Year of the NCO

**Pete** · 01-12-2009, 18:33

Just when you'd think the uniform ideas couldn't get any odder.....

As reported in the Army times - Beret Stripes Sgt insignia to be OK'd under "Year od the NCO"

I'm sorry - I just think there is plenty of rank on the uniform as it is.

gagners · 01-13-2009, 07:30

Our uniforms need less, not more.

JJ_BPK · 01-13-2009, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by gagners

Our uniforms need less, not more.

Agreed,,
but the sword is two edged,,
O's could just as easily put the DUI on their flash???

With all the "dress" uniforms,, less is better, Look at the Marines,, rank on collar and jacket,, to much..

With field uniforms,, needs work,, the only way to tell is by counting the number and kind of mag pouches on the tactical Vest

- 25 pistols mags,, 2nd Lt & REMF, inside the wire
- 2 pistol mags & cell phone,, field grade & up
- 25 M4 or 10 100 round link pouch, grunt
- 5 M4 & radio, sgt
- nothing on the vest, Congressman or Senator
- no vest, Donut-Dolly

My $00.0004

**The Reaper** · 01-13-2009, 09:23

Actually, I miss the Branch insignia and collar rank from the BDUs.

The Navy and Marines use small sized officer rank, and the Navy uses tiny enlisted collar rank as well, let me tell you, you have to be really close to tell a petty officer from an officer. At Army saluting range, I cannot tell the difference, even with 20/20 vision and good lighting. To determine the petty officer's actual rank from the collar insignia, I think you have to be in physical contact. And those Master Chief Petty Officers can be quite touchy about their titles.

I think that the ACUs are a POS, if anyone is unclear about my position on them.

TR

Snaquebite · 01-13-2009, 10:10

Here's the full article...

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/0..._year_011109w/

Still mulling it over. Looks like a lot of "officerization" of the NCO Corps.

Quote:

changing the name of the Sergeants Major Academy to better reflect its focus on the entire NCO Corps

Any ideas here?

NCO Political Correctness Indoctrination Academy ???

Rank on Berets = USAF

Dozer523 · 01-13-2009, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Actually, I miss the Branch insignia and collar rank from the BDUs.TR

Me too. Since they shrank down the collar (I bet it was probably designed to be worn in the up position) then they made the rank a nice aiming point for a COM shot. I wish* they would put a little branch insignia over the Officer's rank on the velcro patch. And while I'm wishing* I wish* we could have skill badges embroidered on the blouse. (It's not a shirt and it's not really a jacket.)

*= "as if anyone cares"

mac117 · 01-13-2009, 11:58

I use to have this plaque over my desk that read:

Russian: you cannot fight the American's using their doctrine, they do not read their manuals nor do they follow their doctrine.

German: war is chaos, the American soldier is so good at war because they practice chaos on a daily basis.

American: if we don't know what we are doing the enemy cannot anticipate our next move.

Now they can't even decide what to wear. I had 9 different uniforms or styles in 20 yrs! (Guess that was preparing me for retirement and having to decide which t-shirt and jeans to wear! )

gagners · 01-13-2009, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

O's could just as easily put the DUI on their flash???

Orrrrr..... We could go back to soft caps/PCs/whatever and everyone wears rank on their "hat". Leave the berets for the ABN/RGR/SF guys.

But that's been discussed ad naseum around the Army. Nevermind...

Slantwire · 01-13-2009, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by gagners

Orrrrr..... We could go back to soft caps/PCs/whatever and everyone wears rank on their "hat". Leave the berets for the ABN/RGR/SF guys.

Uniforms are kind of low on my personal gripe list, but if I was the Army's Special Deputy Associate Assistant King of Uniforms for a day, I'd make that change. Of course, we'd also have Crye-pattern BDUs and bring back the old khakis. For PT, drop the BDU top. (And swap to shoes if running for PT.)

But I don't see myself ever being in a position to make that call. And if I was, I'd probably have more important things to worry about. And like you said, the topic's been beaten to death.

**Peregrino** · 01-13-2009, 15:37

You guys just aren't being sensitive enough!

Don't you know it's all about making Joe/Josephine feel individually important? The "Army of One" is now "Army Strong" so we can't have Skippy looking/feeling like every other insignificant cog in the "Green Machine".