Much ado has been made about an internal MoD Defence Internal Brief discussing the UK’s move to the new Multi Terrain Pattern developed by Crye Precision. We were finally able to get a hold of a copy and it goes into greater depth than the information that made its way out on to the web.
20091216 DIB 200952 Introduction of Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) Camouflage for UK Armed Forces
Be sure to visit Crye Precision at booth #27007 at the SHOT show next week in Las Vegas, Nevada.
One of our readers sent us this screen shot from History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” of the Navy’s new “Type III” or AOR 2 woodland camouflage pattern being compared to Woodland MARPAT. As you can see it is a lighter pattern with much less brown.
Photo from History Channel
But wait, it turns out there is more to this story. The video that this picture was captured from was shot in 2002! It turns out that this color scheme was actually an early variant of Woodland MARPAT.
The entire video is excellent but the relevant part starts at about 5:30.
Somehow this baby slipped below our RADAR but it is definitely worth taking a look at if you are fortunate enough to be issued the Harris AN/PRC-117G but are saddled with the issue bag. It is designed to be worn with the removable shoulder straps or attached directly to the back of armor or load bearing vest with the integrated PALS compatible attachment system. Additionally, the body features PALS webbing so that radio accessories can be attached to the bag.
The PRC-117G Assault Bag is available in Black, Coyote, Ranger Green, UCP, and MultiCam from Mayflower.
There has been a lot of chatter that the new Navy Type II and III patterns based on SOCOM’s AOR camouflage schemes are basically MARPAT by another name. That information is incorrect. One of our readers sent us this graphic that shows the differences in coloration.
A couple of readers have contacted us to ask what the adoption of the new NWU Type II means for Navy Individual Augmentees. The answer is simple; nothing. Currently IAs wear the Army Combat Uniform as they generally fall in on Army units. It’s just easier for them to fit in but they wear US Navy service tapes as well as Navy ranks. They remain Sailors but wear the uniform of the service they are supporting, just like Navy personnel who support the Fleet Marine Force wear the MARPAT Marine Camouflage Combat Utility Uniform. The new NWUs are intended for Navy units and they provide a distinctive Navy look.
(U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Dallas Edwards/Released)
At first I was kind of perplexed by the Navy’s decision to retain the old 3-color desert pattern uniform for non-Special Warfare personnel as reported yesterday. And then it hit me. NSW has adopted PCU Level 9 and it comes in the AOR 1 pattern.
I guess rather than manufacturing a true “Type II” version of the NWU in AOR 1, they have chosen to continue to use the traditional 3-color desert combat uniform so that the two uniforms would remain distinct. PCU level 9 for NSW and DCUs for other Naval Ground Combatants so not only will the patterns be distinct but also the styles of uniforms.
One thing you can say about the new Level 9 uniform built by Ready One under license from Patagonia is that it is a full on combat uniform. I still find it interesting that they plan on issuing that uniform to everyone in NSW who is heading down range as they still have support troops and various attachments in addition to their actual operators. It is important to note that SOCOM also procures the PCU Customization System from Beyond Tactical. They produce garments for personnel who are in special size categories.
Additionally, there is a distinct line item in the still unsigned National Defense Authorization Act FY2010 budget for the Naval Special Warfare Protective Combat Uniform to the tune of $2.5 Million. So this is a good deal for the Navy. It isn’t going to cost them anything. Since PCU is SOF-unique it will be paid for with MFP-11 (Special Ops) funds and it looks like these will be beefed up specifically for this purpose. However, my guess is that there will be an AOR 1 variant of the NWU within a year. The Navy has chosen a theme or branding if you will, and it doesn’t make sense to continue to purchase something that doesn’t fit in with the rest. Additionally, developing an AOR 1 NWU won’t jeopardize the Navy taking advantage of the SOCOM gravy train. What really makes PCU unique is the cut of the uniform and not the pattern. It could just as easily be manufactured in MultiCam or UCP if one of SOCOM’s other components desired it. However, on the other hand, one could make the argument that the Navy calling PCU Level 9 an NWU could cause some to consider it a service common item and make it ineligible for MFP-11 funds. So Navy, beware one of the Assessment Directors at SOCOM figures that one out.
Finally, I’ve received numerous questions on what the plan for tactical nylon will be but at this point I have no idea. Over the last few years, both NSW as well as the fledgling Naval Expeditionary Combat Command which between them control all of the Navy’s ground forces have fielded equipment in Coyote Brown. For NSW I have been told that this will change to AOR patterned gear but since there has been no centralized purchasing of commodities by NECC it will most likely be left up to the individual unit as to what pattern of equipment they purchase. Up to now it has been all but impossible to acquire AOR patterned raw materials without contracts with specific customers. The patterns will be adapted slightly with the inclusion of the Anchor, Constitution and Eagle (ACE) symbol and a process to vet manufacturers will have to be instituted so it may be much later this year before we begin to see any quantifiable movement in this area.
The Navy has finally dealt with the issue of adopting proper uniforms for its ground forces in light of the fielding of the new Navy Working Uniform and its associated blue digital camo pattern optimized for hiding stains. Rumors had long surfaced that the mysterious AOR patterns would be adopted Navy wide for instances when Sailors would require camouflage uniforms for land combat effectively making the patterns naval in nature rather than dedicated for special operations use. Rumors also stated that the patterns would be altered ever so slightly with the addition of the Navy’s Anchor Constitution Eagle (ACE) design (see para 2). Apparently they were true on both counts or at least, sort of. Interestingly, the “Type II” or AOR 1 pattern will only be adopted by Naval Special Warfare and associated support forces. All other Sailors requiring desert camo will continue to use the current 3-color desert pattern first adopted almost 20 years ago during Operation DESERT STORM. Now it gets kind of confusing. The new “Type III” or AOR 2 pattern will be worn by ALL Navy personnel currently authorized.
Seems a little discombobulated. AOR 2 is fine for everybody, but AOR 1 will only be worn by NSW and that is AFTER the ACE is added to the pattern. Nothing like saying, “Hey, back off man, we’re Navy SEALs,” with your clothing. Also, sorry MAs. I had heard that you were going to be included in the new patterns but I guess it was not in the cards for you so keep on rocking those jaunty “Type I” NWUs.
The official Navy message traffic is below.
UNCLASSIFIED//
ROUTINE
R 291203Z DEC 09
BT
UNCLAS
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
TO NAVADMIN
NAVADMIN 374/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/DEC//
SUBJ/NAVY WORKING UNIFORM TYPE II AND III//
REF/A/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/262243Z JUN 09//
REF/B/DOC/NAVPERS 15665I/01JAN2003//
NARR/REF A IS NAVADMIN 188/09. REF B IS U.S. NAVY UNIFORM REGULATIONS.//
RMKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN ANNOUNCES CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS APPROVAL OF THE NAVY WORKING UNIFORM (NWU) TYPE II AND III. THE NWU COLORING SCHEMES CONSIST OF TWO UNIQUE FOUR-SHADED DIGITAL CAMOUFLAGE PROFILES (DESERT AND WOODLAND) DEVELOPED BY NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE (NSW) UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND GUIDANCE OF UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND FOR NSW AND MARITIME SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES. THE TACTICAL ADVANTAGE PROVIDED BY NWU TYPE II (DESERT) AND TYPE III (WOODLAND) DIGITAL PATTERNS WILL INCREASE PROBABILITY OF MISSION SUCCESS AND SURVIVABILITY IN COMBAT AND IRREGULAR WARFARE OPERATIONS DUE TO THE REDUCED VISUAL SIGNATURE IN THESE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS.
2. THE NWU TYPE II AND III ARE OF UNISEX DESIGN AND INCLUDES THE NAVY’S LOGO ANCHOR CONSTITUTION EAGLE (ACE) DESIGN IN THE PRINT OF THE FABRIC. THE NWU TYPE II AND III WILL UNDERGO CONFORMANCE TESTING DURING 2010 TO VALIDATE DESIGN, FIT, AND WEAR. A PHASED FLEET DISTRIBUTION WILL COMMENCE ONCE CONFORMANCE TESTING IS COMPLETE WITH PRIORITY DISTRIBUTION TO DEPLOYING COMBAT AND DIRECT COMBAT SUPPORT COMMANDS AND UNITS.
3. OCCASION FOR WEAR:
A. THE NWU TYPE II WILL BE WORN ONLY BY NAVY SPECIAL WARFARE (NSW) PERSONNEL, SAILORS ASSIGNED TO NSW UNITS, OR SAILORS ASSIGNED TO UNITS DIRECTLY SUPPORTING NSW MISSIONS WITHIN THE THEATER OF OPERATIONS. IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, THE NWU TYPE II WILL ONLY BE WORN BY THE AFOREMENTIONED AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ON TRAINING RANGES OR DURING ACTUAL OPERATIONS REQUIRING A DESERT CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORM. ALL OTHER COMMANDS AND INDIVIDUALS REQUIRING THE WEAR OF DESERT CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR THE CURRENT TRI-COLOR DESERT CAMOUFLAGE UTILITY UNIFORM.
B. THE NWU TYPE III WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING TRI-COLORED WOODLAND CAMOUFLAGE UTILITY UNIFORM AND WILL BE THE STANDARD CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORM WORN IN CONUS AND CAN BE WORN DEPLOYED AS PRESCRIBED BY COMBATANT COMMANDERS. OCCASION FOR WEAR OF THE NWU TYPE III WILL BE THE SAME AS THE CURRENT WOODLAND CAMOUFLAGE UTILITY UNIFORM PER REF A, COMMANDS AND SAILORS CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE WOODLAND CAMOUFLAGE UTILITY UNIFORM (CUU) WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR THE CUU AS THEIR PRIMARY DAILY UNIFORM UNTIL THEIR TRANSITION TO THE NEW NWU TYPE III.
C. CNIC NAVY SECURITY FORCE SAILORS, TO INCLUDE AUXILIARY SECURITY FORCES AND RESERVE SECURITY FORCES, WILL WEAR NWU TYPE I (BLUE/GREY/BLACK) UNLESS ASSIGNED TO NSW COMMANDS AS OUTLINED IN PARAGRAPH 3A.
4. BASIC NWU TYPE II AND III COMPONENTS INCLUDE BROWN COTTON UNDERSHIRT, BLACK BOOT SOCKS, BLOUSING STRAPS, NAVY CERTIFIED DESERT TAN OR BROWN BRUSHLESS BOOTS, 1 1/4 INCH BLACK COTTON, NYLON OR ELASTIC WOVEN WEB BELT WITH BLACK TIP AND BLACK OPEN FACE BUCKLE OR 1 3/4 INCH WIDE BLACK OR TAN ONE PIECE ADJUSTABLE NYLON WEBBING RIGGERS BELT WITH FORGED STEEL BUCKLE,D-RING AND HOOK AND LOOP FASTENER, EIGHT POINT UTILITY CAP, UNISEX BLOUSE AND TROUSERS, EMBROIDERED COLLAR DEVICES (E4 AND ABOVE), SERVICE AND NAME TAPE.
5. PRESCRIBED NWU TYPE II AND III COMPONENTS INCLUDE MATCHING PATTERN WATERPROOF AND BREATHABLE FABRIC PARKA WITH REMOVABLE TAN FLEECE LINER AND SLIP ON RANK INSIGNIA FOR EXTREME COLD WEATHER SYSTEM (ECWS) PARKAS AND BLACK KNIT WATCH CAP.
6. OPTIONAL COMPONENTS INCLUDE SMOOTH BLACK LEATHER BOOTS, BROWN BOOT SOCKS, EARMUFFS (WITH OUTER-GARMENTS ONLY), EARRINGS (GOLD BALL FOR FEMALE E7 AND ABOVE AND SILVER BALL FOR FEMALE E6 AND BELOW), AND BLACK LEATHER GLOVES.
7. MANNER OF WEAR: THE MANNER OF WEAR OF THE NWU TYPE II AND III WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT CAMOUFLAGE UTILITY UNIFORMS (DESERT AND WOODLAND) AS OUTLINED IN REF B. THE NWU TYPE II AND III WILL BE PROCURED AND ISSUED AS ORGANIZATIONAL CLOTHING AND WILL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE ISSUING COMMAND.
8. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL AUTHORITY FOR THE NWU TYPE II AND III IS ASSIGNED TO NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND (NAVFAC). PROGRAM MANAGER AND TECHNICAL AUTHORITY FOR THE DIGITAL CAMOUFLAGE PATTERNS IS ASSIGNED TO PROGRAM MANAGER SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES SURVIVAL, SUPPORT AND EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS (PM-SOF SSES), US ARMY SOLDIER SYSTEMS CENTER, NATICK AS DIRECTED BY NSW. DISTRIBUTION AUTHORITY OF THE NWU TYPE II IS ASSIGNED TO COMMANDER, NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE NWU TYPE II AND III WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA FUTURE NAVADMIN.
9. FILE THIS NAVADMIN UNTIL CHANGES ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE QUARTERLY BUPERS DIRECTIVE CD-ROM CHANGE CONTAINING REF A. IN THE INTERIM, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON UNIFORMS AND UNIFORM POLICY, VISIT THE NAVY UNIFORM MATTERS WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.NPC.NAVY.MIL/COMMANDSUPPORT/USNAVYUNIFORMS/.
10. POINTS OF CONTACTS:
Edited for PERSEC
11. RELEASED BY VADM MARK FERGUSON, N1.//
