Shorts

[David]

David

Registered to :Aug 21, 2001
Messages :604
From :San Diego, CA.
Posted 01-09-2001 at 12:12
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exlrrp

Joined: Aug 21, 2001
Posts: 46
From: Richmond CA

Posted: 2001-08-24 09:23
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Anybody ever wonder why the US military never wears shorts, even in hot weather?


David

Joined: Aug 21, 2001
Posts: 88
From: San Diego, CA.

Posted: 2001-08-24 20:23
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I would guess there are a few reasons. I know the BDU's are supposed to interfere with night vision devices if they are not starched ( something I never got into ). They also present an unbroken camouflage pattern that would not work with shorts.

[delta1/28]

When I enlisted in the Army, June, 1961, each recruit was issued two sets of khaki shorts along with two short sleeve khaki shirts. The shorts were rather long -- "Bermuda Style" and the shirts were "sporty" with pointy pocket flaps. Here's a quote from U.S ARMY UNIFORMS OF THE COLD WAR, 1948-1973 by Shelby Stanton (1994): "The khaki cotton shorts, made of the same material as conventional trousers, were produced under specifications adopted on 28 October 1955. They were first issued on 1 July 1956 as a component of the abbreviated khaki uniform, and were only worn in this fashion. The prescribed length of the khaki short was 1 to 2 inches above the knee cap. The shorts were initially produced with sewn-in creases, but this feature hampered cleaning and was discarded in May 1957." (p. 114)

[colmurph]

I was issued shorts with knee socks in 1958. We hated the damn things because they made us look like Boy Scouts. When I was at Ft. Devens later in 1958 we used to see a lot of "Butterbars" being marched around with their shorts and we used the three finger "Boy Scout Salute" on them. Most of them were too new to catch on.