MEN’S UNIFORM ITEMS SECTION 1 FITTING OF MEN’S UNIFORMS The Men’s Army Service Uniform (ASU) is composed of an Army Blue 450 Coat and Army Blue 451 Trousers, an Army White 521 Long or Short Sleeve Shirt, necktie and the Black Beret. A Coat, All-Weather, Black Shade 385, may be worn over the uniform.
Grade Insignia: The insignia is worn centered between the shoulder seam and elbow on all uniform coats. When the position of the shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) does not allow for proper placement of the grade insignia as stated above, the grade insignia is placed 1?2 inch below the SSI, on the left or right side of the coat, as applicable.

MORE ABOUT THESE IMAGES

These uniform images are from a pamphlet entitled 'How to Recognize the Armed Forces of the United States'. It was published in the French language and was intended to help Europeans readily identify United States servicemen through illustrations of the uniforms they were wearing. Also included were close-ups of insignia worn by the Army, Navy, and Marines. It was produced and distributed in the 1940's by the War Department Office of the United States Government.

Period materials are a good source of information to help understand and view accurate images of the uniforms and clothing worn by U.S. troops during WWII. These types of materials were plentiful during the time. As millions of men and women joined or were drafted into the armed services, all types of publications appeared to help citizens recognize and identify the various uniforms. There were magazine and newspaper articles, numerous small inexpensive books, and official publications, such as this, all to help the citizenry know who was who. These publications can still be easily found today in antique malls, resale shops, and online auctions.

The front and back covers of this pamphlet appear to the left and right respectively.

Army Green Service Uniform

The Army Service Uniform (ASU) is a military uniform worn by United States Army personnel in situations where business dress is called for. It can be worn at most public and official functions as an analog for civilian business attire. In combat situations, the Army Combat Uniform is used.

The Army Service Uniform (ASU) is a military uniform worn by United States Army personnel in situations where business dress is called for. It can be worn at most public and official functions as an analog for civilian business attire. In combat situations, the Army Combat Uniform is used.

History[edit]

In the early days of the U.S. Army, the uniform worn in combat was essentially the same as that worn for everyday duties, as was the common practice with most armies of the time. This changed in modern times, as field uniforms were developed which were more suited for battle.

During the Civil War era, army uniforms were relatively simple. Typically, the same uniform served as a garrison uniform and as a combat uniform. Combat soldiers in the American Civil War wore a standard dark blue coat, just like personnel in garrisons or in army offices and headquarters. Uniform standards were relaxed during the war years, especially on campaign, as conditions demanded.^[1]

The 1899 Army Uniform Regulations provided for a cotton khaki uniform for field service, drawing on the experience of the Spanish–American War when both blue and khaki clothing had been worn.^[2] From 1902 to 1917, the army had three uniforms: a service uniform of olive drab wool cloth for use by soldiers in the field, a khaki cotton version used for hot weather, and a blue dress uniform used for ceremonies and off-post wear by enlisted men. The blue uniforms were dropped in 1917 prompted by the exigencies of World War I.^[3]

In 1926, the previous stand collar service coat was replaced with an open-collared coat worn with a collared shirt and tie, and 1937 saw the replacement of breeches with straight-legged trousers. Dress uniforms of dark blue coats and light blue trousers were reintroduced in a modernized form (with open collar and tie) for officers in 1937.^[4]

Officers wearing the 'pinks and greens' service uniform combination during World War II.

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All-purpose service coat issued to enlisted soldiers at the onset of World War II.

United States Army uniforms in World War II initially included service uniforms that were intended for both field and garrison use, though some parts, such as the open-collared service coat, were used only in garrison, while items such as the M-1941 Field Jacket were specifically for use in the field, and not meant to be worn in garrison.^[5] By the latter part of the war, the introduction of the M-1943 field uniform acknowledged the distinction between field and garrison wear.

Garrison uniforms included olive drab uniforms with coat and tie which were distinct for officers and enlisted soldiers, with the officers' version having a darker, belted coat that could be worn with trousers of either matching color or a contrasting light taupe (a combination known as 'pinks and greens'), while the enlisted service coat was unbelted and lighter in shade to match the issued field uniform trousers. Late in the war the Eisenhower jacket was introduced, intended for both field and garrison wear, though it too became used only for garrison wear shortly after the war. A summer service uniform of khaki cotton shirt and trousers also was issued, but was used only for garrison wear as the herringbone twill utility uniform became the preferred warm weather field uniform. These uniforms remained in use through the Korean War.^[4]

The green 'Class A' service uniform, worn by former Army Chief of Staff General Peter Schoomaker.

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Because of the widespread use of army surplus clothing after World War II, a fresh, distinct uniform was seen as needed.^[6]^[7] In 1954, the Army introduced a new, all-ranks, Army Green shade 44 'Class A' service uniform. Blue was considered because of its acceptance in men's clothing, but it would then have been too difficult to distinguish it from Air Force and Navy service uniforms. The green color was adopted in order to provide a color which had a distinct military appearance from various uniforms of civilian service workers.^[3] Originally worn with a tan shirt, the shirt was switched to a pale green-grey shade in 1979.^[4]

The tan summer service uniform saw the reintroduction of a matching coat, but it was dropped in 1964 following the introduction of a tropical weight version of the 'Class A' greens, and the tan uniform became a 'Class B' uniform worn with a short-sleeved shirt and no tie. The tan 'Class B' uniform was phased out the 1980s when the green uniform with a short sleeve shirt became the standard Class B uniform.^[4]

In the mid 1950s, the blue dress uniform was reintroduced as an option for enlisted soldiers.^[4] A white dress uniform for use in tropical areas, last worn in the early 20th century, was also reintroduced, but was rarely used, as it was only required for officers;^[4] it was retired in 2014.^[7]

In 2006, then-Army Chief of StaffGeneralPeter Schoomaker announced that a version of the dress blue uniform would be adopted as the sole service uniform for all ranks, combining ceremonial, dress, and service uniforms through wear stipulations to reduce the number of uniforms needed. The blue Army Service Uniform made its debut at the 2007 State of the Union Address, when General Schoomaker attended the address in it.^[7] In 2010 it started being issued to all soldiers.^[7]^[8]

Since 2010, enlisted soldiers have received the blue service uniform as part of their basic clothing bag issue when they enter the Army during initial training. The Army requires officers to purchase and maintain the blue service uniform. Possession and use of the blue ASU has been mandatory for all soldiers since October 1, 2015,^[8] when the green Class A uniform was fully retired.^[7]

On Veterans Day 2018, the Army announced that a new Army Green Service Uniform, based on the 'pinks and gre