The Army Designs

Though women has served the armed forces throughout history as auxiliary and health aid personnel, it was not until 1948 that they gained permanent resident in the armed forces.  Serving a role that had only, at one time, been meant for men, the population of women in the armed forces (which is 15% of the army’s 560,000 soldiers) has greatly increased; and thusly so has caught the attention of high officials (such as Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller, Program Executive Office Soldier). Understanding that women now play a large role in the forces, the army is setting a new design for army gear directed at women. 

New women's unifrom.

Only in the planning and testing stage, women are set to have their own uniform design that will be set to appear sometime in 2011.  Since men tend to have broader shoulders and a narrow waistline, it is difficult and uncomfortable for women to become physically active in such ill-fitting clothes (because though the army uniform can be considered ‘unisex’ it was still modeled for a man’s figure).  The new concept for women’s army uniform coloring and style will remain the same (camouflage patterned jackets and trousers), however, the design of the clothing will be tailored more to accommodate the female figure. The new design of women’s jackets will consists of 13 sizes with varying chest and waist measurements. The jacket and sleeve lengths will also be adjusted.  The new trousers will come in 13 different sizes with varying hip measurements and a lengthened ‘back rise’ to accommodate posteriors.  The new design will also cause many details of the army uniform to be repositioned – such as pockets and the army insignia. Setting out such a task, the army is integrating the female race more into permanence within the field of the armed forces.

LINKS:  Women's Army Clothing Army Women History