Introduction
Camouflage has been a crucial aspect of military strategy, providing concealment and protection in various combat environments. The history of U.S. camouflage patterns is a fascinating journey that reflects technological advancements, changing warfare landscapes, and evolving military needs. This blog post explores the significant milestones in the development and use of U.S. camouflage patterns from World War II to the present day.
Frogskin: The Pioneer (1942)
The first widespread use of camouflage by American military forces began in 1942. Prompted by an urgent request from General Douglas MacArthur for jungle camouflage uniforms for the Pacific Theater, civilian Norvell Gillespie designed the "frogskin" pattern. This pattern featured a five-color green "jungle" side and a three-color brown "beach" side. Distribution started in August 1942, with the U.S. Marine Corps primarily using it in the Pacific, while the U.S. Army had limited use in Europe. Variations in the pattern occurred due to different dye lots from various wartime factories, making it one of the first examples of mass-produced camouflage in the U.S. military.
Wine Leaf: Post-War Developments (1953)
In 1953, the U.S. Army developed two additional camouflage patterns for limited use. These patterns were mainly distributed as reversible shelter halves, with one side featuring the classic green "wine leaf" pattern and the other side featuring a brown "cloud" pattern. The green wine leaf pattern includes overlapping dark green, lime green, and ochre leaf shapes with brown twigs on a pale green background. The brown side, designed for more arid environments, included a combination of tan and brown shades with similar twig and leaf shapes. This pattern came in two color variations: one with high contrast and another with less contrast. Some tailor-made clothing in this pattern appeared during the Vietnam War, made from modified shelters or copied fabric.
ERDL/M81 Woodland: Vietnam and Beyond (1966-1980s)
The ERDL (Engineer Research and Development Laboratory) camouflage pattern, designed in 1948, features mid-brown and grass green shapes with black branches on a lime green background. Initially shelved, it was revived in 1962 and saw combat use in Vietnam from 1966. Favored by Special Forces and the U.S. Marine Corps, the pattern had variations due to inconsistent printing. In 1979, the Department of Defense used ERDL patterns for the Hot Weather Uniform, leading to the creation of the "transitional ERDL" or "ERDL 2nd generation." In 1981, the U.S. Army adopted the Woodland Camouflage, a 60% enlarged version of the ERDL pattern, which became standard across all military branches by the late 1980s. The M81 Woodland Camouflage remains widely used and duplicated globally.
6-Color Desert: The "Chocolate Chip" (1981-1991)
In the mid-1960s, the U.S. Army began researching desert camouflage in anticipation of conflicts in the Middle East. By 1973, they developed a pattern based on California's rocky deserts, consisting of mid-brown, sand, tan, black, and off-white "rock" shapes. Produced between 1981 and 1991, it was used in the Sinai, Persian Gulf (Desert Storm), and Somalia (Restore Hope). Known as the "chocolate chip" pattern for its black elements, it was officially named the Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU).
Desert Night Camo: Countering Night Vision (1983-1990s)
Around 1983, the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps issued a two-piece overgarment with a unique grid pattern to counter Soviet night vision equipment. The thigh-length parka and baggy trousers provided insulation and camouflage. However, it was ineffective against more advanced night vision gear, leading to the discontinuation of the Night Desert pattern by the mid-1990s. The pattern featured a dark green grid with small spots on a light olive background. Early versions had thicker lines, sometimes creating an illusion of a darker shade.
3-Color Desert: The "Coffee Stain" (1990s)
Following the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the U.S.
Department of Defense needed to outfit personnel for desert warfare. Most deployed in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm wore woodland BDUs or six-color desert DBDUs. However, the Army had been developing a three-color camouflage for sandy regions. This pattern, featuring beige and earth brown waves on a sandy background, saw limited release in 1989 and full production by 1991. Nicknamed "coffee stain," it was widely adopted by many nations. Initially printed on 50/50 NYCO twill, it later used 100% ripstop and enhanced ripstop 50/50 NYCO fabric by 1995-96.
MARPAT: The Digital Revolution (2001-Present)
The concept of "digital camouflage," using computer algorithms and pixelated shapes, was pioneered by Canada in 1996. The U.S. Marine Corps, seeking a distinctive uniform, developed the MARPAT (Marine Pattern) series, adopting it in 2001 and 2005. Experts agree MARPAT is based on Canada's CADPAT. Four variations were tested, with three adopted: MARPAT Woodland, MARPAT Desert, and MARPAT Winter. A unique feature of MARPAT is the inclusion of a miniature USMC EGA symbol, marking the Corps' ownership of the design. MARPAT remains in use today, with both Woodland and Desert variants still standard issue for the Marine Corps.
UCP "ACU": The Universal Failure (2004-2019)
In 2004, the U.S. Army adopted the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), a recolored version of the USMC's MARPAT design. The aim was to create a single combat uniform suitable for any environment, eliminating the need for specialized camouflage for different regions. However, UCP proved to be a near-universal failure, performing poorly in most environments. The new Army Combat Uniform (ACU) also failed to replace the old BDU adequately. The official wear-out date for UCP was October 1, 2019, but some personnel continued using it until they obtained OCP-patterned replacements.
Digital Tiger Stripe: The Air Force's Attempt (2002-2011)
Around 2002, the U.S. Air Force sought its own camouflage design, despite most personnel not needing it for job performance. They initially tested a blue "tiger stripe" pattern but ultimately chose a pixelated design called USAF Digital Tiger Stripe. Offered royalty-free by its designer, the pattern's bright colors were adjusted to match the Army's UCP. Integrated by 2011, it was printed on various fabrics, including Gore-Tex and flame-retardant Nomex/nylon. However, it proved ineffective operationally and was replaced by the Army's OCP. The ABU was officially phased out by April 1, 2021.
NWU: The Navy's Blues (2007-Present)
In 2007, the U.S. Navy introduced the Navy Working Uniform (NWU), using a recolored version of the Army's UCP for practical purposes rather than concealment. Called NWU-1 or "blueberries," it wasn't popular and was retired by October 1, 2019. In 2010, two new patterns, NWU-2 and NWU-3, were adopted for Navy Special Operations. These patterns, based on MARPAT but with vertical orientation and Navy coat-of-arms, are for different environments and are known as NWU Type 2 and Type 3, respectively. NWU-3 may be worn by shore-based personnel, but NWU-2 is for desert environments and limited to Special Operations. Both NWU-2 and NWU-3 remain in use today.
MultiCam: Versatility in Action (2001-Present)
Designed by Crye Precision and tested during the Army Combat Uniform trials of 2001-2002, MultiCam became a popular pattern. It blends pinkish-tan, earth brown, and light olive green with patches of dark brown, sand, and moss green. Initially used by U.S. Special Operations, it was later approved for ISAF personnel in Afghanistan and adopted by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. MultiCam's versatility and effectiveness in various environments have made it a staple in modern military uniforms.
OCP Scorpion: The Current Standard (2014-Present)
In 2014, the Department of the Army announced the retirement of the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), replacing it with the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP). This decision was influenced by the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which limited the Army's choices for new camouflage designs. Although MultiCam was considered, high licensing fees led the Army to revisit the Scorpion pattern, a predecessor of MultiCam developed during the 2002 uniform trials. The Scorpion pattern was redesigned as the Scorpion W2 pattern and officially named OCP in 2014. OCP differs from MultiCam with changes in color, using eight colors with slightly altered shades to avoid copyright issues. Despite these differences, OCP's design is challenging to distinguish for the untrained eye.
Conclusion
The history of U.S. camouflage patterns reflects the continuous evolution of military strategy, technology, and environmental adaptation. From the early days of Frogskin to the sophisticated digital patterns of today, each development represents a step forward in enhancing the effectiveness and safety of American soldiers. As military needs and technologies continue to evolve, so too will the patterns that help protect those who serve. Whether you're a military enthusiast, a history buff, or someone interested in the science of concealment, the history of U.S. camouflage patterns is a fascinating journey worth exploring. Find many of these patterns and more for sale across our site at: https://www.michiganmilitarysupply.com/shop-by-camo
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