The different branches of the military all have their own individual uniform types and regulations that they expect their members to strictly adhere to.
The Army is no exception.
They have some of the most strict and time-honored uniform regulations of any branch of the service.
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Currently, the Army is rolling out its new Army Greens uniform and will join the other branches that have three uniform combinations.
Previously, there was only a combat uniform and a service uniform that leaned more toward being a dress uniform.
So no matter what job a soldier is doing, they frequently wore a combat uniform the majority of the time.
That will change when the Army Greens uniform has been fully integrated into the uniform system.
Then those in office-like environments and non-field positions will wear the Army Greens instead of the more traditional combat uniform or dressier blues.
Starting in 2021, most new Army members were issued all 3 main uniforms, although the dress blues may soon become an optional uniform combination.
The Army uniform selection currently consists of the new Army Greens, the Army Dress Uniform (formerly known as the service uniform), and the Army Combat Uniform.
Army Combat Uniform
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This has long served as the daily uniform no matter what type of job a US Soldier performed on a regular basis.
That will not change much for most Army members even with the addition of the new Army greens.
Army Combat uniforms come in two different camouflaged colors:
This includes the more traditional green camouflaged uniforms that many are familiar with and the tan camouflaged uniforms that have become popular to match the terrain of the fighting that has been conducted in the Middle East.
Cap
Most Army soldiers will wear the traditional patrol cap.
Insignia must be worn front and centered and the name in the middle of the back.
Some Army specialties are allowed to wear special headgear with the combat uniform.
This includes such job-specific headgear as green berets (Special Forces), red berets (Airborne Rangers), and tan berets (all other Ranger units).
Those who wear berets must center the logo over the left eye and wear the excess material to the right side of the face.
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Jacket or Outer Shirt
The newer tan camouflaged Army Combat uniforms and the more traditional green camouflaged Army uniforms all have to be worn the same way.
They must be buttoned or zipped all the way up to the top of the chest with only a very slight portion of the undershirt showing.
The Army has a drawing demonstrating how a cold-weather coat / field jacket should look, see below:
Undershirt
Each color camouflage uniform has a designated undershirt color to be worn with it.
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For the traditional green camouflaged Army uniforms, the standard t-shirt color is called tan.
Even though it’s actually more of a greenish/light brown color in appearance.
For the newer tan camouflaged uniforms, the designated t-shirt color is called sand.
This is a very light-colored tannish t-shirt.
Pants
All Army Soldier’s combat uniform pants must match the color of the jacket or outer shirt.
The pants are required to be tucked into the boots or bloused.
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Boots
Darker coyote leather boots will be worn with the traditional green camouflaged Army uniforms, and tan boots will be worn with the newer tan camouflaged Army Combat uniforms.
Belt
The belt is very similar to the t-shirts in that it must coincide with the color of the camouflage being worn.
For the traditional green camouflaged Army combat uniforms, the standard belt color is once again called tan.
For the newer tan camouflaged Army Combat uniforms, the designated belt color is called sand.
Only one electronic device is allowed to be worn on the belt or a belt loop.
Insignias
All army members are required to wear several removable insignias on their combat uniforms.
This includes the American flag (not worn when deployed), rank, current unit, and other approved insignias.
Badges
Each Army member must be careful to never mix sewn-on badges with pin-on badges.
There are separate places on the jacket for each.
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Army Greens Uniform
This is the newest uniform for the Army, which is not expected to be mandatory in until late 2027.
As was mentioned, it will become the new Army service uniform that will be worn in most non-field and non-deployed environments.
It is designed based on the popular Army uniforms from the World War II era.
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Cap
This will be a folding garrison cap very similar to that which the Air Force, Navy, and Marines currently use on their service uniforms.
Jacket
The ‘Marshall’ bomber-style jacket is one of three jacket options authorized for use with the Army Greens uniform.
All of the jackets will be darkish green/brown in nature (called heritage green).
The more common ‘Ike’ jacket prototype will be a belted-style jacket.
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Shirt
The shirts will be lighter in tone than the jacket.
More like a dark tan in color.
A soldier must have every button, including the neck button fastened.
Undershirt
The undershirt will not be seen if the uniform is worn correctly so the color should not be an issue.
Pants / Skirt
The pants will be lighter in tone and match the color of the shirt.
Female soldiers may also wear the skirt in heritage taupe.
Footwear
Brown leather shoes are required to be worn with this uniform.
Special Forces and ranger troops will be allowed to wear brown jump boots with the Army Greens uniform.
Ties
Both men and women will be required to wear a four-in-hand tie with the Army Greens.
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Army Service/Dress Blues
With the addition of the new Army Greens, this uniform will now morph into a more formal Army dress uniform.
It will only be worn for more formal occasions after that.
Cap
The preferred cap will be a beret that signifies the soldier’s particular job and will be plain in nature for those soldiers that have no specific beret assigned to their Army job specialty.
The berets must be worn so the center of the logo is directly over the left eye and wear the excess beret material to the right side of the face.
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Jacket
The jacket is single-breasted, Army blue 450 or 150.
Only pinned on named tags, insignia, badges, and medals will be worn on the jacket.
Shirt
The shirt worn under the jacket will be a white button-down dress shirt.
It must have every button, including the neck button fastened.
This shirt is very similar in nature to the dress shirt a businessman will wear under a suit.
Undershirt
The undershirt will not be seen if the uniform is worn correctly so the t-shirt color should not be an issue.
Pants
The pants will be Army blue 451 and low waisted with no cuffs.
The darker blue version, Army blue 450, is only worn by general officers
All other officers and enlisted personnel wear the slightly lighter blue color pants.
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Footwear
Black leather shoes are the footwear that most will wear with the Army Dress Uniform.
Belt
Only black belts are allowed to be worn with this uniform.
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Interesting Army Uniform Facts
Here is something that many soldiers don’t realize.
Army personnel can wear their service uniform even after they have been discharged.
This can be done up to 90 days after a soldier has left the Army.
Of course, the uniform must be worn in accordance with the same strict standards that it was worn before the soldier was discharged.
This rule was said to be made so those that have proudly served their country in the Army can celebrate homecomings and other significant events in the military member’s life shortly after their discharge.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What uniform does the US Army wear?
Currently, the US Army has a combat uniform (ACU), the more-formal blue service uniform, and the Army Greens Service Uniform (AGSU), which will be mandatory by the end of 2027.
What Army regulation covers the wear and appearance of the military uniform?
Army Regulation 670-1 dictates the proper wear and appearance of the uniform and insignia for active and reserve personnel. It also dictates the wear of the Army uniform by former service members. Learn more about Regulation AR 670-1 compliance here.
Do you have to pay for your uniforms in Basic Training?
The Army issues all your required uniform items in Basic Training. Thereafter, you will receive a stipend to replace uniform items from AAFES, or the Army Air Force Exchange Service. Learn more about what you’ll need to bring to Army basic training here.
Can I wear my old Army uniform?
Retirees and honorably discharged war veterans may wear service or dress uniforms at formal events and patriotic ceremonies. The combat uniform, however, is prohibited.
Can I wear jewelry with my Army uniform?
Jewelry permitted with uniforms is regulated for safety and conservative appearance. Soldiers may wear a watch, an ID bracelet, and a total of two rings. Females are permitted to wear earrings in dress and service uniforms. Learn more about this here.
Conclusion
The Army and other branches of the service are constantly trying to improve the quality of the camouflage in the uniforms that they offer to their soldiers.
In addition to the combat and service uniforms, the Army has implemented the new line of green service uniforms to bridge the gap between combat and dress occasions.
The green service uniform is a nice addition to be used in environments that require a more business-like dress code than the everyday combat uniform. The blue service uniform will be reserved for formal events only.
Whichever uniform is required to be worn for the day will surely be worn with pride and distinction.
References
https://www.army.mil/article/220449/army_uniform_policy
https://www.army.mil/uniforms/#faqs-bar
https://history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/docs/AR670-1.pdf
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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