The newly-formed US Space Force has proudly unveiled its new uniform online, and it’s probably fair to say it hasn’t gone down too well.
The new military service was formally unveiled by
Donald Trump at an event in December 2019, during which the US president described space as “the world’s newest war-fighting domain”.
A total of $40m (£30.7) has been ploughed into the project, and in the early hours of Saturday morning the new force revealed the uniform to be worn by the very first servicemen and women.The first #SpaceForce utility uniform nametapes have touched down in thePentagon. @EsperDoD@SecAFOfficial@SpaceForceCSO@GenDaveGoldfein@DeptofDefense@usairforcepic.twitter.com/Jvzt5bvNl7—
United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) January 18, 2020Apart from a badge declaring ‘US Space Force’ on the front, and an
American flag and ‘United States Space Command’ badge on the arm, the uniform is similar to that worn by those serving in the army.
And therein lay the problem for some.
It wasn’t long before
Twitter users raised their concerns about the uniform – namely that a woodland camouflage print (a tried and tested method of camouflage on earth) might not be all that useful in space, famously devoid of woodlands (or any trees at all, for that matter):And it you didn't realize how dumb this Space Force thing is already, check out the new garb. You won't be able to see them at all in the jungle that is space. https://t.co/bgl3NYYXhy— MK Genest 🌊 (@MKGenest) January 18, 2020Sorry for the question but why do we need camo in space?— Dylan Taylor (@SpaceAdvisor) January 18, 2020US #SpaceForce camo wear. Actual outer space. Good job, lads. pic.twitter.com/TVXllsoGrI— Barb Haynes (@barbhaynes) January 18, 2020I know this is hard to understand, but on the left there is a picture of camouflage and on the right there is a picture of space. Study these carefully until you can see the difference. pic.twitter.com/7HhAeHRyrm— JRehling (@JRehling) January 18, 2020Impracticalities aside, the unveiling of the uniform left some who had been hoping for a more theatrical look a little disappointed: If this not the #SpaceForce uniform i don’t want it pic.twitter.com/DsgY3oWqPK— p!mpolas🏁 (@PiccNiccc) January 18, 2020Why, exactly, couldn't the #SpaceForce uniforms have simply been black for the blackness of space, with an undershirt indicating in what capacity you work, simple insignia... oh, wait. Well, I guess Trump's Space Force is too afraid to copy those "liberals" in Hollywood! pic.twitter.com/7TgS7QFuUt— MLZ (@MLZambrana) January 18, 2020I’m legit pissed this isn’t the new #SpaceForce uniform. pic.twitter.com/j9lQynyMZa— Tim Schenck (@FatherTim) January 18, 2020Helpful as always, Twitter users wasted no time in suggesting their own (possibly lower-tech, but who are we to say) uniform alternatives: Dear, #SpaceForce people, this is Space Camo.Your welcome.- Joshua pic.twitter.com/vYQUQiZzu7— itsallrealitv (@itsallrealitv) January 18, 2020Now THIS is what #SpaceForce should be wearing. The strongest of camouflage pic.twitter.com/cnvVaNs4ou— KylosBitchBoy (@ColtonSJ_) January 18, 2020I’m dressed better for Space Force than this and I’m wearing $10 leggings from Target https://t.co/gG9k1UoYwrpic.twitter.com/HAjiIyP3iM— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) January 18, 2020Related... A Photo Of George Lucas Cradling Baby Yoda Is Melting People's Hearts Japanese Billionaire Has A Bonkers Proposition That Is Simply Out Of This World Australia’s Fires Are Still Raging, And The Devastation Can Be Seen From Space