ARMY SERVICE UNIFORM (ASU) WEAR POLICY
SUBJECT: ARMY SERVICE UNIFORM (ASU) WEAR POLICY
1. THIS MESSAGE ANNOUNCES THE IMPLEMENTATION AND BRIDGING STRATEGY FOR THE ARMY’S TRANSITION TO THE BLUE ARMY SERVICE UNIFORM (ASU). THIS MESSAGE DEFINES THE WEAR POLICIES FOR THE ASU DURING OUR TRANSITION PERIOD. IT REFLECTS THE INPUT OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS AND LEADERS FROM ALL ARMY COMPONENTSWHO HAVE TOLD THE ARMY FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS WHAT THEY WANT AND EXPECT IN THEIR ASU. SOLDIERS WANT A UNIFORM THAT REFLECTS THEIR PRIDE OF SERVICE, SERVICE TRADITIONS, AND FUNCTIONALITY. THIS WEAR POLICY AND BRIDGING STRATEGY IS A CULMINATION OF MANY EFFORTS FROM ACROSS THE ARMY.
1A. THE WEAR POLICY FOR THE BLUE ASU IS INTENDED TO GIVE SOLDIERS WHAT THEY HAVE ASKED FOR IN A SERVICE UNIFORM WHILE MAINTAINING THE TRADITIONS OF OUR SERVICE. THESE CHANGES INCLUDE AUTHORIZATION OF A COMBAT SERVICE IDENTIFICATION BADGE (CSIB) TO RECOGNIZE COMBAT SERVICE, OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS AUTHORIZED ON THE JACKET SLEEVE FOR BOTH ENLISTED SOLDIERS AND OFFICERS, THE WEAR OF DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA ON THE SHOULDER LOOPS OF THE BLUE COAT FOR ENLISTED SOLDIERS, AUTHORIZING PARATROOPERS TO WEAR THE BLACK JUMP BOOTS WITH THE BLUE ASU, AND THE DECISION TO TRANSITION TO A NEW SHORT SLEEVE AND LONG SLEEVE WHITE SHIRT WITH SHOULDER LOOPS. TO HONOR THE HERITAGE AND TRADITIONS OF COMBAT SERVICE, THE CSIB IS AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE ASU AND REPLICATES WEAR OF THE SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA-FORMER WARTIME SERVICE (SSI-FWTS) PATCH. THE SUBDUED SSI-FWTS PATCH CONTINUES TO SERVE AS THE PRINCIPAL INSIGNIA FOR WEAR ON THE ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM (ACU). LOCAL COMMANDERS CAN AUTHORIZE THE WEAR OF THE NON-SUBDUED SSI AND SSI-FWTS ON THE ACU FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS SUCH AS CHANGE OF COMMAND, REENLISTMENTS, COLOR GUARDS AND OTHER SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
1B. HISTORY: THE ARMY CURRENTLY HAS THREE SERVICE UNIFORMS; GREEN, BLUE, AND WHITE. ENLISTED SOLDIERS RECEIVE THE GREEN SERVICE UNIFORM AS PART OF THEIR BASIC CLOTHING BAG ISSUE WHEN THEY ENTER THE ARMY DURING INITIAL ENTRY TRAINING. THE ARMY FURTHER PROVIDES ACTIVE DUTY ENLISTED SOLDIERS AN ANNUAL CLOTHING ALLOWANCE TO MAINTAIN PROPER FIT AND APPEARANCE OF THEIR BASIC CLOTHING BAG ISSUE ITEMS. THE ARMY INCLUDES A SERIES OF STIPENDS IN THIS ANNUAL CLOTHING ALLOWANCE TOWARDS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE GREEN SERVICE UNIFORM AND ALL BASIC CLOTHING BAG ITEMS. FOR ENLISTED SOLDIERS, THE BLUE SERVICE UNIFORM IS AN OPTIONAL WEAR ITEM, PURCHASED IF DESIRED, AND WORN ON APPROPRIATE OCCASIONS.
2. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ARE GIVEN A ONE-TIME STIPEND WHEN COMMISSIONED TO PURCHASE THEIR REQUIRED UNIFORM ITEMS. OFFICERS THEN MAINTAIN PROPER FIT AND APPEARANCE OF THEIR UNIFORM ITEMS THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREER. THE ARMY REQUIRES OFFICERS TO PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN BOTH THE GREEN AND BLUE SERVICE UNIFORMS.
2A. TO STREAMLINE THE NUMBER OF UNIFORMS SOLDIERS PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREERS, THE ARMY WILL PHASE OUT THE GREEN AND WHITE SERVICE UNIFORMS AND RETAIN THE BLUE SERVICE UNIFORM AS OUR ASU. SOLDIERS WHO CURRENTLY HAVE A BLUE SERVICE UNIFORM CAN IMMEDIATELY BEGIN WEARING THIS UNIFORM AS THEIR ASU, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.
2B. THE NEW ARMY ASU WILL INCLUDE A NEW COAT AND LOW WAIST TROUSERS FOR MALE SOLDIERS; AND A NEW COAT, SLACKS AND SKIRT FOR FEMALE SOLDIERS. THE NEW FABRIC FOR THE ASU IS HEAVIER AND WRINKLE RESISTANT OVER PREVIOUSLY MANUFACTURED UNIFORMS AND WILL CONSIST OF 55% WOOL AND 45% POLYESTER MATERIAL. THE NEW ASU COAT WILL HAVE A TAILORED, ATHLETIC CUT, TO IMPROVE UNIFORM FIT AND APPEARANCE. THE ASU WILL INCLUDE A NEW IMPROVED HEAVIER AND WRINKLE RESISTANT SHORT AND LONG-SLEEVED WHITE SHIRT WITH PERMANENT MILITARY CREASES AND SHOULDER LOOPS. THE ARMY ANTICIPATES THE NEW ASU ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE IN OUR MILITARY CLOTHING SALES STORES IN THE 4TH QUARTER FY 2009.
3. THE ARMY ENCOURAGES SOLDIERS AND LEADERS, WHO OWN THE CURRENT (OLD) ASU, WHEN APPROPRIATE, TO WEAR AS THEIR DRESS BLUE, CLASS A OR CLASS B UNIFORM. THIS MESSAGE ESTABLISHES A CLASS B UNIFORM CATEGORY FOR THE CURRENT BLUE ASU AS PART OF OUR BRIDGING STRATEGY. THE CLASS B UNIFORM CATEGORY DEFINES THOSE ASU ITEMS WORN WITHOUT THE SERVICE COAT.
4. DRESS BLUE ASU: THE DRESS BLUE ASU INCLUDES THE ARMY BLUE COAT AND TROUSERS, A LONG-SLEEVED WHITE SHIRT AND BLACK BOW TIE FOR MALES. THE ARMY DRESS BLUE ASU FOR FEMALES INCLUDES THE ARMY BLUE COAT, SKIRT, AND A LONG-SLEEVED WHITE SHIRT WITH BLACK NECK TAB. CURRENTLY, FEMALES IN ARMY BANDS, HONOR GUARDS, AND FEMALE CHAPLAINS ARE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR ARMY BLUE SLACKS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES. THE BLACK BERET AND SERVICE CAP ARE AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR WITH THIS UNIFORM. WHEN THE DRESS BLUE ASU IS WORN FOR EVENING SOCIAL OCCASIONS (AFTER RETREAT) COMMANDERS CAN DIRECT NO HEADGEAR REQUIRED. COMBAT BOOTS AND ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS, SUCH AS BRASSARDS, MILITARY POLICE (MP) ACCESSORIES AND DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA (DUI) ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR WITH THE DRESS BLUE ASU. ALL OTHER ACCESSORIES AND INSIGNIA AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR WITH THE CLASS A SERVICE UNIFORM ARE AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE DRESS BLUE ASU.
5. CLASS A ASU: THE CLASS A ASU INCLUDES THE ARMY BLUE COAT AND TROUSERS/SKIRT/SLACKS, A SHORT OR LONG SLEEVE WHITE SHIRT AND FOUR-IN-HAND NECKTIE (MALE)/NECK TAB (FEMALE). (FOR ACCESSORIES AND OTHER ITEMS AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE CLASS A ASU SEE INSIGNIAS, AWARDS, BADGES AND ACCOUTERMENTS WORN WITH THE DRESS BLUE, CLASS A, AND CLASS B ASU PARAGRAPH BELOW.)
6. CLASS B ASU: THE CLASS B ASU INCLUDES THE ARMY BLUE TROUSERS/SKIRT/SLACKS, A SHORT OR LONG SLEEVE WHITE SHIRT. SOLDIERS WILL WEAR THE FOUR-IN-HAND NECKTIE WITH THE LONG SLEEVE WHITE SHIRT WHEN IT IS WORN WITHOUT THE CLASS A COAT. (FOR ACCESSORIES AND OTHER ITEMS AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE CLASS B ASU SEE INSIGNIAS, AWARDS, BADGES AND ACCOUTERMENTS WORN WITH THE DRESS BLUE, CLASS A, AND CLASS B ASU PARAGRAPH BELOW). UNTIL THE NEW ASU ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE, SOLDIERS WHO HAVE THE LOW WAIST TROUSERS WITH BELT LOOPS, OR SLACKS, HAVE THE OPTION OF WEARING A COMMERCIAL SHORT SLEEVE WHITE SHIRT WITH SHOULDER LOOPS IN THE OPEN COLLAR CONFIGURATION OR WITH A FOUR-IN-HAND NECKTIE (BLACK NECK TAB FOR FEMALE SOLDIERS). SOLDIERS HAVE THE OPTION OF WEARING A COMMERCIAL LONG SLEEVE WHITE SHIRT WITH SHOULDER LOOPS AND A FOUR-IN-HAND NECKTIE (BLACK NECK TAB FOR FEMALE SOLDIERS). SOLDIERS WHO HAVE THE CURRENT COMMERCIAL WHITE SHIRT WITHOUT SHOULDER LOOPS MUST WEAR AS APPROPRIATE, THE BLACK WIND BREAKER, BLACK PULLOVER OR BLACK CARDIGAN SWEATERS WITH THIS UNIFORM.
7. SOLDIERS WHO HAVE THE HIGH WAIST BLUE TROUSERS WORN WITH SUSPENDERS (DESIGNED TO WEAR WITH THE BLUE MESS UNIFORM) MAY WEAR THESE TROUSERS WITH THE CURRENT ASU DURING THIS TRANSITION PERIOD. THESE HIGH WAIST TROUSERS MUST BE WORN WITH THE SERVICE COAT, BLACK WIND BREAKER, BLACK PULLOVER OR BLACK CARDIGAN SWEATERS.
8. THE ARMY WILL PLACE THE NEW ASU ITEMS IN THE SOLDIERS CLOTHING BAG FOR INITIAL ENTRY SOLDIERS IN 4TH QUARTER, FY 2010. THE MANDATORY POSSESSION DATE FOR THE NEW ASU ITEMS IS 4TH QUARTER, FY 2014.
9. THE ASU CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
- ASU COAT
- ASU TROUSERS, LOW WAIST WITH BELT LOOPS (MALE SOLDIERS)
- ASU SLACKS, LOW WAIST (FEMALE SOLDIERS)
- ASU SKIRT (FEMALE SOLDIERS)
10. ASU ACCESSORY ITEMS AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR IAW AR 670-1, WEAR AND APPEARANCE OF ARMY UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA.
- BELT WITH GOLD BUCKLE (PARA 27-2B AND 2D, AND 27-25)
- BOOTS, COMBAT, LEATHER, BLACK (OPTIONAL FOR WEAR WITH CLASS A AND CLASS B UNIFORMS, ONLY FOR THOSE SOLDIERS AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE TAN, GREEN, OR MAROON BERETS, THOSE ASSIGNED TO AIR ASSAULT CODED POSITIONS, AND MPS PERFORMING MP DUTIES.)(PARA 27-3)
- BOW TIE, BLACK (WORN AFTER RETREAT) (PARA 27-19A)
- BUTTONS (PARA 27-4)
- CAPE, BLACK (OFFICER ONLY) (PARA 27-6A)
- CAPE, BLUE (OFFICER ONLY) (PARA 27-6B)
- CHAPLAINS APPAREL (PARA 27-7)
- CUFF LINKS AND STUDS, GOLD (PARA 27-10)
- COAT, BLACK, ALL WEATHER (PARA 27-8)
- GLOVES, BLACK, LEATHER, UNISEX, DRESS (WORN WITH BLACK ALL WEATHER COAT OR BLACK WIND BREAKER) (PARA 27-12B)
- GLOVES, WHITE, DRESS (PARA 27-12C)
- HANDBAG, BLACK, FABRIC OR LEATHER (PARA 27-13B)
- HANDBAG, BLACK, SHOULDER (PARA 27-13D)
- HANDBAG, BLACK, CLUTCH TYPE, OPTIONAL PURCHASE (PARA 27- 13A)
- HAT, DRILL SERGEANT (AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR WITH CLASS A AND CLASS B UNIFORMS) (PARA 27-14A)
- JUDGES APPAREL (PARA 27-15)
- MILITARY POLICE ACCESSORIES (NOT AUTHORIZED WITH THE FORMAL CLASS A ASU)
- NECKTIE, BLACK, FOUR-IN-HAND (WORN ON DUTY) (PARA 27-19C)
- NECK TABS (PARA 27-18)
- SCARF, BLACK (ONLY WITH BLACK ALL WEATHER COAT OR BLACK WINDBREAKER) (PARA 27-21A)
- SHIRT, WHITE, LONG SLEEVE (PARA 27-22C)
- SHIRT, WHITE, SHORT SLEEVE (PARA 27-22A)
- SHOES, OXFORD, BLACK (PARA 27-23A)
- SHOES, PUMPS, BLACK (PARA 27-23F AND 23G)
- SOCKS, BLACK, CUSHION SOLE (WORN WITH BOOTS ONLY) (PARA 27-24A)
- SOCKS, BLACK, DRESS (WORN WITH TROUSERS/SLACKS) (PARA 27- 24B)
- STOCKINGS, SHEER (PARA 27-24D)
- SWEATER, PULLOVER, BLACK (PARA 27-27)
- SWEATER, UNISEX CARDIGAN, BLACK (PARA 27-26A)
- UNDERGARMENTS, WHITE (PARA 27-28)
- UMBRELLA, BLACK (FEMALES MY CARRY AND USE AN UMBRELLA, ONLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WHEN WEARING THE DRESS BLUE ASU. UMBRELLAS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED IN FORMATIONS OR WHEN WEARING FIELD OR UTILITY UNIFORMS)
- WINDBREAKER, BLACK (ONLY WITH CLASS B UNIFORM) (PARA 27-30)
11. INSIGNIAS, AWARDS, BADGES AND ACCOUTERMENTS WORN WITH THE DRESS BLUE, CLASS A AND CLASS B ASU: NOTE EXCEPTION:
- AIGUILLETTES, SERVICE (OFFICERS ONLY) (NOT AUTHORIZED ON THE CLASS B ASU) (PARA 28-25) AND (28-26)
- AIRBORNE BACKGROUND TRIMMING (PARA 28-31B)
- BRANCH OF SERVICE SCARVES (NOT AUTHORIZED ON THE ENLISTED FORMAL CLASS A SERVICE UNIFORM) (PARA 28-20)
- BRANCH INSIGNIA (NOT AUTHORIZED ON THE CLASS B ASU) (PARA 28-10 AND 28-12A)
- BRASSARDS (NOT AUTHORIZED ON THE DRESS BLUE ASU) (PARA 28-29)
- COMBAT SERVICE IDENTIFICATION BADGE (CSIB) (NEW ITEM TO BE WORN WHEN AVAILABLE) THE CSIB WILL BE WORN WHEN AVAILABLE IN PLACE OF THE SSI-FWTS ON THE ASU. THE CSIB WILL BE WORN CENTER ON THE WEARERS RIGHT BREAST POCKET OF THE ASU COAT FOR MALE SOLDIERS; FEMALE SOLDIERS WEAR THE CSIB ON THE RIGHT SIDE PARALLEL TO THE WAISTLINE ON THE ASU COAT. THE CSIB IS RANKED FIFTH IN ORDER OF PRECEDENCE BELOW THE PRESIDENTIAL, VICE-PRESIDENTIAL, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF IDENTIFICATION BADGES. THE CSIB CAN ALSO BE WORN ON THE SHIRT WHEN WEARING THE CLASS B VERSIONS OF THE ASU (PARA 29-18)
- DECORATIONS AND SERVICE MEDAL RIBBONS (PARA 29-7, 29-8 AND 29-9)
- DISTINCTIVE ITEMS AUTHORIZED FOR INFANTRY PERSONNEL (PARA 28-30)
- DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA (ENLISTED ONLY) AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE CLASS A AND CLASS B UNIFORMS ONLY) (PARA 28-22)
- FOREIGN BADGES (PARA 29-19)
- FOURRAGERE/LANYARDS (PARA 28-11)
- GOLD STAR LAPEL PIN (PARA 29-7)
- HEADGEAR INSIGNIA (PARA 28-3)
- INSIGNIA OF GRADE (PARA 28-5, 28-6, 28-7 AND 28-8)
- OCS/WOC INSIGNIA (PARA 28-14 AND 28-15)
- NAMEPLATE (PARA 28-24C)
- ORGANIZATIONAL FLASH (PARA 28-31A)
- OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS (OPTIONAL)(PARA 28-28)
- REGIMENTAL DISTINCTIVE INSIGNIA (OPTIONAL) (PARA 28-23)
- SERVICE STRIPES (ENLISTED PERSONNEL ONLY) (PARA 28-27)
- UNIT AWARDS (PARA 29-11)
- U.S. BADGES (IDENTIFICATION, MARKSMANSHIP, COMBAT AND SPECIAL SKILL) (PARA 29-13, 29-16, 29-17 AND 29-18)
- U.S. INSIGNIA (NOT AUTHORIZED ON THE CLASS B ASU) (PARA 28-4)
12. THE LEADERS IDENTIFICATION INSIGNIA (GREEN TAB) IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN ON THE ASU.
13. HEADGEAR AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR WITH THE ASU:
- BERET (BLACK, MAROON, GREEN AND TAN)
- SERVICE CAP (MALE/FEMALE; CORPORALS AND ABOVE)
14. THE BERET IS THE PRIMARY HEADGEAR WORN WITH THE ASU BY ALL SOLDIERS UNLESS THE COMMANDER DIRECTS WEAR OF THE SERVICE CAP (FOR CPLS AND ABOVE).
15. OFFICER AND ENLISTED SOLDIERS IN THE GRADE OF CORPORAL AND ABOVE WILL WEAR TROUSERS WITH A GOLD BRAID SEWN ON THE OUTSIDE OF SEAM OF EACH TROUSER LEG OF THE NEW BLUE ASU. THE BRAID WILL BE SEWN FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WAISTBAND TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TROUSER LEG (SOLDIERS ASSIGNED TO THE OLD GUARD ARE AUTHORIZED THE GOLD BRAID REGARDLESS OF GRADE). ON THE NEW ASU, SERVICE STRIPES ARE AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE LEFT SLEEVE FOR ENLISTED SOLDIERS AND OVERSEAS SERVICE BAR(S) ON THE RIGHT SLEEVE FOR BOTH OFFICERS AND ENLISTED SOLDIERS. THE SERVICE STRIPES AND OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS ARE SIMILAR IN SIZE TO THE ONES CURRENTLY WORN ON THE ARMY GREEN UNIFORM. THE NEW SERVICE STRIPES AND OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS WILL BE GOLD IN COLOR AND TRIMMED IN BLUE TO MATCH THE ASU. AS WE TRANSITION TO THE NEW ASU, WE MAINTAIN OUR TRADITIONAL LARGER SERVICE STRIPES ON THE OPTIONAL WHITE AND BLUE (SHORT JACKET) MESS DRESS UNIFORM.
16. FOR THOSE SOLDIERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED THE CURRENT (OLD) BLUE UNIFORM, THIS UNIFORM WILL REMAIN AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR UNTIL THE MANDATORY POSSESSION DATE FOR THE NEW ASU, 4TH QUARTER OF FY 2014. SOLDIERS WHO HAVE THE CURRENT (OLD) BLUE UNIFORM ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REMOVE THE EXISTING LARGE SERVICE STRIPES. PRIVATES THROUGH SPECIALISTS WHO NOW OWN THE CURRENT BLUE TROUSERS’ ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REMOVE THE EXISTING GOLD BRAID ON THEIR TROUSER LEGS. SOLDIERS WHO PURCHASE THE NEW ASU ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH ALL WEAR POLICIES OUTLINED IN THIS MESSAGE. THE INTENT OF THIS BRIDGING STRATEGY IS TO ALLOW FOR MAXIMUM WEAR OF THE EXISTING UNIFORMS AND ESTABLISH POLICY FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT. DURING THIS TRANSFORMATION PERIOD WE WILL HAVE SOLDIERS IN MIXED UNIFORMS. THE ARMY IS IN TRANSFORMATION.
17. BEGINNING IN 4TH QUARTER FY 2009, SOLDIERS HAVE THE OPTION TO TAKE THEIR OFFICIAL DA PHOTO IN THE ASU. THIS IS STRICTLY OPTIONAL ON THE SOLDIERS PART. SOLDIERS CAN STILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THEIR DA PHOTO IN THE ARMY GREEN SERVICE UNIFORM UNTIL THE MANDATORY POSSESSION DATE OF 4TH QUARTER FY 2014. DURING THIS TRANSITION PERIOD, OFFICIAL DA PHOTOS CAN BE IN EITHER THE ARMY GREEN SERVICE UNIFORM OR THE ASU.
18. THE WEAR OUT DATE FOR THE ARMY GREEN SERVICE UNIFORM WITH ACCESSORIES IS THE 4TH QUARTER OF FY 2014.
19. ALL NEW INSIGNIAS WORN ON THE ASU WILL BE DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED BY THE INSTITUTE OF HERALDRY.
20. THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE ARMY G-1.
21. HQDA POC FOR UNIFORM WEAR POLICY IS SGM KATRINA EASLEY, [email protected], DSN 225-5406, (703) 695-5406.
22. EXPIRATION: THIS MESSAGE EXPIRES UPON NEXT PUBLICATION OF AR 670-1.
ALARACT 202/2008
SUBJECT: ARMY SERVICE UNIFORM (ASU) WEAR POLICY
