Technology Infiltrates The Army

With smartphones becoming the preferred mode of communication, it was only a matter of time before the Military can find an excellent use for such technology. That time has arrived with the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office announcing the opening of their mobile-friendly website.

Jason Kelly, PAO emerging media manager agree that "our society is very mobile". Further, he believes that the Fort Meade mobile website makes it easier to get information using smartphones while away from desktop computers. 

The idea just came up two weeks ago but Kelly immediately began designing and testing the application. The result reveals two noteworthy attributes.

·         Designed with the general audience in mind, the application works on any smartphone equipped with an Internet browser.

·         Users can choose to get information like schedule changes via the website or through a text message.

Users can access the mobile version of Fort Meade's website at www.ftmeade.army.mil using any smartphone. The website includes a telephone directory, calendar of upcoming events, directions to post from the surrounding area, the menu for the Freedom Inn Dining Facility, content for the weekly Soundoff! Newspaper and access to social media sites. Kelly reveals they are looking at ways to customize information for internal and external communities. 

To get text messages, users need to register to the service by typing, follow ftmeadealert, and sending the message to 40404.  Text messages for changes in operating schedules will be automatically sent to registered users. Texts are sent via Twitter but don’t require registration in the social media site. Standard SMS rates apply but the service itself is offered free by Fort Meade.

Director of Public Affairs Office, Chad Jones, is pleased with the application's launch. He says, "Our goal at PAO is to make information as accessible and useful as possible". The new mobile friendly website helps the Army do that. Jones adds that he "wants to encourage feedback from the community to make this as effective as possible".

According to Kelly, Fort Meade is the first military community to launch a mobile friendly website that doesn't need additional apps to access. He said, "We’re offering a new example of how to embrace emerging media to better communicate with our community" through the enhanced version of the website. 

The Intelligence Behind The American Soldier’s Clothing And Gear

Gearing up the American soldier for the challenges he encounters in the field of combat is no simple feat. So much thought is put into each item, ensuring that the soldier's concentration is solely focused on the task at hand and not on worrying over his gear.

At Natick, improving what the American soldier wears is a constant challenge. A team of experts that includes scientists, engineers, textile technologists, clothing designers, retired military equipment specialists and experts in other fields, work towards three common goals; and that is to improve functionality, durability and comfort.

The dedication and passion that each expert in the team has is as awesome as their expertise. Assisting in the design of helmets, body armor, boots, gloves, uniforms and flame resistant gear, they never stop improving on these items to ensure that the American soldier has the equipment to survive and at the same time, be comfortable while wearing it. This incessant pursuit of excellence stems from the fact that the experts at Natick want these soldiers to have the best equipment and gear they could possibly provide. Jay Connors, division leader, Warrior Equipment and Systems Division at Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, or NSRDEC said, "They are dedicated in this vein because they want to do the right thing by our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines”.

A former Marine Reservist, Connors has travelled to Afghanistan thrice and has been outfitted in the same uniform and gear that the soldiers use. He said he was completely confident because the gear was the best stuff out there and he knows it. The NSRDEC supports the Program Executive Office Soldier by providing them with engineers, clothing designers, textile technologists and chemists for developing soldier gear and clothing. Ben Cooper, a colleague of Connors, is the footwear project engineer in the Footwear Performance Laboratory or FPL. The scientific analyses, which his department does, have a direct influence in the development of the footwear that will eventually be used by soldiers, special operators, Marines and sailors.

The FPL ensures performance by testing stiffness, heat insulation, impact pressure, flexibility and slip resistance until they are fully satisfied with it. Cooper compares the American soldier to a high-performance athlete and that’s what they keep in mind when working on the soldier’s footgear. The FPL has developed waterproof boots, hot weather boots, cold weather boots and blast protective boots. Soldiers in Afghanistan have been equipped with combat boots that provide better ankle stability and more secure lacing systems. These improvements were realized because of the feedback they get from the field. They can only develop the most ideal footgear for soldiers when they have a complete idea of what they want and what they need. Recent data has shown that the improvements made significantly decreased the number of soldiers’ lower leg injuries.

Next up for the FPL is the Modular Boot System which is expected to maximize efficiency without sacrificing comfort or safety.  This footgear will come with three components consisting of two removable liners, an insulated garter and base boot which will be a hot weather, flame resistant boot. The people at FPL are currently working hard to get this boot into circulation as this will considerably cut down the number of boots that have to be lugged around by the soldier. Suitable for dry, wet, extremely hot and cold temperatures, field tests are expected to commence by fiscal year 2013.

Team leader for the Design, Pattern and Prototype Team; Annette LaFleur and her tailors work just as hard as the FPL. The physical environment of Iraq and Afghanistan provides challenges that are more than what the average person would expect in a dry climate. Extreme cold, heat, sand and wind should be considered and according to Lafleur, “to design with the focus on durability and repair-ability is key”. She adds that the soldier’s clothing must work as a system and that means integration is a crucial part of the design. Focusing on designing soldier’s clothing that maximizes ability to accomplish their mission, enhances quality of life, protection and survival ability, Lafleur states that the place and the mission make the clothes. Currently, the focus is on more protective fire-resistant fabrics, the use of breathable fabrics, blast and ballistic protection and always using light fabrics to ensure comfort.

Connors says that the NSRDEC is all about collaboration, resulting to better knowledge, better data collection and the ability to make better decisions. He wants soldiers to know that the division will keep on working to make sure that those in the field have the right stuff to meet their mission requirements.

Army Combat Gear & Uniform Changes Set for 2012

Though the official announcement has yet to be made, Colonel William Cole, program manager of Soldier Protection and Individual Protection said that new hot weather combat boots and stronger ACU pants will be released in 2012. Along with the new boots and pants, a new and better combat glove will also be released.Specific information about these changes are limited, however, it is known that the Twill combat pants will be made of "significantly" stronger fabrics and will come with knee pads. These pants will be using the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern, better known as the OCP. It is noted that the OCP ACUs will likewise have stronger fabrics that offer about a 50% improvement.

The ACU digital uniform will be
made with a stronger material next year.

This improved fabric will most likely necessitate importation of materials and as required by the Berry Amendment, the U.S. Armed Forces should use American made textile. Using foreign made materials for this purpose would have to pass through Congress and necessitates a congressional waiver to be pushed through. The Defender M material consists of 65% flame-resistant rayon and the fibers used in them are from the Austrian based company, Lenzing. Only the fibers are bought from Lenzing, the weaving and all other processing it undergoes thereafter are done in the U.S.

U.S. based manufacturers argue that viable domestic alternatives to rayon are available. Because of this, there are rumors that these manufacturers are seeking to get the congressional waiver cancelled. Alternatives do exist and the Armed Forces are well aware of this fact. In 2008, the Air Force chose the Abrams V fabric for use in flame resistant ground combat equipment, a blend of nylon, cotton and Nomex and 100% U.S. produced. Nomex, however, is more expensive and needs a longer time to produce. Furthermore, rayon is more comfortable, moisture absorbent and can be easily dyed.

The new hot weather boots is expected to provide better ankle and foot support but will most likely be stiffer when worn. In February 2011, the U.S. chose the Belleville 950 Combat Mountain Hiker, which will be issued in addition to the current combat boots. Featuring a Vibram Bifida outsole, it boasts of better support, grip, fit and durability as ut is 20% thicker than what most combat boots have.

Col. Cole's office also revealed that selection is ongoing for the new ACU camouflage pattern, in which 20 submissions are being reviewed. It will be followed by wear and field tests and if all goes according to schedule, production of the new ACUs will commence in October of 2012.

A New Selection of Camo Clothing for Babies

At Military Uniform Supply.com, you can now find many great choices for infant and toddler camo clothing and accessories. Carrying a wide assortment of camouflage infant clothes, blankets, bibs and many other clothing necessities, you get to choose traditional as well as non traditional camouflage colors like pink. Coming at very affordable prices, MUS.com offers a variety of infant camo T-Shirts in short and long sleeved styles. Made of one hundred percent cotton, these shirts are very comfortable and come in many sizes.

Mostly made by Rothco, MUS.com provides the assurance of quality, comfort and safety because they know that babies are precious. MUS.com offers infant camo T-shirts in Baby Pink, ACU and Woodland Digital as well as shirts designed with words like “Army Brat” and “Thank My Dad.” Reasonably priced at $7.49 for the camo T-Shirts and $7.99 for the designed version, you can get a matching pair of pants for the same cost.


Infants need a variety of infant camo clothing accessories like bibs, crib caps, receiving blankets and fleece blankets and MUS.com offer these as well. You can get an infant camo bib in Woodland, ACU Digital and Baby Pink at $4.99 each, the Baby Pink receiving blanket at $7.99 and the Baby Pink camouflage fleece blanket at $24.99. Crib caps are sold for $4.99 and come in Woodland, ACU Digital and Baby Pink camouflage.


MUS.com provides military clothing items for practically everyone. Check out this online store's inventory of infant and toddler items but don't forget to find something for yourself, too. With many items to choose from, finding something that looks good on you won’t be a problem.

In The Spotlight: M-65 Field Jackets

The M-65 Field Jacket has been revolutionized over the years of its rich history. This style of jacket, once solely for army and military use, is now common for many recreational activities. Learn more about the M-65 field jacket from this video by Military Uniform Supply.





Explore the selection of M-65 field jackets available for purchase at MUS.

The Ideal Civil War Clothing Source For All Your Needs

A country is a product of its past. All the human frailties and strengths that formed its failures and triumphs make up the rich history and the pride of a nation. One of the most notable events in American war history is the Civil War between 1861 and 1865. An internal conflict of ideals that ended up with numerous fatalities, this war shook America to the core, bringing with it untold pain and sorrow as well as the dawning of a new era of hope and progress. Known and unknown personalities of those days were differentiated through their civil war uniforms. Today, Americans reenact those times wearing Union or Confederate uniforms, in remembrance of a war that united the American nation, making it the formidable world power it is at present.


Finding the perfect civil war uniforms for purposes of reenactment is a serious consideration, giving due respect to the role it played in American history. At the online military clothing supplier, Military Uniform Supply.com, you can find perfectly authentic reproductions of civil war union uniforms and Confederate uniforms. MUS.com is the leading internet source of Civil War clothing, accessories, gear and memorabilia, allowing you to come up with high quality vintage Civil War uniforms and battle attires. Carrying an assortment of Civil War gear and artifacts that were used by soldiers in those times, MUS.com ensures the provision of truly authentic Civil War costumes. Catering to adults as well as kids, MUS.com offers Civil War clothing that are so faithfully reproduced, you'll be proud to wear them for whatever purpose you may have a need for them.


Though relatively a new category at MilitaryUniformSupply.com, the store's inventory of Civil War clothing items is considerable. Added on regularly, there is always something new to look forward to every time you log on. The authentically reproduced Civil War union uniforms available at MUS.com are made of blue wool and can be completed with original brass buttons. Buttons played a significant role in both Union and Confederate Civil War uniforms, often featuring the state seal from which a soldier hails from. An assortment of these buttons is also available at MUS.com, with some coming in a variety of sizes that were actually used during those times. The forage caps used by Union soldiers can also be purchased through this outlet.


The civil war confederate uniforms, like the Civil War Union uniforms available at MUS.com are also authentically reproduced, featuring gray wool for both jackets and trousers and fastened on with brass buttons. A wide variety of Civil War Confederate buttons can be purchased to customize these Civil War clothes better. Also available are Confederate forage caps which were used by the soldiers of the South although a lot of them used a wide rimmed leather hat with their uniforms.


With the newly unveiled collection of authentically reproduced Civil War uniforms at Military Uniform Supply.com, you will have a convenient and reliable source for all your Civil War uniform needs, whether you're up for a grand reenactment of the American Civil War, for costume purposes like Halloween or to complete your collection of Civil War memorabilia. Competitively priced but with a high quality that faithfully replicates the actual clothing worn by Civil War soldiers, the vintage Civil War collection of MUS.com can satisfy your discerning eye, making you proud to wear them or include them in your collection.


So if you find yourself in need of Civil War clothing items, accessories and other paraphernalia, check out MUS.com's offerings. Ideal for reenactments, costume and collection purposes, their Civil War inventory features the items you need to perfectly capture the ideal uniform worn by Union and Confederate soldiers.


Visit Military Uniform Supply.com's website at www.militaryuniformsupply.com or call them at 1-800-336-5225 for any questions. MUS.com's customer sales department will be happy to assist you in picking out the perfect Civil War items for your needs. All business transactions are accomplished online and your purchases shipped to the address you provide upon filling up your order forms.

Summary of The U.S. Army 2012 Modernization Plan

The US Army's Modernization Plan for fiscal year 2012 focuses to support budget requests by the President for Army Research, Development and Acquisition of equipment, likewise known as RDA funds.

The Army's 2012 Modernization Plan proposes means to carry out the established goals of the U.S. Army for this specific year. Within the plan, the US Army has prioritized select equipment and essentials for meeting current and future objectives. In part, the emphasis is to enable better preparation for any complex and unpredictable events that may occur.

The Plan takes into consideration the lessons appreciated in wars and conflicts that the United States has had recent involvement. Likewise, it enumerates details and necessities to come up with workable solutions to provide the Army with the equipment and other items to succeed in their operations.

For more information on the 2012 Army Modernization Plan, visit Army.mil.

Find Authentic Clothing Of The Civil War

With the American Civil War a major turning point in the country's history, clothing of the Civil War is used for various purposes depicting the glory of those times. A nation's history shapes its present and the lessons learned from it are as timely today as it was then. The online military outlet, MilitaryUniformSupply.com offers Civil War Union and Confederate reproduction uniforms plus an assortment of accessories the same as the ones actually used in those times. A reputable source of Civil War items, MUS.com ensures high quality and dependability when it comes to vintage Civil War clothing, gear and other paraphernalia.

Perfect for reenactments, costumes and as collectors' items, Civil War Union uniforms at MilitaryUniformSupply.com can be further customized with accessories such as replica brass buttons to make them more authentic. The Civil War U.S. Fatigue Sack Coat made of dark blue wool that was issued to Federal Troops during the Civil War is an exact replica of those worn by Union soldiers. It is an unlined coat with one inside breast pocket and comes with brass U.S. Eagle buttons. The Civil War Sky Blue U.S. Foot Trousers matches the sack coat and is made of sky blue wool. These are unlined trousers with pewter four-hole buttons. Reproduction Civil War Union Kepi Caps and Union Forage Caps are also available. Both made of blue wool with complete lining, these caps include genuine leather bills and neck straps with leather sweat bands inside. To make the Union Civil War Uniform complete and as authentic as possible, Civil War Adjustable Canvas Suspenders in natural color are sold along with Civil War leather gauntlets which were used by the Cavalry and other soldiers. An assortment of brass buttons representing the different Union states are also available for further customization if desired.

The Civil War Confederate uniforms, like the Union uniforms, can also be bought at MilitaryUniformSupply.com. Grey sack coats and foot trousers worn by Confederate soldiers as well as high quality accessories such as bras and chevron buttons, caps, muslin shirts and other Confederate items are sold at this online military supplies outlet. Issued to Confederate Troops during the Civil War, these uniforms are made of mixed grey wool and accessorized with either the grey forage or kepi cap. Muslin shirts worn beneath the grey coats lend a more genuine feel to these clothing items. Soldiers from the Confederate states used specialized brass buttons to identify the specific state from which they came from. At MUS.com, you can find these buttons in various sizes and in the exact design that were used in the original items.

The American Civil War happened 150 years ago but its lessons will forever be imprinted in the hearts of the American people. Often reenacted, the respect we have for the famous and unknown personages of those times is reflected in our remembrance of them. Coming up with a Union or Confederate uniform that is as authentic as can be is a form of respect and tribute for the many that helped shape the nation as we know it today. At MilitaryUniformSupply.com, we can offer a cost effective solution for your Civil War uniform needs, whether you are wearing one for reenactment purposes, as a costume for varied occasions or to complete your Civil War collection.

Relied upon by many customers for almost two decades, MUS.com is your source for high quality and rare Civil War items for your every need. Get high quality at great prices for all your Civil War essentials at MilitaryUniformSupply.com. Visit www.militaryuniformsupply.com today and contact the MUS.com customer sales department if you have questions. Coming up with the perfect Civil War Union or Confederate uniform is easy with MilitaryUniformSupply.com.

The U.S. Army: A New Candidate for QR Codes

With cutting edge technology growing more prominently in the Nation’s safety, it is no wonder why the U.S. Army is among the most powerful armed forces organizations in the world. Some people prefer to cling to the old ways but with the tide turning towards technological progress, the U.S. Military cannot afford to be left behind.

Recently, the U.S. Army has tapped the use of QR codes. The Army.mil website recently featured this new technology which opens up a lot of new possibilities for the military as well as civilians. These codes, which stand for Quick Response Code look like little boxes that are stacked on top of one another. Scanned with a Blackberry, Android or iPhone, QR codes can hold a great amount of information.

In order to gain access to the information these QR codes hold, one has to download an application that will enable the Blackberry, Android or iPhone device to read them. Several scanning applications are available and you get them for free. Scanlife, ShopSavvy, Redlaser and JumpScan are some that provide these apps. After downloading them, you can just scan a QR code to unlock its contents. You can also use these apps to scan standard bar codes which you can see in practically everything you buy.

So, how can the Army use QR codes? Currently, Army Career Centers in the Sacramento Recruiting Battalion are creating QR codes to streamline recruiting efforts. These QR codes will be placed on the facility’s windows so that in the event that an applicant comes in with no one to provide him with the information he needs, it will be a simple matter of scanning the QR code to find information about the particular Army Career Center they are interested in. Such QR codes may even allow an applicant to be directed to the Facebook page of the Army Career Center.

If you think about it, the possibilities of QR codes are virtually limitless. A few areas where the use of QR codes has been tested are in trail markers for hiking, business cards, nutrition information, and retail. This is just the tip of the iceberg as people continuously find ways of using QR codes.

Find popular military uniform items with ease

The Multicam camouflage pattern helps soldiers hide in different environments, seasons, elevations and weather conditions. Its strong points hinge on its ability to reflect the surrounding environment, disguise volume and shape and balance of scale and contrast. The people behind the Multicam camouflage pattern spent a year and a half testing the design with the US Army, which they called Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or the OCP. The results of these tests were more than what they hoped for and after two consecutive tests where they were consistently top ranked, they produced it for large scale use and was henceforth known as the Multicam.

The Multicam camouflage pattern is a single camouflage pattern made up of seven different hues. Designed to reflect some of the colors of the environment, it mimics the green shades of a forest canopy or the seemingly monotonous tan of the open desert. One of the Multicam camouflage pattern’s strengths is its ability to distort the way the human eye perceives shape, volume and color. Since only a small portion of the human eye actually sees colors, the brain fills in the majority, which tricks the observer in perceiving the Multicam as part of the background. The Multicam design works to blend instead of utilizing contrast. This is why it works in a variety of environments including close distances. Usually, short distances compromise concealment when a soldier uses a camouflage with bulky or pixilated patterns.

The Multicam Camouflage Pattern is used by the Armed Forces of several countries. In the United States, Multicam uniform items are used by the US Military’s Special Operation’s Command. The US Army’s 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Charlie Company was spotted wearing Multicam uniforms. The Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Homeland Security also use it. The USAF also announced that they will be using the Multicam for some of their official uniforms.

The online military store, MilitaryUniformSupply.com offers Multicam ACU items, including boonie hats, name tapes, branch tapes, rank insignias, unit patches, belts, socks and other accessories and paraphernalia on top of Multicam jackets, trousers and boots. Offering high quality, military specified items, MUS.com makes it easy for shoppers to locate items that are difficult to find because of the sheer number listed under it. The website’s quickfinder pages enable visitors to gain easy access to the items they are primarily looking for without wasting precious time figuring out where it is. Located on the left side of the MUS.com pages under the heading “Categories”, the Unit Item Quickfinder is divided according to divisions. If you’d rather browse through the website according to item, you will also easily find them in the category list.

MUS.com’s Item Quickfinder allows customers to easily pinpoint what they need as it is represented in the image provided in the page. This feature is different than the Unit Item Quickfinder. For instance, if you are interested in Woodland BDU items, clicking on the image corresponding to it will bring you to the page where each Woodland BDU item is labeled and can be easily clicked on if you want to learn more about it or if you plan on making a purchase. If you’re looking for ACU Uniform and Multicam Uniform items, the same Item Quickfinder method can be used for easy access.


With MilitaryUniformSupply.com’s considerable experience in selling military items, you can be assured that you can find what you need in the quickest, easiest way. If you are looking for convenience, quality and affordability when buying popular military uniform items, choose MUS.com.