WWII uniform set for U.S. Army return

The Army turned to its past to find its uniform of the future.

Officials announced the return of the iconic “Army Greens” — also known as “Pinks and Greens” — on Veterans Day.

The uniforms are based on those worn by soldiers in World War II and will eventually become the Army’s “everyday business-wear uniform.”

“The current Army Blues uniform will return to being a formal dress uniform,” officials said. “The Army Combat Uniform — also known as the Operational Camouflage Pattern — will remain the Army’s duty/field uniform.”

According to the Army, the change will be cost-neutral for enlisted soldiers and will be covered by an annual clothing allowance. Female soldiers will have the option to wear versions of the uniform with a skirt or pants and also will have additional shoe options.

The uniform will come at no additional cost to taxpayers, officials said. And it will be made in the U.S.

Army leaders, led by Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey, have previewed the uniform in recent years. Dailey wore a prototype of the uniform to the annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army earlier this year and to the Army-Navy football game in 2017.

Army Greens will be fielded to soldiers reporting to their first units as early as summer 2020, officials said. It will be mandatory for all soldiers beginning in 2028.

Military editor Drew Brooks can be reached at dbrooks@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3567.

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