Army may bring back "Pinks and Greens"

[p51]

Something I just thought of, I guess the market for new reproduction pinks and greens for re-enactors will collapse once the new uniforms come out. I'll for sure be buying a set and making whatever changes I need to make them look right for the 1940s...

 

[Michaelp]

Enlisted men never work pinks and greens, of course. They wore olive drab, at least in the winter. In fact, that's all they wore in the winter, although the coat was not worn in the field after the 1930s, if it ever was even then. The original initial issue was quite small, too. Two sets of khakis, long sleeves only and usually worn with a tie, two pair OD trousers and one OD coat, which didn't quite match, two sets of fatigues. Also an overcoat and a "field jacket," the only name it ever had at the time. The so-called Ike jacket was supposed to be part of the winter field outfit but supposedly most soldiers saved the OD wool jacket as a "best" outfit. The waist-length jacket was the latest style in the 1940s for a uniform and even the Germans introduced their own version.

I doubt that very many soldiers are all that interested in adopting any uniform that has been out of service since their grandfather was in the military. Since the Army Blue uniform for enlisted men was rarely seen when you were in the army, it was probably considered to be something new when it became general issue.

I also suspect that the last thing any soldier would like to have would be a high-collar coat, like the Marines wears as did the army before WWI.

 

[Michaelp]

The Army spent the last three years asking enlisted and officers their suggestions for a new class A uniform. I do not recall the exact % of those who express the desire to have the ww2 pinks and greens brought back but, it was around 80% that responded. BTW, it appears that enlisted will get the same uniform minus the belt. That is reserved for commission and warrant officers.

 

[Harp]

...

Too bad that the Chairman decided to forgo the brass buttons and instead went with the black buttons. At first glance it looks like the marine class A. also, the chin strap of the visor hat is no longer gold bullion for officers. Field grade officers will no longer have 'scramble eggs' on the visor hat. As I see it, my fathers ww2 officers blouse STILL looks better than the new uniform.

it appears that enlisted will get the same uniform minus the belt. That is reserved for commission and warrant officers.

Black coinage, plebeian strap, and no eggs. Fine. Cut all costume/jewelry ribbons beneath the Bronze Star,
belt enlisted Class A greens similarly. Bring back khakis. Uniformed soldiery professionally attired bore-to-butt plate.