Big demand for airman battle uniform before Pacific release

[unhappycamper]

Big demand for airman battle uniform before Pacific release
By Jennifer H. Svan, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Tuesday, November 13, 2007


MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Senior Airman James Decker and Airman 1st Class Kyle Partridge couldn’t wait.

The Air Force’s new airman battle uniform — or ABU — isn’t mandatory for wear until November 2011.

But Decker and Partridge bought their ABUs online and have been wearing the new garb for about a month. They have no complaints.

“It’s a lot nicer,” said Decker, who works on Security Hill. “It’s easier to maintain. You put it on a hanger at night. You don’t have to worry about (starching and pressing) it in the morning. You felt like a cardboard box in the other one.”

Military clothing retailers in Japan say the new uniform is in huge demand.

Airmen are asking in droves about the ABU, said Ernest Dill, Army and Air Force Exchange Service military clothing sales store manager at Yokota Air Base, Japan. “Every day. On the phone, in person, people calling from other bases.”

~snip~

One of the uniform’s appealing qualities is its wash-and-wear fabric, a 50-50 nylon-cotton blend with a permanent crease. No starching or ironing is needed.


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50219

[usaftmo]

1. It won't last for a couple different reasons.

1) The military just loves a razor sharp crease in uniforms and a mirror-like reflection on boots...and the ABU is 0-2 in those areas.

2) Most types of laundry detergent contains something that will destroy the anti-infrared features of the uniform. I forgot the exact item responsible, but it's found in a majority of brands of detergent.

Fortunately the mandatory wear date isn't until late 2011; I will retire earlier that same year.