Females joining the U.S. Army are not allowed to bring their own bras in when they start training. They can only procure the approved bra which is only one style and brand. Even then, the design to make it comfortable to wear was probably an afterthought as women say it was too tight and can cause chaffing and blisters. Sometimes even finding the right bra size can also be draw of luck.

Now the U.S. Army which is more accepting of women for the various roles available, including combat role, have been working through the requirements of women to better equip them. From uniforms to combat vests, it has been developing for proper female sizes and it has now set its sights on ensuring the tactical bra is also what their women would be happy to wear and functional enough for them to meet the rigors of training and deployment.

In a report by Stripes.com, Ashley Cushon, clothing designer and project lead told Army AL&T magazine “The overall goal is to produce garments that not only protect the user, but reduce the cognitive burden on the female Soldier caused by discomfort and ill fit. Achieving this will improve the Soldier’s overall readiness and performance levels, allowing them to focus on their mission.”

Front view of the view of the four prototypes for the Army Tactical Brassiere (Photo Credit: David Kamm/U.S. Army)

Called Army Tactical Brassiere (ATB), there are four prototypes that are being developed by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center in Natick. The final concepts will be presented to the Army Uniform Board for approval this fall.

Jené Luciani-Sena, author of “The Bra Book,” was hired as a consultant on what makes a good bra early on and she stresses that there is no one size fits all bra.

Rear view of the view of the four prototypes for the Army Tactical Brassiere (Photo Credit: David Kamm/U.S. Army)

The designs all are flame-retardant protection and vary in other features, which include pullover and front-closure styles, structured and contoured seams, adjustable straps, padded cups, mesh venting and an inner dog-tag pocket. So far according to Devcom, the acceptability rating of the ATB’s performance ranges from 46% to 78% with highest-ranking attributes being coverage and support whilst comfort was listed as the lowest amongst the more than 200 participants in the project.

It’s getting there and females will surely look forward to the final approved ATB that they accept as based on their inputs. Female airsofters may also want to procure this once it is available to civilians if they want something that meets military specificattions.