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The U.S. Army is going backwards to get a new look to their service uniforms, and local veterans seem to like the move.
Gene Bogatko, 94-year-old Sun City West resident, was a cadet in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Mr. Bogatko has lived in Sun City West since 1990 and said he associated the outgoing blue uniforms with the U.S. Air Force more than the Army.
Frank Adelman, 87-year old Sun City West resident, served in the Army during the Korean Conflict also likes the new look.
“I look at this and I see the Army,” he said. “I look at the blue uniforms and I think Air Force.”
Jimmy Heller, Sun City West resident, spent 27-years in the Air Force and another 10 years as a civilian jet engine mechanic, thinks the new uniform look is a good idea.
“I have an affinity for the old look,” Mr. Heller said.
He said he is concerned about the cost to the soldiers.
“The service gives one uniform, and the soldiers have to buy the rest,” Mr. Heller said.
Hal Richards, 84-year-old resident of Sun City, spent 27 years in the Air Force and Army, including time as a jet mechanic, pilot and working as an Inspector General. He later served as a professor of military science at a college in Texas.
Mr. Richards thinks there are more important things for the Army to be concerned with, such as why we can’t get a full strength Army right now.
“We need more troops that are trained and qualified,” he said. “I would have to say overall putting another uniform out is not a very good thought process.”
The cost factor also concerns Mr. Richards.
“How many lobbyists for uniform companies we involved,” he asked. About 100 Army recruiters began wearing the uniforms several months ago for user evaluation, and to get public reaction.
Alton Stewart, a spokesman for the Army, said the new uniforms would be fielded to soldiers in 2020.
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