Uniform Updates for the Star Army of Yamatai

Here's a bodysuit concept that @Zairyo sent me.

Oh this is nice. I like this!

It looks nice, but I gotta be devil's advocate since we want the very best.

What are we after aesthetically regarding the suit though? Do we want it to share some commonality or continuity with our previous uniforms? Hell, some similarities to the Evangelion plugsuits? How bulky or lean do we want it to be, and where will all that 'decor' be? There's a number of questions, but it's worthwhile to think about, since we'll likely have this suit for quite some time should it be approved and - much more importantly - liked by players.

Regarding my own two cents though? I'd definitely like for it to have some lineage with previous uniforms and have a sleek appearance that emphasizes the wearer. Taking nods or ideas from the Eva suits would be a good idea. Any designs and components on the suit shouldn't be over-complex or detract from the character wearing it, and ideally, even add to them. Some suggestions I have would be eliminating that zip-up collar or having it go down the entire midline of the suit. Next, make the upper torso end with a triangular section at the top of the bust, with the shoulders covered by the same material at their thighs, much like with what we've had before. With the circular objects at her waist, I would suggest removing the wrap-around binders to simplify the design and avoid cluttering the wearer's silhouette. I'd also take the second set of circular - interface devices? - at her front and move them just a hint lower to draw eyes downwards.

The arms overall look quite good, but I would suggest simplifying it a bit, since it has some pointed pieces jutting out of the main part of the shoulder piece at odd angles that could potentially injure the user if hit and stays bent. I would also say that having that flexible plastoid-stuff extend down her body emphasizes that it's meant to be worn under the Mindy 4.

Keep in mind that I'm making these suggestions for a reason though;



One thing I've noticed with the Evangelion plug suits and pilot suits of various other series (that aren't dumb enough to reveal skin) is that first, they're designed to be visually appealing in one way or another, even the utilitarian ones. Second, they have a tendency to have some sort of design or coloration that draws attention to certain parts, or somehow enhance the appearance. With Mari, the one in pink, you'll notice that the color and such of her suit alternates at key points to further draw male gaze and emphasize those parts. Even the location of the white marks at her flanks outlines and follows her curves. Meanwhile, with the utilitarian suits that Tatiana and Alister wear, it's more subtle. Their harness buckles just under their chest for an example, while there's more lines in their suit which follows their curves.

Just food for thought - if anyone's got suggestions too, that'd be great I think.

I like the front zipper.

I had mentioned to Zairyo that I liked the collar on this artwork:



Source: http://bluefley.deviantart.com/art/D-a-y-d-r-e-a-m-601742537

The above image looks like a black version of the original Star Army bodysuit.

Awards updates: We have a standard "War Medal." It's my intent to replace that with a series of medals - one for each war.

Available medals would include:

• Fourth Elysian War
  
• Chaos Hive War
• Second Draconian War
• First Mishhuvurthyar War
• Second Mishhuvurthyar War

Question: Should soldiers still get the medal if they were fighting on the other side? e.g. Elysians of the SAoY who were in the ECN during the 4th Elysian War, or former NMX nekos that joined the SAoY after being captured? Also what about former UOCPF peacekeepers that had 2nd Mishhu War fighting experiences?

Generally speaking, if you use examples from IRL (of which, admittedly, there are few), you only receive medals from buddies. So even if you change sides later, unless you fought on the side that is awarding the medal during the specific conflict, you don't receive it. It's pretty common to receive medals from an allied force, but not from the force you were fighting against.

Wes said:

Question: Should soldiers still get the medal if they were fighting on the other side? e.g. Elysians of the SAoY who were in the ECN during the 4th Elysian War, or former NMX nekos that joined the SAoY after being captured? Also what about former UOCPF peacekeepers that had 2nd Mishhu War fighting experiences?

Click to expand...

Maybe allow soldiers from protectorates to wear certain devices bestowed by their local defense forces and from the lineage of contemporary precursor organizations (wearing ECN and UOCPCF campaign, valor, etc awards). Idk about Mishhu Neko, though. I feel like they'd just get the Yamatai award since they're (from) captured equipment and that the NMX/Mishhu wasn't actually conquered as a foe, unlike other former enemies.

The issue with awarding them the medal is that you're effectively awarding the enemy for fighting against you. They may have fought in the same conflict, but they weren't fighting for the same goal which the medal is commemorating.

Not to mention that a lot of Peacekeepers were traitors to the Star Army of Yamatai during those few years the UOC was around. It's a small miracle that the Star Army let so many of them back into the Star Army after the UOC was reclaimed by Yamatai, but I guess they were starved for experienced soldiers to keep fighting the Mishhu at that point.

The Star Army does allow some foreign awards to be worn (Hanako got one from the Hidden Sun Clan that she wears on her uniform) but I'm not sure the UOCPF or NMX really gave any medals out at all.

In the case of NMX Neko, is it not safe to assume that those who were captured and repatriated before the end of the war could earn a 2nd Mishhu War medal, while those who remained loyal to the NMX would either not qualify because they came to Yamatai later or just stayed with the Mishhu?

Generally seems very cut and dry: If a soldier fought for the "good guys" during a war, they might be able to wear the medal of an allied nation they earned if authorized by Star Army Command or get issued the Yamataian variant by SA-PERSCOM if what they earned is not authorized. If they never fought on the side of Yamataian justice during a particular war, then of course they are very out of luck.

Yeah, I think that's the key. If they switched side DURING and fought with the good guys, they're eligible for any award they earned. if they switched sides after, though, they're not really eligible.

The zipper isn't a bad thing, but, I think if there is one, it should be all or nothing. Either go all the way down, or not be there to begin with. One reason for this is that if the zipper only goes down a little bit, it doesn't quite serve much purpose other than aesthetics and a little wiggle room. Meanwhile, if the zipper goes down the front entirely, we at least have the option to unzip it a little for looks, in addition to making the functionality of the suit clear.

As for medals, I'll stay out of that one myself - too much going on already.

The zipper could also be covered by a flap of some kind similar to how the zippers on pants are covered. That way it's there when you need it but it won't scratch up the liner of your PA.

Nice idea, Rizzo. I like the flaps, or the ones that look sort of like a seal or seam coming up, where you can only get a good grip if you get it from the top or bottom?

Also I love the lines of the concept. Really that sort of thing or piping I love, and it would be a nice shift in appearance.

What should the Star Army's policy be on rolling up the sleeves?

Here's when I'm thinking:

• Sleeves stay down on Duty uniforms
• Sleeves can be rolled up on working uniforms in hot weather at the ship/unit commander's discretion.
  
• Sleeves can always be rolled up on coveralls as needed (for working on stuff, etc).

Sound good to you guys?

Common sense, works for me.

Is there a "proper" way to roll sleeves in the Star Army? Does the process require ironing like proper USMC cuffs? Or does the uniform need to be folded in a way in which the reverse side of the fabric doesn't show? Does the roll have to be a certain size (maximum or minimum)? Or is any roll fine as long as the fabric is secured?

Great questions. I think that rolling sleeves is pretty casual in the Star Army. The only known example I have is with the coveralls:



As you can see, the rolling is not the fancy style with the outside on the outside - it's a normal roll with the insides showing.

For the working uniform, I think it's the same but the working uniform fabric is probably the same color inside and out.

As for the roll thickness, I think the proper size is going to be "four fingers wide." (or three if you're that type of neko).

Are we counting on the roll to hold, or assuming there is a single strap for a button (and one up on the wrist) like on normal BDUs, to keep the fabric out of the way (and to keep it from unrolling) for the sake of convenience?

Neither uniform has a strap for holding rolled sleeves. The working uniform is elastic enough that it'll probably hold okay and for the coverall it'll just have to rely on thickness, I guess.