Fort Bliss Monitor

SMA Preston unveils new uniform

Sgt. Chad T. Jones
USASMA Public Affairs

Sgt. Maj. Barry Vertner, Nonresident Sergeants Major Course, 01-04, looks at the new Army Combat Uniform, July 26.

The Sergeant Major of the Army gave students at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy a preview of what the post transformation Army will look like, July 26.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston displayed the new Army Combat Uniform to the Nonresident Sergeants Major Course and First Sergeants Course students during one of his regular visits to the Academy.

“This uniform was designed by Soldiers, for Soldiers,” said the 13th SMA. “It was designed to be worn with body armor because we will never go into an operation again without it.”

Preston brought one of the new uniforms in so the students could pass it around and look at the new changes which include: Velcro patches, larger pant pockets, shoulder pockets and a new camouflage pattern.

“The new uniform is conducive and will be better for Soldiers in combat,” said First Sgt. Will Mercer, NRC 01-04 student. “But as far as the design, I’m from the old school so I still like the OD greens.”

The digitized camouflage for the new uniform will be effective in all environments, according to Preston, who added that the new uniform will come with two pairs of brown boots (jungle and temperate).

Deploying Soldiers will begin wearing the new uniform next year with the entire Army following suit no later than fiscal year 2007.

The new uniform is another step in the Army’s ongoing transformation which was the main topic of discussion during Preston’s visit.

“It’s important right now to get the right tools in the tool box so combatant commanders can accomplish their mission,” said Preston.

One way the Army will retool is by adding a division’s worth of combat power over the next year, stated Preston when answering the question, “What does transformation mean to you besides growing more deployable forces?”

“To first sergeants and below, their role in transformation should be pretty transparent. It’s you, the battalion-level leaders and higher, who are going to see the changes.”

Preston added the transformation’s unit of action teams will also mean predictability and stability to all Soldiers.

“Most Soldiers assigned to a unit of action will be encouraged to stay [after their initial three-year tour]. That means a new private straight out of [Advanced Individual Training] should come out as a sergeant promoteable or staff sergeant and should be ready to go be a drill sergeant. The news for the NCOs is Transition will make us technical experts again.”

The stability of transformation also extends to family members, Preston explained. “It will help spouses continue their career and allow their kids to stay in the same schools,” he said.

Preston then took questions from the students which ranged from the role of the Individual Ready Reserves, to actions in Korea and the new Army Combat Uniform.

Preston ended his hour-long presentation by thanking the students for taking part in the largest transformation since World War II. “You are really the future and you are part of a huge transition. So be proud of your service to your nation because you are truly part of the next great generation.”



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 29, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	SMA Preston unveils new uniform Sgt. Chad T. Jones USASMA Public Affairs Sgt. Maj. Barry Vertner, Nonresident Sergeants Major Course, 01-04, looks at the new Army Combat Uniform, July 26. The Sergeant Major of the Army gave students at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy a preview of what the post transformation Army will look like, July 26. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston displayed the new Army Combat Uniform to the Nonresident Sergeants Major Course and First Sergeants Course students during one of his regular visits to the Academy. “This uniform was designed by Soldiers, for Soldiers,” said the 13th SMA. “It was designed to be worn with body armor because we will never go into an operation again without it.” Preston brought one of the new uniforms in so the students could pass it around and look at the new changes which include: Velcro patches, larger pant pockets, shoulder pockets and a new camouflage pattern. “The new uniform is conducive and will be better for Soldiers in combat,” said First Sgt. Will Mercer, NRC 01-04 student. “But as far as the design, I’m from the old school so I still like the OD greens.” The digitized camouflage for the new uniform will be effective in all environments, according to Preston, who added that the new uniform will come with two pairs of brown boots (jungle and temperate). Deploying Soldiers will begin wearing the new uniform next year with the entire Army following suit no later than fiscal year 2007. The new uniform is another step in the Army’s ongoing transformation which was the main topic of discussion during Preston’s visit. “It’s important right now to get the right tools in the tool box so combatant commanders can accomplish their mission,” said Preston. One way the Army will retool is by adding a division’s worth of combat power over the next year, stated Preston when answering the question, “What does transformation mean to you besides growing more deployable forces?” “To first sergeants and below, their role in transformation should be pretty transparent. It’s you, the battalion-level leaders and higher, who are going to see the changes.” Preston added the transformation’s unit of action teams will also mean predictability and stability to all Soldiers. “Most Soldiers assigned to a unit of action will be encouraged to stay [after their initial three-year tour]. That means a new private straight out of [Advanced Individual Training] should come out as a sergeant promoteable or staff sergeant and should be ready to go be a drill sergeant. The news for the NCOs is Transition will make us technical experts again.” The stability of transformation also extends to family members, Preston explained. “It will help spouses continue their career and allow their kids to stay in the same schools,” he said. Preston then took questions from the students which ranged from the role of the Individual Ready Reserves, to actions in Korea and the new Army Combat Uniform. Preston ended his hour-long presentation by thanking the students for taking part in the largest transformation since World War II. “You are really the future and you are part of a huge transition. So be proud of your service to your nation because you are truly part of the next great generation.”