The U.S. military’s uniform history is one of tradition and tactical purpose. Many tiny details on our uniforms date back centuries. The different colors in the Army’s dress blues are a call back to the days when soldiers on horseback would take o…
Among the best techniques for survival demonstrated in the wild is camouflage. Animals can mimic their surroundings or even other animals to hunt or hide. Camouflage is a natural adaptation…
Keen-eyed history enthusiasts may notice a textured, striped camouflage on German WWII vehicles. In fact, the distinctive visual can be used to identify a WWII vehicle as German. But what…
Almost everyone is primarily familiar with the online game known as Minecraft. The blocky graphics in that online game are similar to what the military has switched to from blotched…
In 2004, the U.S. Army unveiled its new combat uniform, complete with upgrades including wrinkle-free fa…
As the US military entered the 21st century, its uniforms went to digital camo. The Desert Combat Uniform and Battle Dress Uniform, which were worn by all branches, were replaced…
If there’s one accessory that’s become synonymous with the post-9/11 generation of troops, it has to be the nonsensical PT belt. It’s that bright, neon green, reflective band that you see wrapped around every troop when they go out for a jog.
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The two men crawl stealthily through the Panamanian jungle. Their faces are painted with hues of black, brown and green. Their bodies are covered by the burlap strands and interwoven foliage of their ghillie suits. The sniper and his spotter reach a…
It was 2006, and Army Staff Sgt. Brett Johnson of the 1st Ranger Battalion peered through night-vision goggles, slowly moving with his squad toward a house in Iraq with a high-value target inside. They knew there were armed militants nearby, but the…
Trainees entering into basic military training at the 37th Training Wing the first week of October 2019 were the first group to be issued the new Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms.
When Air Force officials announced last year they were a…