| Soldiers, at home and overseas, are exposed to | | | | PCU cold weather clothing, on the surface, may |
| various weather and temperature conditions. This | | | | appear interchangeable with GEN III, but this |
| ranges from extreme heat to extreme cold - | | | | assumption isn't accurate. The similarities end at |
| even in the same area. In fact, soldiers in | | | | seven-layer garments and use in colder |
| Afghanistan requested warmer clothing in 2002, | | | | temperatures. But, while GEN III is best for |
| which resulted in the development of the | | | | temperatures ranging from -40°F to 60°F, |
| Protective Combat Uniform. Presently, the PCU | | | | PCU uses a different temperature range - -50°F |
| and also the GEN III ECWCS systems are used | | | | to 45°F - and addresses wet climate conditions. |
| by the military for cold weather clothing. Both are | | | | After soldiers in Afghanistan requested warmer |
| based on a system of seven levels of base, | | | | clothing in 2003, the U.S. Army Natick Soldier |
| insulation, and shell garments, but how does | | | | Research Development and Engineering Center |
| protection vary for each? | | | | began to develop a cold weather clothing system |
| The GEN III is considered the next generation in | | | | for this use. Introduced for testing a year later, |
| ECWCS clothing and a significant improvement | | | | PCU was first evaluated by Army Rangers, |
| over GEN II, which was simply a cold weather | | | | Marine Force Reconnaissance, Special Forces, and |
| clothing system. Although ECWCS clothing has | | | | Navy SEALs. The system then became official in |
| been issued since the mid-1980s to soldiers in | | | | 2006. |
| colder areas, GEN III addresses all climates a | | | | PCU uses similar principles for moisture |
| soldier may encounter. Moisture management | | | | management and insulation through Polartec |
| principles are incorporated into each garment to | | | | fabrics and silicone-encapsulated fibers for water |
| wick away perspiration, and the seven layers | | | | and wind resistance. Recent improvements to this |
| create several options for insulation. The base | | | | cold weather clothing system have included |
| layers, Levels 1 and 2, wick away any moisture, | | | | antimicrobial fibers and a stretch shell. Base layers |
| while the insulation layers, Levels 3 and 4, trap | | | | Levels 1 and 2 reduce sweat with breathable |
| warm air against the body. The three shell layers | | | | material, and insulation layers Levels 4 and 5 are |
| protect against the wind and moisture. Two of | | | | lightweight but with a higher warmth-to-weight |
| the shell layers can be worn together if additional | | | | ratio and moisture management properties. Shell |
| protection is needed. | | | | layers, such as Level 5, offer abrasion resistance |
| Development for GEN III began in 2003, and the | | | | and a lightweight design. Level 7, with X-Static |
| system was tested in 2004 with the 10th | | | | lining, uses thermal efficiency to keep the wearer |
| Mountain Division and 82nd Airborne Division. The | | | | warm and has a waterproof surface. |
| clothing system received proper issue in 2008. | | | | |