The Army Looks Back

In order to move forward.

This from MSN News:

The United States Army wanted a spiffy new service uniform, one that would stand out in a tough recruiting environment and polish the Army’s image after a generation of grinding and divisive wars. So it turned the clock back. Way back. It chose a new uniform that looks almost exactly like the old green gabardine wool field coat and khaki trousers that officers wore in World War II. Probably not by coincidence, that’s what the Army was wearing the last time the nation celebrated total victory in a major war.

Interestingly enough, arguably the most famous ( and successful) American WW II General went even further back for his uniform inspiration. As author Michael Keane has noted in Patton: Blood Guts and Prayer:

. . . at Fort Benning, Patton appeared wearing a new uniform, which, characteristically, he had designed himself. It was a two-piece dark green corduroy outfit. The jacket was waist length with brass buttons up the right side in the style of an old Confederate officer's uniform.

What I find interesting in all of this is human nature's innate tendency to connect to our past. It is often a conscious effort. Other times, it is a subconscious need to connect expressed in interesting and surprising ways. Looking back to move forward. That's what we do here.