DISQUS

SparkyWD · 3 months ago

Fail. The maternity look just doesn't do it for me. It looks sloppy, IMO. Do you know if there was any official reasoning for NOT just getting the Army/Marine Corps uniform (minus 8-pt cap) in blue?

slawler · 3 months ago

I don't know why. Actually, the TACLET's were originally given the ODU as a primary uniform. It was worn tucked in, but did not have the "fat boy" button on the bottom, so it could have been worn untucked. It was tapered in the blouse also. The were made by CAMCO, who makes the Marines and NG uniforms. They were the best. I still have mine 6 years later. No fades, no rips, extremely durable. I miss them. :(

Nicky · 3 months ago

I think the ODU is crappy because the design is old and it looks more law enforcement like than the standard Military type. It almost reminds me of the Air force version they had in the 50's to the 70's. I think the US Coast Guard should have gone with the version the Army and the Marines are using, minus the color. If you look at the Army and Marines version, they have Velcro name tapes and ranks, Even the pockets are slanted. I just wish the Coast Guard went with the design that the Army and Marines are using. Also, Don't use the design that the Navy is using. I don't like their color on their BDU's

Name · 3 months ago

fail. I can't understand why we just don't take a uniform from the Navy and change the color to something less heat attractant. I'm not sure who in the Coast Guard below the Mason Dixon line can actually wear the uniform while working (minus the office hounds).

PSC Youngquist · 3 months ago

Disclaimer: I am still wearing the last of my regular ODU's, but will need need new uniforms in the next few months...Still, I have seen more and more of the untucked ODU's out and around. Over all, I give them a pass, but more like a C+ than an A. I like the buttons for the pockets, the velcro in the regular ODU was awful! I also dig the CG emblem on the pockets, wish it contrasted just a little more though. Over all they seem to be a pretty good fabric, and CAN look sharp. The biggest drawback, at least appearance wise, is the "maternity" look....However, I have noticed that it is MUCH more pronounced if the member in question has a "baby tummy" to show off under it...One more reason to get off your butt and get in shape, it looks so much better on somebody that is in proper military condition. I wish they had left the bottom pockets on, like the old BDU's had. It would look more military, in my opinion, be more useful in the field, and would help with the appearance, those pockets tend to counter some of the odd look of the front end. As far as borrowing somebody elses uniform, I have worked with the Army, they do NOT like their new uniforms at all. The Marines seem happier, I would not mind a blue version of theirs. However, if we do it right, I like the idea of having our own. Service pride and all that. Although if I was the big boss, I would have two ODU's for all services, one for land forces (maybe desert and woodland versions) and one for naval forces. Its gotten kind of silly in my opinion....

SPsurfer27 · 3 months ago

Unfortunately, there is a pass and fail for BOTH uniforms. Although the new ODU's are considered 'maternity' I would much rather see that, then the completely overweight Coasties wearing a belt that accentuates the midsection and looks even frumpier. I LOVE my new untucks. They look sharper, I like that there are buttons instead of the crappy Velcro side pockets that would 'fly away...' The thing that sucks is that it fits oddly on certain people. Here is the secret, if it doesn't fit, return it for the size that fits you. Or hey! Lose some weight because the new weight standards are coming real soon. I will admit, there are many things I would like to still change about it but I think we are slowly and surely coming along. This is just my opinion on it. I hated seeing the old uniform on people who looked like they tucked in their blouse on a dark night during a hurricane. Sound overdramatic? Come stroll on my base and check it out for yourself. I still have faith in the Coast Guard uniform board people that one day they will figure it out and model our uniforms after the Marines or something. THEY look sharp and their uniforms look flawless. I am thinking my blind faith is coming from the newly released tattoo standards that just came out. BRAVO and it's ABOUT TIME! Granted, this isn't about tattoos, it's about the new untucked. Could they be improved? Yes I completely agree. Do I like them? Yes. I don't feel like a bloated cow anymore. Ha!

PSC Youngquist · 3 months ago

I also like the Marine uniform, but I also suspect part of the reason it looks so much sharper on them than ours does on some of our folks is because Marines are in top physical condition, almost without exception. Not that we shouldn't be.....I am incredibly proud to be in the Coast Guard, but have always been embarrased when doing Joint Ops by the (in general) miserably poor physical condition of our troops (Navy is the exception, yikes!). As long as I'm off topic here, I would love to see at least a a mandatory PT test along with the weighin, and even mandatory PT required during the work week...That would go a long way towards improving overall uniform appearance, not to mention readiness. There, brought it back on topic after all!

I'll second the opinion on the tattoo policy, I am very impressed, its a really good policy. For crying out loud, if anybody can have tattoos it should be sailors! Now to start getting serious about planning that sleeve.....

Nicky · 3 months ago

What about a Coast Guard version of the Marines MARPAT, Army's ACU or the Canadian forces CADPAT. I do like the the Version the Marines are using because it's cool and it looks good as well.

PSC Youngquist · 3 months ago

I would dig a CG Blue MARPAT, its a good uniform, plus we could use the desert and woodland patterns for our PSU's and other expeditionary folks so all our people would be in the same basic uniform, that would be cool. The ACU is crap, I have yet to meet a soldier that likes it, it wears out fast, is way too expensive, and is akward to wear. Not familiar with the Canadian one, but (ugly American warning!) I do not like the idea of copying a foreign service.

Nicky · 3 months ago

You gotta remember it was the Canadians who came up with Digital Camo and the Marines basically got the patent rights from the Canadians to do a version of the CADPAT for the Marines. I think we can do the same, just copy the Marines MARPAT and make it CGPAT with the color change and keep the same design as the MARPAT and CADPAT

PSC Youngquist · 3 months ago

Interestingly, I have heard from some of my friends in the PSU community that there is serious consideration of using a earlier prototype version of the MARPPAT to replace the increasingly hard to get BDU and DCU they use now.

Nicky · 3 months ago

What's interesting is that I think that the US Coast Guard should have gone with a version of the MARPAT or CADPAT. With the Velcro stuff coming from the Army'S ACU, Such as velcro Nametapes and Rank. Maybe we can get a CGPAT version that Combines MARPAT, CADPAT and ACU for the Coast Guard.

Here's the links to the digital Camo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CADPAT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MARPAT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Camoufla...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MultiCam
http://www.hyperstealth.com/CADPAT-MARPAT.htm

Nicky · 3 months ago

I like the Marines MARPAT design, but the Army's ACU is okay, but the color needs to be a bit darker. I also like the Canadian's CADPAT design as well.

DCStumpJumper · 3 months ago

B minus. In order for us to achieve that sharp military appearance, the uniform needs to be tailored. Guidelines should be promulgated so that we can remove the "maternity" look from it. With the new stricter weight standards, we should be proud to show off our lack of a spare tire around the middle. Let us fix them within reason.
The pant pleats feel awkward and the size ranges are to broad. I do like the feature on the pant leg bottoms where I've fished my blousing straps through to make them permanent party. It has made putting my uniform on quicker and easier, especially when I'm running late.

athorsson · 3 months ago

I would like to know why we felt the need to reinvent the uniform...when the other services have untucked uniforms that don't make them all look preggers.

First person to ask me how far along I am when I start wearing my untucks? Gets a boot in the teeth. For real.

FSC Stacey Russell · 3 months ago

I would have to say FAIL. I have emailed the UDC customer service center with a complaint and have not heard back from them. I was in the pre-ordered uniform group. My first uniform pants I got in size medium. They were tight in the waist and super loose everywhere else. I sent back and ordered larges, but they were so huge I couldn't keep them up so I went back to the mediums and the new ones fit???? However I have only been wearing the new uniforms for less than 3 months and all of my buttons are falling off and if they haven't fallen off they are about to. So now until I sew all the buttons back on provided I find all of them I have to wear my old uniforms. What gives? These were supposed to make things better but it seems like they are causing a lot of undue problems.

Dan Trimble · 3 months ago

I actually rather like the new ODUs, a lot more than the old ones. But that's based solely on looks so far; I haven't bought the new set yet since my old ones I had to buy brand new at OCS right before the new ones started coming out. But I like the untucked look a lot, and don't see where people think it looks like a maternity outfit.

So for those who are upset over the ODUs...around 2004 or so, I heard the uniform board was considering a blue beret to replace the garrison. As much as I dislike that cover, a blue beret...seriously? See, it could always be worse :)

NorskiAndy · 3 months ago

ya know, we already went thru this once way back in 1977 and it didnt last long... why are they trying this again??

costie · 3 months ago

FAIL,
We now all have Maternity uniforms disguised to be operational uniforms.

the Two Pocket design of the Blouse looks terrible, with an undersigned lower section that is to plain, unless your Pregnant of course. *no offense girls*

We should have just used the Navy/Army design of the 4 pocket with our Blue Color, *Why Reinvent the Wheel?*

Now onto the Trousers, Why Pleat them? it looks tacky and adds nothing to the uniform but another Catch hazard. I have one set in the cut n sew shop to have the pleats removed to see if I gain a little room or not. This uniform looks more like the Maternity Uniform than a Operational uniform. Now that said the Colors started fading after the 1st wash and both my new uniforms have shrunk enough to be uncomfortable. at least 1.5 full size.
and here is a funny question. Why are there two holes for drawstring type boot straps but no straps.

Nicky · 3 months ago

Why can't the Uniform board go with the ones that Army or the Marines are using. Take their designs minus the color and modify it for the US Coast Guard. Can we see a modified version of the ACU's for the US Coast Guard or the modified versions of the MARPAT for the US Coast Guard As well.

I think the ones we have now look crappy and almost looks like a Maternity wear instead of operational wear. Can we at least look to the Army or Marines for uniform designs. I don't know about the Navy's, but I would stick to the Army or marines.

larrylmcfall · 2 months ago

I don't know who is listening or gives a hoot. Obviously no one before they brought these ODU's in. They are a flunky hot uniform in the summer heat and sun and the Untucked Version isn't loose enough to be comfortable. Why change uniforms, the working blue was just fine and if you were going to adapt another uniform. learn from the other services and quit making such a big deal out of the task. No bottom pockets on the untucked blouse. What is this. I guess this is one way to reduce weight, just wear these in the sun during a hundred degree weather.