As a part of the Soldier Enhancement Program, Army members will be involved in testing potential new gear in both Hawaii and Alaska.
According to Military Times, this program is in place to help test the quality of readily available gear instead of developing new gear, saving the service time and money.
As winter approaches, servicemembers will be examining the efficiency of cold-weather gear in Alaska. Items like stoves, tentage, gloves and sleep systems will be put to the test in the freezing temperatures. According to a statement made by Col. Tim Wallace, head of the SEP, at the Association of the United States Army's annual exposition, the military branch is in dire need of quality cold-weather items. He described the Army's current inventory as "very old."
The tropical climate tests will include trying out water purification systems, uniforms made from fast-drying material, uniforms with fewer pockets and a variety of new lightweight boot designs. These new products are being tested for troops who may deploy to humid, jungle regions such as Southeast Asia, noted the source. These trials, which will be done in Hawaii, are expected to begin January 2015.