The U.S. Army will make a final decision in a matter of months on whether to switch back to its classic World War II-era “pink and green” dress uniform as part of an effort to more closely link troops to the service’s history, the Army said.
The uniform would replace the current Army Service Uniform — introduced in 2008 — which would be used as a more formal dress uniform.
The proposed change has the support of the Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey, who donned a prototype at the Army-Navy game in December.
“That (World War II) was a point in history where soldiers were highly respected and there was a sense of nationalism in the country. When you looked at them you said that is an American soldier,” Dailey recently said.
The pink and green uniform, considered by many to be the sharpest in Army history, appears to have support among a large number of soldiers. An Army Times survey found more than 70 percent of respondents favored the idea of returning to the World War II uniform.
Still, some soldiers have voiced reservations about adding yet another dress uniform to their wardrobe.
A switch, however, appears inevitable. The Army has showcased the uniform at prominent events, such as the Association of the U.S. Army convention in October and the Army-Navy football game.
The service said development of the uniform was done in collaboration with the Center for Military History.
“In order to maximize the positive interest in this new uniform, the Army has planned key engagements to assist with a possible design decision and introduction of the Pink and Green Uniform to the Army workforce,” the Army said in a statement Wednesday.
For example, there is a trial with 150 soldiers from the New England Recruiting Battalion along with a traveling historical exhibit, the Army said.
“Based on soldier feedback the Army will make a decision in 2018,” the statement said.
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