is called TRADITION! Sorry, you can’t say that about an Army soldier. I think the Army has lost it’s tradition, trying to be hip, cool, rad, etc, by turns, instead of SOLDIERS. Sorry guys, the Army is not a fashion show. Settle on a uniform, any uniform, decide what the person wearing that uniform stands for, and then, by God, stand with it! With singular purpose, and constant messaging reflecting that purpose, in other words a tradition, it will then become hip, cool, rad, etc to wear that uniform to the right people, for the right reasons.
Setting high standards gives a target for excellence. In your own personal life or professional life.
Having low or no expectations, promotes carelessness lack of motivation, and frankly failure.
We should look for the best of people. Why you may ask? Because people tend to live up to or down to your expectations. Criticism for failure should always be made as disappointment.
Can my uniform have ivory grip 1911s instead of the revolvers?
As a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, I’m envious of the Army’s proposed uniform! We had fleeting moments with good looking uniforms too. The summer tans of the forties and fifties were the best, with the early blues…especially the Ike jacket…a close second. Congratulations all you ground-pounders. Wear it proudly!
I would like to have heard you both expound on the analogy Bill was trying to make about the church of old vs modern day churches. I, for one, like the new uniform if for nothing else than a salute to the greatest generation that has ever lived…so far.
esprit de corps
fairly simple
Career soldier here. A few things:
1) The Marines get to be the “few and the proud” because the Navy does all of their backside support. Infantry and Artillery Marines and Soldiers are comparable.
2) The Army Service Uniform (ASU) is the blue one you spoke of. It is not new but a repurposing of the “dress blues” which eliminated the need for the green polyester Class A/B. The reasoning behind this was to have one uniform that can dress up or down (bow tie or four-in-hand tie). It’s style is based on Civil War era and has two shades of blue because back then the officers would often remove their coats while riding so the blues would fade unevenly.
3) Keep in mind that from a recruiting perspective, the military is no longer targeting Millenials because they are too old at this point. Efforts are aimed at Gen Z and they are quite different than Millenials. This uniform change is a good idea and Bill nailed it on the video game part. Kids growing up playing WWII games love this.
Scott, thanks for showing this man’s Army some love.
I was brought up by Staff Sgt. Jim McMaster, a tank commander in WWII. Love the man, and the institution. I appreciate your service, Roger.
I like them. It is rare to see soldiers wearing dress uniforms. Around Tulsa or the airport, I see them in fatigues. Circa 1970 the standing order was to wear a dress uniform in public. The last time I saw soldiers in dress uniforms was at a funeral. The current uniform is good-looking.
USMC dress uniforms seem unassailable in their current form.
The US Navy’s dress uniforms are iconic. I would not throw them overboard.
I could care less about the “fly boy’s” uniforms. Shoot them down at will. Powder blue. Yeah, powder blue. :^)
You push the image of the thing you wish to emulate.
I think, for day to day, walkin’ around uniforms, they should go back to the 1840’s. All Nepolionic w/ the tall hats and flare.
That said, the DoD seems to be changing uniforms more often than Star Trek.