ACU, pictured below, does look sort of faded. I understand that it is meant to be a dual purpose uniform and to be used just about anywhere, but that is the weak point I think. In dark areas it almost seems to "glow". I believe that it was designed more to be different and perhaps be less detectable to electronic means, but I think it fails miserably when trying to conceal a soldier from the naked eye. The whole point is to break up the easily recognizable human shape and make you blend in with your surroundings. The "digital" pattern doesn't look like anything out there in the real world and seems to stand out against a natural background when viewed from within 30 yards or through optics. It may work well in the desert environment and perhaps in a rural setting, but as a be-all-end-all camouflage pattern, it is failing miserably in my mind. The good side is that I am picking up tons of Woodland BDU and 3 color DCU uniforms and MOLLE II gear super cheap since it is being phased out. The bad news is that companies like Specialty Defense Systems aren't going to be making it anymore and that makes replacements and repair parts hard to find.
Bigbee, thanks for the clarification on the ACU, I knew it was something Combat Uniform, but couldn't remember exactly. I too agree that the Velcro is a bad idea. I can deal with the patches and so forth but pockets? That's just plain dumb. Apparently our black ops guys will be wearing something else and I would hope anyone behind enemy lines would have quieter gear. Besides, you can sew on a button in the field, how the hell do you fix Velcro when it wears out?