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Letters

Pride in our uniform

I must say that when it comes to uniforms, the Army seems incapable of hitting the target.

The Marines seem perfectly capable of designing and fielding uniforms that are practical, tactical and look good. The Army, on the other hand, uses a mixture of gray colors that are not optimized in any environment but work “well” in the three basic combat environments: woodland, desert and urban.

Who are we fooling here? Before there was a real test of the quality and durability of these uniforms — one roll in Georgia clay during basic training would have told them a lot — we had already made the decision to change everything over to Army Combat Uniform. Don’t even get me started on the “tactical” Velcro.

Now, the dress blues and the Class A uniform have been merged to create an ugly offspring which will become our next dress uniform? This uniform looks like it belongs to the Air Force and even worse, the Class Bs make us looks like airport security. TSA, anyone?

Now more than ever, the Army has a chance to really make a statement with this uniform. We are not the Air Force and we need to get away from blue uniforms — end of story. Khaki dress uniforms are the answer. Resurrect branch insignias on belt buckles and stop pinning more stuff on the uniforms (the new “combat medallion,” for example, that sits near the waist band of the new dress jacket like a pager). Sewing insignia onto a uniform always looked better anyway.

Give us back a piece of our heritage and make us proud to wear our dress uniforms again.

Spc. Christopher G. Burlee

Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan

INEFFECTIVE POSTER

The Sept. 22 article “‘Repugnant’ record” concerns the escalating number of sexual assaults and lack of effective means to deal with them. When the Army prints a poster showing a female with mascara, eyeliner, curled lashes, lip liner and lip gloss, instead of a clear complexion like her male counterpart, I can only wonder at its purpose. While it’s true that many women wear makeup, and there’s certainly no excuse for sexual assault, this poster would be more effective if both soldiers were without makeup, especially since they’re in the Army Combat Uniform.

For 24 years, I stood side by side with male soldiers in tactical and nontactical units. Seldom, if ever, did I feel a need to wear makeup to accomplish my job professionally. And in some situations, it would have hindered my being considered seriously, such as on rifle ranges, driving tactical vehicles or as a drill sergeant. The military is still predominantly male, and women working in these environments face challenges every day.

While I hope the poster designer wanted to show that women can be feminine and not worry about sexual assault, this poster would be more effective for recruiting than for abolishing sexual assault.

Sexual assault has more to do with the exertion of power and authority than it has to do with gender. That being the case, this poster should focus on our strength as a team and working together, side by side, as equals instead of a woman standing behind a man (her protector?) and with makeup that emphasizes her femininity. This photo might also be interpreted as weakness in a female soldier by those inclined to commit or condone sexual assault, and therefore be used as justification to commit the offense.

Sgt. Maj. Danielle Lewis (ret.)

La Vernia, Texas

CLEAN HOUSE

There are civilian employees on posts across the Army who have vast amounts of knowledge and are great assets, but there are others who are just hanging on to their meal ticket. I think the Army needs to clean house. I have spent 12 years in the service of this great country, deployed twice, getting ready to go back, and have asked for little in return. I am asking now that someone take a long hard look at this and explain to me why my tax dollars pay civilians to sit and play games or answer personal e-mails, check the box scores, read the paper or a lot of other things that do not relate to what they receive a hefty check for.

Staff Sgt. Terrance P. Martin III

Fort Lewis, Wash.

DO WHAT’S RIGHT

Why is it that some of our units still use M16A2s with the A1 stamped over? Or MK19s and M2s that are in grave need of repairs or replacements? Why can’t soldiers come home and be sure, without a doubt, that their financial troubles imparted by a wartime injury are going to be covered? Why are some of our soldiers on food stamps? Is it because of tighter budgets back home due to our current conflict?

No, it is the result of a $12 million video game in Philadelphia disguised to lure youth into enlistment; it is due to research and development of a new uniform that is going to pull needed money from soldiers and their families. How about a new Army Combat Uniform that is less effective and more problematic than the Desert Combat Uniform? Why all this waste of resources? Because some general wants to make his mark?

These are just a few of the improvements that are costing our troops money and resulting in the lack of equipment and supplies needed to help our fighting men and women downrange.

If the brass wants to help us, instead of wasting money on gimmicks to market the Army, do what’s right for the soldiers downrange. Supply us with what we need: good, working weapons. Replace the M9 and approve a replacement for the M4.

In the end, it is the troops’ determination, courage and valor that are going to win the fight — not a poorly designed dress or combat uniform and not a $12 million “Army Experience Center.” People are dying and now is not the time to screw around with video games.

Spc. Jeff Tucker

Germany

POWER UP THE RIFLE

Pfc. Ryan C. Davidson, in his Sept. 22 letter, is right on both counts about the M4. We do not have the best combat rifle in the world.

I have 20-plus years experience with the M16/M4, including a tour in Iraq. This spring, I bought a gas piston AR. I fired about 400 rounds without a cleaning and no stoppages.

That never happens with the M16. The gas tube system fouls rapidly; sometimes the stoppage can be cleared rapidly — not so if it is a double feed. Anybody with any experience knows how difficult it is to clean the M16 chamber. With constant cleaning, the M16/M4 will function. It is fortunate that troops operate from [forward operating bases], [contingency operating bases] or patrol bases where there is at least an opportunity to clean weapons in a relatively clean environment. Wait until we fight a war in the mud.

The other shortcoming of the M16 is the underpowered 5.56 round, especially when fired from the shortened barrel of the M4. Despite its faults, the AK-47 has two advantages: It is reliable and its bullet, the 7.62 x 39mm, is fearsomely lethal out to 250 meters.

The M16 series rifles could be improved by necking up the cartridge to 6.5mm while keeping roughly the same cartridge length. This means the current magazines could still be used with a far more lethal round at all ranges.

Maj. Paul Conway (ret.)

Leavenworth, Kan.

COMMERCIAL INSIGNIA

I read the recent article on 1st Infantry Division selling branded merchandise through Sears [“Soldier chic,” Sept. 15].

Code of Federal Regulations 507.10(a)(1) states “…units authorized a [shoulder sleeve insignia] or [dress uniform insignia] may authorize the reproduction of their SSI or DUI on commercial articles such as shirts, tie tacks, cups, or plaques. Permission for use of a SSI or DUI will be submitted in writing to the commander concerned. Authorization for incorporation of designs or likenesses of designs in commercial items will be granted only to those manufacturers who agree to offer these items for sale only to Army and Air Force Exchange Service and outlets that sell primarily to military personnel and their dependents.”

Sears does not qualify as selling “primarily to military personnel and their dependents.”

This law was put into place to keep the Army from turning into a NASCAR hood for a reason. The Army should abide by the statute.

Sgt. 1st Class Raoul Rodriguez

Killeen, Texas