Do you have problems with the white shirt of your Army Service Uniform? Maybe it doesn't fit right, or isn't durable? Is it forming cloth balls or ring around the collar?
If so, you're in good company.
Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey has expressed concerns with the quality of the ASU shirt and the Army is surveying other soldiers to see if an upgrade is in order.
"SMA wants to ensure the shirt, as part of the entire ASU ensemble, is reflective of the history and professionalism of our Army," said Master Sgt. Michelle Johnson, SMA's spokeswoman, via email. "Specifically, he'd like to see a different fabric combination that addresses the cleanliness and durability issues, and he'd also like a range of size/fit options that present a crisp, clean professional military appearance."
SMA admittedly wears his ASU more than most soldiers, Johnson said, but he also talked with members of "The Old Guard," the service's ceremonial unit, who expressed similar complaints.
Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey, right, shakes hands with a Marine at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall on Nov. 6. SMA Dailey has expressed concerns with the quality of the Army Service Uniform white shirt.
Photo Credit: Nell King/Army
Dailey shared these concerns with Program Executive Office Soldier, which oversees uniform improvements. PEO Soldier quickly initiated a "health assessment" of the shirt and has sought soldier feedback. The research "will assist in identifying any shortcomings of the shirft and proposing corrective action if warranted," said Scott Hulett, assistant project manager for Initial Issue Uniforms at PEO Soldier, in a written response to Army Times questions.
While PEO Soldier declined to provide details of the assessment, Hulett cited the following issues, based on the preliminary discussions with SMA:
- The shirt is too heavy and too hot in the summer.
- There is pilling (i.e., balls of cloth/fluff develop).
- It's hard to keep clean, especially around the collar.
- It's too bulky (not tapered enough).
Regarding bulkiness, the Army already offers an athletic/trim fit for optional wear, although many soldiers may be unaware of its existence. SMA does not have the trim fit, Johnson said.
"AAFES has the trim fit available as a special order item. They report (at least locally) that sales are very limited and shelf space is prioritized for higher volume items," Hulett said. "Unfortunately, their availability is not well advertised to Soldiers."
Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey wears the ASU more often than your typical soldier.
Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Kyle Richardson/Army
New soldiers may receive the trim-fit shirt for their initial issue, he added.
The regular and athletic/trim-fit shirts for men come in long- and short-sleeve versions. Women have long- and short-sleeve versions available, as either a tuck-in or over-blouse design. The fabric for all shirts is made of 65 percent polyester and 35 percent cotton herringbone weave. Shirt costs are $20.40 for long sleeve and $18.49 for short.
The ASU white shirt has been in use since 2010. In 2012, the Army conducted a web survey, in which soldiers were asked about appearance, fabric and durability. Out of 40,000 participants, 76 percent were "moderately satisfied to completely satisfied" with the shirt, PEO Soldier reports.
The SMA supports the assessment process as outlined by PEO Soldier and the Army Uniform Board as "the best ways to gauge opinions from the widest cross section of the Army on this issue," Johnson said.
It is likely the Army Uniform Board will discuss the white shirt in April, when the board will meet for the first time in about 18 months.
The board is also expected to discuss a number of other uniform changes, which SMA surveyed the troops on, to include:
- An updated version of the "Eisenhower" jacket.
- Eliminating the female drill sergeant hat, with all soldiers instead wearing the campaign hat.
- Ditching the female version of the Service Uniform cap, and instead having both men and women wear the "bus driver cap."
- Requiring senior noncommissioned officers to wear the blue service cap in the ASU, and eliminating the beret for these senior NCOs.
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