Blue vs. Grey (BDU's)

[ddelaney103]

I know this is a big rock to throw in the pond at this late stage, however...

I think we should consider sunsetting the BBDU in favor of gray BDU's when we sunset the woodland BDU in favor of ABU.

The ABU is a much lighter color than the BDU and we would be a closer match to ABU's if we were wearing a lighter color BDU.  Gray would also be a better color in sunny and hot climes.

The two major downsides are the cost of retooling (but if the sunset time is 4-5 years out which would allow changeover through attrition) and the fact that gray will show more dirt than blue, but so will the ABU, so we'll be even.

Also, we can either use blue on gray or gray on blue nametapes on both without it looking odd for either.  Heck, we could use sage on the gray BDU's if that would make the sage types happy.

I think this idea should be given serious consideration.

[Stonewall]

I'd be okay with it.  Would make it closer in color to the ABU.

[RiverAux]

I'd be in favor of it for the simple reason that it would make us look less like SWAT team members. 

[ddelaney103]

I'd be in favor of it for the simple reason that it would make us look less like SWAT team members. 

Not really a good argument - there are police and sheriff departments all across the country and they use all sorts of colors for their tac teams.  I'm sure someone is using gray, tan or blue as well as black.

[RiverAux]

yeah, but in most places the dark blues seem to be the most common.  Plus, I agree on the heat issue. 

[Stonewall]

I'd be in favor of it for the simple reason that it would make us look less like SWAT team members. 

Not really a good argument - there are police and sheriff departments all across the country and they use all sorts of colors for their tac teams.  I'm sure someone is using gray, tan or blue as well as black.

I agree.  I think that's irrelevant.  SWAT folks wear BDUs all the time.  Chances are, they'll be wearing ACU type fatigues soon enough.  If someone is really worried about looking like SWAT, you'll never conform to a standard because SWAT doesn't conform to a standard nationwide.

[Short Field]

If we are changing colors why not pick a color that makes you stand out on a SAR - like orange.  Then the color change will actually serve a real purpose.

[ddelaney103]

If we are changing colors why not pick a color that makes you stand out on a SAR - like orange.  Then the color change will actually serve a real purpose.

The purpose is to align out corporate field uniform to our future AF field uniform.

[RogueLeader]

If we are changing colors why not pick a color that makes you stand out on a SAR - like orange.  Then the color change will actually serve a real purpose.

because I wear fatigues more to meetings than on SAR missions.  I don't like blinding people when I go CAP work.

[Cobra1597]

If we are changing colors why not pick a color that makes you stand out on a SAR - like orange.  Then the color change will actually serve a real purpose.

Because not everything has to be about ES. 2 out of three missions are something else, and all three usually include wearing the uniform.

[RiverAux]

If we went gray, would we be the Confederate Air Patrol?

[ddelaney103]

If we went gray, would we be the Confederate Air Patrol?

Please, the PC term is "Commemorative."

[RogueLeader]

If we went gray, would we be the Confederate Air Patrol?

Please, the PC term is "Commemorative."

I'm not PC

[/drift]

[JayT]

Aren't the Civilian cops at Air Force posts in Korea wearing a modified all tan ABU?

Maybe something like that could work.

[sandman]

If we are changing colors why not pick a color that makes you stand out on a SAR - like orange.  Then the color change will actually serve a real purpose.

I would prefer not to look like a prison chain-gang 

Fade to gray I say....sounds like a sound idea...

LtCol White...any input for the uniform committee?

/r
LT

[arajca]

I believe the good Lt Col has repeated said that the committee is not looking at that kind of a major change at this time.

[ddelaney103]

I believe the good Lt Col has repeated said that the committee is not looking at that kind of a major change at this time.

Maybe, but the time to plan these things is when you have a long lead time.  Telling people when the ABU comes in in 4 years we'll move to gray BDU's is a lot better than 1 year warning.  More importantly, if you have a transition period people aren't stuck buying something that will be outdated before it's worn out.

[Slim]

I really don't mind the blue as they are now.  Sure, navy blue insignia/tapes would look a little better, but they're just fine as-is.

Honestly, if I'm going to have to spend $60-70 a pop to replace my four sets of BBDUs anyway, I'd just as soon go to the OD green BDUs.

Just as functional, wouldn't look too out of place with ABUs, and it would be a connection to our (at least my) heritage.

[jb512]

I don't wear the blue version, but I think I probably would if we went to a gray or OD green and make it look right.

All patches would have to actually match the shirt.  The background color of them would be the same color as the shirt (gray or od) with subdued contrasting colors for the embroidery.  The U.S. flag is cool, but no wing patch and no cartoon colored pocket patches.

I'm on board.

[Dragoon]

I would agree with the change to grey for a couple of reasons

1.  It blends with the ABU.  If the goal is "one uniform, one team", then the Navy Blue BDU isn't a good fit.  It stands out next to the USAF equivalent.  As we make the TPU more like the Service Dress, doing the same with the utilities only makes sense.

2.  It's commercially available.  Perhaps even more than blue.  I've seen grey everywhere.

3.  For our folks in the southern half of the country - grey is MUCH cooler.  And for the folks up north, you can always put more stuff on underneath if it's cold.

Only one real downside - it will show dirt a little more.  I can live with that.

The real key would be to have a long term phase out so that no one gets screwed in the pocketbook.  BBDUs don't last forever (they fade afer a while) so a long term phase-in strategy would limit the dollar damage to members.

Oh yeah, grey flightsuits also blend better with grey/green nomex than light blue.