The US Army is developing a brand new uniform - the ACU or Army Combat Uniform - to be used all over the place (rather than swapping back and forth between urban, woodland and desert equipment). So say bye bye to those black boots with their spit-shine, and hello to "mandarin" collar for easy use under bodyarmour (kevlar and so forth). To be launched for US forces from 2005 until 2007 - so maybe a variety well end up in Norway around 2020...? [more glossy info]
On that note - at the end of August there will be a "commando raid" arranged in Norway, a team competition with four men or women to each side, traversing 30 km and stopping by 12-25 checkpoints. At each point the team might be tested in various military skills - set against the backdrop of anit-terror and crisis management, so urban warfare, climbing, first aid and escort are good guesses. What a way to spend a weekend and visit Norway, eeeh? Once upon a time the goal was stopping nazi atomic development, but now it is all about the challenge. Maybe better that way... at least around here.
