The Army Uniform Board is looking to update the service’s 40-year-old smock maternity uniform as part of the board’s 152nd meeting. Among their considerations is a lactation shirt for new mothers.
The Board meets twice annually to discuss any possible changes to the Army uniform and issue clothing bag items. The Board comprises of active force, National Guard and Reserve members.
They are currently planning to redesign the Army Green Service Uniform-Maternity which is part of the newly announced World War-II style uniforms.
“That maternity uniform resembled the style of uniform that has been issued since the 1980s and was first designed in 1979,” a news release stated.
It also confirmed that the board is set to decide if they will go ahead with modernizing the maternity uniform or let it remain the same.
Last year, the Army’s Marine and Air counterparts have announced changes to their maternity uniforms that offer more stretch, better fit, and stain-resistance.
It was earlier reported by the Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David Goldfein, that female service members spend more money than men on uniform fitting and altering and that these maternity clothing changes were long overdue.
The news releases also mention that the Army Uniform Board is also scheduled to consider a lactation shirt for the Maternity Utility Uniform in the Operational Combat Pattern.
Currently, the Army does not include the lactation shirts as part of the clothing bag issue and female soldiers were required to purchase from commercial companies.
The Army Uniform Board’s earlier meeting, which took place in June this year, recommended developing a Maternity Army Physical Fitness Uniform. Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville approved the recommendation.
During the latest meeting, the Army Uniform Board has also recommended research on improving the quality and effectiveness of the athletic bras issued to entry-levels trainees as well as deploying troops.
