Warfighter Support: Observations on DOD's Ground Combat Uniforms

Our review focused on the current Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps ground combat uniforms and the development of future ground combat uniforms. To determine the extent to which ground combat uniforms meet standards for performance in combat environments, we reviewed uniform specifications provided by the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and the services. We analyzed uniform performance feedback provided by the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force. We discussed performance standards and feedback for combat environments with officials from all four services. To assess the extent to which ground combat uniforms are operable with protective gear and body armor, we discussed operability of uniforms and protective gear with service and Special Operations Command officials. We did not test uniforms and protective gear for interoperability. To assess costs and logistics support requirements with the design, development, production, procurement, and fielding of service-specific ground combat uniforms, we analyzed uniform budget and cost estimate data on current and planned ground combat uniforms from all four services, the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, and commercial entities. To determine the reliability and accuracy of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps cost estimates, we used the GAO Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide. See appendix V. We found that the data were sufficiently reliable for the purpose of reporting costs and trends in costs.