A Study in US Military Uniform Camouflage

Gentle reader,

For as far back as I can recall, I was interested in things military. If there's anything to reincarnation, I suspect I may have been in the military in WWII and perhaps died during or after the war. I've always been fascinated with WWII history, especially D-Day, June 6, 1944, the date of the Allied invasion of Normandy, France.

As a small child, my Aunt made me a US Army uniform to fit me. Here is a photo of me, on left,

with my little brother in between and my best friend on the right. Poor quality, I know: 

 Below is my littlest sister wearing the same set, sans trousers.

In 1993, I founded the Northern Virginia Young Marines in Arlington, Virginia. For more info on the Young Marines of the MCL, just Google it.

It required me to invest in USMC uniforms. Standard woodland camo was usually worn, but any USMC uniform, including dress blues could be worn when appropriate. 

I put six years on and off, into the Young Marines, eventually founding two other units, one in Alexandria and one in Manassas. I still have one camo uniform set, not quite sure why I saved it.

No doubt, you have noticed the proliferation of "cargo" pants and shorts worn by just about every

male and some females in the US. I certainly wear them. My problem was finding them in longer

than 34" inseam. 

Then it occurred to me, "Why not wear the real thing?" So, thus began my buying them. I only have one pair now that is not official. And only because they are plain khaki. Most were either thrift store finds or eBay purchases.

Below, I have assembled photos of my whole collection of US Military battle dress uniform trousers:

They are, left to right: Standard olive drab, (still worn by Border Patrol ground forces) woodland camo that replaced the non-camo olive drab, post Desert Storm desert camo, USMC digital woodland camo, US ARMY digital camo, USMC digital desert camo. US AIR FORCE camo, US Coast Gaurd blue and US NAVY blue.

 Above shows the differences between the Army digital camo and the two Marines that flank it.

Above shows the different waists. The Air Force ones on the right have elastic inside the waist. The other two, Army and Marines still use the sliding tab strips that increase/decrease the waist size.

Above, shows the differences in the lower leg pockets on the Army, Marines, and Air Force.

Above shows the differences in the main leg pockets. Same services left to right.

Above shows the differences between the Army on the left and Marines on the right, main leg flap pocket. You can't see it, but the Army uses a draw string device to keep the pocket's contents secure. Marines is more standard. Both still use the two buttons to close all the flap pockets.

The lighter blue ones which are Coast Guard, use Velco fasteners on the flap pockets and a standard zipper. They never have to be out in some hostile territory where the sound of a zipper or Velcro opening might get them killed. 

Another neat thing I think all Service members LOVE is these are permanent pressed. In fact the label states: Do not use starch. 

The modern Marines woodland digital units were treated with insect repellant when made. The other modern units are flame resistant. Pretty cool, huh?

Thanks for looking,

Scott