Posted on 11/12/2007 4:29:25 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
BAGHDAD — Most airmen like the Air Force’s new camouflage uniforms. They say they’re more comfortable and easier to maintain, and they dig the digital tiger print.
Except there is one thing that gets them hot under the collar: The uniforms can be sweltering in warm weather.
The Airman Battle Uniform, or ABU, is more rugged than the old uniforms, partly because the fabric is thicker. But in locations such as Iraq and Kuwait, where temperatures often reach the triple-digits in summer and remain in the low 80s in November, the last thing somebody wants is thicker clothing.
“Whoever designed this obviously designed this for someone sitting in an office, not for out here,” said Airman 1st Class David Bear, 22, who is deployed to Iraq and is attached to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.
But it’s not just the thickness of the threads. What really have some airmen steaming are the map pockets on the inside of the uniform jacket.
To stay cool in the warmer climates, some airmen have secretly taken out the pockets. Alterations shops on bases in Iraq and in the United States offer to “mod” the uniforms for a few bucks.
Senior Airman Michael Bermudez, 22, and his entire squad had the pockets removed before they left for Baghdad. Their tailor, a former Air Force cop, suggested they have the pockets removed because of the heat.
“It makes it a lot cooler,” said Bermudez, who is with the 732nd.
While it is typically against regulations to modify the official uniform, the Air Force has cut airmen some slack on the pesky pockets. The service’s Web site acknowledges that some people might find them a tad annoying.
“While not officially recommended or suggested, some personnel may choose to cut the interior pockets out of the garment, as long as it doesn’t change the outer appearance of the uniform,” the Web site reads.
The Air Force has heard the complaints, and Air Force chief master sergeants have been told that a lighter uniform without the pockets is on the way. But in the meantime, airmen wearing the uniforms in Iraq and Kuwait have no recourse other than to remove them.
So, cut away. But be careful. One airman tried to cut out the pockets himself. But when he was finished, his name tag fell off.
Bump!
I have to agree with the article.
I got my ABUs 2 months ago.
Wearing body armor over it is really uncomfortable in any kind of heat.
Howdy! Thanks for the bump!
How goes it JJ??
Busy! But, I’m good.
Still home for now.
Can’t complain.
Good, glad to here you’re still around.
Take care of you and thanks for your service.
Always here, sometimes in spirit.
But here.
Honored to do what I do.
The CARNG soldiers I worked with briefly a few years back complained that the(then) BDU blouses has lots of pockets but they were told to no carry anything in them.
Interesting question.
If I read the old BDU regs correctly, You can have the pockets filled. The only qualification would be the pocket should be buttoned or closed while worn.
JJ
Wearing body armor over it is really uncomfortable in any kind of heat.
What do you think of the new toad boots that go with 'em?
I haven’t gotten the boots.
I will stick with the DCU boots.
The green is, well, ugly.
I will stick with the DCU boots.
< The green is, well, ugly.
I can probably get away with wearing the green *toadshoes* with OD Green Nomex flight coveralls. Since we're working around mogas engines and couldn't get the DCU Nomex, they'd rather have us in green than in the now-obsolete BDU Nomex.
For now I'm still wearing black German Meindl paratrooper boots. If I have to go to sandcookie shoes, I can, and the German Meindl desert boots will probably be what I use. But I understand that the future USAF ABU toadshoes are steel-toed, or some of 'em are.
Those boots do not look too bad.
I have to have the steel toe.
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