A Look at U.S. Military Camouflage History

A Brief History of US Military Camouflage Uniforms

When most people think of the United States Armed Forces, they picture soldiers dressed in gray, brown, and green camouflage uniforms, fitting in with their surroundings. While this has become a common sight, military clothing has not always looked like this. military uniforms have developed over time based on changing locations, technology, and fighting techniques. The history of these uniforms is a fascinating story of creativity, need, and tradition.

The Origins of U.S. Military Camouflage

The U.S. military did not use camouflage clothing before World War I. But military commanders soon understood how crucial it was to remain hidden on the battlefield. To protect their soldiers and strategic locations, countries like France and Britain had already begun experimenting with camouflage techniques, finding new ways to help troops blend into their surroundings and stay out of sight.

The U.S. Navy gathered a group of camouflage designers, including artists and art students, to create an innovative approach. These people were assigned to the National League for Women's Service's Women's Camouflage Reserve Corps. Their creative designs laid the foundation for the U.S. military camouflage uniforms developed over the ensuing decades.

At first, camouflage patterns were created to resemble organic materials seen on the battlefield. Early versions resembled what are now known as ghillie suits by current soldiers.

Evolution of U.S. Military Camouflage Uniforms

Today, all branches of the military are associated with the U.S. Army Combat Uniform (ACU). But over time, camouflage patterns, colors, and styles have changed significantly. A number of variables, including historical background, environmental circumstances, and even intellectual property concerns, have influenced variations. The development of U.S. military camouflage uniforms is seen in the timeline below.

Pre-World War I: The Era Before Camouflage

The U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps did not have camouflage clothing prior to World War I. Light brown uniforms, similar to undyed wool, were usually standard issue. There was not much camouflage in fighting thanks to this design.

World War I: Early Attempts at Camouflage

Although camouflage uniforms were not yet standard issue during World War I, some troops were outfitted with early camouflage gear that resembled contemporary ghillie suits. While soldiers in more vegetation-heavy areas wore materials that resembled moss and leaves, troops in stony terrain wore camouflage that resembled rock surfaces.

World War II: The Emergence of Camouflage Uniforms

A major change toward standardized camouflage clothing occurred during World War II. Because of their similarity to the German Waffen-SS uniforms, the HBT (herringbone twill) camouflage that some Army troops were given was short-lived and resulted in friendly fire incidents.

By 1943, U.S. Marines in the Solomon Islands were wearing reversible beach/jungle coveralls with the unique "frog" pattern—a groundbreaking design that helped them blend into both sandy shores and dense tropical forests. This brown and green speckled pattern, which resembles a frog's skin, was dubbed the "frog suit." Later, during the Korean War, the Marine Corps used the same camouflage cloth to create a two-piece uniform and helmet coverings.

1950s: Leaf-and-Twig Camouflage Patterns

Four-color leaf-and-twig camouflage was first used by the Army's Engineer Research and Development Laboratory in the 1950s. However, these outfits were rapidly phased out owing to their lack of effectiveness and unimpressive field reports.

As part of a broader uniform enhancement campaign, the Army Green Uniform was introduced in 1954 and served as the standard service uniform for several decades. While it was gradually phased out starting in 2010 with the introduction of the Army Service Uniform, it remained in limited use until the early 2010s..

1960s: The Rise of Tigerstripe Camouflage

Unofficial camouflage outfits were used by Navy SEALs, Green Berets, and other Special Forces troops stationed in Vietnam by 1965. These regionally made uniforms had the now-famous "Tigerstripe" design.

Because it resembles tiger markings, tigerstripe camouflage got its name. On a khaki or olive background, the design featured wider black stripes intertwined with thin, impressionistic brushstrokes of brown and green. In tropical settings, these overlapping brushstroke motifs provide superior camouflage.

In American reconnaissance forces, the official ERDL (Engineer Research and Development Laboratory) leaf design eventually took the place of the Tigerstripe pattern. Nonetheless, the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG), trained and supported by U.S. Special Forces, used Tigerstripe uniforms from 1963 until the group’s dissolution in 1971.

Evolution of U.S. Military Camouflage: 1970s to Early 2000s

1970s: The OG-107 and OG-507 Uniforms

The OG-107 uniform was a regular issue for the U.S. military throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Due to its longevity and usefulness, this uniform, which was first used in 1952, was maintained for many years. An alternative, a poly-cotton mix called the OG-507, was released in 1975.

The main difference between the two variants, which were called after the U.S. Army's "Olive Green 107" and "Olive Green 507" color designations, was the material: OG-107 was made of cotton, whilst OG-507 was a combination of cotton and polycotton.

Both the OG-107 and OG-507 were superseded by the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) during the 1980s. But friendly countries that received military assistance from the United States also frequently wore similar olive-green uniforms.

1980s: The Rise of Patterned Camouflage

A notable trend for patterned camouflage outfits emerged in the 1980s. The Six-Color Desert Pattern, sometimes known as "Cookie Dough Camouflage" or "Chocolate Chip Camouflage," was first used in 1981. This distinctive design used two tones of brown and bold strokes of pale green on a light tan background. The pattern included black and white spots designed to mimic the appearance of pebbles and shadows, enhancing concealment in rocky desert environments.

The M81 Woodland Camouflage Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), which has a four-color pattern of brown, green, black, and sand, was also introduced by the US military. This pattern, which was first created during the Vietnam War, was improved for improved effectiveness in a variety of settings and continued to be used far into the 2000s.

1990s: Persian Gulf War and Desert Camouflage

All branches of the military used the six-color "Chocolate Chip" camouflage, which is intimately linked to General Norman Schwarzkopf, during the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s.

This switch to the Tri-Color Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) occurred in 1992. Similar to the Woodland BDU, this new design was tailored for dry conditions. The DCUs were phased out in tandem with the BDUs.

In order to combat Soviet infrared cameras and night vision equipment, a nighttime variant of the DCU was also created. However, this version was dropped before it was widely used because night vision technology was developing so quickly.

Early 2000s: Digital Camouflage and Multicam

The three-color digital camouflage pattern known as the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) was first used by the U.S. Army in 2004. This uniform was designed to give soldiers a uniform that would work in urban, desert, and wooded settings.

But in most situations, the UCP was insufficient for concealment, making it essentially useless. In Afghanistan and Iraq, several Special Forces soldiers chose to use the commercially available Desert Tiger Stripe camouflage instead.

The Rise of Multicam

During the 2001-2002 Army Combat Uniform trials, Multicam was tested as a potential alternative. By 2010, it became an officially issued pattern by the U.S. Department of Defense.Multicam features a mix of pinkish-tan, earth brown, and light olive green, with smaller patches of dark brown, sand, and moss green to enhance concealment across multiple terrains.This pattern proved significantly more effective in multiple terrains, leading to its widespread adoption by Special Operations forces and conventional units.

What Camouflage Pattern Does the Military Wear Today?

The Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) is the current standard uniform pattern worn by the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and special operations forces. This pattern features a blend of muted green, beige, and dark brown tones, offering enhanced concealment across diverse environments. The OCP replaced the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) due to its superior performance in combat settings.

Development of Scorpion W2 & the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP)

During U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) proved ineffective in providing adequate concealment. Recognizing this issue, the Army sought an improved design.

By 2014, the U.S. Army officially retired UCP and adopted Scorpion W2, renaming it the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP).

Transition to the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP)

Army OCP Uniforms

The U.S. Army introduced the OCP Army Combat Uniform (ACU) in 2015, replacing UCP and MultiCam.

Air Force OCP Uniforms

The U.S. Air Force transitioned to OCP uniforms starting October 1, 2018.

U.S. Space Force OCP Uniforms

The U.S. Space Force (USSF) adopted the OCP ACU as its standard uniform, with one key difference:

The Future of Military Camouflage

The Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) has significantly improved concealment and functionality across multiple terrains. However, as warfare and technology evolve, the U.S. military will continue to refine and innovate camouflage designs.

From OG-107 and Woodland BDUs to today’s OCP ACUs, military uniforms have undergone extensive evolution. These advancements ensure better protection, adaptability, and effectiveness for soldiers in combat environments.

As history has shown, the U.S. Armed Forces will continue to innovate and adapt, staying ahead in military gear and uniform technology.