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Seasoned Vet
 
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I never had trouble with my garrison cover. When I wanted to press it, I did it over the weekend. I would soak it in starch on Friday and let it soak in and dry Friday and Saturday. Sunday afternoon I would spray it down again and take the three cardboard forms I had cut and use them to get the corners just right. I just ironed it to make it flat and hard and that was that for another week. It took less than a half hour of ironing and I seldom burned myself.
I bet that cover would stop schrapnel and 9mm it was so hard.
You think the average Airman will do that? Suuuurrree buddy.
Go with God, but make Him walk the point.
If you load a mudfoot down with a lot of gadgets he has to watch somebody a lot more simply equipped - say with a stone axe - will sneak up and bash his head in while he is trying to read a Vernier. - Robert Heinlein
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BS6's Dude
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quote:
Originally posted by AbnCrazy
Again with all due respect to the High Speed A.F. types, seems the A.F. wants to project an image that says they are out in the fight and stocked with Warriors, where in reality except for the few, most are technicians who work way the hell back from any combat zone. Heck it is their job and I am sure they do it well, but why try and project an image of something you aren't?
Actually, the USAF is making great strides toward the goal of being a fully competent, forward-deployable Expeditionary Air Force, and they are getting closer and closer to the thick of things than ever before.
Guys in my job have recently done combat MFF jumps, and the Contingency Response AF troopers in Europe jumped in to Northern Iraq with the 173rd.
There are tons of USAF troopers who are currently deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa right now, working right alongside their Army and USMC counterparts and enduring the same conditions.
The USAF will never be a service of "Riflemen First," like the USMC is and the Army should be - But we're not quite as "back from any combat zone" as you might think...
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BS6's Dude
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My latest feeling on this new uniform issue -
I have taken a look at the new USMC uniform lately, and I believe it has a number of excellent features which we should ALL try to incorporate into our respective service uniforms.
I think replacing the BDUs with another uniform that is easier to maintain is a definite plus. I'm pretty tired of seeing USAF guys treat BDUs like they are wash & wear, when they should be starching them. Apparently the new material alleviates that problem, which is excellent.
I think having a BDU shirt you can either tuck in or wear out is a good idea.
I think the wider "Rigger Belts" is a good idea.
I think the 3 button henley t-shirts are DEFINITELY a cheese-d!ck addition.
I definitely like the USMC style cover, but I also feel it should be reserved solely for USMC and USN personnel - It's distinctive, and should not be worn by the USAF. We wore them for a short time when transitioning to the Woodland BDU, but they put a stop to it rather quickly.
The pattern is not all that bad, based on photos. They are planning to test it at AFSOC HQ, and at the European CR Unit (Is it a Group, or a Squadron, fellas?), and I will definitely be looking forward to hearing what those guys think of it, because I respect their opinion as war-fighters.
If we're going to change the uniform to incorporate the design and wearability features of the new USMC uniform, why NOT change the pattern? Those of us who deploy with the US Army, Navy or Marines will wear the uniforms of those we deploy with, apparently. Let the guys on the AF bases have their "cool" cammies.
It just doesn't matter, truthfully.
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Seasoned Vet
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JR, this is exactly the misconception I was hoping to avoid. I know that men like you in the Air Force have been upfront for decades and are becoming a bigger presence as well. Still I do believe the overwhelming majority of A.F. personnel don't get that close to the front lines.
My criticism of the new A.F. BDU comes from the fact they are primarily doing it for "image". As is pointed out in the article, those A.F. personnel serving in a JTF role will continue to wear the uniforms they are now. It makes zero sense to do what they are doing. I have leveled some pretty heavy criticism torwards the Army when it comes to these "image" changes as well. Wether it be the Beret or Co-Ed basic, or the wussifying of the BCT.
In these times of tight budgets and high operating costs I think that the money expended on such foolishness could be better spent elsewhere.
Also the point you bring up about the increasing desire of the Air Force to forward deploy just brings up the fact they just want to become a part of the Army again and realise the foolishness of ever leaving it. [bncy][bncy][ ][LOL]
Abraham Lincoln (quiet, reserved and selfless): “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here” -Gettysburg Address
Obama (egotistical): “Now the world will watch and remember what we do here”
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BS6's Dude
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quote:
Originally posted by AbnCrazy
Still I do believe the overwhelming majority of A.F. personnel don't get that close to the front lines.
My criticism of the new A.F. BDU comes from the fact they are primarily doing it for "image".
Also the point you bring up about the increasing desire of the Air Force to forward deploy just brings up the fact they just want to become a part of the Army again and realise the foolishness of ever leaving it.
Point #1 -
Define "Front Lines," Airborne... Seems to me like the days of conventional front lines are pretty much over, dontja think? ESPECIALLY when it comes to terrorist attack. PLUS - As paratroopers and Spec Ops troops, we know the value of attacking high priority targets like Air Bases. Any potential enemy knows that value, as well.
Point #2 -
The USAF could use a new image, IMO... Again, if they are going to go to a new uniform WHICH IS MORE FUNCTIONAL, who cares what pattern it is? The important thing is that it's more functional. At least in my opinion.
Point #3 -
It's not about the DESIRE of the USAF to forward deply - It's about effective prosecution of the mission. They can't be as effective when they are farther behind the lines, period. The good thing is they finally recognize it. AND - If the USAF turns in to a better warfighting organization as a result, how is that a bad thing?
HOWEVER - To get back to the subject of this thread - They're obviously not going to do it by virtue of changing uniforms.
Your last point about wanting to be part of the Army again - Ha-freakin'-Ha, Airborne! I don't really think that's true, but you can go on deceiving yourself as long as you want, my Airborne Brother! [ ]
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Seasoned Vet
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JR,you have mail on the way.
Abraham Lincoln (quiet, reserved and selfless): “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here” -Gettysburg Address
Obama (egotistical): “Now the world will watch and remember what we do here”
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BS6's Dude
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Roger - Answered.
Dialogue is GOOD, Airborne!
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Seasoned Vet
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Last Login: 10/2/2005 10:13 PM
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On one side, the people I have heard have said 'We are going to be closer to the action, so we need a more effective uniform.' On the other side, they are saying 'we need a distinctive uniform'. Which is it? Distinctive or effective? I personally think a slate grey or grey-blue would be effective and distinctive. It might not blend with pine forests, but it would be better than BDUs on the flightline.
Go with God, but make Him walk the point.
If you load a mudfoot down with a lot of gadgets he has to watch somebody a lot more simply equipped - say with a stone axe - will sneak up and bash his head in while he is trying to read a Vernier. - Robert Heinlein
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