Here's a short list of the changes:1. Mandarin collar that can be worn up or down
2. Rank insignia affixed above right chest pocket
3. Velcro for wearing unit patch, skill tabs and recognition devices
4. Zippered front closure
5. Elbow pouch for internal elbow pad inserts
6. Knee pouch for internal knee pad inserts
7. Elastic leg cuff
8. Tilted chest pockets with Velcro closure
9. Three-slot pen pocket on bottom of sleeve
10. Velcro sleeve cuff closure
11. Shoulder pockets with Velcro
12. Forward tilted cargo pockets
13. Integrated blouse bellows for increased upper body mobility
14. Integrated Friend or Foe Identification Square on both left and right shoulder pocket flap.
15. Bellowed calf storage pocket on left and right leg
16. Moisture-wicking desert tan t-shirt
17. Patrol Cap with double thick bill and internal pocket
18. Improved hot-weather desert boot or temperate-weather desert boot.
I agree with no zipper and silent or no velcro. Get rid of the vanity badges (remember blood stripes). The reworked pockets look good, but the rather large IR reflective flag has got to go. The bad guys have NVG's too.
Non black boots; about time.
The pattern has promise. Green, tan and gray digital pattern designed for multiple environments. Desert, woodland and urban. I'm glad that I don't have to refit my wardrobe yet again, as my term of enlistment is up within the next year as things go now. Involuntary extensions have a way of happening though.
Ed
According to the article in the above link, the coat fastens with a zipper and the pockets and cuffs are secured with velcro. I hope the zipper is field-repairable and the velcro is the silent type.