DCU to ACU

Photo By Sgt. Dennis Gravelle | Spc. Regina Canovai, carpente-mason, 505th Engineers sports her new Army Combat Uniform outside the tactical operations center on Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul Iraq.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

05.25.2006

Story by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle 

138th Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, IRAQ (May 21, 2006) -- As you walk the streets of Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq, you see fewer Soldiers wearing desert camouflage uniforms. Most Soldiers are wearing the Army Combat Uniform.

On June 14, 2004, the 229th birthday of the United States Army, the Army Combat Uniform was first introduced.

"I love the way the pockets are on the ACU's," said Spc. Regina Canovai, carpenter-mason, 505th Engineers. She resides in Charlotte, N.C. "The way they are designed makes it easier for me to use the pockets and a lot easier to get my pen when I need it."

Being a National Guard unit, they only received their ACU's because they were being deployed to Iraq.

"We received our uniforms while going through mobilization at Fort Dix, N.J.", said Canovai. "We just started wearing them a couple months ago because most of our Soldiers did not have them."

The ACU's were first tested in Iraq in 2003 by Soldiers of the Stryker Brigade Combat Teams. The colors are designed to work effectively in woodland, urban environments and the desert.

The ACU replaces the battle dress uniform that has been used since 1981 and the desert camouflage uniform which are worn by members of the Air Force and Navy while deployed here in Iraq.

The ACU uses a universal camouflage digital pattern of camouflage similar to that of the Marines. The uniform consists of trousers, jackets, wicking t-shirt and brown combat boots.

"The boots are great!" said Canovai. "I don't have to spend time shining them anymore, which saves a lot of time."

By Dec. 2007, all Soldiers will be wearing the Army combat uniform.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2006
• Date Posted: 05.25.2006 12:34
• Story ID: 6517
• Location: MOSUL, IQ