The uniform makes the man’s army
The history of military uniform design dates back to the era of Greece and Rome in the West, and to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods in China. In a battle between troops, it was necessary to wear uniforms that would distinguish between friend or foe. Colorful red capes or feathered helmets were worn to overwhelm an enemy and show rank.
Uniforms were less fancy in the age of Napoleon. At the time, they put tin buttons on military uniforms, but tin becomes unstable at a temperature of minus 13.2 degrees Celsius (8.24 degrees Fahrenheit) and breaks into pieces when the temperature drops to minus 30 degrees Celsius. That may help explain why Napoleon failed to conquer Russia: French soldiers could not tighten up their uniforms because they had broken buttons, which caused them to suffer from frostbite.
With the advent of rifles, the purpose of military uniforms changed from showing off to camouflage. When the mercenaries of the British Indian Army revolted, the British Army was at its wits end. The white uniforms of the British soldiers became easy targets for the snipers. When they could not stand it any longer, the British soldiers camouflaged themselves by rubbing dirt on their uniforms - the origin of the color khaki. (In Hindustani, “khaki” means dirt-colored.)
Military uniforms have also dictated fashion trends. Nazi guard uniforms were altered by designer Hugo Boss, and the coats that protected British soldiers from rain in the trenches became known as “trench coats.” Burberry, which designed the coat, is now common in Korea.
The military uniforms of the Korean Army have evolved from khaki to camouflage. Now, however, the Army plans to issue a new, more fashionable and individually tailored uniform to each soldier. In the age of Napoleon, young people joined the army because they loved the colorful uniforms. I wonder if Korea’s new uniforms will help build up our Army and diminish draft dodging.
*The writer is an editorial writer of the JoongAng Ilbo.
By Park Jong-kwon
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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