= Day (before 6 p.m.) = Evening (after 6 p.m.) = Bow tie colour = Ladies = Gentlemen
101-677: The Battle Dress Uniform ( BDU ) is a camouflaged combat uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces as their standard combat uniform from the early 1980s to the mid-2000s. Since then, it has been replaced or supplanted in every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. BDU-style uniforms and derivatives still see widespread use in other countries (some of them being former U.S. surplus stocks transferred under U.S. security assistance programs), while others are still worn by some U.S. federal, state, and local law enforcement agents who may work in tactical situations, such as
202-471: A jacket , trousers and shirt or T-shirt , all cut to be looser and more comfortable than more formal uniforms. Design may depend on regiment or service branch , e.g. army , navy , air force , marines , etc. In the army branches, fabrics tend to come in camouflage , disruptive pattern or else green, brown or khaki monochrome , in order to approximate the background and make the soldier less visible in nature. In Western dress codes , field uniform
303-694: A 50/50 nylon and cotton twill blend called the Temperate Weather BDU or TWBDU. Complaints regarding the heat retention of these uniforms, especially following the invasion of Grenada in 1983, led to the introduction of the Hot Weather BDU, the HWBDU. The Hot Weather BDU coat and trousers were constructed of 100 percent ripstop cotton, in a four-color woodland camouflage pattern. However, after complaints of shorter wear and frayed cuffs, along with requirements imposed by unit commanders to starch
404-526: A British design utilized in Malaysia), or commercial "duck hunter" patterns. The general design and configuration of the U.S. BDU uniform were similar to that of the Vietnam War's jungle fatigues, which were in turn similar in configuration to specialty uniforms worn by U.S. paratroopers during World War II . First issued in limited number to garrison leaders, officers, and generals to all branches of
505-418: A budget shortage at the beginning of the 1980s, this uniform was made of much lighter but much more fragile herringbone material under the name F1. A new variant under the name F2 was introduced at the end of the eighties made of a much stronger material. F1 uniforms were mainly sent to overseas territories. In the 1980s, research results were rejected, because of the similarity to German flecktarn . In 1994,
606-576: A field uniform, commonly using khaki coveralls in the Second World War to save wear and tear on wool BD. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Canadian military adopted black coveralls which were often worn as combat dress, replacing them in the 1970s with rifle green coveralls. These were worn in the field in Canada by units in training but are also evident in photos of men deployed to West Germany during
707-443: A high nylon content, which had the potential for producing significant burns. In Canada, battledress is referred to officially as "No. 5 Operational Dress", and in general parlance as "combat uniform" or "combats". The new Canadian Disruptive Pattern uniform is commonly called "CADPAT" to diffentiate it from the previous uniform called "combat". The term combat now refers to the old monochrome (single color) combat uniform. Currently,
808-570: A lesser proportion, the standard Modèle 47 were issued in a three-colour camouflage pattern which gave the uniform the nickname tenue léopard (leopard uniform), but became better known as the TAP47 lizard pattern . It was issued in many colour variants (colourways), saw war service in Indochina and in North-Africa , and was frequently copied by nations in those areas. The last official issue
909-418: A near copy called Les (forest) and a full copy called NATO. Combat uniform A combat uniform , also called field uniform , battledress or military fatigues , is a casual type of uniform used by military , police , fire and other public uniformed services for everyday fieldwork and combat duty purposes, as opposed to dress uniforms worn in functions and parades. It generally consists of
1010-518: A new four colour camouflage called " Camouflage Central-Europe " and close to the American woodland pattern was adopted and progressively introduced for troops in ex-Yugoslavia. F2 battle dress were produced in camouflaged water repellent or herringbone material from this instant on. In 1990, desert camouflage was introduced during the Gulf War and F2 battle dress were produced in a hurried effort in
1111-471: A new print method to reduce obvious repetition, and included NIR protection. Due to the distribution situation, it was issued to eastern units only. After WW2, this became the standard camouflage pattern for the Swiss armed forces. In the 1950s, West Germany 's Bundeswehr used two versions of the wartime "splinter", a four-colour pattern called BV- Splittermuster . Thereafter, from 1961 until 1990 they used
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#17328009100951212-414: A pixelated camouflage design utilizing black, grey, off-white, blue-grey and medium blue, on 5 October 2015, to mark the service's anniversary. It also incorporates (non-pixelated) images of aircraft into the pattern. On 2 March 2022, the army unveiled its combat uniform with a new camouflage pattern, called Loreng Angkatan Darat (Army camo pattern). Units and formations within the armed forces such as
1313-762: A post-war design). Camouflaged helmet covers and shelters were issued in the 1950s in "wine leaf" and "brown cloud" patterns. The U.S. Army also tried a lesser-known camouflage uniform on D-Day and throughout the Normandy operations, like the Marine Corps uniforms, but it was replaced by the M43 uniform before being used much. During the Vietnam War , the United States Armed Forces' four-color ERDL pattern saw limited use among specialist units in
1414-475: A rectangular pocket flap that buttoned. The buttons were a "dished" style and most of the 1950s production were a dark brown color while the majority of the 1960s production were dark green. The trousers also had a simple adjustment tab on the waist that could be buttoned. The shirt and trousers were also sized in groups (Small, Medium, Large, etc.) This model was replaced in April 1963 when specifications came out for
1515-613: A red/white version for OPFOR teams during combat exercises The Australian Defence Force has, as of 2014, introduced the Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform (AMCU) for Army and Air Force personnel engaged in warlike activities, and for Air Force field exercises. There is two main variants of AMCU available to AA and RAAF troops, the Field Uniform, the standard uniform cut seen since LAND125 Phase 4. It features 2 breast pockets, an epaulette on
1616-524: A sign of elite troops and the SS continued this differentiation by using its own distinctive patterns. In 1941, during the winter on the Eastern Front , German troops were at a considerable disadvantage because they lacked winter camouflage. In 1945, a five-colour Leibermuster design was introduced. Intended to be used by all the armed forces, it was layered to improve effectiveness at distance, used
1717-541: A slightly updated version of the uniform worn during World War I. This uniform was also worn into the Korean War. Following service with the 28th Commonwealth Division in Malaya and Borneo, Australia adopted "Jungle Greens" for all field wear eventually modifying the uniform during the Vietnam War with slanted pockets and with the blouse to be worn outside of the trousers, similar to U.S. "Jungle fatigues" (the forerunner of
1818-413: A special fabric that allows soldiers to appear at the same radiation level as the surrounding terrain, thus making them more difficult to detect. It is advised not to use starch when cleaning or ironing BDUs since starch weakens the fabric and ruins the infrared protective coating. A pair of BDUs that has been starched even once should not be worn in combat. The tropical weight uniform was not as durable as
1919-683: A tan coloured "tropical" version was worn during Operation Desert Storm and by the Airborne in Somalia). The Canadian pattern combat uniform had angled pockets, designed to take magazines from the FN C1A1 battle rifle; a truly poor design of infantry load bearing equipment inspired this design – the 1964 Pattern Web Equipment had no ammunition pouches. The angled pockets are repeated on the new CADPAT uniform, though they are enlarged and not intended for ammunition carriage. The Canadian combat uniform had
2020-506: A three-colour " Daguet " desert pattern. In 2012 a redesigned Centre Europe version called T4 Serie 2 is slowly replacing the original F2 cut style. it keeps the same pattern and colors but has a wider cut for more comfort and ease of movements, it has improved pockets placement for body armor use and a more resistant fabric (Rip-Stop).The new uniform is planned in 2 different pattern : Centre Europe (Woodland) and Arid (Desert 'Daguet' style) The feldgrau (" field grey ") colouring
2121-451: Is considered equivalent to civilian casual wear . As such, field uniform is considered less formal than service dress uniform , generally aimed at office or staff use, as well as mess dress uniform , and full dress uniform . The British Indian Army in the mid 19th century were the first to use drab cotton uniforms for battle; they were first worn by the Corps of Guides in 1848 where
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#17328009100952222-507: Is intended as a multi-terrain pattern, initially for use only by German special forces. The Bundeswehr initially expressed plans for adoption by multiple divisions of the Bundeswehr to complement existing flecktarn patterns but as of 2022 this has not occurred. Unlike with its previous Flecktarn patterns the Bundeswehr has taken strict measures over its property rights and distribution control to prevent unauthorized and illegal production of
2323-532: The Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) was adopted, using a semi-pixelated tiger pattern with four soft earth tones consisting of tan, grey, green and blue. It failed, however, to incorporate many of the significant improvements of the ACU and MCCUU. By 2007, it was in current production. In 2008, responding to criticism that the new Airman Battle Uniform was too heavy and hot in high-temperature environments,
2424-544: The Ike Jacket , after General Dwight D. Eisenhower . Bush Dress was a series of dark green cotton uniforms, similar to KD clothing, which replaced those uniforms just prior to the Korean War. Like KD, Bush Dress was worn primarily as a field uniform. It was replaced by the Combat uniform in the 1960s. The green combat uniform became universal battledress in the 1960s, and was designed to be worn in any environment (though
2525-729: The Canadian Forces use the four-colour CADPAT design, a computer-generated pixelated pattern issued in TW (temperate woodland) and AR (arid region) colours. Camouflage cloth of CADPAT pattern was created and adopted in 1995, used for issue helmet covers in 1997 and trousers and blouses in CADPAT began to replace the olive green combat uniform from 2001 when Canadian forces joined the UN peacekeepers in Bosnia-Hercegovina . The AR version
2626-507: The DEA FAST and SWAT teams. The uniforms are also used by urban search and rescue groups such as FEMA USAR task force teams and firefighting agencies when conducting technical rescues or other special operations. As late as 2014, BDUs were worn by officers of the U.S. Public Health Service as the prescribed uniform for deployment, but have since been replaced by a variant of the U.S. Coast Guard's Operational Dress Uniform . While
2727-516: The Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM), which was adopted in 1984. This pattern is sometimes called "Loreng Malvinas ". Aside from general combat uniforms of the national armed forces, each branch also has its own specific camouflage pattern. Around the middle of 2011, the navy adopted a new camouflage design for ship crews. The design is known locally as Loreng Layar , or "sailing camouflage". The Air Force officially adopted
2828-829: The Italian Army was the first military organization to issue camouflage clothing, albeit in limited numbers, the Germans were noted for their efforts in this field before the Second World War. After much trial, the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (abbrev. OKW) authorized Heeres-Splittermuster 31 , more commonly known as " splinter pattern ", for use in shelter-quarters ( Zeltbahnen ) in the 1930s. In 1940, SS-Verfügungstruppe (abbrev. SS-VT; renamed Waffen-SS ) designed, tested, and issued its own distinctive patterns and layout not long after. The United States Marine Corps received its first military camouflage pattern in 1942, when
2929-599: The Kopassus , Raider Infantry , Kostrad , Marine Corps , Kopaska and Paskhas have their own distinctive camouflage pattern designs for their field uniforms which resemble their identity, but are only worn during special occasions such as military parades . Members of the armed forces who are assigned to the Garuda Contingent wear a desert variant of the DPM camouflage pattern. There's an arctic blue camo for
3030-532: The M-65 jacket were issued in the new camouflage pattern in time, including a new light brown T-shirt and black webbed belt with brass buckle. The BDU was the first camouflage uniform approved by the U.S. Army since the Vietnam War, where the ERDL pattern was in limited use. The BDU soon replaced all earlier camouflage pattern uniforms for all wooded, jungle, and tropical environments, and by 1989, had completely replaced
3131-609: The MultiCam camouflage, which is in use today mainly by the public, public service persons, and some foreign military units. BDUs can be purchased from civilian vendors in the UCP pattern analogous to the ACU as well, but these are not authorized for wear by the U.S. Army's soldiers. The development of modern camouflage patterns and the rising desire of the various U.S. military branches to differentiate themselves from each other has resulted in new patterns for uniforms. The U.S. Marine Corps
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3232-773: The Second World War , initially only issued to "elite" units and then gradually to all armed forces. In British English, battledress is often the preferred name. In American English , the term fatigues has often been used by the Army, or "utilities" by the Marines, originally being a term for work uniforms. Now, the term BDUs ("battle dress uniforms") is the more often-used term. Australia generally followed British-style uniforms for its Armed forces, however did not adopt British Battledress during World War II, unlike other Commonwealth countries. Instead Australia continued to use
3333-728: The U.S. Army , though most were issued the solid olive green OG107 sateens or jungle fatigues, while the Marines adopted the pattern service-wide after 1968. The ERDL pattern fatigues were identical in cut to the third-pattern OD jungle fatigues, and were available in both a highland pattern (more brown) and a lowland pattern (more green), though the lowland pattern was eventually phased out. Other, unofficial, patterns utilized in Vietnam included black-dyed or spray-painted jungle fatigues, often used by special purpose forces, and various Vietnamese Tigerstripe patterns (themselves being based on French Army airborne and Foreign Legion patterns and
3434-504: The 1960s with a new combat dress, a set of olive drab garments more similar to the American style of combat wear (i.e. made up of layers and solely for wear in the field as opposed to all-purpose wool Battle Dress). Canadian pattern Service Dress worn by other ranks did not stand up to the rigors of campaigning, however, and was widely replaced by British uniforms in France; some samples of Canadian pattern SD were retained in Canada, and after
3535-513: The ACU for years by then). The Army Junior ROTC followed suit thereafter in 2009. The original version of the ACU used a pixelated "digital" pattern known as the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP). UCP is similar to MARPAT but uses more neutral, less saturated colors. The neutral colors, primarily foliage green and sand yellow, are designed to work best in the desert, woodland, and urban combat situations. The ACU in UCP
3636-621: The Airman Battle Uniform and Army Combat Uniform in place of the BDU (and its cousin DCU) after it was replaced. From 2004 to 2007, the U.S. Navy began issuing a pixelated blue and gray "digital" pattern Navy Working Uniform (NWU) in limited quantities to some sailors on an experimental test basis. While the NWU is neither a tactical uniform nor a battle dress uniform, it is intended to take
3737-563: The Army air force, and a green and brown forest camo with splotches of electric blue for the Army Air Defence Force. The Italian Army used grigio-verde in the Alps from 1906 and across the army from 1909. In 1929, the country was the first to mass-produce camouflage fabric, the three-colour telo mimetico pattern. It was initially used as shelter halves, and not issued as uniform until 1942. OG-107 The OG-107
3838-507: The Battle Dress uniform was adopted as a field uniform; made of wool and patterned after British BD, Canadian uniforms were darker in color with a distinctive green tinge to the dark khaki color. Officers had the option of having BD tailored from better material, but in the field most wore "off the rack" BD, perhaps with a modified open collar. Battle Dress was worn in 1939 and into 1940 by soldiers in Canada as field dress, and afterward
3939-687: The Civil Air Patrol announced the USAF's approval for the Civil Air Patrol to begin its transition to the Airman Battle Uniform. On May 14, 2018, the Air Force announced the adoption of the Army's Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform; however, its insignia would be distinct. The transition was to be complete by April 1, 2021. The U.S. Coast Guard has introduced the new Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) uniform in 2004 to replace
4040-614: The Coast Guard aboard privately owned watercraft), with the ODU black belt and blackened buckle being worn with the metal tip two to four inches from the buckle. The ODU is also issued in a single blue color as opposed to any camouflage pattern. The BDU and DCU were formally retired by the USCG in 2012. The dark blue Coast Guard unit baseball -style cap is worn with this uniform. The ODU also has all of its allowable insignia sewn on, eliminating
4141-489: The Cold War, as armoured and mechanized units sometimes preferred to wear coveralls when carrying out maintenance. Special patterns of AFV uniform were also worn beginning in the Second World War, initially black coveralls, later khaki coveralls as well as the padded "Pixie suit". Olive drab tanker's uniforms were adopted with the combat uniform in the 1960s, including a distinctive padded jacket with angled front zip. From
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4242-569: The EGA being used by the end of the BDU's tenure with the USMC. The EGA was ironed onto the BDU blouse pocket by USMC recruits at the end of MCRD upon completion of their training to signify their christening as U.S. Marines. The same was done on the eight-pointed " utility cover " hat that was worn with the USMC's version of the BDU. The BDU's successor, the MCCUU, has the EGA embroidered instead of stenciled on
4343-545: The French army decided to replace the bleu horizon with khaki. Because of large surplus stocks built up during the war, this measure was not fully effective until 1937. However, during the Phoney War of 1939-40 some third-line troops were still equipped with bleu horizon uniforms. After the defeat, the French army went on wearing 1940 uniforms, in particular in the armée d'Afrique (Army of Africa). Some new equipment
4444-528: The MCCUU. USMC Special Operations units ( MARSOC ) have recently issued M81 woodland-patterned uniforms to supplement MARPAT uniforms for special missions. In 2004, the U.S. Army unveiled the Army Combat Uniform (ACU), its successor to the BDU. From late 2005 to early 2008, the U.S. Army undertook the process of replacing the BDU with the ACU, with the BDU being formally discontinued by the Army in April 2008 (though most soldiers had been wearing
4545-617: The Research Institute of materials and property of the Bundeswehr ( Wehrwissenschaftliche Institut für Werk- und Betriebsstoffe – WIWeB) on a new pattern designated Multitarn as a potential replacement for flecktarn . The pattern is a six-color fleck pattern with similar colors to Crye Precision MultiCam which has seen widespread adoption by many international special forces including the Bundeswehr Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK). The pattern
4646-795: The Second World War, Canadians serving in Jamaica and Hong Kong wore Canadian pattern KD; the I Canadian Corps troops in Italy wore KD supplied in theatre by the British, generally of British, Indian or US (War Aid) manufacture. Worn in tropics far beyond 1949. KD was still in issue and worn with either short or long trousers as parade dress. Jacket was replaced with shirt for normal barrack dress wear. Worn by all British units in Kenya until Dec 1964. Also in issue and worn by British Honduras Garrison and attached Infantry Company Group until at least 1968. In 1939,
4747-454: The Type I or III. The "Type III" is the most common model and can be split into two versions based on the time of manufacture and material. A winter field uniform made of heavier weight wool (or wool–nylon blend) was also introduced in 1951. The shirt featured a different shoulder construction with raglan sleeves , while the trousers had all interior pockets, in contrast to the patch pockets in
4848-517: The U.S. Battle Dress Uniform ) which also first appeared in Vietnam. The modified JGs were colloquially called the "Pixie suit." JGs were worn through the 1970s and until the adoption of Australia's own camouflage pattern called Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform (more commonly called DPCU or Auscam) introduced from 1982. There was also multiple patterns based off DPCU, including the Disruptive Pattern Desert Uniform, and
4949-546: The U.S. Armed Forces in September 1981 for replacement of the long worn and aging Olive Drab colored uniforms or OG-107 , the following month, the Battle Dress Uniform began field issue military-wide. Since 1981, changes included the addition and subsequent elimination of buttoned waist adjustment tabs, the size reduction of the collar, and refinements in stitching and fit. BDUs were initially only issued in
5050-584: The USAF's 648th Aeronautical Systems Squadron at Brooks City-Base revealed plans to switch to a lighter, more breathable fabric for the combat blouse section of the ABU. The original heavyweight nylon-cotton blend was changed to a lighter-weight nylon-cotton poplin material. Priority will go to those serving in the Middle East or other hot-weather theaters. On May 4, 2016, the National Commander of
5151-469: The USMC's BDUs, which was officially referred to by the USMC as a "camouflage utility uniform" (CCU) during its usage. However, in October 1991, the USMC began the wearing of nametapes on their BDUs (and DCUs and DBDUs) in order to comply with NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG), becoming mandatory by 1 October 1992. In the USMC's case, a nametape bearing the wearer's last name was worn embroidered above
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#17328009100955252-580: The all-cotton uniform for parade, the Enhanced Hot Weather BDU (EHWBDU) replaced the HWBDU commencing in 1996. The EHWBDU's components are made with a 50/50 ripstop nylon and cotton poplin blend. BDUs were printed with infrared-brightened dyes. Near infrared (NIR) Signature Management Technology is used in the uniforms to help prevent detection by NIR image converters . These photocathode devices do not detect temperatures, but rather infrared radiation variances. NIR-compliant uniforms use
5353-434: The blouse's chest pocket and all covers. The U.S. Air Force initially only issued ERDL BDUs to combat arms units stationed overseas, such as United States Air Force Security Forces , Combat Controllers , and United States Air Force Pararescue , as of October 1981, the same time as the Army and Marines. The Air Force did not allow non-combat arms to wear the woodland pattern BDU until the summer of 1987 and mandated them as
5454-514: The chance of puncture wounds created by the pins if the individual suffers a blow to the chest while wearing a PFD or body armor. The ODU is not intended to be worn by Coast Guard units that engage in combat operations or are deployed overseas. These units continued to wear older woodland BDU and DCU uniforms before adopting the Navy Work Uniform for USCG units overseas or part of other DoD operations. Russia - MVD Internal Troops wore
5555-531: The chest, a pocket on either upper sleeve (where a unit patch and flag are attached with hook and loop fasteners), two front trouser pockets, 2 side zip pockets and a pocket to slip in kneepads. The AMCU Field variant is worn by the army as barracks dress. The second variation is the AMCU Combat Uniform. It features a knitted section around the torso for breathability under body armour, and 2 slanted sleeve pockets along with reduced amounts of pockets on
5656-529: The cognizance of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command used "M81" woodland BDUs (referred to by the navy as CCUs) and DCUs for outdoor operations or activities in specific areas of responsibility (AOR), until the issuance of the NWU Type III in the AOR camouflage pattern. In 2004 and 2005, the U.S. Air Force experimented with but rejected a blue-toned tigerstripe uniform. In 2006, a new BDU-style uniform called
5757-456: The color of desert terrain varies, and can range from pink to blue, depending on the minerals in the soil and the time of the day. Since patches of uniform color in the desert are usually 10 times larger than those in wooded areas, it was decided to alter the existing six-color DBDU pattern. This led to the development of a three-color pattern DCU, which was adopted. The BDU is made in various camouflage patterns by various manufacturers, such as in
5858-554: The colour of drab light-brown uniform was called khaki by Indian troops. The first purpose-made and widely issued contemporary military camouflage fabric was for half-shelters by the Italian Army after the First World War . Germany was the first to use such shelter fabric for uniforms for their paratroopers , and by the war's end both various German as well as the older Italian fabric was widely used for camouflage uniforms. Most nations developed camouflage uniforms during
5959-553: The cotton uniform. The different material was given the color code OG-108. When worn in the field, the wool uniform was intended as an insulating layer worn under the M-1951 field jacket (later replaced by the revised M-1965 field jacket ) and a pairs of cotton shell trousers with cargo pockets. The wool uniform remained authorized until the mid 2000s. This was a unique and rare version of the Type II worn by Air Force Strategic Air Command Titan , Minuteman and Peacekeeper missile combat crews , along with Transient Alert crews over
6060-451: The course of two decades. Introduced around 1967, these dark blue two-piece fatigues were designated "Shirt, Man's, Cotton, Blue AF (Air Force), Shade 1577, Class 2" or "Man's Missile Combat Crew Alert AF Blue shade 1549". Due to their color, they were commonly referred to as "Crew blues". The blue-on-white name tapes used in the mid-1960s were retained for this uniform. A unique badge with the Air Force shield and 'COMBAT CREW' embroidered on it
6161-519: The latter of which became "ceremonial" dress for parades and other functions apart from field training. Until well into the Cold War era, the Canadian Army had worn battle dress uniforms similar to their British and Commonwealth counterparts, though with different national identifiers and regimental accoutrements (with Khaki Drill uniforms being worn in the summer or in tropical regions). In the early 1950s, battle dress began to be replaced with lightweight uniforms, at first Bush Dress for summer wear, and in
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#17328009100956262-432: The long sleeve shirt is the most common. Missileers typically wore them when on duty in the Launch Control Center , though the popular MA-1 Flight Jacket was also worn as the capsule was usually somewhat cold. The 'Crew Blues' would later be replaced by a blue flight suit beginning in the mid-1990s. The US Army Tropical Combat Uniform (TCU), officially the M1967 Jungle Utility Uniform, commonly called "jungle fatigues",
6363-416: The mid-1960s. There were three basic models or "patterns" for the cotton sateen OG-107 Utility Uniform: The first "Type I" model was introduced in 1952 and remained virtually unchanged through its 10-year production run. The shirt featured a sleeve with no true cuff or buttons; it was simply a straight sleeve with a simple hem at the cuff. The shirt's two chest pockets and the trousers rear two pockets had
6464-594: The middle of the 19th century until the end of the Second World War, French field uniforms for dismounted troops were based on a kind of universal long coat called the capote and breeches, both made of woollen serge. For line infantry this greatcoat was worn buttoned back from the legs when on the march. Until the end of 1914 the capote was produced in dark blue cloth and the breeches were red ( pantalon rouge ). These highly visible uniforms were replaced in early 1915 by light blue/grey ( bleu horizon ) uniforms for metropolitan troops and khaki for colonial troops. In 1921,
6565-417: The only "Fatigue" uniform in 1988. The BDU was no longer authorized for wear in the USAF on November 1, 2011. Sailors of the United States Navy started issuing the BDU in the new woodland scheme and temperate cut at the same time as the other branches. The U.S. Navy referred to the uniform as the "Camouflage Utility Uniform" (CUU) during its usage. Coast Guardsmen started issuing the new woodland BDU around
6666-401: The pattern outside the Bundeswehr's authorized contractors. In the Indonesian National Armed Forces , the combat uniform is known as "PDL" ( Pakaian Dinas Lapangan ; translated as Field uniform), and is categorized into five types, PDL I (No. 1), PDL II (No. 2), PDL II A (No. 2A), PDL III (No. 3), and PDL IV (No. 4). The general combat uniform of the Indonesian National Armed Forces uses
6767-526: The place of many existing work ensembles (utilities, wash khaki, coveralls, M81 BDU, etc.). The disruptive pattern is primarily intended to complement U.S. Navy ship colors and to hide stains and wear, and supposedly to make the wearer a less obvious visual target for hostile forces while working aboard a naval vessel in port. To meet the Navy's cold-weather requirements, the NWU includes a fleece jacket, pullover sweater, and parka options. U.S. Navy SEALs, Seabees, and other U.S. Navy personnel deployed ashore under
6868-421: The preference of the local commander. The trousers were straight leg pants intended to be bloused (tucked in) into boot tops with two simple patch pockets in the front with slash openings and two simple patch pockets on the back with a button flap. If sufficiently hot and humid, especially in hot climates like in Vietnam, troops could be permitted to roll up the sleeves and unblouse the trousers. The OG-107 uniform
6969-451: The reversible, beach-jungle, three- and five-color frog-skin pattern uniform was issued, based on a 1940 trial design. The pattern was mostly employed in the Pacific Theatre but was not found to be particularly effective and in the European Theatre the pattern was withdrawn altogether in 1944—in part because of anticipated friendly fire incidents after D-Day , due to its similarity to the Waffen SS's pattern (not to be confused with Flecktarn ,
7070-419: The right pocket, and a nametape reading "U.S. MARINES" being embroidered was worn above the left pocket. The MCCUU which replaced the BDU continues this. The USMC's BDU was worn with a stenciled iron-on Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (EGA) centered on the wearer's left breast pocket, below the pocket flap. Early USMC BDUs featured "USMC" lettering below that EGA, however, that was discontinued later on, with only
7171-400: The same design as the British 1937 pattern. The French army introduced a new woolen serge model in 1946 looking like the British 1937 pattern but with exposed buttons. Although it was intended to be a field uniform, it was mainly used as a winter walking-out uniform until the late 1950s. However, the armée de l'air used it in its dark blue version, until 2010. A proper cotton combat uniform
7272-530: The same time as the other service branches. The U.S. military has run trials of many camouflage patterns (some being used by foreign militaries), and issued environment-specific uniforms, notably the six-color Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU), nicknamed the "chocolate chip camouflage", designed in 1962, and the " nighttime desert grid " (NCDBDU). Both uniforms were used in 1991, during the Persian Gulf War . These Desert BDUs were discontinued after
7373-501: The second model. The "Type II" was specified for production in April 1963 and had several slight variations from the Type I. The only change of any real significance was the "clipping" of the pocket flaps on the shirt, so that they no longer appeared rectangular. As with the Type I, the shirt and trousers were also sized in groups. Due to the limited production time before the Type III was specified, these were not seen nearly as often as
7474-452: The so-called olive-green battle dress. Following various trials, the dots-and-blotches five-colour Flecktarn pattern was chosen in 1976 and issued from the mid-1980s. Reserve forces remained in old olive-green battle dress as late as 1994. East Germany 's Nationale Volksarmee first pattern was the 1956 Russisches Tarnmuster based, as the name suggests, on the Soviet "amoeba" designs. It
7575-498: The standard olive drab uniforms that had been used since 1952. April 30, 2008 was the final day that the BDU was authorized. The BDU was worn by DoD civilians and DoD Police officers. The ERDL-patterned BDU was first introduced to the United States Marine Corps in 1977, as they phased out the olive green OG-107 , which had been standard wear since the early 1950s. Originally, no nametapes were worn with
7676-459: The standard uniform throughout the 1960s and 1970s. This is one of the longest issued uniforms by the US Military , seeing use from 1952 until the adoption of the woodland-patterned camouflage Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) as the armed-forces-wide replacement beginning in 1981 and being completed by 1989. Minor modifications were made to the uniform over time such as adding buttoned cuff slits in
7777-419: The temperate weight uniform. The tropical uniform would only last for 4–6 months of use when rotating four uniforms for duty, while the temperate uniform would last over a year under the same conditions. All United States Army soldiers formally received their first batches of the BDU as its new field and garrison uniform in the temperate weight cut on October 1, 1981. In addition, Patrol caps, Boonie hats, and
7878-569: The trousers to increase dexterity and breathability. The first true battledress adopted by Canada for standard issue across the board was the khaki field uniform known as Service Dress, adopted in 1907. This was of a separate pattern from the British Service Dress adopted after the Boer War, and marked a departure in Canadian uniforms in that it was distinct from the scarlet/blue/rifle green uniforms traditionally worn to that point,
7979-466: The war, surviving to be issued briefly in 1939. Officers wore a distinctive pattern of Service Dress (as did Warrant Officers I Class), which was identical to that worn by British officers; they were privately purchased, and of better quality than other ranks uniform. In combat in France and Flanders, they were often replaced on an individual basis by other ranks' Service Dress, making the officer less conspicuous to enemy snipers and soldiers. Khaki Drill
8080-590: The war. The Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) in three-color desert camouflage was introduced in 1992, and was utilized in operations in Somalia (1993); it was in service in Afghanistan and Iraq from the start of hostilities, but the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps have both replaced the DCU with newer uniforms ( ACU and MCCUU , respectively). In testing, U.S. Army researchers found that, as in other environments,
8181-432: The winter and summer "Undress Duty" uniform. Resembling the BDU, the ODU retains the basic design of the old-style BDU uniforms, but with the lower pockets on the blouse being eliminated. The sleeves can be worn "folded up" in a manner similar to the old U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force BDUs and the trousers "bloused" into the boots (unless boating shoes are worn, as is common for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary , which patrols for
8282-464: Was a series of different uniform patterns of light khaki cloth, generally cotton, first worn by Canadian soldiers in the Boer War and reserved for summer training in Canada, or for employment in tropical climates. Canada developed its own pattern after the First World War, and the uniform was commonly worn in Canada, with officers again having the option of finer garments privately purchased. In
8383-720: Was adopted by the German Empire in 1910. Nazi Germany funded a great deal of research on camouflage uniforms, investigating many patterns including NIR camouflage. After much trial the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht , in 1938, issued the basic four-colour "plane tree" pattern ( Platanenmuster ) of Schick and Schmid in the form of camouflage smocks to units of the Waffen SS . The three-colour disruptive Splittermuster , more commonly known in English as 'splinter pattern',
8484-768: Was also issued to Canadian troops serving in the Western Sahara with the UN Mission (MINURSO) during 1992–1993. Specialised battledress was developed primarily during the Second World War, including the Denison smock – originally for parachutists but also adopted by snipers. Specialized jump clothing was perpetuated by the Canadian Airborne Regiment who wore distinctive disruptive-pattern jump smocks from 1975 until disbandment in 1995. The Canadian Army has made extensive use of plain coveralls as
8585-535: Was also used by several other countries, including ones that received military aid from the United States. All versions of the OG-107 shared several basic design features. They were made out of an 8.5 ounce cotton sateen . The shirt consisted of a button front and two simple patch pockets on the upper chest that closed by means of a buttoned flap. It could be tucked in or worn outside the trousers depending on
8686-506: Was introduced by Vichy for the "armistice army" limited to 100,000 soldiers on French soil. The old French uniforms were progressively replaced in the Free French forces by much more modern British or American uniforms, which were progressively withdrawn but still in use until the end of the fifties. The first French battledress was introduced in 1945 and was made of a heavy cotton duck, sometimes taken from old German stocks and based on
8787-461: Was introduced in 1947 (Modèle 47) based on a jacket inspired by the US 1943 pattern and loose trousers with two big cargo pockets on each side of the thighs. The same year, a special uniform, also called Modèle 47 was issued to airborne units composed of a large jacket with two breast and two hip cargo pockets. Originally, both "Modèle 47"s were issued in khaki. From 1951 on, the paratroopers' uniform and, in
8888-610: Was introduced in 1952 during the Korean War . It became the standard for use both in the United States and on overseas deployment by the beginning of the Vietnam War . As the Tropical Combat Uniform (jungle fatigues) became more plentiful in South Vietnam , they began to replace the OG-107 uniform in combat units. In the United States and foreign postings (outside of Southeast Asia ), the OG-107 remained
8989-545: Was introduced midway through the war, a blurry marsh pattern [ de ] ( Sumpfmuster ) referred to as "tan water pattern" in English by collectors. During the war, additional SS variants including "palm", "smoke", and "oak leaf" were introduced, in spring and autumn colours. By 1944 the complex "peas" pattern ( Erbsenmuster ) was also used by the Waffen SS issued as standard, in tunic and trouser combinations, but never in smocks or caps. Initially, camouflage had been
9090-620: Was introduced when Canadian troops were deployed to Afghanistan . Previously, a tan version of the olive combats had been used for tropical wear by soldiers deployed to the Middle East, particularly during Operation Desert Storm and were to be worn by the Canadian Airborne Regiment (Cdn Ab Regt) for the (subsequently canceled) deployment the Western Sahara in 1991. They were later worn by the Cdn Ab Regt during their deployment to Somalia . The TAN colored combat uniform
9191-489: Was issued to the army beginning before the war, in the form of camouflaged tent quarters ( zeltbahn ) which was reversible, with a splinter pattern in dark colours on one side, and light coloured on the other. From 1942, a year after the Luftwaffe started producing jump smocks in this pattern, a variety of helmet covers and camouflage smocks were adopted for the army. A distinctive variant of splinter pattern camouflage
9292-425: Was issued to troops fighting in the Vietnam War beginning in 1964. It initially used the same OG-107 color as the standard utility uniform, but was of a different design and construction. Made out of lighter weight cotton poplin, the uniform consisted of trousers with cargo pockets on each leg and a bush jacket -style top with slanted chest pockets and two lower pockets. The uniform was revised multiple times during
9393-407: Was no longer issued except to a select few. While a new pattern of Service Dress was introduced for Other Ranks in this period, it was reserved for dress wear only. Battle Dress completely replaced SD as a field uniform beginning in 1940 as enough of the new uniforms became available. A new pattern of BD was introduced in 1949, with an open collar matching that of British Pattern 1949 BD. The garment
9494-607: Was replaced by the Modèle 1964. On another side, the camouflaged uniform was still in use by the French forces in overseas territories until the end of the 1980s; a huge quantity of them was then handed over to Portugal and Israel. The French army received a new standard battle dress in 1964, roughly based on the principles of the 1947 pattern, but much closer to the body, with zipped breast pockets and made of water repellent grey-green infrared proof material called Satin 300 to protect soldiers against nuclear and chemical agents. Because of
9595-481: Was soon replaced by the four-colour Flächentarnmuster pattern (sometimes called "potato" or "splotch"). In 1965, the dense straight-line two-colour Strichmuster pattern was introduced, sometimes called " ein Strich – kein Strich ", it remained in use until reunification. Flecktarn was made the pattern for the unified country in 1990. Tropentarn is the desert variant of Flecktarn. In 2016, tests were conducted by
9696-595: Was the 1956 variant, but its use continued until the end of the war in Algeria. The tenue léopard was a symbol of elite units and was issued only to Foreign Legion and French airborne units. Therefore, it was withdrawn in 1962—officially, to give a standard uniform to the whole of the French army but, less officially, to punish those elite troops which had not behaved well during the conflict . The Modèle 1947 paratroopers uniform continued to be produced in grey-green material (water repellent and herringbone) until 1969, when it
9797-479: Was the basic work and combat utility uniform (fatigues) of all branches of the United States Armed Forces from 1952 until its discontinuation in 1989. The designation came from the U.S. Army 's coloring code " Olive Green 107", which was the shade of dark green used on the original cotton version of the uniform. The OG-107 was superseded by the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) throughout the 1980s, and
9898-518: Was the first branch to replace their BDUs. The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) uses the computer-generated MARPAT pattern and several other enhancements. It was approved for wear in June 2001, became available for purchase in 2002, and the changeover was completed by October 1, 2004. Beyond that date, the BDU was authorized for wear until April 1, 2005, with limited exceptions for those small numbers of Marine Corps personnel who did not yet have
9999-589: Was used by the army in all environments except for areas with snow , as the UCP pattern works poorly against white despite the heavy use of grey. An all-white BDU and the ECWCS are used instead for winterized warfare. Beginning in 2014, the Army switched the ACU to use the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP), as UCP was seen as inadequate in many environments. Civilian employees of the U.S. Department of Defense in combat zones began wearing
10100-530: Was worn above the right name tape. The wing and squadron insignia were worn on the left and right sleeves respectively, and the Strategic Air Command patch and missile badge worn on the right and left pockets. They were typically worn with an ascot scarf by the missile launch crews, with the color varying by squadron - instructors at Vandenberg Air Force Base wore yellow or orange scarves. Short-sleeve fatigue shirts were occasionally worn, though
10201-661: Was worn as a field dress throughout the Korean War, and into the 1960s until replaced by the Combat uniform. Some Militia units used BD as a dress uniform until the early 1970s. The US Army produced its own version of the BD blouse for issue to soldiers in Europe. Although most of these were produced in England, they were of a dark green color, rather than khaki. Called the ETO ( European Theater of Operations ) jacket, American soldiers dubbed it
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