The pattern is also known as MultiCam, but I guess the Army needed a more technical name-- literally calling it "Operation Enduring Freedom camouflage pattern": http://defense-update.com/features/2010 ... 22010.html (I'll remove the link if need be)

The first unit to officially be issued them will be an Iowa Guard unit, and, from what I read, will only be issued to those deploying to Afghanistan.

 

The Army was testing out MC and UCP Delta (similar colors as MC, but uses the digital ACU/MARPAT design) with 10th, Rangers, and supposedly SOCOM elements. So, while the new uniform (which I believe will be named ACU as well once it is fully integrated-- ACU is the name of the uniform, UCP is the name of the color used for the current ACU) is only being issued to deploying soldiers, it will be fully integrated by the end of 2010; this is similar to how the current ACU was integrated back in 2005.

 

I think its a vast improvement for boots on the ground. I was in relatively recently, though I still went through the BDU/DCU days-- and missed them greatly when big Army finally made my unit change over to the current ACU. Anybody who has seen UCP in the field knows how much they suck until they're dirty-- and even then they're still pretty bad. UCP delta (google it) wasn't much better IMO, as it just looked like dirty UCP. MultiCam is a great pattern, and it seems like Big Army did something right for a change

 

I don't know if this is going to inflate/balance prices for MC, or do nothing at all. As it stands, I know with some companies, to get something in MC is an additional 20-50$... so, hopefully that will change for the consumer.

True Crye MC is pricier than the knockoff stuff. Because MC has become the official pattern, it's gotten a lot tougher to acquire. This news has been out for a few months already and MC has already been very tough to get. BDU.com is in and out of stock a lot lately.

Yea, I figure it'll be a bit more difficult to acquire. I remember when ACU came out, there was a tremendous scramble for the uniforms (even though a lot of the retailers were selling ones that weren't approved). Personally I hope retailers that are selling the legit product freeze civilian sales until the Army can catch up.

I tried to buy an ACU hat at Clothing Sales they would only sell to active duty not retired soldiers. I can see the point but I was still disappointed. I got a friend who was the wife of an active duty GI to get one for me.

 

After 6 years we change patterns again what does this cost? Also 15 years ago every service used the same uniform the BDUs now they all have their own pattern even the Navy. That has got to cost more, in this era of a poor economy they could all use one uniform the best one, and put the extra money toward weapons or better living conditions.

TC