All the services' new uniforms and the effect on CAP

[Greg]

Ok, with all the new uniform stuff going on, do you think this will affect CAP at all?  Do you think we'll be able to get truckloads of old BDUs for free?  In the long-term, do you think manufacturers will eventually discontinue the style of BDUs that we use, if all the services adopt new uniforms?

[Major_Chuck]

Yes.  Eventually it will.  At the MER Conference this very topic was brought up to Ms. Susie Parker with Membership Services.

When the AF switched to the BDU's we (CAP) expected a windfall of OD green fatigues.  It didn't materialize.  About two years ago we were expecting another windfall of woodland green BDU's and it didn't materialize.

As our services change their uniforms, surplus supplies are being purchased by foreign governments, namely Isreali, Afghan, and Iraqi. 

Ms. Parker was asked about the new patterns and said she wouldn't hold her breath.  The newer patterns are expensive and the supply will be very limited as the services race to outfit military personnel first.  A phase in that will take a number of years.

The downside for CAP is that as uniform manufacturers gear up their production lines to manufacture the new uniforms, what we use, the woodland green will become obsolete and won't be made.  What we get may be what is in the supply system, DRMO's, not serviceable, etc.

CAP is looking long term at the fact that we may have our own distinct uniform.  We may all wear the dark blue field uniform we have now or may even develop our own patterned uniform.  That bridge hasn't been crossed yet but it is being looked at.

To answer your question.  Yes it will effect us.