Exchange Breaks New Ground with Army Green Service Uniform Rollout

Photo courtesy of Fort Knox Public Affairs – Fort Knox Military Clothing associate Sam Sue Pizarro measures a Soldier’s new Army Green Service Uniform for alterations on July 8, the first day the new uniform was issued to students at the Recruiting and Retention College at Fort Knox.

In terms of design, the new Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) echoes a classic look most frequently associated with the World War II era. But the behind-the-scenes effort to bring the uniform to market is brand-new territory for the Army and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange).

To accelerate delivery, the Exchange, using Army funds, directly procured the initial run of the new issue uniform at the Army’s request. This unprecedented partnership leverages the unique procurement capabilities of the Exchange as a Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality of the Department of Defense to bring the AGSU to Military Clothing store shelves up to two years faster than previous Army uniform rollouts.

“This is a first that underscores the relevance of the Exchange to the Army mission,” said Dan Koglin, the Exchange’s Divisional Merchandising Manager for Military Clothing. “Our unique structure brings unprecedented agility, speed and efficiency to what has historically been a costly and time-consuming uniform procurement process.”

The effort to introduce the uniform was spearheaded by former Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey. The throwback-style World War II look serves to reconnect the Army with the American public after years, Dailey said on a recent appearance on the Exchange’s Chief Chat Facebook live series.

“During World War II, millions of men and women came together to fight for a common cause, and when they then came home victorious, the American people saw them in that beautiful Army Green Service Uniform,” he said. “To this day, there are pictures of those great service members on mantles across this nation. When people see this uniform, they know right away: That’s a Soldier.”

On July 8, a group of about 70 Recruiting and Retention College students were among the first to be outfitted for the new uniform at the Fort Knox Military Clothing store. Days later, the Knox MCS began offering the AGSU for general sale.

“It’s a really nice-looking uniform that’s very easy to put together,” said Emmanuel Belt, Fort Knox Military Clothing store manager. “I think people like its simplicity.”

Basic training drill sergeants at Forts Sill, Jackson, Benning and Leonard Wood are expected to be issued the AGSU this month, and most CONUS Military Clothing stores are scheduled to have it in stock by December. Locations in Alaska, Europe, Japan, and South Korea are scheduled to receive them by February 2021. The mandatory wear date for all Soldiers is Oct. 1, 2027.