Army Service Uniform
The Army Service Uniform (ASU) is a military uniform for wear by United States Army personnel in garrison posts and at most public functions where the Army Combat Uniform is inappropriate. As of 2021, the Army has two service uniforms for use by its personnel. The Army Green Service Uniform, announced in 2018 and authorized in 2020, is used primarily for daily use in situations where civilians wear business attire, such as office settings or official meetings.
The Army Blue Service Uniform, which was the sole service uniform between 2015 and 2020, is used primarily as a
History
In the early days of the U.S. Army, the uniform worn in combat was essentially the same as that worn for everyday duties, as was the common practice with most armies of the time. This changed in modern times, as field uniforms were developed which were more suited for battle.
During the 19th century, Army uniforms were relatively simple. Combat soldiers in the American Civil War wore a standard dark blue coat and light blue trousers, just like personnel in garrisons or in army offices and headquarters. Uniform standards were relaxed during the war years, especially on campaign, as conditions demanded.[1]
The 1899 Army Uniform Regulations provided for a cotton
In 1926, the previous stand collar service coat was replaced with an open-collared coat worn with a collared shirt and necktie. In 1937, breeches were replaced with straight-legged trousers. Dress uniforms of dark blue coats and light blue trousers in a modernized form with an open collar, white shirt, and necktie, were reintroduced for officers in 1937.[4]
United States Army uniforms in World War II initially included service uniforms that were intended for both field and garrison use, though some parts, such as the open-collared service coat, were used only in garrison, while items such as the M1941 Field Jacket were specifically for use in the field, and not meant to be worn in garrison.[5] By the latter part of the war, the introduction of the M1943 field uniform acknowledged the distinction between field and garrison wear.
Garrison uniforms included olive drab uniforms with coat and tie which were distinct for officers and enlisted soldiers. The officers' version had a darker, belted coat that could be worn with trousers of either matching color or a contrasting light taupe, a combination known as "pinks and greens". The enlisted service coat was unbelted and lighter in shade, and was worn with the issued field uniform trousers. Service coats would be worn with either the respective wool shirt in matching olive drab or the tan shirt from the summer uniform.[4][6]
A summer service uniform consisting of a khaki cotton shirt and trousers was also issued to enlisted soldiers. Officers' khaki service uniforms could be made from tropical-weight worsted wool instead of cotton and had an optional unbelted khaki service coat, though these were less common as conserving wool for winter uniforms was encouraged. Unlike the winter uniforms, parts of which continued to be widely used as field uniforms, the khaki summer uniforms were quickly relegated only for garrison wear as the herringbone twill utility uniform became the preferred warm weather field uniform. Late in the war the Eisenhower jacket was introduced, originally intended for both field and garrison wear, though it too became used only for garrison wear shortly after the war. These uniforms remained in use through the Korean War.[4][6]
Because of the widespread use of army surplus clothing after World War II, a fresh, distinct uniform was seen as needed.[7][8] In 1954, the Army introduced a new, all-ranks "Class A" service uniform in Army Green shade 44. This grey-green shade was adopted in order to provide a color which had a distinct military appearance from various uniforms of civilian service workers.[3] Originally worn with a tan shirt, the shirt was switched to a pale green-grey shade in 1979.[4]
The tan summer service uniform was retained with a matching coat reintroduced, but following the introduction of a tropical weight version of the "Class A" greens in 1964, the tan uniform was relegated to a "Class B" uniform with a short-sleeved shirt and no tie. The tan "Class B" uniform was phased out the 1980s when the green uniform with a short sleeve shirt became the standard Class B uniform.[4]
In the mid 1950s, the blue dress uniform was reintroduced as an option for enlisted soldiers.[4] A white dress uniform for use in tropical areas, last worn in the early 20th century, was reintroduced, but was rarely used, as it was only required for officers.[4] It was retired in 2014.[8]
In 2006,
On
Current versions
Army Green Service Uniform
The Army Green Service Uniform includes a dark
In class B configuration, the service coat is omitted, and the necktie is optional if a short-sleeved shirt is worn. An olive pullover sweater is authorized with the class B uniform, while optional jackets include an olive zip-front windbreaker, an olive
Army Blue Service Uniform
The Army Blue Service Uniform includes a midnight blue coat worn with lighter blue trousers for male soldiers and a midnight blue coat worn with either lighter blue slacks or midnight blue skirt for female soldiers. The trousers/slacks for non-commissioned and commissioned officers include a stripe of gold braid on the outer side of the leg. Generals wear midnight blue trousers/slacks with gold braid instead of the lighter blue used in lower ranks.[10][18]
The blue service uniform is worn with a white shirt, a black four-in-hand necktie for males or black neck tab for females, and black leather shoes. Headwear includes a matching service cap with branch-of-service colors on the hat band or a beret, with black remaining the default color unless the soldier is authorized a distinctive colored beret. Enlisted rank is also indicated by chevrons on the upper sleeve, while officer rank is indicated by passant shoulder straps with branch-of-service color backing.[10][18]
Combat boots and organizational items, such as brassards, military police accessories, or distinctive unit insignia are not worn when used as ceremonial dress. When the blue uniform is worn for social events in the evening, men may wear a black bow tie rather than a black four-in-hand necktie, and commanders may direct that headwear is not required.[10][18]
See also
References
- ISBN 0-02-549200-4
- ^ Randy Steffen, page 69 Volume III, "The Horse Soldier 1776-1943"
- ^ a b The Army Dressed Up Archived 2008-04-17 at the Wayback Machine, 1952, Dr. Stephen J. Kennedy, The Quartermaster Review, January/February 1952, Army Clothing History page, Army Quartermaster Foundation, Inc. Website, accessed 4-9-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cole, David (November 2007). "Survey of U.S. Army Uniforms, Weapons, and Accoutrements" (PDF). United States Army.
- ^ Hwang, Tiffany US Army Field Jacket Development in Response to Material Shortages and the Exigencies of World War II in Momentum Vol 1 Issue 1 Article 3, April 18, 2012
- ^ ISBN 0811729508.
- ^ "Prestige of the Soldier" Archived 2008-04-17 at the Wayback Machine, Major A. M. Kamp, Jr. The Quartermaster Review, May/June 1954, Quartermaster foundation, accessed 4-9-08.
- ^ a b c d e Jahner, Kyle (October 1, 2015). "The end of the Green Service Uniform: 1954โ2015". Army Times. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ a b AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of the Army Uniform Insignia
- ^ a b c d Official ASU Blue uniform overview, Army Program Executive Office Soldier official website, accessed October 14, 2022.
- ^ a b "U.S. Army to roll out new Army Greens uniform". www.army.mil. U.S. Army. November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^ a b Cox, Matthew (June 12, 2020). "New Army Green Uniform Will Soon Be Available for Soldiers to Buy". Military.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "U.S. Army Uniforms". United States Army. Archived from the original on 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ a b Official AGSU uniform overview, Army Program Executive Office Soldier official website, accessed October 14, 2022.
- ^ Myers, Meghann (November 11, 2018). "It's official: Army approves 'pinks and greens' uniform on Veterans Day". Army Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^ Garland, Chad (November 11, 2018). "What's old is new: Army rolls out 'pinks and greens' service uniform". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^ Army Regulation 670โ1: Uniform and Insignia, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. ASGU regulations, Chapter 14, pages 32-33, accessed October 14, 2022.
- ^ a b c Army Regulation 670โ1: Uniform and Insignia, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. ASU regulations, Chapters 11 to 12, pages 29-31, accessed October 14, 2022.
External links
Media related to Army Service Uniform at Wikimedia Commons
- Army service uniform website
- Army page
- Army official guide to uniforms
- Army Clothing History articles from the Quartermaster Foundation