Army to Design Uniforms for Female Soldiers

[one_voice]

(Sept. 7) -- Women account for 15.5 percent of the U.S. Army, and now the military has decided they deserve a uniform that fits.

Many female soldiers have complained that their uniform was designed for men. In order to get the uniform jacket to fit across the chest, for instance, they have to buy larger sizes -- making the shoulders far too big.

"We need to ensure our women are wearing something they are comfortable in, and it doesn't make them look like their uniform doesn't fit," Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller told Army Times.

A new female-cut Army Combat Uniform is in the works, Army Times reported Monday. Jackets will now come in 13 sizes, with different chest, waist and sweep measurements. Trousers will also come in 13 sizes, with different hip measurements, and the drawstring will be replaced by an elastic waistband. The back rise on the trouser will be lengthened to make room for larger hips.

*snip*

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/us-army-to-design-new-uniforms-for-female-soldiers/19623916

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. XXL fatigue shirts for BDUs so they fit in the front

yep, I know.

Ladies you are indeed lucky.

Of course the three pairs of socks so the damn boots are more or less snug... they started making those a while ago.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. "drawstrings will be replaced by elastic"

Any ladies want to fill me in on why that's an issue?

[northoftheborder]

5. much more comfortable

[Brickbat]

8. When your waist is smaller than your hips, it makes more sense to have elastic when you're pulling

down your pants. Drawstrings you have to untie and retie. Elastic you just whip down.

[Skittles]

3. Airgal Skittles never had that problem

have a beer, girls! :D

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. The chestier you are

the worst it is...

We used BDUs for search and rescue...

[Maru Kitteh]

12. Is that a Gremlin behind you Skittles?

[Skittles]

14. it wasn't MINE!

it belonged to the nitwit taking my picture - *I* drove a Dodge Charger :D

[Maru Kitteh]

20. Now now, there is no shame in having had an AMC Gremlin. Either that or I

am shameless.

Hmmmmm....... :think: maybe that's it!

[smalll]

13. You were absoultely beautiful.

(Sorry!) :blush:

[old mark]

19. ...when you were young.....nt

[trumad]

21. What a Babe!

[sarge43]

22. Yo one striper, share that brew and I'll overlook the hair.

What's the circa on that pic? Had to be early to mid seventies, hadn't gone to the subdued stripes and tags yet.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. More that a few soliders tailor their BDUs so they fit better

Extreme tailoring is not allowed, but reasonable tucks etc are fine. Both men and women do this.

[sarge43]

7. In the day it was the fatigue pants

Either you got 'em to fit across the butt and had an excess of material in the waist which made you look like a sack tied in the middle. Or got 'em to fit in the waist and gave yourself a cheap thrill because they were mmmmmm snug down there.

There have been women in the Army since 1942. (Not counting the Nurse Corps, they didn't have a service uniform until '44) It's good to know them what be in charge finally figure out women are shaped differently than men.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Belts... were my friend

:-)

For hiking I need to go to the surplus store... they are just damn comfy even if they look all but flattering.

[kimi]

10. And if you're petite the BDUs were really a pain to wear

I'm 5 feet on a good day. I always looked like I was wearing PJs to work, no matter how I tucked those suckers into my boots, it looked ridiculous.

[Maru Kitteh]

11. DOH!

Just now they are coming to this conclusion?

[Rex]

15. This is a huge leap for the Army...what next?

[Morning Dew]

17. Lol.

[HEyHEY]

16. Wow, took them that long?

Seems to me the military should be getting clothing that fits for everyone. When you're in combat, the last thing you need is a wedgie.

[eridani]

18. Good. Now how about shoes made on women's lasts?

More sox don't help the triangle foot problem.

[Old Troop]

23. What's really weird is that the majority of designers for combat uniforms

are women these days.

[RamboLiberal]

24. As a female my message to the Army and military - DUH!