GAO SAYS LACK OF STANDARDIZATION IN U.S. MILITARY DRESS IS COSTING MILLIONS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 15, 1961, Associated Press reports "government accountants say failure of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines to agree on...the color of khaki*...is costing the Government millions of dollars."
The Government Accounting Office** estimates $2.8 million "is being wasted" each year "because of the lack of standardization in...apparel."
Orders have been issued, according to AP, "for the services to agree on a common design for dress shirts and wool trousers."
JFK+50 NOTE
British soldiers in India (19th century) adopted the color to blend into the dusty terrain.
*khaki is a light yellowish-brown or tan color, also a sturdy cotton or wool cloth.
*GAO, aka U.S. Government Accountability Office provides fact-based, non-partisan information, investigates federal spending & performance for the Congress.
SOURCE
"How Khaki Is Khaki? Skeptical GAO Asks," The Sunday Star, October 15, 1961, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
