Why the Army wears white overcoats for snow operations

[rangerrebew]

Why the Army wears white overcoats for snow operations
By Sarah Sicard
 Apr 11, 04:20 PM
 
During Exercise Arctic Forge 2023 alongside allies Norway and Finland, soldiers with the U.S. Army wore what appeared to be, at least when compared to their counterparts, white garbage bags over their uniforms designed to blend in with the wintry environment.

While the style choice, at least on the surface, appeared inferior to that of the Norwegians and Fins, it remains quite practical, an official from the Program Executive Office Soldier noted.
 
By Sarah Sicard

“Soldiers operating in cold weather environments are currently issued cold weather gear in Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP),” Alton Stewart, a PEO Soldier public affairs officer, told Military Times. “The Army issues an Overwhite Parka, Trouser and Pack Cover in Snow Camouflage Pattern for use as the operation or environment dictates. Overwhites provide maximum flexibility for concealment while also facilitating agility in the industrial base.”

These bag-looking “overwhites” provide camouflage options in a number of winter terrains, not just in snow, Stewart added.

https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2023/04/11/why-the-army-wears-white-overcoats-for-snow-operations/

[roamer_1]

Maybe they've changed. But OverWhites are not 'plastic' as I recall em.

You don't want plastic in deep cold... or any cold.

I remember them being cloth... gprtex maybe.

[Smokin Joe]

Maybe they've changed. But OverWhites are not 'plastic' as I recall em.

You don't want plastic in deep cold... or any cold.

I remember them being cloth... gprtex maybe.

I have some snow camo overwear the kids bought me one year. Definitely not plastic.

I have seen garbage bags shatter in winter. No way I'd want being 'invisible' to depend on something that might flutter away in shreds.

[roamer_1]

I have some snow camo overwear the kids bought me one year. Definitely not plastic.

I have seen garbage bags shatter in winter. No way I'd want being 'invisible' to depend on something that might flutter away in shreds.

Not to mention crackly. Can't be quiet with that going on. Like I said, I remember em being cloth... soft. floppy.

[Bigun]

Why the Army wears white overcoats for snow operations

What dumb @$$ felt the need to explain this?

[Smokin Joe]

Not to mention crackly. Can't be quiet with that going on. Like I said, I remember em being cloth... soft. floppy.

Yep, mine are. Even Goretex would make noise in snow, especially if there's any wind up or crust on it.

[Timber Rattler]

Hmmm...I wasn't aware that military uniforms were supposed to be fashion conscious out in the field.  The fact is that the U.S. military has used cheap and disposable outer wear for winter ops since at least World War II.  So this article is ridiculous...if the Nordic countries want to rag on that kind of nonsense, then they are not serious about warfighting.