US Army to Design New Uniforms for Female Soldiers

(Sept. 7) -- Women account for 15.5 percent of the U.S. Army, and now the military has decided they deserve a uniform that fits.

Many female soldiers have complained that their uniform was designed for men. In order to get the uniform jacket to fit across the chest, for instance, they have to buy larger sizes -- making the shoulders far too big.

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The military plans to introduce uniforms cut for female soldiers. Women make up more than 15 percent of the U.S. Army.

"We need to ensure our women are wearing something they are comfortable in, and it doesn't make them look like their uniform doesn't fit," Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller told Army Times.

A new female-cut Army Combat Uniform is in the works, Army Times reported Monday. Jackets will now come in 13 sizes, with different chest, waist and sweep measurements. Trousers will also come in 13 sizes, with different hip measurements, and the drawstring will be replaced by an elastic waistband. The back rise on the trouser will be lengthened to make room for larger hips.

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"The ACU was designed for a male," Sgt. 1st Class William Corp, modernization non-commissioned officer for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, told Army Times. "A man typically has broader shoulders. So when a woman puts on the jacket, the shoulder pockets are more toward her back. This is one of the things we're looking to correct."

The new designs will be tested out by women at about 600 active-duty, National Guard and Reserve sites. Final recommendations are expected to be presented to the Uniform Board in November 2011.

Read more in the Army Times.