SDDC Soldiers comment on the new Army ACU.

The Army got a new uniform for its birthday.

On June 14, the Army Combat Uniform was announced and displayed at the Army Birthday Celebration held at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Myer, of Program Executive Office Soldier (pictured in the ACU illustrations below and on facing page), was one of many who provided input into the uniform design.

Myer modeled the uniform at the Pentagon. He said it was designed with the Soldier in mind from start to finish.

"The ACU went through many prototypes," said Myer. "It's a culmination of mouths of research and development and Soldiers' input."

Among some of the changes Soldiers will notice are Velcro-faced shoulder pockets that allow for the wearing of unit patches, skill tabs, and recognitin devices, and shoulder pockets maximized for storage when wearing the Interceptor Body Armor Outer Tactical Vest-easily accessible on the left and right shoulder.

According to PEO Soldier developers, the current design is the uniform of choice by an overwhelming majority of the Army's leaders and Soldiers.

And from the majority of comments gathered from SDDC Soldiers, the PEO Soldier developers are right.

SDDC's top enlisted soldier, Command Sgt. Maj. Tomas Hawkins said he thought the new camouflage pattern will help soldiers blend in much better with their environment.

"The new uniform is in keeping with our times," said Hawkins, adding, "Improving with the times enhances our warfighters' lethality."

"It also eliminates the need for seasonal uniforms," said Hawkins.

Distribution of the ACU will begin in April 2005, and should be distributed Army-wide no later than December 2007.

Diana Dawa, Command Information, SDDC HQ Alexandria & Patti Bielling, Public Affairs Specialist, SDDC Operations Center