AAHS-IHT                                                                                                                  12 April 2010

MEMORANDUM FOR         Defense Supply Center Philadelphia

                                                U.S. Army Product Manager Soldier Clothing

                                                            & Individual Equipment

                                                Army & Air Force Exchange Service

                                                Certified Manufacturers

SUBJECT: Deviation to MIL-DTL-12718F to Include Distinguishing Insignia for the Afghanistan MultiCam® Uniform (AMU)

1.  Per the request of Pam Moriarty, PM-SCIE (Natick) the following limited deviation to MIL-DTL-12718F is authorized:

            a. The MultiCam® Uniform is a controlled item therefore this deviation is intended for limited use until further notice.   These items are not for commercial sale.

The Institute of Heraldry has lifted the ban on MultiCam® Nametape as of Monday, February 07, 2011!!

            b. The U.S. Army distinguishing embroidered insignia and nametapes shall be on the MultiCam® pattern printed nylon/cotton wind resistant poplin cloth conforming to Class 11 of MIL-DTL-44436.

            c. The cut width of the tapes shall be 2 inches + 1/8 inch.  The top and bottom edges of the tape cloth shall be folded under 1/2 inch toward the center back. A 1 (one) inch wide strip of washable fusible interlining shall be centered and fused to the underside of the cut tape.  The overall finished size of the distinguishing tape and the individual nametape shall be 5 inches in length +1/16 inch and 1 inch in width + 1/16.

            d. The embroidery sewing thread shall be Black HAN 67138 conforming to

A-A-50199 and be cotton (Type I) or polyester covered polyester core (Type II), commercial size ticket No. 50 (Tex size 36 to 45) with a minimum breaking strength of 3.2 pounds (Type I) and 3.7 pounds (Type II) when tested as specified in ASTM D 2256. As an alternate, Ticket No. 70 (Tex size 31 to 35) with a breaking strength of 2.6 pounds (Type I) and 3.0 pounds (Type II), when tested in accordance with ASTM D 2256 may be used as the bobbin or looper thread.  All thread shall be non-staining and show good colorfastness to laundering. 

2. The name and distinguishing tapes shall have the hook fastener sewn on the reverse on all four sides:

            a. The hook fastener shall be Tan 499. The hook fastener shall conform to Type I, Class 1 or Type II, Class 4 of A-A-55126.

            b. Foliage Green 504 fastener may be used in lieu of Tan 499 through 1 August 2010.  No exceptions will be approved. 

            c. The color of the thread for sewing the hook fastener to the tape shall be a good match to Tan 499.  Foliage Green HDB 67202 may be used in lieu of Tan 499 until

1 August 2010.  No exceptions will be approved. 

3. The insignia shall be fabricated in accordance with the details and dimensions shown on TIOH Drawing A-1-790 dated 31 March 2006.

4.  The fabric is currently available through Duro Industries, LLC, 110 Chace Street, Fall River, MA 02724.   Point of Contact is John Machado phone 508-689-1617 or email Machado_John@DUROLINK.COM

5.  Bagby Green HDD 67204 is currently available and a good match to Tan 499 will be available through American & Efird (A&E), Inc.  P. O Box 507, Mount Holly, NC 28120.  Point of contact is Max Tripp, phone 777-329-6436 or email max.tripp@amefird.com.

6.  The hook tape is available from Velcro USA, Kerri Prive (800) 225-0180, X4432 or YKK, David Goodman (610) 667-5589.

7.  This deviation shall apply to all contracted procurements until superseded or suspended by an amendment or revision to the specification. 

8.  For any questions or additional required information you may contact Sherry O’Connor at sherry.oconnor@us.army.mil or phone 703-806-4982 or the undersigned at Thomas.casciaro@us.army.mil or 703-806-4984.

                                                                        THOMAS L. CASCIARO