Survivability, Sustainability, Safety - not the typical words associated with a fashion or clothing designer, but they are the foundation of the Army's Design, Pattern & Prototype team's creations at Natick Soldier Research Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC). These civilian Design Engineers research, develop, prototype, and improve the Army's combat clothing. In fact, many of the Army's civilian occupational series 0062 Clothing Designers are members of the Production, Quality and Manufacturing (PQM) acquisition career field.
Education and experience for this group of careerists range from Bachelors degrees in Fashion Design and Fine Arts to industry experience in illustration, sportswear, collegiate instructional design, bridal and haute couture. This wide range of experience and the desire to support the warfighter allows the group to design and develop field, combat and ballistic clothing, chemical/biological protection, dress uniforms, and cold weather clothing and gear.
Designers at NSRDEC are involved in both design and development, which makes their skillset very unique in the fashion and design industry. Ideal candidates are individuals with education in Fashion & Apparel Design and competencies in illustration, pattern making and grading, construction techniques and Computer Aided Design (CAD). According to Annette LaFleur, design supervisor at NSRDEC, "not only do they have to create aesthetically pleasing pieces, they must also understand form, fit and function at a high level."
This unique skillset requirement along with general lack of awareness about design opportunities within the Army poses recruiting challenges. Outreach relationships between the Army and colleges and universities is paramount to the continued success of this program. Additionally, as the Army continues to position itself for the future, the supporting functions continue to evolve as well. In the textile field, the Army anticipates the incorporation of more "smart textiles and garments, 3D printing of textiles, and advanced thinking on manufacturing techniques."
The result is an Army that is prepared to fight on any battlefield, ensuring the Warfighter has the most optimized clothing and protection available. NSRDEC's Design, Pattern & Prototype Team's ultimate goal is to focus on clothing and protection readiness so the Warfighter can focus on the mission. This is why the Army Career Program 16 (CP-16) Engineers & Scientists (Non-Construction) Proponency Office is working with Army Commands to develop and execute innovative outreach and recruitment strategies for these and other engineering and scientific skillsets required for the future fight.
For more information on the career program management for engineers and scientists (non-construction), contact the CP-16 Proponency Office at usarmy.redstone.usamc.mbx.army-cp16-pmo@mail.mil or (256) 450-8781
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