Sure, there's a lot of "ash and trash" missions that don't involve strictly tactical training, but is that enough to justify fielding a complete uniform issue?

Today's Army is very much a combat experienced Army and the longer the fight goes on in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, the more the units' leadership will continue to demand and re-emphasis realistic tactical training back in "garrison."

But you're not training in garrison in any meaningful sense of the word. It's motor pool duty, admin stuff, taking classes, and whatnot. Wearing the ACUs doing that stuff is no big deal, really, but it's a very expensive uniform and it seems silly to wear it out and cause it to fade with repeated laundering when you're not in a tactical environment.

I have to weigh in on the basis of "train as you fight." Let's wear the same/similar uniform in garrison (with common-sense modifications as needed) as in the field. With Service and Dress uniform variants of the old Army Blue uniforms worn in hindquarters jobs (like the Pentagon) and for ceremonials and such.

Consider this:

Maternity BDU (Battle Dress Uniform)

That one always cracked me up!

I’m am concern about the battle dress uniforms. We should use whatever works best in the field. I doubt trying to get one that works in all environments is a good idea since it will most likely in up being one that doesn’t work well at all. For most in Army, it doesn’t matter since they don’t spend much time in the field but the field operations should be the only concern when it comes to the design. Unfortunately, most of the decisions are made by REMF and some of them are more concern about appearance then anything else.

Anything but that gawdawful polyester green leisure suit they foisted on us.

On the ACU, the color is not all that sucks. Complaints from soldiers include velcro closures, and much less durability than the BDU.

On the positive, not having to spit polish boots, or press a uniform that says "DO NOT IRON" right on the tag.

As noted in my post, the announcement you've quoted includes an error that was made at the time.

The Army Service Uniform doesn't eliminate the Army White Mess uniform but rather the Army White Service and Army White Dress uniforms.

It seems like there's at least one more change in the works for the Navy, too, but being so long retired from the Navy, I don't keep up with all the changes very well.

And no offense to the Army ('cause the AF is no fashion plate, I know), but every time I see someone walking around in the new fatigues, the first thought in my head is "hey, that guy's wearing pajamas".

Personally, while the DCU and BDU versions weren't perfect, they could have been improved rather than scrapped for the ACU pattern which seems too much of a compromise; neither green enough for temperate and tropics nor khaki/sand enough for most Middle East environments.

(Disclaimer: During the period of my military service, I have worn fatigues, several generations of BDUs and DCUs. Plus Army Blue, Army Blue Mess and various VTCC cadet uniforms.)

Cheers!