Three days before the Independence Day, July 1st, the U.S. Army's new camouflage uniform which is the result of what Col. Bob Mortlock characterized as ""the most rigorous combat uniform camouflage testing in history", will be available in stores, Military.com reports.
The new pattern was approved by the Army's senior officers from a number of selections that underwent years of testing in actual operations in different environments. The new Operational Camouflage Pattern or OCP, which is designed to work in various surroundings is the official replacement for the Universal Camouflage Pattern, the pixel designed pattern infamously known for its unsatisfactory performance in Afghanistan which actually started the effort to find a more effective camouflage design for the army. The transition plan, which is set to initialize July 1st followed by 2 more waves of supply and distribution in military clothing stores, aims to eliminate financial inconvenience and outfit every soldier by October 1st, 2015. In the course of the transition, soldiers are allowed to wear the currently deployed Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern and the Flame Resistant combat uniforms. The new OCP uniform also requires a new Tan 499 t-shirt and belt, with a matching coyote tan boots which will be mandatory in October after the transition.
Aside from the camouflage pattern itself, which consists both the desert and woodland designs, several improvements are added to the new extensively tested OCP, based on feedback from the soldiers themselves. The sleeve pockets now comes with a zipper instead of the hook and loop. The elbow pads and knee pockets were removed and the three pen pockets were changed to two. The collar is now a fold-down instead of the hook and loop design that came with its predecessors.
The US Military's new OCP will cost the same as the Universal Camouflage Pattern as stated by Lt. Col. Jesse Stalder, although no official memo has been sent out as of the moment. Cadets who will begin training in January 2016 will initially receive the new OCP uniforms as an issue. Enlisted soldiers before that as well as sergeants will have to buy the new uniforms which is supposedly covered by their annual clothing allowance. Officers who receive a one-time clothing allowance upon commission will have to shoulder the cost.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, in a report from Fox News states, "Presenting a professional appearance is very important to soldiers. But, we will not inconvenience or burden our troops. We will still be the most lethal fighting force the world has ever known even if our belts don't match for the next few years."
