Question about the new U.S. Army camouflage uniform?

Question

First, check out this photo;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/446036660/in/set-72157594548546606/

I don't understand. In this particular place like Iraq, the outdoor environment is desert, so the soldiers need to wear the camo uniform that has tan color.

But clearly, this uniform is a lot more bright and even has an ability to gain the attention.

This is not a camouflage. Why does the army make their soliders to wear this camo uniform?

Here is another photo;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/446045515/in/set-72157594548546606/

Actually, the USMC folks wear digicamo that is very close to tan color.

But it is the Army guys wearing this white-chocolate like camo.

In my honest opinion, the USMC digicamo in Iraq is much better. It is surprisingly good at desert environment.

Here is a photo:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nukeit1/184824997/

Answer 1

Its actually very effective: http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t158/conorhennessey/b05MnM-1.jpg

The idea was to create a uniform that could blend into every enviroment, but my trying that, they made one thats not particulary great in any enviroment.

Answer 2

With more and more countries now having night vision capabilities the need for a uniform to combat this was designed. The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) was designed so when seen through a pair of night vision goggles that you would be very difficult to detect. Also during low visibility and night time operations, the uniform is very difficult to identify.

Now in urban conflict, camouflage is not what usually saves you. It is cover and concealment. Having objects disrupt the line of fire and prevent them from effectively engageing you.

Another reason why camouflage isn't importent in Iraq is that we want the people to see us and realise that a US presence is there and will not go away. None of the tactics I've seen out here require much stealth unless your setting up aon observation post on a building, but then your using concealment techniques to prevent preying eyes.

Answer 3

Actually your 2nd pictures points the differecens out the best,
The new BDUs are on the left of it, its called digital camo, or digiflage. If you compare it to the soldier on the right who is wearing older desert BDUs you can see the new stuff is actually much darker and more natural in appearance, the older stuff uses whites blacks and a few other shades of brown that are not really natural in the real world. The main problem is your looking at pictures of these guys in urban settings, if you compare the 2 out in the desert the new stuff is much hard to see. Urban settings are obviously very different for camo, short of street clothes nothing really is effective there.

Answer 4

The Army is already looking at new color scheme for the new uniform pattern. The pattern works great, but the colors are wrong. It does work well at night, as someone else pointed out, more because the pattern again. At night you see outlines more, and the pattern breaks up the outline good. Even in the second picture you showed, even though the terps colors match better, if you look at the soldier and the terp, the soldier looks more blury while with the terp you see defined edges and black.

Answer 5

The type shown in the first two pictures is known as army digital pattern. The third is desert digital pattern. There is also marine digital pattern that is similar to woodland.

These patterns actually are better for their particular environment, but no pattern will be able to mask an individual until the military starts using smart technology that provides a mask of skin in any environment. Pretty amazing stuff. i think you may like the link below...

http://www.time.com/time/2003/inventions/invinvisible.html

Answer 6

Who cares whose uniform is better or not....what do you consider better... The ACU Army Combat Uniform is made for three enviroments Urban Desert Jungle Although they are weak in construction and fade easier than the BDU that we wore before they are still light weight...breathable...and the pockets are great improvements when wearing all the gear we have to wear. I think you need to think about all of the PEOPLE that have worn the uniform and maybe that will instill a sense of pride in you....another thing is complaining to the Pentagon or the Army....give me a damn break...you dont think they have other things on thier minds than that... I think you need to take the time to think about what questions you ask before asking them....

Answer 7

I actually like them a lot better. And it makes a lot more since too. Before we were issued 2 sets of uniforms (BDU's and DCU's) and every time you deployed you get a new set of DCU's. Now there is just the one set that will blend the person into any environment.

The chocolate chip uniform has not been used in over 10 years, the DCU came after the chocolate chip one.

Answer 8

the idea behind the new ACU's being digital is that it is LESS detectable. It's pixel-like design is harder to detect on radar type equiptment. It also does blend better from the air. When a soldier is in a prone position, he or she is hard to see on the ground.

Answer 9

Those pictures are of camouflage uniforms. They are perfectly suited for the desert - even your pictures attest to that!

Answer 10

It actually looks like a good color and pattern. In low light or shadows they would be virtually invisible from a distance, especially if not moving. I like it.