Military Uniforms
Each branch of the US military has its own set of uniforms and rules on how to wear them correctly. The uniforms have evolved over the years and there have been a few hits or misses along the way. Each branch has its own set of uniforms, however, there have been a few overlaps. Here is a list of the top 5 US military uniforms.
Battle Dress Uniform
This Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) was worn across all branches of the US military and was around from 1981 till 2011. These camouflaged uniforms were both comfortable and functional. These uniforms were worn at battlefields as opposed to dress uniforms that are worn at various functions and parades. These were eventually phased out but these BDU-styled uniforms are still popular among militaries around the world. The colors used for this uniform were shades of green, brown and black so that soldiers could easily blend in the tropical environment.
Retrofit Service Dress Uniform
The Retrofit Service Dress Uniform worn by the US Air Force has been in existence since 1994. It replaced the McPeak Service Dress. The uniform received accolades for its business style. This blue uniform is a polyester-wool serge weave with a single breasted pocket and three buttons. The uniform has often being called stylish and is still in use by the USAF. Currently, it is the only dress uniform covered by all regulations. Initially, there were no name tags on this uniform but over the years name tags appeared first in the form of a blue plastic and then a medal.
Army White Uniform
This dress uniform worn by the US Army was in existence since 1938 and was eventually phased out in 2014. It is similar to the white uniform worn by the US Navy, however, unlike the navy, the Army White Uniform was not mandatory except for officers who were posted in the tropics or the Southern United States. The uniform mainly featured a white jacket with four buttons that were worn with matching trousers and cap. This uniform was worn with a white shirt and a black bow tie or a necktie for various functions and events.
OG-107 Utility Uniform
This simple utility uniform was worn across all branches of the US military from 1952 until 1989. It was eventually replaced by the Battle Dress Uniform. The cotton sateen shirt could be worn casually by a commander. It did not have to be tucked in and it was permissible to roll up the sleeves during the summer. There were three different types of the OG-107 Utility Uniform. The Type I was in production between 1952 and 1963 where the shirt had a sleeve with no cuff or buttons. Between 1963 and 1964, Type II came into the picture where minor changes were made to the shirt including breast pocket flaps. Type III was divided into the cotton and poly cotton variants. Navy Working Uniform - The newer version was introduced in 2008 for the Navy and is being praised for its design and durability. The new NWU allowed a personnel to stay warm in cold weather and was also designed to be more durable. These are currently in production since 2009. In 2010, the design was slightly modified in terms of color and make. These uniforms are also being tested for fire resistance. It is popular among those who like battle-dress styling.
