Crotch brought in to “fit the female form,” built-in knee pads…
On the cutting edge of paving the way for women into combat roles as well as fashion, the U.S. Army has debuted its latest in war fighting wear: a camouflage field uniform that has considered the physical attributes of women, as reported by the CBS affiliate in Atlanta, GA on July 28, 2013.
Officially known as the Army Combat Uniform-Alternate, the new unisex combat utility garb is in preparation for the Army opening all Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) to women no later than 2016.
Direct combat MOSs will be open to women to include the infantry, tanks, artillery as well as the various Army Special Forces such as the Rangers, Green Berets and Delta Force.
New changes to the new camouflage utilities include:
- The trousers now have a much wider area at the hips, waist and backside.
- The crotch area was brought in to “fit the female form.”
- A shorter button fly.
- Significantly more narrow across the shoulders and back.
- Built in knee-pad inserts.
CBS Atlanta also reported that the driving purpose of the new uniform was to facilitate women soldiers “feel” more as though they were full members of a professional army.
