Army says female-cut ACU is on the way - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Army says female-cut ACU is on the way

As the service unveils its new and improved Army Combat Uniform, there is another uniform on the way. And ladies, it’s all about you.

While women may be proud to wear the ACU, it is anything but a unisex uniform. And it is no secret that many women have complained about the fit. Many are left to buy larger sizes to accommodate their varying attributes, which leaves them looking like a walking tent.

“We need to ensure our women are wearing something they are comfortable in, and it doesn’t make them look like their uniform doesn’t fit,” said Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller, Program Executive Office Soldier.

Adding styles and sizes for women means a better-fitting uniform for about one in every six soldiers — 15 percent of the Army’s 560,000 soldiers are women.

The Army’s answer is a female-cut ACU that boasts more than a dozen changes suited to meet the size and shape of every individual, according to Sgt. 1st Class William Corp, modernization NCO for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment.

Among the upgrades:

• The jacket will come in 13 sizes, with different chest, waist and sweep measurements.

• Trousers will come in 13 sizes, with different hip measurements.

• The “back rise” on the trouser will be lengthened to make room for larger hips and posteriors.

• The trousers’ drawstring will be replaced with an elastic waistband.

• The jacket length, as well as the sleeves’ width and length, will be adjusted accordingly.

• The trousers will have a shortened button fly.

• The rank tab will be moved upward so it is no longer set on the break of the blouse.

• The Army insignia and name tapes will be moved closer to the zipper.

• Pockets on the shoulders will be sewn farther forward and be angled to allow easier access.

• The area behind the shoulders will be sewn closer in. This will keep the jacket from falling forward, especially when the solider bends down.

• Elbow pad pockets, calf pockets, knee pad pockets and sleeve pencil pocket will be repositioned.

Some adjustments are designed to provide a better fit, while others are designed to give ease of access into pockets and uniformity, Corp said.

“The ACU was designed for a male,” he said. “A man typically has broader shoulders. So when a woman puts on the jacket, the shoulder pockets are more toward her back. This is one of the things we’re looking to correct.”

The approach is far different than that of the Navy. An equally unflattering fit was a hot topic at the 23rd annual Women's Leadership Symposium held in May, where a panel of uniform honchos braved pointed questions and sharp criticisms from the nearly 1,000 female sailors and officers in attendance.

Rear Adm. Steven Romano, commander and chief executive officer of Navy Exchange Service Command, suggested the women look into “enhanced sizing” — a version of the uniform smaller in the shoulders and wider in the hip area. Most women were unaware that these uniforms existed, and baffled as to why.

Corp said he is confident the Army’s version will be well-received.

“Every soldier in the Army has been trained from day one to take pride in their appearance,” he said. “This ACU gives the female a uniform she can take more pride in; it is something designed to fit them, not their male counterpart. I believe it will boost their morale and appearance.”

Wear tests and evaluations involving 600 participants will begin in January at multiple active duty, Guard and reserve sites throughout the country. Fuller expects these to wrap up in the spring of 2011 and plans to present the recommendations to the Uniform Board in November of that year.