Generals in BDU’s on TV?

[Larry124]

I don't understand.
If see a General on a TV show like Face the Nation or Meet the Press he’s in BDU's.
Often as not Ill-fitting to my eyes.
USA or USAF or USMC the same.
A USN Admiral at least usually wears tan Dress (why not not blue)?
Are Washington DC or New York City or Atlanta (or the News Media in general) now considered to be “in the field”?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Generally speaking those officers and enlisted personnel deployed in combat zones only wear the ACU (Army Combat Uniform, the successor to the BDUs of years gone by). This includes wearing the ACU (or other service's equivalent uniform) when being interviewed on television.

Over the past several years the Armed Forces of the United States have reduced the number of uniform items worn by service personnel, so expect to see far more military in "field" uniforms in the coming years.

[thescot]

I don't think you'll seea any Marines in other than actual field situation wearing utilities (what other branches call fatigues or BDUs). We were always forbidden to be out in public in utilities; it had to be a dress uniform, or at least "un-dress" in dress trousers and short sleeves.

But that was over 30 years ago. I read recently that the USMC had reiiterated that policy.

However, to quote Marlowe: "but that was in another country, and besides the wench is dead."

[Cage]

There is not a khaki dress. USN Officer Khaki is basically the same as the BDU of old if I'm not mistaken.
Service Khaki - Worn in Summer/Winter for office work, watchstanding, liberty, or business ashore when prescribed as uniform of the day.
Working Khaki - Worn when other uniforms would be unsafe or become unduly soiled.
Winter Blue - Worn in winter for office work, watchstanding, liberty or business ashore when prescribed as uniform of the day.
Winter Working Blue - Worn when other uniforms would be unsafe or become unduly soiled.

I think after DEC 2010 you'll be able to better see the uniform relations between branches with the new NWU now that the USN is finally consolidating their uniforms.
The MCCUU, ACU, ABU, NWU, and ODU will fill the same roles for each branch I believe.

I don't understand.
If see a General on a TV show like Face the Nation or Meet the Press he’s in BDU's.
Often as not Ill-fitting to my eyes.
USA or USAF or USMC the same.
A USN Admiral at least usually wears tan Dress (why not not blue)?
Are Washington DC or New York City or Atlanta (or the News Media in general) now considered to be “in the field”?

[Charlie Mc.]

If you see a Marine General in Camis I will just about guarantee that he is in a combat zone. Marines are not allowed to wear camis off post or basically anywhere other than to work. When I was in (99-03) we were told that stopping for gas in camis was only borderline ok. Other services have different standards, however I do not believe the Corps has changed their policy on this.

[longhuntr74]

I think that everything that's been posted here thus far is accurate. Marines, I know, still have the standards that utilities are only for work and field wear and that you aren't allowed to wear them out among the general public. The Army takes a much different view on uniforms. We want our soldiers to be seen out in public to tell the "Army story" and to humanize our Soldiers...they are American citizens just like any other person. ACUs are our standard duty uniform. We've all but cast aside our Class B, Class A, and Dress uniforms except for the one or two times per year that we wear them for an inspection or formal function. Some units / installations wear class As or class Bs the first friday of the month for "payday activities" still, but that tradition is another one that continues to get less and less commonplace. The one that really agitates me is the fact that we no longer even go to the trouble of putting on our Class A uniform for memorial services...apparently soldier deaths have become so common now that they no longer warrant the trouble of putting on your class A uniform...so we just attend in our standard duty uniform...the ACU. I know that the standard duty uniform in DC / the Pentagon used to be Class Bs at a minimum...and frequently class As. I haven't worked there, but I think that they have even transitioned to ACUs for daily wear.

[timseh]

I have to say that, as a Marine, I find this appalling. I live in a suburb of Cleveland and I've actually seen soldiers in ACUs having dinner in restaurants here. Excuse me? If the Army wants to 'humanize' their soldiers and tell the 'army story', I'll say right now this ain't the way to do it.
I really feel like going over to them and saying, look... this is Chili's, not a combat zone.
I take pride in my service and I respect and appreciate those who serve today.
I can see ACUs being the Uniform of the day on base, but off base, if you're not training or in a combat zone, I think it's a bad idea. Makes me lean toward thinking less of you, not better...

[Sir William]

I know that the standard duty uniform in DC / the Pentagon used to be Class Bs at a minimum...and frequently class As. I haven't worked there, but I think that they have even transitioned to ACUs for daily wear.

You are correct. ACUs have become the standard uniform even in DC. Soldiers at my agency only wear the Class A or B uniform for ceremonies now.

[davedove]

I understand that the top Army General declared that all soldiers were to wear the field uniform in support of those in the combat zones, sort of a "We're all on the same team." gesture.

I don't know the validity of that; it's just what I've heard.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I understand that the top Army General declared that all soldiers were to wear the field uniform in support of those in the combat zones, sort of a "We're all on the same team." gesture.

I don't know the validity of that; it's just what I've heard.

That is, basically, correct. Wearing the ACU as the everyday uniform is to remind the American public that the military is engaged in combat, and to prevent the sort of disconnect between front line soldiers and the rest of the Army that the media was able to capitalize on during the Vietnam conflict. It's all about maintaining "soldier sympathy" on the home front.

My personal opinion (and I served ten years, almost all of it as a Public Affairs Officer) is that once the transition to the new Army uniform is completed (2010-12) you will see a lot more soldiers in the new Class A and Class B uniforms. Right now, in order to present a uniform appearance to the public, and remind that same public that our military is serving in several combat zones, the ACU is the uniform of choice.