SUBJECT: WEAR POLICY FOR THE ARMY COMBAT SHIRT (ACS)
1. THIS MESSAGE SERVES AS IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ARMY COMBAT SHIRT.
2. ON 1 APR 08, THE ACS WAS APPROVED FOR FIELDING TO DEPLOYED SOLDIERS IN IRAQI, AFGHANISTAN, AND KUWAIT. CURRENTLY THE ACS HAS THE “ARMY STRONG” LOGO STENCILED ON THE FRONT OF THE SHIRT. IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THE “ARMY STRONG” LOGO WILL BE REMOVED, AS OTHER BRANCHES OF SERVICE WILL ALSO BE PURCHASING THE ACS FOR WEAR WITH BODY ARMOR. THE “TEAM SOLDIER CERTIFIED GEAR” LOGO WILL BE HEAT TRANSFERRED IN TO THE LABEL INSIDE OF THE SHIRT TO DEMONSTRATE AUTHENTICITY ONCE THE “ARMY STRONG” LOGO IS REMOVED.
3. THE ACS IS A UNIFORM ENHANCEMENT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FLAME PROTECTION FOR INDIVIDUAL SOLDIERS, WHILE MAXIMIZING BREATHABILITY, MOISTURE MANAGEMENT AND COMFORT WHEN WORN AS A SYSTEM INCLUDING INTERCEPTOR BODY ARMOR (IBA) AND FIRE RESISTANT UNIFORM TROUSERS SUCH AS THE FIRE RESISTANT ARMY COMBAT UNIFORM (FRACU) OR ARMY AIRCREW COMBAT UNIFORM (A2CU) TROUSERS.
4. THE ACS IS CONSTRUCTED WITH FLAME RESISTANT FABRICS. THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL SLEEVE AND SHOULDER FABRIC PROVIDES GREATER PROTECTION OF EXPOSED AREAS. THE LIGHER MOISTURE MANAGEMENT “TRUNK” PROVIDES FLAME PROTECTION, WHILE MAXIMIZING BREATHABILITY UNDER THE INDIVIDUAL IBA.
5. THE ACS IS DESIGNED TO BE WORN WITH THE IBA AND IS CLASSIFIED AS A COMBAT SHIRT. THE RIGHT SHOULDER SLEVE OF THE ACS IS EQUIPPED WITH HOOK AND LOOP FOR THE WEARING OF THE SOLDIERS LAST NAMETAPE AND RANK INSIGNIA.
6. THE SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA AND THE INFRARED SUBDUED FLAG WILL BE WORN ON THE LEFT SHOULDER SLEEVE.
7. THE ACS WILL BE WORN TUCKED INTO THE TROUSERS.
8. THE ACS CAN BE WORN AS A STAND ALONE ITEM AND IS DESIGNED TO BE WORN NEXT-TO-SKIN, WITHOUT A T-SHIRT, IN HOT WEATHER. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE WEAR OF FEMALE UNDERGARMENTS OR T-SHIRTS CURRENTLY APPROVED FOR WEAR.
9. THE ACS CAN BE LAUNDERED NORMALLY AND DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY SPECIAL TREATMENT.
10. THE ACS WILL ONLY BE WORN IN A DEPLOYED OR FIELD ENVIRONMENT.
11. POC FOR UNIFORM POLICY IS SGM K. EASLEY, DSN 225-5406, COMM (703) 695-5406. E-MAIL IS KATRINA.EASLEY@HQDA.ARMY.MIL.
12. THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE DCS, G-1.
13. EXPIRATION DATE CANNOT BE DETERMINED.
