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The $5 Billion Camo Snafu (Army retiring ACU)
The Daily ^ | June 24, 2012 | Erik German

Posted on 06/25/2012 4:53:08 PM PDT by JerseyanExile

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To be fair, it isn't all the fault of the Army. From what I've heard, they were originally interested in MARPAT. However, the Marine Corp wanted a unique design that set them apart from the Army, so they patented it and refused to share. They even went to the length of embedding Marine logos into the design to prevent another service from using it.

These inter-service rivalries are getting just absurd.

1 posted on 06/25/2012 4:53:23 PM PDT by JerseyanExile
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To: JerseyanExile

I was under the impression that the current Army cammy color was an effort to provide concealment for troops operating in a grey urban environment and was a reaction to fighting in the cities of Iraq with an abundance of concrete and cinder block. It seemed to me an effective scheme for that sort of environment even if it wasn’t appropriate in the mountains of A’stan.


2 posted on 06/25/2012 5:05:01 PM PDT by xkaydet65
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To: JerseyanExile
Multicam is a very effective pattern. More than just color, it incorporates a lot of the effects found in nature in mammal and bird patterns. Most conventional military camouflage breaks up outlines on a generally two dimensional plane. Multicam, while applied on a 2D cloth surface, like any other pattern, is designed to incorporate the appearance of depth as well.

Because of the backing shades under the pattern, it will reflect, to a certain degree the colors and shadows of the surrounding environment, appearing "greener" in a vegetated environ, "browner" in a desert background, and "grayer" in a winter or urban setting...


3 posted on 06/25/2012 5:05:39 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: Joe 6-pack

They should talk to the folks at Mossy Oak.


4 posted on 06/25/2012 5:12:31 PM PDT by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is, it is the only answer.)
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To: Lurker

If I’m not mistaken, the folks at Crye Precision did talk to other manufacturers in the development of Multicam. Years back, I remember reading something about the genesis of some of these newer patterns, and Mossy Oak was brought up. Mossy Oak is made for very specific environments, and is for concealment from animal eyes. Military patterns of course, need to be more generalized, and are made to deceive human eyes, hence the differences in the end product.


5 posted on 06/25/2012 5:20:40 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: JerseyanExile
Yep, stands out a mile away. It's so bad, it would be better to wear nothing at all...


6 posted on 06/25/2012 5:27:57 PM PDT by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: Joe 6-pack

You are correct of course. But I think the folks at MO could learn to fool human eyes too.


7 posted on 06/25/2012 5:29:45 PM PDT by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is, it is the only answer.)
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To: Talisker


8 posted on 06/25/2012 5:36:01 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: Chode

She wrecked....the air bags deployed!


9 posted on 06/25/2012 5:38:20 PM PDT by nascarnation
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To: JerseyanExile
“They [the Marines] went to Home Depot, looked at paint swatches, and said, ‘We want that color,’ ” said Anabelle Dugas, a textile technologist at Natick who helped develop the pattern. That particular hue, she added, was part of a paint series then sold by Ralph Lauren.

Oh, dear. The Marines, in Ralph Lauren designer clothing. That little tidbit will probably get me punched out tonight. BTT.

10 posted on 06/25/2012 5:45:29 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: JerseyanExile
How Not To Be Seen
11 posted on 06/25/2012 5:47:28 PM PDT by reg45 (Barack 0bama: Implementing class warfare by having no class!)
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To: nascarnation
yup... Hollie has a hell of a st of lungs on her
12 posted on 06/25/2012 5:48:51 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: JerseyanExile
Don't blame Marines. Every US service branch has their own unique camouflage pattern. They all wanted it that way.

The curious USAF pattern is sort of a throwback to Vietnam-era 'Tiger Stripe' that MACV-SOG troops and some USAF officers had custom tailored for themselves while on on R&R in Thailand, then they actually used it in combat and found out that it didn't blend into any environment at all. The USAF ought to go back to wearing flat olive drab with shiny white laced boots and baseball caps like God wanted them to have back in the 60s through the 80s.

The new USN 'blue wave' camo is just idiotic. I bet it would be perfect camouflage for a doomed sailor who falls overboard into the sea at night. What were they thinking?

USMC's MARPAT is the only one that works as intended. The pixelation tricks the brain no matter what size object you put it on. Only downside is that the USMC pretty much looks from a distance like a dead ringer for the Waffen SS when fully geared up in it. That's not cool. Even if there are those who think it's cool, it's still not cool.

13 posted on 06/25/2012 6:00:02 PM PDT by The KG9 Kid (Semper Fi)
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To: JerseyanExile

The article was not too clear in pointing out the money trail. Names of the natural individuals owning or directing the companies bidding, selecting and manufacturing the clothing.


14 posted on 06/25/2012 6:10:24 PM PDT by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
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To: JerseyanExile

They should try this pattern. Comes in several color combinations and suitable for nearly every environment and mighty effective, too.

http://www.thehistorybunker.co.uk/acatalog/planetreesmockautumn.jpg


15 posted on 06/25/2012 6:15:08 PM PDT by WorkingClassFilth (I'm for Churchill in 1940!)
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To: The KG9 Kid
a dead ringer for the Waffen SS when fully geared up

I thought their BDUs were black w/ silver piping & black 'dice box' boots. At least tank crews were so attired.

Regards,
GtG

16 posted on 06/25/2012 6:25:08 PM PDT by Gandalf_The_Gray (I live in my own little world, I like it 'cuz they know me here.)
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To: JerseyanExile

Now let’s get after the Air Force “blue” camoflage.

Just where and what does that camoflage?


17 posted on 06/25/2012 6:37:33 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: Gandalf_The_Gray
I thought their BDUs were black w/ silver piping & black 'dice box' boots. At least tank crews were so attired.

See post 15 for an example of a Waffen SS pattern.

18 posted on 06/25/2012 6:38:27 PM PDT by cayuga (The next Crusade will be a war of annihilation.)
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To: Gandalf_The_Gray
SS Leopard pattern...

19 posted on 06/25/2012 6:44:08 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: Talisker

Not guilty!


20 posted on 06/25/2012 6:48:51 PM PDT by Thane_Banquo (Support hate crime laws: Because some victims are more equal than others.)
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