New clothing range for Army personnel

Army’s range of general duties garments is expanding, with four new items being issued to provide warmth through the winter months.

CAPTION: Army soldiers wear the new winter uniforms around Russell Offices in Canberra. Photo by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

The range includes a khaki general duties cardigan, overcoat and sweater, and a black soft-shell jacket, providing members with a range of additional cold-weather garments to choose from to suit their working environment.

Director ADF Clothing Program Lieutenant Colonel Craig Skipper said the additional options would ensure personnel had a much greater choice.

“The form, fit and function of these new items is outstanding and the initial feedback has been immensely positive,” Lieutenant Colonel Skipper said.

“The new uniform options are the result of close collaboration between Army, CASG (Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group) and industry. This involved a series of development activities and trials – I am confident these new items represent the very best solution for Army personnel.

“It is an example of all parties working together to improve and modernise clothing for the soldier.

“Similarly, those serving in the tropics won’t miss out, with AMCU ‘quick-dry’ uniforms for hot and tropical conditions scheduled to begin trials within the next 12 months.”

The cardigan, soft-shell jacket and sweater will be available as initial free issue to personnel working in the colder parts of the country.

This includes members posted to, or working within the ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Southern NSW, and from Perth and below in Western Australia.

The overcoat is an optional item of dress and can be purchased.

In certain circumstances, personnel selected for particular deployments, overseas postings or representational duties may be entitled to one initial free issue of the overcoat.

Lieutenant Colonel Skipper said the black soft-shell jacket had already had a limited release in the ACT region, with rapid ‘take-up’ and positive feedback.

He said other options for the combat uniform were in the pipeline, to suit the range of climatic environments Army’s people deploy across.

For those operating in colder climates, a tiered extreme cold weather system is under development.

Finally, for those operating in wet conditions, a new lightweight wet weather ensemble is almost ready to proceed to trial.

Other projects are underway to continue enhancing clothing options that better support personnel.

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