ABU POSTER

[Hawk200]

Saw them at Barksdale at MCCS. Material is rather thick and stiff. Almost feels like canvas. Not sure how much it will soften up when washed but seems pretty hot. MCCS manager said that there have been several heat casulties from the deployed airman who are wearing it.

The material is the same as the Marine Corps utility pants. The Marines had heavier weight cloth for pants, lighter weight for shirts. The Air Force used the cloth weight that that the Corps used for the pants on the whole uniform because it was cheaper, and also said that "Airmen will get used to it".

It's not as durable, but the ACU is made of a heavier weight ripstop, a little heavier than the BDU material but lighter weight than Marine uniforms. It does keep things cooler. Then again, they could have followed the Marine example all the way, and used the same lighter weight material for the shirts.

But it's actually easy to see the Air Force's priorities when you know that next year they're going to release stripes for the ABU that have a permanent crease sewn into them so that Airman will always look sharp in their uniforms.

[LtCol White]

Rec'd a US CAV catalog in the mail yesterday. They are now selling the ABU's made by Propper in there. Boy, that didnt take long. They also have the boots made by Corcoran which is different from the issue boot. Also has all the USAF tapes and insignia

The ad says they the 50/50 cotton nylon which means they will be the same weight as the ACU and not the heavy material of the issue uniform that I have seen. Havent seen the Propper version of it yet.

http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productID=16433&TabID=1
http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productID=16414&TabID=1
http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productID=16497&TabID=1

[ddelaney103]

Rec'd a US CAV catalog in the mail yesterday. They are now selling the ABU's made by Propper in there. Boy, that didnt take long. They also have the boots made by Corcoran which is different from the issue boot. Also has all the USAF tapes and insignia

The ad says they the 50/50 cotton nylon which means they will be the same weight as the ACU and not the heavy material of the issue uniform that I have seen. Havent seen the Propper version of it yet. Place your rank on the collar of your new Airman Battle Uniform with this small sew-on patch.

http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productID=16433&TabID=1
http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productID=16414&TabID=1
http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productID=16497&TabID=1

Weird, they have a ref to collar patches - "Place your rank on the collar of your new Airman Battle Uniform with this small sew-on patch."  Where did they come up with that?

http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=16500&tabID=1

[LtCol White]

i think they are just misnaming the sew on cloth rank since it looks like a patch before it is folded and ready to sew

[0]

I wonder how long it will be till we are authorized to wear this uniform.  I've got mixed ideas on it.  I think I might stick with my good old BBDU or my Utilities. 

[ddelaney103]

i think they are just misnaming the sew on cloth rank since it looks like a patch before it is folded and ready to sew

No, it looks like they dumped in the enlisted sleeve grade in the same entry with the officer collar grade.

The prices b/w the officer and NCO are too wide to be the same thing.

They also spelled "Chief" wrong - sad, really.

[LtCol White]

I wonder how long it will be till we are authorized to wear this uniform.  I've got mixed ideas on it.  I think I might stick with my good old BBDU or my Utilities. 

prob within 2 yrs we will be authorized for this with a later mandatory date

[0]

When's the Mandatory date for the AF?

[LtCol White]

2011