U.S. SF & Navy SEALS in 3 color desert camo.

[Hispeed1]

I just wanted some insight and maybe some feedback from those in the know without breaking any OPSEC. I'm just wondering why everytime I see footage of U.S. Special Forces and Navy SEALS in Afghanistan out in the boonies, they are wearing the old 3-color desert camo. It's very effective and it blends in. I guess the Army SF guys don't want to wear ACU in the mountains and desert? Also, the U.S.M.C. has a very nice desert version of MARPAT, how come the Army doesn't have ACU in desert?

[substance]

good question! Every one in the service I know raves about the ACU or the MARPAT(marines) but yet our SF chooses to stay with the traditional?! i personally like the old 3-color....anyone else as dumbfounded as me abou this?

[Hispeed1]

Ever see ACU in heavy woodland-U.S. region? Kind of bright. . . MARPAT looks good in it though.

[budgie]

Special forces are small units and can afford two uniforms. Remember the ACU wasn't developed to be better than separate patterns for green or desert areas, but as a cost-cutting compromise. Naturally there's a drop in quality/effectiveness.

[Ol' Bob]

Special forces are small units and can afford two uniforms. Remember the ACU wasn't developed to be better than separate patterns for green or desert areas, but as a cost-cutting compromise. Naturally there's a drop in quality/effectiveness.


The congressman who came up with that should be taken out back and shot for treason. ACU's don't seem to blend in anywhere except maybe in front of a piece of modern art or something. While they're at it they might as well do away with body armor or 30 magazines.

[Hispeed1]

Ha-ha. Very true Ol' Bob.

[Cipher]

There's a video of Army SF guys training with an Algerian commando unit and everyone, except the officer had ACUs.

[11bhooah]

I'm currently in astan, and I've seen plenty of SF in ACU. As well as the old 3 pattern. As I understand it, it's all just personal choice.

[DevGru_PL]

You will never see SEAL in ACU. The reason is very simple. ACU is ARMY uniform and SEAL's are Navy.
They are still using Woodland/Tri Color. As far as I know US Navy is working on their own camuflage but probably Navy SF Units will remain with woodland/tri color camuflage.

[DariuszM]

ACU seems pretty cool, but only in here..:)
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/948/avi9.th.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=avi9.jpg)

[Sir Zach of R.]

ACU seems pretty cool, but only in here..:)
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/948/avi9.th.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=avi9.jpg)

Now if only the world were made of concrete splattered bricks...:lol:

[Switek]

This topic was discussed few times in MP forum.

Well, we have so far:

ACUPAT held exclusive rights by US Army

MARPAT held exclusive rights by USMC

this is US Navy choice:

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/webphoto/web_050218-N-4208W-004.jpg

may be good for crewmen so SF must use what they have just in hand

["Royal-with-Cheese"]

This topic was discussed few times in MP forum.

Well, we have so far:

ACUPAT held exclusive rights by US Army

MARPAT held exclusive rights by USMC

this is US Navy choice:

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/webphoto/web_050218-N-4208W-004.jpg

may be good for crewmen so SF must use what they have just in hand

i think the navy should have the ACUpat instead of that "blue marpat" on deck, since the deck is usually grey and they aren't in the water.

If i had the choice between ACU and 3 color desert i'd take the desert!

But if i had the choice between the desert MARPAT and 3 col desert, i'd take the MARPAT (i think it looks great and actually works... unlike ACU)

I prefer the 6 col desert over the 3 col desert, but i think the 3 color desert works better.

[James]

I'm currently in astan, and I've seen plenty of SF in ACU. As well as the old 3 pattern. As I understand it, it's all just personal choice.

I came home in May, but I saw the same. There was a USN SeaBee at the place that I worked who wore ACU as well. SF dudes mostly wore ACU. The prevalent attitude was to wear what was issued, because they had to spend their own money on something else. I asked a Sergeant Major about the new uniform and he said he liked the design but the seams busted more than old BDUs/ACUs.

Sometimes it seems that internet commandoes care a lot more about uiforms and gear than the guys who actually use the stuff.

[Sand Man]

You will never see SEAL in ACU. The reason is very simple. ACU is ARMY uniform and SEAL's are Navy.
They are still using Woodland/Tri Color. As far as I know US Navy is working on their own camuflage but probably Navy SF Units will remain with woodland/tri color camuflage.

I thought SF have more lee way when it comes to uniforms?

[11bhooah]

I thought SF have more lee way when it comes to uniforms?

They do, as I said in my previous post. Their choice on pattern, really is just a personal choice. I think he might have only been reffering to seals. However I'm sure they could wear whatever they wanted as well. I've seen Airforce and Navy in ACU in astan. The only difference in the uniform was the fact that their lettering on their name tapes was bright blue. As oppossed to black. The airfoce guy was a tac-b, I didn't ask the navy guy what his deal was though. It just depends on your mos, on what your choices of uniform are. If your hooah enough you can wear anything. Hell I watched some SF guys go out in carharts, t shirts, baseball caps and their chest rigs...Hope that answers your question.

[D-gin]

SF in Iraq:

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4361/00uw1.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=00uw1.jpg)

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/8889/001jb4.th.jpg (http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=001jb4.jpg)

US Navy EOD in Iraq attached to a army unit:

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7070/0098ah8.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0098ah8.jpg)

[Hispeed1]

Thanks all for your replies. It was very informative.