Last name/blood type stenciling on BDU t-shirts
THE FORT BRAGG POST
Things at one time were much worse than they are today! Where is this Soldier's camouflage? White t-shirts??? We wore white t-shirts until 1983 in the marines! How many men had to die before we learn?
Others during the Vietnam war learned more quickly; Vietnam Special operations teams of MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command Vietnam Special Studies and Observation Group) infiltrate deep into North Vietnam/Laos to gather reconnaissance on the enemy--their uniforms; "sterile" with no unit markings except last name and blood type. No white t-shirts or shiny rank insignia. They planned such epic mission like the Son Tay POW rescue mission.
Thousands of 82nd Airborne Division, Ranger and Special Forces Paratroopers en route to the island nation for a night combat jump and operational maneuver to seize control from the ruling junta--on their helmets, jump serial and blood type. The reality of men getting shot and wounded is that we cannot afford to be digging through BDU pockets for ID cards or squinting through smoke, fog and fire to read ID tags around the neck, when a man can bleed to death in under 4 minutes. This is why once the shooting actually starts, professionals put their name/blood type in prominent places to save lives--possibly their own.
The T-shirt of choice is the "Cool-Max" type which wicks away perspiration so it doesn't hinder the ECWCS system drying effect desired. These t-shirts are available at AAFES military clothing sales stores and surplus stores, some of which are online. U.S. Cavalry store is one of the best.
A black felt permanent marker pen can be used to add the Paratrooper's blood type to the side of his embroidered last name on his helmet camouflage band. When Soldier's embroider a last name tape to TA-50 gear it should have their blood type included.
It should be Army-wide SOP starting with its elite Airborne units for each Soldier to have at least one "combat-BDU" with blood type embroidered on the name tape (left of the last name) of the BDU jacket and patrol cap with "cateyes." This BDU should be the Nomex, fire resistent "Aircrew BDU" (NSN) for actual Airborne operations/combat in light of the burn injuries from the tragic accident at Pope AFB in 1994. If worn, these uniform need to be trimmed of excess material, laundry labels, sleeve pocket, trouser pockets, etc. for better breathability. We need to secure every lifesaving advantage we can get before battle begins.
ID cards should be in some place for every Paratrooper: "left upper BDU pocket" etc.