Why the mixed camo in desert areas?

[exoninja]

Why does the US military put on a woodland-camo vest over a desert-camo BDU? As seen in Iraq and other desert conflicts.

The best reason I can think of is, to make the rest of the body blend in, and only allow the torso area to stand out, as this is the area which has armour. Attracting hits to the armoured-area, rather than the critical points (head) and limbs, where there is no armour.

[Falco]

Maybe it's too expensive to produce a desert version of everything.

[Brozozo]

No desert pattern vests...

[wholagun]

Why does the US military put on a woodland-camo vest over a desert-camo BDU? As seen in Iraq and other desert conflicts.

The best reason I can think of is, to make the rest of the body blend in, and only allow the torso area to stand out, as this is the area which has armour. Attracting hits to the armoured-area, rather than the critical points (head) and limbs, where there is no armour.

I think its cost, but thats pretty good reasoning. i was wondering the same thing, I can't believe I didn't think of what you said earlier...

[weedman]

I also think that is a matter of costs.
Remember the first days of the invasion, where many soldiers were even wearing regular Woodland BDUs ?

[exoninja]

I also think that is a matter of costs.
Remember the first days of the invasion, where many soldiers were even wearing regular Woodland BDUs ?

Yes, but they had desert-camo helmets on.
Could also be, according to my theory, they don't want to attract attention to the head?

And weren't those ,with woodland BDUs, non-combat units? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[weedman]

And weren't those ,with woodland BDUs, non-combat units? Correct me if I'm wrong.Can be true, I'm not the expert in this ;)

[Royal]

and weren't those ,with woodland BDUs, non-combat units? Correct me if I'm wrong.

You're wrong.

Temperate colours were worn by choice in Kurdistan/Northern Iraq.

US MOP suits, unlike UK NBC suits were largely unavailable in desert cam. Mixed temperate and desert DPM is often used by choice as it blends better in scrubby terrain (where there often is significant vegitation) than desert colours.

[big_les]

I know in the case of UK forces its a lack of budget and logistics support, or at least it was at first. I'm guessing in general that a mix of desert and forest type camo helps to further break up the outline of a human form in the sort of mixed terrain you get in Iraq and indeed Afghanistan. Greens and sandy colours are common even in urban areas there.

edit - beaten to it as usual. I won't bother correcting myself though :)

[Grozny]

Well, I have a 3 color desert cover that slips over my older model PASGT vest. They are out there, but the guys who are out fighting (I'm not dissing support units, relax) get the good stuff first.

[sethen]

I don't understand why the U.S. military cannot seem to coordinate its color schemes, it is inexplicable! I went to O.I.F with COMPLETELY woodland pattern uniform and German boots!!!!!!I am currently collecting tri-desert gear so that if I go back I will have descent gear! Oh, yeah they wanted to attach me to 3rd I.D. with no desert gear!!!??? I would have stood out like a turd in a punchbowl!!!!!! At least the Marines made an effort during their current deployment to get the camo scheme right!!!! :roll:

[Beowulf]

turd in a punchbowl..that's funny

[Spearin]

and weren't those ,with woodland BDUs, non-combat units? Correct me if I'm wrong.

You're wrong.

Temperate colours were worn by choice in Kurdistan/Northern Iraq.

US MOP suits, unlike UK NBC suits were largely unavailable in desert cam. Mixed temperate and desert DPM is often used by choice as it blends better in scrubby terrain (where there often is significant vegitation) than desert colours.

There's your answer right there. Look more closely at what they are wearing and you will see that it is a MOPP suit. :)

[Pooga]

Another question: Why do (usually) American soldiers have their trigger-wrist (the hand holding the pistol grip) curved inwards at "fruity"-looking angle?

Is it quicker that way to draw up your gun and aim? Or does it look disarming, like "I don't want to shoot you?"

This is kind of what I mean, I've seen it even weirder.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1665000/images/_1666529_special150.jpg

[exoninja]

and weren't those ,with woodland BDUs, non-combat units? Correct me if I'm wrong.

You're wrong.

Temperate colours were worn by choice in Kurdistan/Northern Iraq.

US MOP suits, unlike UK NBC suits were largely unavailable in desert cam. Mixed temperate and desert DPM is often used by choice as it blends better in scrubby terrain (where there often is significant vegitation) than desert colours.

There's your answer right there. Look more closely at what they are wearing and you will see that it is a MOPP suit. :)

I realized it the 1st day. :)
But there are still many NOT wearing MOPP who have mixed camo.

[exoninja]

Another question: Why do (usually) American soldiers have their trigger-wrist (the hand holding the pistol grip) curved inwards at "fruity"-looking angle?

Is it quicker that way to draw up your gun and aim? Or does it look disarming, like "I don't want to shoot you?"

This is kind of what I mean, I've seen it even weirder.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1665000/images/_1666529_special150.jpg

So as to keep your hand on the grip while pointing it downwards.

[Pooga]

This http://tombotte.com/fark/boat_guard_orig.jpg

as opposed to this

http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20photo%20negatives/2003%20news%20phot%20negatives/June%2003/DAW030608-2.JPG

Just a matter of style, I spose?

[Spearin]

Notice the position of the butt and how it affects the angle of the hand. Not really a huge deal I would say.

[NcDeuce]

Another question: Why do (usually) American soldiers have their trigger-wrist (the hand holding the pistol grip) curved inwards at "fruity"-looking angle?

Is it quicker that way to draw up your gun and aim? Or does it look disarming, like "I don't want to shoot you?"


:cantbeli:

Ay

[Pooga]

Yeah but it looks especially funky.

NcDeuce, There comes a time in a man's life…well, when he shouldn't waste his life making useless comments on other people's questions, no matter how stupid they may seem. Especially over the internet. :cantbeli:

[Uncle Sam]

I think it's personal preference.

[shrek]

Look at these pics. This is OEF stuff but we got stuck with a lot of green and tan mixed stuff. Most of us had our own stuff (Blackhawk mainly) that was desert. Turned out we used a lot of woodland anyway.

Idea I started doing was to lightly spray tan paint on things then drag them through the dirt, voila, instant exact camo!

[Breacher]

It's not intentional to have a 'fruity' look, but I can say from experience that once your muscle memory is set then your 'presentations' are smoother.... The buttstock rolls into your shoulder pocket and can feel as good as ***. But it may very well be more preference than anything else.

[kommando]

yeah i think aswell liek ive seen some pics of SF dudes in a'stan and iraq that have had desert cammo pants on but woodland vest and a t-shirt, becuase also if they find themselves going through a wodded area or whatever even a populated place, they can blend in with the trees and stuff as well as the desert with their pants. So it can be a twofold camo thing ( i liek it alot) p-)

[Michael RVR]

It all came down to what was there, i've read numberous accounts of US forces at being ****ty at having to wear woodland-MOPP gear, and theres a heap of photos around of frontline infantry units doing it.

Same same with the Kevlars, though i dont think i ever saw a woodland helmet.

The brits had it worse though, i remember reading a story about one para unit who ended up raiding an iraqi barracks for boots - theirs were falling apart :|

[digrar]

With the weapon handling you have to remember these blokes have a weapon in their hands 24/7 for months on end. For the days and weeks after he comes home he will find himself looking for his rifle at various times, it becomes a part of your everyday life.
There is going to be a difference in the weapon position depending on the current tacticle situation, the soldiers stance, his current level of enthusiasm for the task at hand, who is in his immediate vicinity and a variety of other reasons.
With a photographer present he may just be playing it up a bit :P .[/code]

[haze99]

If I am correct, the Inteceptor was first manufactured in US woodland camo. They (the Interceptor company) now makes them in US 3 color desert.
I have a friend (USAF) who deployed to Iraq, (Dec '03-Mar 04)he had the three color desert armor. So it depends, on when the stock was made and who got the order.

[exoninja]

Is the US army purposely mixing camo?

Look at the guy on the right:
http://accuweather.ap.org/apdbs/Intl_Photos/views/mini/7243/7243120.jpg

[mack pl]

Is the US army purposely mixing camo?

Look at the guy on the right:
http://accuweather.ap.org/apdbs/Intl_Photos/views/mini/7243/7243120.jpgSoldier on right isnt US, I think.maybe Dominicana or honduras, well he is some lathino guy.

[Ian H]

Guy on the left is El Salvadorean, so the other guy probably is to.

[ShadowNeo]

The brits had it worse though, i remember reading a story about one para unit who ended up raiding an iraqi barracks for boots - theirs were falling apart

Yeah, desert footwear has been an issue for quite a while. During the training exercises in Oman in 2001, British troops were issued boots which have become known as the Saif Sarea boots. These were reportedly somewhat uncomfortable, and suffered from wearing out extremely quickly, I think I recall the soles on occasions melted in the heat.

Sometime after this, a new type of boot known as the "Spanish" boot was also adopted, which was a significant improvement over the Saif Sarea, and it was the boot being issued during the Iraq conflict. These boots, upon arriving in theatre, were apparently shifted to front line units as fast as possible. I remember seeing a documentary showing a large delivery arriving at a TA field hospital and shortly after being whisked away again.