Specifically female underpants for women soldiers
Women at that stage formed less than 1% of the Army and it was hoped that changes, of which this was one, would help to bolster women's participation. Prior to that women had reportedly been issued loose-fitting men's underwear, often in larger sizes; an Army spokesman said that the new "functional underwear" for female recruits would consist of "short underwear" for the summer and "long underwear" for the winter, and as with changes to other supplies, such as combat clothing, protective vests and backpacks "the focus will be on fit and functionality". As of April 2021 women's service remained voluntary.
