Army Camo Phase IV

[Soldat_Américain]

Army Camo Phase IV
And so it begins…well actually it began awhile ago but Phase IV of the Army’s camo program is gaining steam and Natick in conjunction with PEO-Soldier released a Sources Sought Notice yesterday for camouflage patterns. SSD was also able to speak with PEO Soldier’s COL William Cole and LTC Mike Sloane about the situation.

The Army is seeking a family of three different camo patterns including woodland, desert and, transitional (sometime called universal), and one pattern for personal equipment (such as body armor, ammo pouches and rucksacks) which works with all three (3) uniform camouflage patterns. The idea behind the family of patterns is to give Army leaders and Combatant Commanders options. The document goes on to describe a family of patterns as “A family is considered to be of the same or similar geometry with coordinating color palettes to cross the global operating environments. Global operating environments are defined by a geographic classification system that subdivides the global landmasses into areas with similar environmental characteristics.” So ultimately, they are seeking three and possibly four patterns that share basic composition. Sharing basic geometries can be used for identification purposes as well to streamline with supply chain with common printing screens. One option for the family of patterns is that the transitional or universal pattern will be issued in the clothing bag to all Soldiers and the woodland desert patterns would be special issue to those operating in those environments.

Continued...

Of the Camo patterns that were up for testing when they were looking at MultiCam, Bull Dog Tactical's Mirage pattern did pretty well and I liked it. I'm guessing Crye will be in on this, and I also wonder what Hyde Definition might do since they just introduced other patterns to their PennCot line.

[Lasse]

If they go for another color than brown on their equipment they must be the dumbest dudes alive. Because brown IS the universal color, and one of the most common color for terrain anywhere in the world.

[Soldat_Américain]

Uh...Brown doesn't work. Accessories will most likely be made from the transition pattern.

[Alpha-17]

I just find it annoying that the Army must re do the same tests every other year or so, and when they're complete, throw out the results, and do nothing. This at least sounds like a semi-new idea, but really, 4 seporate patterns? Common, that's more than a little annoying. Solid color gear would also raise an issue. No matter how great your uniform is, at least a third of your body will be covered by that solid color of gear. Why the hell don't we go with an off the shelf pattern that works (ie, MultiCam, Brush All Over, Mirage, etc), and design the dedicated variants (that we really don't need right now anyway) of that pattern over the next two years, instead of sticking with ICUs until the whole kit and caboodle is ready?

[Soldat_Américain]

Three patterns for wear and one pattern for gear. My guess is that Crye will come up with three patterns, MultiCam will be their transition pattern and the pattern for gear will be a mix of MultiCam and the Desert and Forest patterns.

It seems that they actually want to spend money wisely and do this right, hopefully the Army opens up the checkbook.

[Alpha-17]

I don't know. I just don't see the Army going back to Crye after stubbing them with MultiCam the first time. Even now, we're not buying Crye MC, but Army designed everything.

Who knows though, I didn't expect the Army to admit that MultiCam won the A-Stan trials.

[budgie]

Could save them a lot of money and time: Woodland/Universal - MARPAT with a dark sepia or gray to replace the black; Desert - desert MARPAT; gear and accessories - same as woodland.

[LineDoggie]

Jesus Christ, what the fuck was wrong with the DCU & BDU Pattern then? Friggen PEO Soldier jackasses couldnt pour piss out a boot with instructions printed on the heel.
Screw it, give me back My OD Jungle Fatigues but add elbow/knee/ass reinforcements

[sgt_G]

Screw it, give me back My OD Jungle Fatigues but add elbow/knee/ass reinforcements

and Khaki Class B's

[Mein Teil]

and khaki class b's

...........x2

[cliffg]

I was issued Woodland BDUs and kit in the '90s. Worked fine. Still use it for hunting/camping. Got some ACU/MOLLE kit along the way, but I'm drifting back to the old ALICE gear for outdoors use. Cheaper, less gadgety, and no fanboy wow factor.

[brainplay]

There were two separate trials ongoing. You've got the full blown version which is comparing a wide range and the battalion level doing MC vs UCP-D. The batt. level tests are a stop gap measure. The Natick/PEO-Solidier trials are going to determine an overall winner. These long term tests may explain why many can't wear it in the CONUS.

MC has a big foot in the door with the batt. level stuff and someone seems to have some serious influence over at the selection committee. I'm going to laugh if they go with All Over Brush (beat MC in all phase 1 tests) or a "digital" Multicam using the UCP digital pattern.

[LineDoggie]

and Khaki Class B's

I had Khakis (wore them for PCS travel & ETS in 84 @ Ft. Hood), and the Green Raincoat, Khakis were a Soldiers Uniform, not the Pogue Office Worker B's of the 1984-2008 era.

[sgt_G]

exactly something about Khakis always said "sharp" in my mind

[Soldat_Américain]

There were two separate trials ongoing. You've got the full blown version which is comparing a wide range and the battalion level doing MC vs UCP-D. The batt. level tests are a stop gap measure. The Natick/PEO-Solidier trials are going to determine an overall winner. These long term tests may explain why many can't wear it in the CONUS.

MC has a big foot in the door with the batt. level stuff and someone seems to have some serious influence over at the selection committee. I'm going to laugh if they go with All Over Brush (beat MC in all phase 1 tests) or a "digital" Multicam using the UCP digital pattern.

Well we're past those battalion level tests since MC is being issued for OEF. This solicitation and competition is to determine the successor of Multi-Cam.

@ Sgt G...US Army got rid of Uniforms...the Navy is now adding Uniforms.