Aw, man. When I was in the Army, I hated the shade of green the uniforms came in -- olive drab, with the emphasis on drab. It didn't matter so much that our fatigues were ugly. They were working clothes, after all, not meant to be exactly dazzling. But the Class A uniforms were for dress-up. Who could feel snazzy and ready for hitting town in something so awful-looking? It took me years to be able to tolerate any kind of green.
But now, the Army is finally ditching the green for blue, and it feels kinda sad, like something unique is being given up on. All the other branches -- even those big, tough Marines -- went for the pretty look in dress uniforms. Not us, by God. You want tough? How could somebody dressed this ugly not be tough? But, apparently, we secretly resented those pretty boys:
The new Class A uniform is simply the existing dress uniform. This uniform, unlike the green Class A's, that were introduced in 1954, is based on the 19th century dress uniform. Most enlisted troops do not have the dress blue uniform, because they have to buy it themselves, and that is optional for most troops. But over the next six years, the old Class A will be phased out completely.
All this is the result of longstanding "uniform envy" soldiers have had for marines. The USMC has always sported the most impressive dress uniform, and young enlisted marines were glad to spend at least $300 to buy themselves one. The marine "Class A" uniform is also green, but a darker green, and the jacket is worn with a belt. This looks much snappier, and many soldiers have suggested something like this for a new army Class A uniform. But many career army types have been campaigning for a spiffier Class A uniform, and something in blue, preferably with a belted jacket. But instead of a new uniform design, the army simply made the current dress blues the new Class As.
Looks pretty good, though, I have to admit.
