Forget about CAP getting ABUs

[Patterson]

So are we getting ABU's or not?!?!?!?!?!

[Eclipse]

So are we getting ABU's or not?!?!?!?!?!

No.  And the USAF will probably be out of them in the next year as well.

[jeders]

We were donated a good number of bdus from an ROTC department, so we can provide most of what they need, for now.  Fact is, if I had to have them buy the field uniform, their parents would likely pull them from this new "MONEY PIT" that CAP would be.

Either your cadets are either living at a level of economic strata that is far below the poverty line, in which case I sympathize, or they
have gotten used to a level of entitlement that is inappropriate.

The silver spoon analogy doesn't work. Eclipse is correct. Unless all of today's teenagers, including the twelve year olds are no longer taught a work ethic, I'd bet they would convince thier parents to let them stay in CAP. They would figure out how to make the cash for the set of BDU's. And your implication somewhere in this thread that the cadets would all, otherwise, end up in the gangs speak poorly of the parents too.

Considering where the Major is located, gangs are about the only other option, regardless of what the parents are doing.

[BradM]

So are we getting ABU's or not?!?!?!?!?!

No.  And the USAF will probably be out of them in the next year as well.

"Out of them" as no longer using them or out of stock?

[MIKE]

^ No longer using them and transitioning to OCP/MultiCam.

[NJMEDIC]

I have heard that the congress is going to mandate one uniform for all the services like the Woodland BDU

[Major Carrales]

I have heard that the congress is going to mandate one uniform for all the services like the Woodland BDU

This idea comes and goes.  It is sort of a vicious cycle.  One cycle experts make this same realization..."We need one uniform for economics sake and for consistency..." everyone agrees, for a while. 

Then, one branch decides it needs a specific uniform.  Then...they all do.  That was the whole "digital camo uniform" movement of recent years starting with, if memory serves, the US Marines, then the US Army and then everyone else (I may have that wrong due to perception)    I'm sure millions were spent developing those things and the accompanying wear tests et al.

Then, once everyone has their "baby," experts make the realization..."Hey, we need one uniform for economics sake and for consistency..." everyone agrees, for a while.     

[BradM]

It seems to me that each service should have one for desert climates and one for European/Asian type climates. I dont see why the Navy needs blue digital camo though if you fall in the ocean no one will be able to find you

[Major Carrales]

It seems to me that each service should have one for desert climates and one for European/Asian type climates. I dont see why the Navy needs blue digital camo though if you fall in the ocean no one will be able to find you

I think one basic design for all with specific patterns and gear for varying climates.  Even in the 19th century they used "whites" for tropical places, "khakis" for deserts and "blues" for colder climates.

[BradM]

I think one basic design for all with specific patterns and gear for varying climates.  Even in the 19th century they used "whites" for tropical places, "khakis" for deserts and "blues" for colder climates.

I do like to be able to tell Marines from Army in photos. Perhaps the Air Force could have the same camo as the Army but I like the Marines having their own look.

[NCRblues]

It seems to me that each service should have one for desert climates and one for European/Asian type climates. I dont see why the Navy needs blue digital camo though if you fall in the ocean no one will be able to find you

When they fall into salt water, they turn BRIGHT orange 

[DC]

It seems to me that each service should have one for desert climates and one for European/Asian type climates. I dont see why the Navy needs blue digital camo though if you fall in the ocean no one will be able to find you

The point in MultiCam/OCP is that it is reasonably effective in a wide range of climates, compared to the current UCP scheme used by the Army and AF (different patterns, same basic colors) which is supposed to, but really just makes you stand out everywhere.

The Marines have a good system with their two MARPAT uniforms, I don't see the point in forcing them to dump the pattern that has served them well for almost a decade now.

The Navy's NWU isn't supposed to camouflage anything, it's just meant to be a functional work uniform. I have heard that the 'camo pattern' on it is designed to look hardcore hide stains, which are apparently common/almost unavoidable when living on a boat.

[BradM]

The point in MultiCam/OCP is that it is reasonably effective in a wide range of climates, compared to the current UCP scheme used by the Army and AF (different patterns, same basic colors) which is supposed to, but really just makes you stand out everywhere.

The Marines have a good system with their two MARPAT uniforms, I don't see the point in forcing them to dump the pattern that has served them well for almost a decade now.

The Navy's NWU isn't supposed to camouflage anything, it's just meant to be a functional work uniform. I have heard that the 'camo pattern' on it is designed to look hardcore hide stains, which are apparently common/almost unavoidable when living on a boat.

The Army, Air Force, and Navy in the MultiCam/OCP and the Marines in the MARPAT?

[PHall]

So are we getting ABU's or not?!?!?!?!?!

No.  And the USAF will probably be out of them in the next year as well.

And this nugget of infomation came from where?  (Cite your source please.)

[Eclipse]

And this nugget of infomation came from where?  (Cite your source please.)

http://soldiersystems.net/2009/07/30/congress-proposes-common-ground-combat-uniform/

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/09/air-force-airmen-to-get-multicam-pattern-091110w/

http://www.bradleyssurplus.com/blog/infantry-usaf-fixes-its-color-conflict-adopts-multicam/

http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2010/09/03/usaf-to-adopt-multicam/

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/03/airforce_afghanistan_uniforms_032810w/

http://domhyde.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/multicam-for-usaf/

Plenty more where that came from...

[caphornbuckle]

Just FYI but these questions came up when the Air Force changed over from the "Pickle Suit" to BDU's.  We waited a few years later and CAP was approved the BDU's.

The problem was fixed then and I'm sure it will be fixed when time comes as well for this time around.

Seems to me if the wing doesn't have enough BDU's to go around or units are not insisting borrowed BDU's be returned from members who leave the unit, someone isn't doing their job.

[SarDragon]

It seems to me that each service should have one for desert climates and one for European/Asian type climates. I dont see why the Navy needs blue digital camo though if you fall in the ocean no one will be able to find you

Guess what? That's no different from what it has been since some time in the '30s (maybe before). The working uniform for the Navy has been blue for a very long time.

The digital camo isn't to hide from people, it's to help hide the dirt that sailors are exposed to in a shipboard environment.

[PHall]

And this nugget of infomation came from where?  (Cite your source please.)

http://soldiersystems.net/2009/07/30/congress-proposes-common-ground-combat-uniform/

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/09/air-force-airmen-to-get-multicam-pattern-091110w/

http://www.bradleyssurplus.com/blog/infantry-usaf-fixes-its-color-conflict-adopts-multicam/

http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2010/09/03/usaf-to-adopt-multicam/

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/03/airforce_afghanistan_uniforms_032810w/

http://domhyde.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/multicam-for-usaf/

Plenty more where that came from...

And not one of them is an "official" source. How about something from the Air Force Uniform Board?
In case you haven't noticed, the various military "Times" newspapers are NOT an official source of information.

[Eclipse]

No, they aren't - they only quote official sources and contain photos of airman in multicams.

[Hawk200]

And not one of them is an "official" source. How about something from the Air Force Uniform Board?
In case you haven't noticed, the various military "Times" newspapers are NOT an official source of information.

A lot more reliable than hearsay. A few years ago, one of the bases I was stationed considered banning the "Times" from the base over an improperly researched story. They may not have absolutely correct dates, but they're usually in the know.

It would certainly be beneficial to have a single uniform pattern. If you need anything specialized, such as flash resistant, fire resistant, or other such things; it would be a lot easier to just have a common pattern. It would beneficial for OPSEC purposes as well. Never really know which branch you're dealing with until they're up close, and too late.