The Army Green Service Uniform, commonly known as the pinks and greens, refers to the dress uniform that was worn by officers and enlisted soldiers in the United States Army from 1921 to 1954. The uniform got its nickname because of its distinct green jacket and light pinkish trousers. After being phased out in the 1950s, a modernized version of the pinks and greens was reintroduced in 2020 as the Army’s new service uniform, replacing the Army Service Uniform (ASU). But why is this classic uniform called the pinks and greens? Let’s take a look at the history and origins of the name.
History of the Pinks and Greens Uniform
The pinks and greens uniform traces its origins back to the late 19th century. In 1902, a dark blue service uniform known as the M1902 was adopted by the Army. This consisted of a dark blue coat, light blue trousers with yellow trim, and a campaign hat. Then in 1910, a new simpler uniform was introduced, ditching the colorful trousers and adopting plain light tan trousers instead. This 1910 uniform was the first appearance of the iconic “greens” jacket paired with light tan “pinkish” trousers.
World War I and Interwar Years
During World War I, the Army wore a variety of uniforms depending on where they were deployed. But after the war ended, there was a need to return to a standardized uniform. So in 1921, the iconic pinks and greens uniform was officially adopted. It consisted of an olive drab wool herringbone twill jacket and matching trousers of a lighter shade. The jacket was also nicknamed the “Ike jacket” after General Dwight Eisenhower.
The pinks and greens became the Army’s service uniform, worn for non-combat daily duties. It was also worn by soldiers during World War II, though many switched to field uniforms when deployed overseas. The pinks and greens uniform remained largely unchanged through the interwar years and World War II.
Phase Out in the 1950s
In the 1950s, the Army introduced new uniforms in darker shades of green to better match technological advancements. The pinks and greens were declared obsolete in 1956. The Army Green Class A uniform replaced it as the service uniform, featuring green coats and trousers.
The phase out of the pinks and greens marked the end of an era. By the Vietnam War, almost no soldiers were still wearing the iconic two-tone uniform. It lived on as a symbol of the World War II generation, but was not worn again officially for over 60 years.
Modern Comeback
After a long absence, the Army announced in 2018 that the pinks and greens uniform would be brought back. In 2020, the new Army Greens uniform was approved for wear. This was part of an effort to reconnect today’s Army with its historical roots.
The modernized pinks and greens uniform retains the look and feel of the original while incorporating newer fabrics and features like zippers. It pairs an olive green jacket with light tan trousers, inspired by the iconic WWII-era look.
Since being reintroduced, the Army Greens uniform has been issued to new recruits in basic training and is also available for purchase by currently serving soldiers. It will fully replace the Army Service Uniform by 2028.
Why the Name “Pinks and Greens”?
So where exactly does the name “pinks and greens” come from to describe this two-tone uniform? There are a few key reasons:
The Jacket and Trousers Colors
The most obvious origin is that it refers to the green service coat paired with pinkish trousers. The first part of the name describes the jacket color, while the second part describes the trousers color.
When introduced in 1921, the coat was an olive drab shade of green. The trousers were a lighter tan color, often described as a pinkish hue. This distinctive two-tone color combination led to the nickname.
The Contrasting Shades
Along with the actual colors, the strong contrast between the dark green jacket and very light trousers made the “pinks and greens” name catch on.
Early versions of the uniform had trousers that were almost a light peach color. This created an eye-catching contrast with the olive green jacket that emphasized the two-tone look.
The Fabric Colors
The color of the wool fabric used to make the uniforms may have also influenced the name:
| Uniform Piece | Fabric Color |
| Jacket | Olive drab colored wool |
| Trousers | “Pink” light tan colored wool |
The olive drab wool used for the jacket was dyed that color. Meanwhile, the trousers were made from a lighter tan wool fabric often described as “pink”.
Referencing British Redcoats
There is a theory that the “pinks” part of the name was also meant to reference the redcoats of the British Army. Red coat uniforms paired with white or black pants were iconic for the British Army in the 18th and 19th centuries. Some accounts suggest American soldiers first used “pinks and greens” as a sarcastic reference to those British red uniforms. This is unconfirmed, but provides an interesting possible origin.
The Pinkish Trousers
Out of these possible explanations, the most well-documented reason for the “pinks” part of the name is the distinctive light tan trousers fabric. But why were the trousers this pinkish shade instead of a standard khaki color?
Wool Fabric Colors
As mentioned earlier, the trousers were made from a lightweight wool with an undyed, tannish pink hue. Using this wool was less costly than dyeing the fabric olive drab to match the jacket. As a result, the trousers took on a pinkish look.
Fading
The trousers were also prone to fading, especially around areas like the knees that underwent wear and abrasion. As the light tan trousers faded, they took on an even more pinkish tone.
Laundering Methods
The laundering methods of the early 20th century also contributed to the pink hue. Wool garments often faded to softer pastel-like shades after washing. And lye soaps and harsh detergents of the time could discolor or “pink” the fabric.
Association with “Pink” Fabric
Once the trousers became known as “pinks”, the association stuck. Even though the fabric was more of a light tan, beige, or peach shade, it was lumped under the broad term “pink” when pairing it with “greens” in the nickname.
Conclusion
In summary, the iconic Army Green Service Uniform earned the nickname “pinks and greens” thanks to the contrasting jacket and trousers colors. The green jackets were paired with trousers made from a light tan wool fabric that looked distinctly pinkish. This unusual two-tone color combination led soldiers to refer to the uniform as “pinks and greens”.
The name endures today with the modern Army Greens uniform. It connects today’s soldiers to generations before that helped establish the “pinks and greens” as a classic and iconic Army uniform.
