# What's up with the Marine Corp's new camo? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2004, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813 "2004-01-10T09:27:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/1 "2004-01-10T09:27:02Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/2 "2004-01-10T10:31:24Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/3 "2004-01-10T10:42:07Z")
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. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/4 "2004-01-10T11:07:59Z")
A [link](http://marines.com/about_marines/newcombatutilitygear.asp) or [two](http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/jul01/ed070301c.html) or [three](http://www.scarface-usmc.org/images/change21.jpg) for those of us without imaginations. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/5 "2004-01-10T15:06:55Z")
Of course, it has the critical property of being distinctive from the U.S. Army’s uniform. (No link, but the USAF has been testing a blue-gray BDU with the new USAF logo printed in it again and again. Looks like pajamas from the 1960s.) ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/6 "2004-01-10T15:51:32Z")
There are an awaful lot of “structural” changes as well to make it more functional. From the second link above: > [@](#): > > Gone are the lower pockets on the blouse. > > Pocket flaps that once featured plastic buttons now use Velcro. > > Trouser adjustment tapes were scrapped for an integrated elastic waist adjustment. > > Brown suede boots replace black boots, complete with the Marine Corps’ eagle, globe and anchor on the ankle. > > Pockets also were added to the upper parts of the sleeve. > > The eagle, globe and anchor also appear embroidered on the new slanted chest pockets, the same as the traditional octagonal utility hat and the new “boonie” hat to be added to the new issue. > > Collars were redesigned to be smaller and more comfortable. > > Cargo pockets on the legs feature an elastic enclosure. > > Belt loops were changed to accommodate the upcoming issue of Marine “rigger’s belts” in varying colors, which reflect Marines’ achievements in the Corps’ new martial arts program. > > The blouse was even designed to make it easier for Marines to tuck it into their trousers in the field. > > For the field, knee and elbow pad inserts were added to the uniform, 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. ---
**Author:** ![NBIT33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NBIT33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NBIT33)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/7 "2004-01-10T16:02:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Paul in Saudi \* > \*\* > (No link, but the USAF has been testing a blue-gray BDU with the new USAF logo printed in it again and again. Looks like pajamas from the 1960s.) \*\* Link for that: [http://www.af.mil/search/media\_all.asp?storyID=123005370](http://www.af.mil/search/media_all.asp?storyID=123005370) The last pic shows the AF logo, but not again and again. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/8 "2004-01-10T16:08:36Z")
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… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![hermann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b487fb/32.png) [@hermann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hermann)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/9 "2004-01-10T16:56:10Z")
Yeah, but those “WW2-era German uniforms” go naturally with those German-style kevlar helmets. ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-marine-corps-new-camo/223813/10 "2004-01-10T17:04:13Z")
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?