History and Evolution of U.S. Uniform Camouflage
06/21/2022
Uniform Camouflage
What is Camouflage?
Camouflage (camo) is a term used to describe the concealment or disguise or something. Camo is used to break up the shape, pattern, and any resemblance to an object by using different coloration, materials, or illumination.
Defined by Merriam-Webster as:
"
1: the disguising especially of military equipment or installations with paint, nets, or foliage
2 a: concealment by means of disguise
b: behavior or artifice designed to deceive or hide
“
Brief History on Early Use of Camouflage
The use of camo dates back all the way to the 4th century when ships were painted a bluish green, like the sea, during the Gallic Wars. As longer-ranged weapons were introduced, the need for camo became needed for infantry troops. During the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), Rogers’ Rangers wore gray or green uniforms to help blend into their surroundings. The use of camo for infantry continued into the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) by the British, who utilized green camouflage. During the Peninsular War, Portugal Caçadores (hunters) were elite light infantry. They wore brown jackets to conceal themselves in Portuguese regions, which were in general, more arid than the landscapes of Europe. During the Spanish-American war in 1898, U.S. troops would smear mud on their uniforms to help blend in with their surroundings more. The first use of the general drab uniform was by the British Corps of Guides in India (1848). These would eventually become the standard issued Khaki-colored uniforms. The U.S. Army also adopted the “khaki drab” uniform from the British soldiers in India.
Portugal Caçadores during the Peninsular War
British forces in WWI wearing a standard light-brown uniform
History of U.S. Camouflage
WWII/40’s:
The use of camo continued and developed through the first World War, second World War, Vietnam and into present day. The use of camo for uniforms to conceal troops greatly developed in World War II. During World War II most of the U.S. forces wore olive or khaki drab colors. The “frog skin” camo was also created during WWII, which was used in the Pacific Theatre by U.S. Marines and in Vietnam as helmet covers.
(Photo: warhistoryonline.com)
82nd Airborne troops wearing drab colored uniforms during WWII.
(Photo: Time Magazine)
Marines wearing the "Frogskin" camo during the Pacific Theatre.
50’s-60’s:
During the Vietnam war, the color of the U.S. uniform stayed roughly like that of the WWII uniform. It was an olive or dark green color. Some specialized units like the U.S. Special Forces and Navy SEALs wore the "tiger stripe" camouflage uniform to blend in with the local fighting forces. It wasn't really until after the Vietnam war that U.S. forces began to add more patterns to their uniforms.
Olive Drab uniform used in Vietnam by conventional U.S. forces during the Vietnam war (1955-1975)
(Photo: John Stryker Meyer)
MACV-SOG wearing TigerStripe uniforms.
Navy SEALs wearing TigerStripe camo.
70’s-80’s
During the 70’s, a new camo was created. This would become “M81/Woodland”, the standard issue camo for all branches in the U.S. military. “Woodland” would be officially introduced as the BDU (battle dress uniform). It was made up of green, brown, black, and khaki. It saw action during the Grenada Invasion, The Panama Invasion, and the Gulf War. Woodland is still used today by Special Forces and Marine Special Operators.
(Photo: US Army National Archives)
U.S. troops wearing the BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) in the 80’s.
U.S. Marine Corps Special Operator wearing M81 Woodland camo pattern.
90’s-00’s
A desert camouflage was created and utilized during the Gulf War and had a six-color desert shade pattern. This was dubbed the “chocolate chip” cammie, which was utilized during the early 90’s. A second desert camouflage uniform was created in ’92 which replaced the chocolate chip pattern. This pattern was a three-color or “tri-color” uniform. It is made up of khaki green, tan, and brown. This became the Desert Camouflage Uniform or DCU.
U.S. troops in the Six-Color Desert Pattern also known as the “Chocolate Chip” camouflage pattern created in the early 80’s and used in the Gulf War (1991-1992)
U.S. soldiers in the Tri-Color Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) (1990’s)
In 2004, the Army issued a new camo uniform, known as the Universal Camouflage Pattern or UCP. It was made up of green, tan, and grey digital patterns. This pattern is known to the U.S. Army as the worst camouflage uniform, due to its ability to blend into many of the environments that it was utilized in.
(Photo: US Army)
U.S. Soldier wearing the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) (early-mid 2000’s)
The U.S. Navy utilized a blue colored camouflage pattern, made up of different blues in a digital pattern like the UCP uniform. This was dubbed the “blueberry” or the Navy Working Uniform “NWU” Type I.
(Photo: US Naval Institute)
U.S. Sailors wearing the U.S. Navy Working Uniform (NWU) Type I (early-mid 2000’s)
The Marine Corps developed two camo patterns to call their own. They issued a desert and a woodland pattern. Both patterns are made up of shades desert or woodland colors with a digital pattern, like the UCP uniform. The Marine Corps camo patterns are known as MARPAT or Marine Pattern.
(Photo: Richard Walker)
U.S. Marines in Desert Marine Pattern (MARPAT).
The MARPAT design is still in use present day.
(Photo: US Navy)
U.S. Marines wearing Marine Pattern (MARPAT) woodland camouflage.
The Airforce also developed a camo like the UCP uniform. The pattern was similar to the Tiger Stripe pattern with the colors of the UCP.
(Photo: Military.com)
U.S. Airforce Airmen in the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) (early-mid 2000’s)
Present Day
Army
In 2015, the Army officially issued new uniforms. These uniforms were a drastic and welcomed change. They consisted of similar colors to Crye Precision’s “Multicam” pattern which was made up of greens, tans, and browns. This uniform was named Operational Camo Pattern or “OCP”/ Scorpion W2.
(Photo: US Army)
U.S. Army soldier wearing the current Operational Camo Pattern (OCP) (2015-Present Day)
Navy
The Navy developed two additional camo patterns to initially be used by ground forces. These are the NWU Type II and NWU Type III or AOR 1 and AOR 2 (Area of Responsibility). AOR 1 is a desert pattern like the MARPAT desert camo but with different shades. This is issued specifically to Naval Special Warfare units. AOR 2 is a woodland camo, like the MARPAT woodland pattern. This was initially issued to ground forces in the Navy but officially became the Navy Working Uniform of the Navy in 2019.
(Photo: DJ Shipley)
U.S. Navy SEALs wearing Navy Working Uniform (NWU) II or AOR 1 (Area of Responsibility)
AOR 1 is specifically worn by Naval Special Warfare.
(Photo: Stephen Binns)
Navy sailors wearing NWU Type III or AOR 2. AOR 2 is the current Navy Working Uniform worn by all Navy personnel.
The Marine Corps still uses MARPAT camo to this day.
In 2019, the Airforce officially issued the OCP uniform to its forces.
