How to Fold an ACU

American soldiers are issued several sets of ACUs upon arrival at Basic Combat Training.

The Army Combat Uniform, which includes a jacket and trousers, is a wash-and-wear ensemble provided to all soldiers by the Department of the Army. According to DA policy, soldiers may not use detergent with brighteners or bleach, and the ACU should be dried using low heat settings. To prevent wrinkles, the DA recommends removing the ACU from the dryer as soon as the cycle is complete. Hanging the ACU from a wood or plastic hanger while it is still warm will further prevent creases and wrinkles in the garments.

Instructions

ACU Jacket

1. Hold your ACU jacket by both shoulder panels and shake it vigorously. This will help remove wrinkles from the fabric.

2. Place your ACU jacket on a flat surface with the front of the jacket facing up. Secure all hook-and-pile fasteners and zip the front closure of the jacket.

3. Grasp the left sleeve of the ACU jacket and pull it across the front of the garment, until it is flush with the right sleeve of the jacket. If you have done this correctly, the jacket will be folded in half with both sleeves touching each other.

4. Hold the cuffs of both sleeves and pull them back over the jacket, until they touch the crease you created by folding it in half.

5. Grasp the collar of the folded jacket and pull it down, until it touches the bottom of the jacket, folding it in half again.

6. Smooth wrinkles from the surface of the folded ACU jacket.

ACU Trousers

1. Shake your ACU trousers vigorously while holding them by the waistband. This helps remove wrinkles from the fabric.

2. Place the trousers on a flat surface with the button fly facing up. Secure all hook-and-pile fasteners and button, at minimum, the top button on the waistband. You may fasten the other three buttons as well.

3. Grasp one side of the waistband and fold the entire waistband over itself. Both sides of the trousers will touch one another when this is done correctly. The two trouser legs will also touch, and one will be lying atop the other.

4. Grasp the ankle closures on both trouser legs and pull them upward until they touch the waistband, folding the trousers in half.

5. Hold the newest crease in the trousers, located in the knee area. Bring the crease upward to meet the two ankle closures and the waistband by folding the trousers in half again. Smooth any wrinkles from the surface of the trousers.

References

• U.S. Army: Army Combat Uniform Ensemble