New camouflage pattern

The Army introduced its new camouflage pattern this month. The old one, the digital Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), had been criticized for not blending in to any environment except a bunch of gravel. [Source]

This was particularly the case in Afghanistan, where brown colors dominate. Yet I disagree with the criticism that it made U.S. Soldiers more vulnerable. When fighting a counter-insurgency, the only time your camouflage matters is when you're setting up an ambush. The rest of the time, you stand out because you're the only people walking around with helmets. The camo pattern doesn't really matter.

Consider the fact that each of the four major branches of the military have their own camouflage patterns with their own design history. [Source] And then throw in the fact that each allied nation ALSO has their own pattern. Certainly there'd be some distinction as to which was better, right? Isn't one group getting shot up more frequently than anyone else? But no -- apparently, getting wounded has nothing to do with what you're wearing.

Regardless, it was nice to finally get the MultiCam pattern when we did. I didn't care about its value for concealment; I just wanted to fit in with the rest of the Army. No longer were we distinguished as a "low-priority" unit -- we looked the same as the "cool kids." So now, four years after we got issued the MultiCam in Afghanistan, the Army has decided that woodland camouflage is the way to go. Only we won't be using "MultiCam," per se, because of some licensing issue. Instead, we'll be using the "Operational Camouflage Pattern." [Source] From what people say, it's totally different. Check it out: On the left is my old OEF MultiCam. On the right is the OCP. From colors alone, it's almost indistinguishable.

In fact, the new pattern is so similiar to the old that it's completely OK to mix and match. I doubt anyone's noticed this, but I've been wearing my old OEFCP uniform with the new OCP hat.

So despite what I wrote back in 2011, the Army had the right idea after all. It saves taxpayers money on licensing costs, and by allowing me to wear the MultiCam, I can put off buying the new OCP for a few more years.

Thank you, Army.

Branch Qualifiation Day

Today marks the completion of one year of company command. I am now "branch qualified." I'll get my senior rater ("grand-boss") interview on the 28th.

Assuming I don't suffer an ethical lapse in judgment, I should be clear for promotion to major in my primary zone when that time comes (probably in 2018). Until then, I still have -- hopefully -- another six months in command.

The challenge over the coming months will be to complete a company-focused training exercise and ensure that my property shortages are both documented and quantified. If I can do both of those things, I can avoid any financial penalties and can consider my command time a success.

Considering the Army seems to be placing a higher priority on property accountability than wartime readiness training, this will -- hopefully -- put me in a good position for my next evaluation.