I was on the local military base today and noticed a guy wearing a strange camouflage uniform. I thought maybe he was a foreign soldier but when I went to the PX & checked the uniform section, sure enough, that’s the new uniform for Marines.
I thought it looked like a pixelated computer design. Went to the Marine Corp website and sure enough, that’s how they describe it, a computer generated pattern of squares.
What up wit’ dat? Is this new camo really better, or are the Marines just insisting on being different again? If it’s truly a superior design, why aren’t all the services adopting it?
It is computer designed. A few years ago they redesigned the Marine Corps camo and uniform (they even let you vote on various parts of the design of the uniform on-line). The camo was designed to blend in better then anything designed by humans. I also remember something about the globe and anchor symbol being hidden in the pattern, like a “magic eye” picture.
It is partially designed to help soften a persons outline when viewed through night vision equipment. Something to do with the computer-generated ‘blocks’ on the uniform tricking the already very pixelated image one gets through night vision gear.
Or version two, they just wanted their SS-syle flektarn camo.
There are an awaful lot of “structural” changes as well to make it more functional. From the second link above:
While they were at it, the made the material different, permanent creases to avoid ironing and starching, and since they did that, it made sense to get a better print. There are very small "Eagle Globe and Anchor"s printed in black in the pattern every so often, not exactly the “magic eye” pattern mentioned above, more of a “Where’s Waldo?” look.
Great. The Marines are using WW2-era German uniforms, and the Airforce is going for the Spetsnaz look. $5 says the Army goes for the retro-British look, and orders some red coats…
Hmmm, I sense levdrakon has NOT been watching the History Channel’s ‘Mail Call’ (with R. Lee Emery, of course) regularly.
Otherwise they would have known all about the Marine’s new uniform and how they designed the camo patterns, plus many, many, many other interesting things about war and military history.
Well, no, the above snarky response doesn’t really answer the OP, but Mail Call has managed to remain an interesting and informative program over all it’s seasons. Although it would be great if they would bring back ‘Conquest’ for a second season - I guess Peter Woodward kinda ran outta things to master - hey wait a minute - I just looked at the Conquest website - seems there are 8 or 9 episodes that did not air on the History channel - what’s the deal with this?
