Almost a year after the first prototypes of the Army’s prospective new dress uniform made their public debut, the Army is days away from making a final decision on whether to mass produce and field the iconic throwback.
Army Secretary Mark Esper and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley are preparing to make an announcement, Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey told Army Times on Thursday, but in the meantime, senior leaders are still looking for feedback from soldiers.
“This is your last opportunity to tell us what you think about the pinks and greens,” Dailey said.
The new uniform would replace the current Army Service Uniform for official events, and the ASU would be upgraded to a formal dress uniform.
The team finalized the design earlier this year, settling on some key details:
- Men’s and women’s jackets will look the same, with both chest and hip pockets, and a buckled belt across the waist.
- Women will wear a long, black tie.
- A pencil skirt and brown pumps will be optional for women. The standard issued uniform will include pants and brown leather oxford shoes.
- A hip-length, wool “Ike jacket” will be optional, as will a leather bomber-style jacket.
Next came a financial plan. The pinks and greens uniform is made of higher quality fabrics than the current ASU, Dailey said, but the chief and secretary were adamant that the entire plan cost no more than what the Army currently spends on producing and distributing the ASU.
“This will come at no cost to taxpayers,” Dailey said.
So, what do you think? Take our poll below to give leaders your final assessment.
Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.
