During a recent trip to the Great Northwest, I stopped by Grey Ghost Gear. As I was guided through their facility I spied a curious roll of fabric upon a shelf. I innocently asked if they would make a pack for me from the fabric. This Stealth Operator Pack is what they presented to me. Thanks guys!
Do you know what this rare pattern is (yes, I know what it is or I wouldn’t have asked for the pack)?
Our friends at Mayflower Research & Consulting remind us that winter is here. This is the Velocity Systems Assaulter Smock and Mayflower 24Hr Assault Pack V.2, both in Kryptek Yeti.
A New Law Enforcement Pattern
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Available Through
That’s the rumor.
Agilite shared this photo (it’s not the camo in question, we already asked) on their new Instagram page. They told us that something cool is coming this way within a few weeks so we’ll keep our ears to the ground. Until then, follow them at instagram.com/agilitetactical
We’ve had a few incredulous readers contact us with doubts that the Army would actually alter the OCP/MultiCam pattern on their own so we thought it best to share this blast from the past. We broke this story on March 25th, 2011.
MultiCam was developed by Crye Precision and is currently one of the most popular camouflage patterns on the market. It’s been adopted by numerous countries including the US, UK, and Australia. Consequently, we run across MultiCam knockoffs all of the time. Readers send them to us often asking if they are authentic or not. In fact, we received one yesterday that really caught our eye. Generally, copycat patterns are intended for the MilSim or consumer markets which are often more driven by price than performance. But this one was different. It was developed by the US Army and oddly enough, for much the same reasons. Intended as a cost savings measure and yet still be MultiCam compatible, we’re not too sure they have succeeded at either goal. Take a look, and you’ll see what we mean.
This has been in the works for a little while and we’re happy to see it announced. I’d expect a few other announcements along these lines coming in the near future as well.
Tactical Tailor, supplier of rugged, 100% American-made tactical equipment to Warfighters around the world, is proud to announce it will be building equipment in the PenCott™ family of camouflage patterns.
The effectiveness camouflage should not gauged by popularity, nor aesthetic appeal. Camouflage is measured by its ability to mask shape and form to prevent detection. The successful use of camouflage—or its compromise—often determines mission success, mission failure and even mission completion. It is for this reason that Hyde Definition calls their patterns Mission Critical Camouflage, and it’s because of PenCott’s efficacy that TT added the Badlands™ and GreenZone™ variants to its equipment camo pattern options.
“We haven’t just looked at T&E results,” says Tactical Tailor’s GW Ayers, “We did our own research. We took it to the field and sent it overseas…the results are in. We need to offer PenCott™.”
“Tactical Tailor makes some of the most rock solid and effective gear on the planet,” says Lawrence Holsworth, Hyde Definition’s Director of Business Development. “It’s a great honor to be working with them—and a testament to the effectiveness of PenCott™’s patterns that they chose us.”
Hyde Definition’s family of patterns features a unique, hybrid, 3-in1 pattern geometry that is more organic and natural looking than typical camouflages. It provides superior concealment at all ranges. Founder Dominic Hyde realized the deficiencies of many such patterns years ago and set out to design a new pattern geometry that would be more effective and adaptable than any other patterns available.
“The PenCott™ patterns are enjoying great growth internationally,” Holsworth advises, “so teaming up with Tactical Tailor will help us consolidate and build on that success in the US market as well.”
Tactical Tailor will initially be offering equipment in BadLands™ (for dry, upland, bushland, semi-arid and transitional terrain) and GreenZone™ (for verdant temperate, tropical and semi-tropical operations). There are two other patterns, with a fifth in development: SandStorm™ (for arid, desert terrain) and SnowDrift™ (for snow and winter terrain). The last pattern is called MetroPolis. It’s an urban/industrial/low-light pattern scheduled for release in 2014.
“Sandstorm™ and SnowDrift™ are great patterns, no doubt,” Ayers continues, shading his eyes with a grin and looking into the distance. “and MetroPolis is intriguing. However, I can neither confirm nor deny we’ll be doing anything with those in the future.”
View the entire line of Tactical Tailor PenCott™ offerings:
www.tacticaltailor.com/pencottproducts
Learn more about PenCott™’s international use: in use all around the world: www.facebook.com/Pencottcamouflage
We’ve mentioned multiple times that the Army does not plan to make a major announcement about the upcoming transition to the newly renamed Operational Camouflage Pattern, first adopted for use in Afghanistan and known commercially as MultiCam. Developed by Crye Precision about 10 years ago, it has been used for years by US SOF and variants are in use worldwide with a variety of armed forces.
Announcement
Instead of a public announcement, expect the transition to be implemented in two ways. First, the Army will cease the purchase of clothing and equipment in UCP. Second, in the coming months, the Army G1 will issue one or more ALARACT messages. These All Army Action messages hold the weight of orders from the Army staff and are used to direct implementation of various programs or policies.
Timetable
Here’s what we’ve told you already regarding the change:
During AUSA we shared some info that was passed to industry by an Army acquisition official…
However, according to the information received by SSD, the Army will eventually make an official announcement and plans to begin fielding OCP to new accessions beginning in FY15 with uniforms for the rest of the force starting in FY16. According to the source, the reason for the delay is that the Army plans to tweak the colors in the pattern slightly. Interestingly, the source also claimed that the Army would have access to the woodland and arid environmental patterns as well.
When asked about the time gap until the new patterns are fielded and the requirement for the Army’s incumbent UCP, the source answered that analysis indicated that there were enough uniforms already in stock or on order to support the force except for some odd sizes based on current demand models.
Bookend Patterns
We have also received verbal verification that the Army purchased a license for OCP from Crye Precision. This is a very important piece of information as it will help you understand what is going to happen.
During the unofficially abandoned Army Camouflage Improvement Effort, the Army announced a requirement for a family of patterns that included a Transitional pattern, Arid or Desert pattern, Woodland or Jungle pattern as well as a fourth optional pattern for Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment. However, the Army purchased a license for OCP from Crye, which is a Transitional pattern. In order to offer these new “Bookend” patterns for Woodland and Desert, the Army plans to tweak the colors themselves. Assuredly, they will use the information gleaned from the recently concluded camouflage mega-test to determine the most effective colorways for both patterns. This is a big win for the Army but not so much for the companies that participated in Phase IV.
There is no indication that the Army will “tweak” the colors of the current OCP for general purpose use. The colorway performed very well in combat in Afghanistan (and elsewhere) as well as in Phase IV testing. OCP will be the Principle camouflage pattern for the Army and it will be the pattern that Soldiers will wear day-to-day in garrison or combat. The bookend patterns will be will be integrated into CTA 50-900 and issued as needed. OCIE will be issued in the transitional OCP rather than the bookend patterns although it is not beyond the realm of possibility that select items will be made in those patterns. Additionally, certain units may be issued with OCIE in the bookend patterns.
Accessories
In the US Army photo above, you can Chief of Staff of the Army GEN Ray Odierno. He is checking out the new Army Physical Fitness Uniform. But that’s not what we are interested here. Instead, check out the boots on the manikin in the background. Notice the two pair of boots? Well that has been one of the biggest questions posed to us over the past few months. Earlier this year industry was informed that a new boot color was coming along with the new camouflage pattern. While a final decision has not been made, the Army does not want to reinvent the wheel on this but rather adopt a color that already exists.
Accessory colors have come down to two options. First is Tan 499 which is currently used with OCP as an accessory color for many items. The other option is the very popular Coyote. It has been noted through significant testing during the initial push of OCP in 09-10 that Coyote is a bit dark for use with the Transitional OCP. Conversely, Tan 499 has proven to work very well with the current Transitional variant but there is concern over its use with the Woodland Bookend pattern as it may be too light. What’s more, there aren’t currently any Tan 499 boots available. Our money is on a Coyote boot. It’s just too easy. Raw materials are readily available and several vendors already manufacture boots in Coyote for the Marine Corps and Navy.
What about T-shirts and Belts? For that, our bet is Tan 499. Expect Desert Tan to be phased out during the transition to the general issue OCP. Do not however, hold your breath for any changes to the Army Combat Uniform other than color. They aren’t going to change the pocket layout or add or subtract anything. That will cost money and the Army is trying to do this as inexpensively as possible.
Be aware, any and all of this is subject to change. We will update you as we learn more.
I’ve been on record as opposing the adoption of specialized, area specific camouflage patterns. Basically, I’ve got two arguments against the concept. First off, is logistical. It’s extremely difficult to ensure that the right Soldier has the right pattern in the right environment. Shorten the timeline (as in contingency ops) and it’s all but impossible. And that issue leads to my second concern, operational effectiveness. Perhaps our friend Cal the Chameleon from the cartoon “Unnatural History” can best demonstrate what happens when you don’t have the right pattern for the environment you’re entering.
