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P&M Army News
P&M Army Surplus Store Web Site Update 2008
Thanks to all of our great customers from P&M Army Surplus Store who made our new web site at www.pmarmysurplus.com a great success. The number of visitors to our site has grown steadily throughout the year. For 2008 we have made a few changes.
M65 Army Field Jackets
All of our M65 Army Field Jackets now come with liners so you do not have to purchase them separately.
Buy M65 Army Field Jackets
Marine Digital Combat Uniforms
We have also added Marine Style Digital Combat Uniforms (Poly/cotton) from Tru-spec. The digital pattern is virtually identical to the USMC issue pattern but does not contain the USMC eagle, globe, and anchor due to USMC regulations. Buy Marine Digital Combat Uniforms
P&M Army Store T-Shirt with Logo
We now have more P&M T-Shirts available in Dark Blue with P&M logo on front and Stars & Bars on the back.
Buy the P&M Army Store T-shirt.
Our site continues to feature on-line shopping for military surplus clothing, Army Combat Uniforms (ACU), Battle Dress Uniforms (BDU), Combat Boots, and other US Army Surplus equipment. P&M Army Surplus store has served Athens, Georgia and the surrounding North Georgia area for over 45 years, and now their outstanding service is available nation wide.
The web site has hard to find items like the new digital camo ACU Army Combat Uniforms now worn by US Army Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, BDU Battle Dress Uniforms, and the new side zipper Altama desert combat boots and Corcoran paratrooper boots. The new ACU digital combat uniforms meet Army Mil Spec specifications and are suitable for Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and Regular Army personnel requirements. P&M Army Surplus Store also has Army Field Jackets, LC1 Alice Backpacks, sleeping bags, cots, and other Army field equipment.
Campers, hikers and students can find all types of backpacks, hiking boots, shorts, shirts, hats and survival gear for any type of outdoor activity. University of Georgia students who frequent the store find a great selection of canvas bags for laptop computers, book bags, backpacks and casual wear.
Stop by the P&M Army Surplus Store on Prince Avenue in Athens, Georgia or visit their web site at www.pmarmysurplus.com. Get driving directions from the web site.
Web site consulting, development, and hosting for P&M Army Store provided by CLC Web Designs www.clcweb.com of Watkinsville, Georgia.
New Army Combat Shirt
May 04, 2007
BY Debi Dawson
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Army News Service, May 4, 2007) -- The Army Program Executive Office Soldier will soon provide an improved Army combat shirt to Soldiers deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The flame-resistant long-sleeved shirt, which retains the moisture-wicking capability, breathability, and durability of other components in the ACU, also has many of its other features, including cargo pockets, infrared identification tabs, and hook-and-loop fasteners for the American flag.
The new shirt has a foliage green torso and sleeves in the universal camouflage pattern, and sports seamless shoulders and side panels for comfort, along with integrated anti-abrasion elbow pads, and a small Army Strong logo centered on the chest.
 The high performance shirt, designed to be a base layer, can be worn directly under the Interceptor Body Armor, according to Maj. Clay Williamson, assistant product manager for clothing and individual equipment.
The ACS is made of an anti-microbial cotton and rayon blend fabric treated with a new process that penetrates to the fiber level. It provides fire-resistance for the life of the garment. "It is completely safe, non-toxic, and allows us to treat fibers that were once not treatable," Maj. Williamson said.
The shirt integrates with other flame-resistant components, such as the Army combat pants, to provide head-to-toe protection against burns. The Army combat pants are the same as the ACU pants, except they are made of a flame-resistant material, according to the major. Soldiers' hands are protected by flame-resistant gloves that have been a part of the Army's Rapid Fielding Initiative.
This ensemble further complements the Army's system-of-systems approach to force protection, which integrates layers of protection for Soldiers on the battlefield.
"I want to assure the American public, the Soldiers, and their Families that they have the best equipment when and where they need it. If there were something better, we would buy it; and we're always looking for something better," said Brig. Gen. R. Mark Brown, Program Executive Officer Soldier.
(Debi Dawson serves with the Program Executive Office Soldier Strategic Communications Office)
First Soldiers who receive the Army Combat Action Badge. Watch video
 DESCRIPTION: A silver badge 2 inches (5.08cm) in width overall consisting of an oak wreath supporting a rectangle bearing a bayonet surmounting a grenade, all silver. Stars are added at the top to indicate subsequent awards; one star for the second award, two stars for the third award and three stars for the fourth award.
II. SYMBOLISM: In keeping with the spirit of the Warrior Ethos, the Combat Action Badge provides special recognition to Soldiers who personally engage the enemy, or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations. The bayonet and grenade are associated with active combat. The oak wreath symbolizes strength and loyalty.
III. AWARD ELIGIBILITY: The Combat Action Badge (CAB) may be awarded by any commander delegated authority by the Secretary of the Army during wartime or the CG, U.S. Army Human Resources Command and will be announced in permanent orders.
(1) The requirements for award of the CAB are Branch and MOS immaterial. Assignment to a Combat Arms unit or a unit organized to conduct close or offensive combat operations, or performing offensive combat operations is not required to qualify for the CAB. However, it is not intended to award all soldiers who serve in a combat zone or imminent danger area.
(2) Specific Eligibility Requirements:
a. May be awarded to any soldier.
b. Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized.
c. Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.
d. Soldier must not be assigned/attached to a unit that would qualify the soldier for the CIB/CMB.
(3) May be awarded to members from the other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign soldiers assigned to a U.S. Army unit, provided they meet the above criteria.
(4) Award of the CAB is authorized from 18 September 2001 to a date to be determined. Award for qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized.
(5) Subsequent awards:
a. Only one CAB may be awarded during a qualifying period.
b. Second and third awards of the CAB for subsequent qualifying periods will be indicated by superimposing one and two stars respectively, centered at the top of the badge between the points of the oak wreath.
(6) Retroactive awards for the CAB are not authorized prior to 18 September 2001, applications (to include supporting documentation) for retroactive awards of the CAB will be forwarded through the first two star general in the chain of command to CG, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, ATTN: AHRC-PDO-PA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471.
(7) Wear policy is contained in Army Regulation 670-1.
(8) Soldiers may be awarded the CIB, CMB and CAB for the same qualifying period, provided the criteria for each badge is met. However, subsequent awards of the same badge within the same qualifying period are not authorized.
IV. DATE APPROVED: On 2 May 2005, the Chief of Staff, Army, approved the creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to soldiers who personally engage, or are engaged by the enemy. HQDA Letter 600-05-1, dated 3 June 2005, announced the establishment of the Combat Action Badge.
V. SUBDUED BADGE: Subdued badges are authorized in metal and cloth. The metal badge has a black finish. The cloth badge has olive green base cloth with the bayonet, grenade, oak wreath and border of the bar embroidered in black.
VI. MINIATURE BADGES: A dress miniature badge, 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in length is authorized for wear on the mess uniforms. A miniature badge, 1 3/4 inches (4.45 cm) is also authorized in lieu of the regular size badge.
Operation Homefront: Georgia's Military Families receive Aid from Chapter Expansion
Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit dedicated to assisting military families with issues that range from home auto repair to deployment counseling and urgent financial assistance, recently introduced its Chapter, here.
The Atlanta Chapter is responsible for implementing Operation Homefront's national programs on the state level to effectively serve Georgia's military community, particularly the families of active duty and deployed Armed Forces' personnel.
"Our mission is to assist military families while their loved ones are serving our country," said Vicki Sarracino, Operation Homefront's President for the Georgia Chapter.
Founded in San Diego, California by military spouses and retirees shortly after 9/11 attacks, Operation Homefront is the charitable arm of CinCHouse.com, the largest online support community for military wives and girlfriends.
Today, Operation Homefront has established more than 30 chapters throughout the country and has assisted more than 12,000 military families.
"I am honored to serve as the Georgia's Chapter President of Operation Homefront and look forward to continuing good work the organization does on behalf of military families across the country," said Vicki Sarracino.
Military families that need assistance are encouraged to call Operation Homefront, Georgia's toll-free hotline at 1-800-390-2115.
To learn more about Operation Homefront please visit the Website at: www.operationhomefront.net.
For additional information on Operation Homefront's Georgia Chapter, please contact Vicki Sarracino at 1-800-390-2115 or by the e-mail address listed above.
Army Combat Uniform (ACU)
On 14 June 2004 -- the 229th birthday of the United States Army -- the Army today officially unveiled its new combat uniform designed with major input by the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps and enlisted Soldiers, and tested by Stryker Brigade Soldiers in Iraq since October 2003. Army senior leadership introduced the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) during a 10 a.m. Army Birthday Pentagon courtyard cake-cutting ceremony. Soldiers displayed and also suited-up in the wrinkle-free uniform with a digitized camouflage pattern.
Three different versions of the ACU have been developed, and more than 10,000 uniforms have been produced and battle-tested in the sands of Iraq and at Army training centers. Even more are on American production lines to be issued by April 2005 to Soldiers in deploying units. Current fielding plans call for fielding to the total Army by December 2007, said officials from the Program Executive Office Soldier, known as PEO Soldier.
This isn't a cosmetic redesign of the uniform. It is a functionality change of the uniform that will improve the ability of Soldiers to execute their combat mission. Every change was made for a reason. The bottom pockets on the jacket were removed and placed on the shoulder sleeves so Soldiers can have access to them while wearing body armor. The pockets were also tilted forward so that they are easily accessible. Buttons were replaced with zippers that open from the top and bottom to provide comfort while wearing armor.
There were 18 changes made to the uniform, to include removing the color black and adapting the digital print from the Marine Corps uniform to meet the needs of the Army.
The Army's Natick Laboratory in Natick, Mass., took the original digital pattern to the next level by developing a pattern for world-wide theaters to encompass both the BDU and DCU requirements. Black is no longer useful on the uniform because it is not a color found in woodland areas. The current colors on the ACU are green and sandy brown. The pattern is not a 100-percent solution in every environment, Myhre said, but a good solution across the board.
There has not made a major change to our uniforms since the BDUs were introduced in the early 1980s. This new uniform performs well in multiple environments. Its new pockets and color designs are a result of Soldiers in combat. It's only fitting that the next generation of Army uniforms be designed to meet actual wartime requirements. Patches and tabs are affixed to the uniform with Velcro to give the wearer more flexibility and to save the Soldier money. Soldiers can take the name-tapes and patches off their uniforms before laundering, which will add to the lifecycle of the patches. Also the cost to get patches sewn on will be eliminated, he added.
The ACU will consist of a jacket, trousers, moisture wicking t-shirt and the brown combat boots. It will replace both versions of the BDU and the desert camoflauge uniform. The black beret will be the normal headgear for the ACU, but there is a matching patrol cap to be worn at the commander's discretion.
In addition to the overall pattern and color changes, the ACU changes include:
1. Mandarin collar that can be worn up or down
2. Rank insignia affixed above right chest pocket
3. Velcro for wearing unit patch, skill tabs and recognition devices
4. Zippered front closure
5. Elbow pouch for internal elbow pad inserts
6. Knee pouch for internal knee pad inserts
7. Elastic leg cuff
8. Tilted chest pockets with Velcro closure
9. Three-slot pen pocket on bottom of sleeve
10. Velcro sleeve cuff closure
11. Shoulder pockets with Velcro
12. Forward tilted cargo pockets
13. Integrated blouse bellows for increased upper body mobility
14. Integrated Friend or Foe Identification Square on both left and right shoulder pocket flap
15. Bellowed calf storage pocket on left and right leg
16. Moisture-wicking desert tan t-shirt
17. Patrol Cap with double thick bill and internal pocket
18. Improved hot-weather desert boot or temperate-weather desert boot
At $88 per uniform, about $30 more than the BDU, Soldiers will eventually reap gains in money and time by not having to take uniforms to the cleaners or shine boots.
The life of the ACU began in January 2003. The team looked at a number of uniforms and took the best part of each uniform and combined it into one. They built their first prototype and delivered 25 uniforms to Stryker squads at the National Training Center. After listening to their comments, the team went back to the lab and created prototype two. Twenty-one uniforms were then delivered to Stryker Soldiers at the Joint Training and Readiness Center, Fort Polk, La. Two issues of the third version were given to the Stryker Soldiers deploying to Iraq. Three months ago, Myhre was among a team who visited Iraq to get more feedback from Soldiers.
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