| BDU is the accepted abbreviation for Battle Dress | | | | Research is constantly ongoing to create better |
| Uniform. This was the standard uniform used by the | | | | camouflage patterns. The Desert BDU |
| U. S. Armed Forces from 1981 till 2005. Since that | | | | ("Chocolate-Chip" Camouflage) designed in the 1960's |
| time, the standard BDU has been replaced in the U.S. | | | | and the night-time desert grid came from this |
| military however they continue to be used in other | | | | research. Both of these patterns were in use during |
| countries. Some special force police such as SWAT | | | | the Persian Gulf War of 1991. |
| and DEA officers still use these uniforms for tactical | | | | General Norman Schwarzkopf had a hand in |
| situations. | | | | modifications to the Desert BDU which resulted in it |
| History of the BDU | | | | later being made with 100% cotton poplin and |
| The name "battle dress" is used because BDU's were | | | | without the reinforcement panels. Both design |
| meant for battle situations. They should not be | | | | changes implemented to accommodate desert |
| confused with the garrison dress uniforms which you | | | | combat conditions. These desert BDU's were |
| will see worn by military participating in a parade or | | | | discontinued at the end of the war. |
| organized function. | | | | The Desert Combat Uniform (DCU) was then |
| BDU's can be either plain or come in various patterns | | | | introduced (1992). This tri-colored camouflage pattern |
| with the typical camouflage pattern being seen most | | | | was used during Somalia and at the start of conflict |
| frequently. Different camouflage patterns include the | | | | in Afghanistan and Iraq. The DCU was then replaced |
| woodland camouflage (simulating the Northern | | | | with the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) and the |
| European landscape), wooded, jungle, and tropical | | | | Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU). The |
| environments. These patterns replaced the olive drab | | | | DCU was often referred to as "coffee stains" by |
| uniforms of earlier days. | | | | military personnel. |
| Initially there were two types of BDU: one for hot | | | | New camouflage patterns have been developed for |
| weather and one for temperate weather. The hot | | | | two reasons: there was a need for branches of the |
| weather type consisted of a coat and pant made of | | | | military to differentiate themselves and advancement |
| 100% ripstop cotton. The temperate coat and pant | | | | in camouflage research. |
| were made of a 50/50 blend of nylon and cotton | | | | The Marine Corps first moved away from the BDUs |
| twill. These uniforms were criticized for easy fraying | | | | and moved into the Marine Corps Combat Utility |
| and a need for starching. These types of uniforms | | | | Uniforms (MCCUU). These advanced uniforms uses |
| were then replaced with an enhanced hot weather | | | | digital patterns like MARPAT. |
| BDU in 1996. | | | | In 2007, digital patterned uniforms moved into the |
| Current Features and Designs of BDU's | | | | navy. These Navy Working Uniforms (NWU) came in |
| Modern BDUs use a dye that helps prevent detection | | | | blue and gray which was intended to hide stains, |
| from Near Infrared Image Converters. This helps | | | | wear well as well as make the sailors a less visual |
| soldiers avoid detection by allowing the blend in with | | | | target. A fleece jacket, sweater and parka can be |
| the surrounding terrain at the same radiation level. | | | | added to the NWU for cold weather. |