The debate on ACU vs OCP (Multicam) is still ongoing, but the OCP's getting there with troops being deployed to Afghanistan being issued the OCP or allowed to use the multicam pattern as it has proven to be effective in Afghanistan. This took effect last summer and that the pattern will be fully fielded by the end of the year to combat troops in that country. Besides this, a new front opened and this time it's in the female front.

US Army women have been struggling with the ACU designs that were mainly designed with men in mind and that they had to buy larger sizes for the uniform to fit across the chest, leaving them with larger cuts for the shoulders. Thus, the US Army decided to come out with a "Female cut" which will use women's sizes for chest and waist. This means more sizes to choose from for the women, and they'll feel more comfortable in these new designs rather than walk around with sagging sleeves.

According to Army Times, the changes shall be:

• The jacket will come in 13 sizes, with different chest, waist and sweep measurements.
• Trousers will come in 13 sizes, with different hip measurements.
• The “back rise” on the trouser will be lengthened to make room for larger hips and posteriors.
• The trousers’ drawstring will be replaced with an elastic waistband.
• The jacket length, as well as the sleeves’ width and length, will be adjusted accordingly.
• The trousers will have a shortened button fly.
• The rank tab will be moved upward so it is no longer set on the break of the blouse.
• The Army insignia and name tapes will be moved closer to the zipper.
• Pockets on the shoulders will be sewn farther forward and be angled to allow easier access.
• The area behind the shoulders will be sewn closer in. This will keep the jacket from falling forward, especially when the solider bends down.
• Elbow pad pockets, calf pockets, knee pad pockets and sleeve pencil pocket will be repositioned.

Time to give the replica makers of uniforms to take note of this as we want more women involved in airsoft. If uniforms are made this way, then women might find the uniform sizes to their liking. But then, since the airsoft is highly market-based as compared to military purchases, there might not be incentive for them to do so if they only see few women playing airsoft. But then women can always check surplus stores once these new designs get widely released to servicewomen.

Hopefully, we get to recruit more females to come and play airsoft with us. Thus new cuts for the women's uniforms! That's what they want, give it to them!