About Tactical Clothing: The ECWCS, PCU, and FREE Systems

Tactical clothing consists of all garments worn by soldiers stationed at home or overseas

. Apparel varies with purpose, although most tactical clothing is divided into systems geared toward environments or conditions. The most well-known is ECWCS Extended Cold Weather Clothing System which is designed for soldiers in unpredictable climates. Other tactical clothing systems were developed over the last decade, as well. These include the US Special Operations Command Custom Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) Cold Weather Layering System, and FREE, the Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble.

ECWCS tactical clothing has been in use since the mid-1980s. Prior to that, tactical clothing systems were geared toward cold-wet and cold-dry conditions, not a combination or system capable of handling these and other conditions. The GEN III is the most recent ECWCS, in use since 2008, and consists of seven layers. Developed after overseas troops complained of the bulkiness of the previous clothing system, GEN III has three groups of layers: a base, one to two insulation layers, and an outer shell of one to two layers. All parts together wick away moisture, trap warm air, and protect against wind and moisture in temperatures ranging from -40F to 60F. The lack of bulkiness a 33-percent reduction compared to the previous system allows for better integration with body armor and load carriage.

In concept, the US Special Operations Command Custom PCU Cold Weather Layering System simply referred to as Protective Combat Uniform or PCU also uses a seven-layer system for tactical garments. As a replacement for LEP, PCU was developed after soldiers in Afghanistan requested warmer clothing in 2002. PCU is a tactical clothing system of 15 grey garments that protect soldiers in temperatures ranging from -50F to 45F.

The three groups of layers are also used for PCU. Polartec fabrics are used for moisture management in base and insulation layers, and outer layers use fabrics by Nextec. Such fabric is made from silicone-encapsulated fibers to make the outer garments water and wind resistant.

While development for GEN III and PCU started earlier this decade, FREE is a more recent tactical clothing system. 17 components are part of the FREE system, which is designed for aviators, tankers, fuel handlers, and anyone in areas with greater risk of fuel fires. These specialized positions in the Armed Forces need the same type of protection offered by the GEN III but with added fire resistance and compatibility with current protective equipment.

A lightweight base, flame-resistant base layers, mid-weight under layer, light weather outer layer, intermediate outer layer, and extreme wet weather parka make up FREE. The two existing flame resistant tactical clothing layers are integrated into this arrangement. The Army Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU) and Improved Combat Vehicle Crewman Coverall (ICVC) clothing are used as one layer of FREE.

About Tactical Clothing: The ECWCS, PCU, and FREE Systems

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