Reply #27: That's the new digital camo.

[politicat]

It's a camouflage that was computer designed to be difficult to see in all circumstances. It's supposed to help when a soldier has to go from forest to desert to urban and back in very quick succession. They're also using suede boots now instead of leather.

The uniform is not significantly more expensive than the old one, and is actually cheaper in the long run because they only have to produce one version, instead of the three.

The new uniforms are a significant improvement (according to all three of my military brothers) and there were a lot of changes - zippers instead of buttons, velcro for insignia, they're easier to move in, better for layers, and considering that uniforms haven't been updated since Vietnam, this is a good thing.