New York Guard New York Guard Gets New Utility Uniform Guard Times Staff JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS, Latham -- The New York Guard has a new look. The Adjutant General has authorized members of the New York Guard to wear the digital camouflage Army Combat Uniform (ACU), with some specific modifications, as a utility uniform when in an authorized duty status. The current Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) worn by the New York Guard can be worn by members until Sept. 30, 2013. “The long awaited switch to the Army Combat Uniform for Soldiers of the New York Guard became a necessity this year, due to the dwindling availability of the old Battle Dress Uniform,” according to New York Guard Deputy Chief of Staff, Col. David Molik. The U.S. Army phased out the Battle Dress Uniform when they went to the new Army Combat Uniform (ACU) starting in 2005. Our New York Guard (NYG) members continued to wear the legacy BDU as their utility uniform until BDU’s were getting harder to procure as replacements for uniforms that were wearing out,” explained New York National Guard Command Sgt. Major Robert Van Pelt. It was decided that the New York Guard would be outfitted with the newer ACU with some modifications as, by regulation, the New York Guard needs to be readily identifiable from U.S. Army members,” he explained. “I feel that with the modifications that we authorized
for wear, like the black hat, the New York state flag, etc, we have met the intent of the regula-
tion and at the same time, we have solved the uniform issue for the future,” Van Pelt said.
DIFFERENCES •New York Guard members will wear a black patrol cap with shiny rank brass; not an ACU cap with subdued cloth rank and a name tape on the back. •New York Guard members must remove the Infrared identification spot from the uniform. •New York Guard members must wear sewn on name Air Force grey name tapes. They cannot be affixed to the uniform with Velcro like an Army uniform. •New York Guard members will wear a subdued New York Guard patch on the left sleeve. •New York Guard members will wear a blue—not subdued— New York flag where the American flag is worn on the right sleeve of the Army uniform. •New York Guard members will wear subdued Velcro rank with an ACU background on the front of their uniform. •The New York Guard utility uniform will be worn with tan boots, a tan belt and gray colored undershirt. •Wear of the black beret is not authorized with the New York Guard utility uniform. •Pin-on qualification badges must be black. •New York Guard members entitled to wear a combat patch are authorized to do so below the New York flag patch. New York Guard directive 1334.2 specifies uniform policy and explains where items can be obtained.
Staff Sergeant Jonathon Peebles, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, New York Guard demonstrates proper wear of the new utility uniform. Photos by Pfc. Ubon Mendie, New York Guard.
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