Desert Camouflage Uniform

First fielded in 1991, the DCU served as the U.S. Army's primary desert combat pattern from 1992 to 2004. In June 2004, the Army unveiled a new pixel-style camouflage pattern called UCP (Universal Camouflage Pattern), to be used on the DCU's successor uniform, the Army Combat Uniform (ACU).

In late 2004, some U.S. Army soldiers deployed in Iraq were issued the "Close Combat Uniform", a variant of the DCU that featured ACU-like features such as shoulder pockets affixed with hook-and-loop "Velcro" fasteners as well as a redesigned collar and chest-worn rank insignia.[4] They were made by American Power Source, Inc. and only saw brief usage as they were issued shortly before the introduction of the newer ACU in mid-to-late 2005.[4][5]

In mid-2005, the DCU and the BDU began slowly being discontinued within the U.S. Army. By 2007, most U.S. soldiers were wearing the ACU with both the DCU and BDU being fully replaced by early 2008.[7][2]

Following the Army, the United States Marine Corps began issuing the DCU from 1993 through 1995 and remained the Marine Corps standard arid combat uniform from 1993 to 2003. In January 2002, the U.S. Marine Corps became the first branch to replace both its BDUs and DCUs with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU), completely replacing them by April 2005.[8]

Along with the Army, the Air Force began issuing the DCU in 1992 and remained its primary desert uniform until 2011. The U.S. Air Force officially replaced the BDU and DCU on November 1, 2011 with the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU),[9] though most airmen had been using the ABU for a couple years before that date.

The United States Navy issued the DCU from 1993 until 2010 when it was replaced by the arid variant of the Navy Working Uniform (NWU), known as the NWU Type II. The DCU was retired by the navy in late 2012.[10]

The DCU was introduced to the Coast Guard sometime in the 1990s. The DCU and BDU were formally retired by the USCG in 2012.[10]

The first version produced in 1990 and 1991 and fielded mainly by the USAF during the Gulf War, later being heavily used in Somalia by the Army. The fabric had the same 50% cotton and 50% nylon composition and twill weave as the DBDU. The cut was based on the second pattern DBDU which had no elbow, knee and between legs reinforcements.

During Desert Storm and Desert Shield, Gen. Schwarzkopf redirected many complains from his troops back to the DOD, his concerns contributed to the fielding of the Desert Boots and also the 2nd pattern DBDU. But the unhappiness of the troops with the issued uniforms for the war would persist. As a response for such situation, several modifications were made to the DCU. Much like what happened to the BDU after Operation Urgent Fury. This DCU version presents the fabric of the HWBDU(Hot Weather Battle Dress Uniform), and keeps the details of the 1st pattern DBDU, being the reinforcements and the lining on the back of the shirt. The easiest way to tell this version apart from the others is looking for the waist adjust straps it has below the sleeves. It is possible Delta Operators wore it during Op. Gothic Serpeant as they were prioritized by logistics. But other units probably remained with twill fabric DCU as it was already available since 1990 and 1991.

Following the developments made for the EHWBDU(Enhanced Hot Weather Battle Dress Uniform), a new DCU version was made. The contract label describes it as Poplin Windproof Ripstop, made of 50% Nylon 50% Cotton, mirroring the new BDU uniform. But unlike the latter, it presents no elbow and knee reinforcements just like the Twirl fabric.

The last definitive version of the desert uniform. It is a mirror from the EHWBDU, carrying elbow and knee reinforcements, and also wrist adjustment The fabric remained 50% Nylon 50% Cotton ripstop. This DCU version is separated into two versions. one having a shorter collar and another with a longer collar(Nicknamed Elvis Collar by troops). It is believed the Elvis collar was designed for usage with armor vests. The Ripstop DCU is the most seen during The War in Iraq and Afghanistan. However due to logistical problems it is possible to see many photos of servicemen wearing earlier versions of the uniform.

The CCU was an experimental uniform produced both on M81 Woodland Camouflage and Desert Camouflage Pattern, a bridge between the older uniforms and the new ACU. It appropriated some behaviors from Special Forces, Mostly Rangers, Seals, Delta Force, Green Berets and Marsoc. Since Vietnam Green Berets had the habit of sewing extra pockets on the sleeves of their Jungle Fatigues, and this tradition persisted through every generation. The BDU and DCU would be modified as well, and such modification is known as Raid Mod. The CCU was designed with this in mind, having waist pockets removed, and added pockets to the arms, alongside these, many other modifications were made. Mandarin collar closed by velcros, wrist adjustment by velcro, tilted chest pockets closed by velcros. On the trousers calf pockets and tilted cargo pockets. The ACU kept much of the modifications, making slight adjustments, and adding insert for knee and elbow soft protectors and also IR reflectors to the arm pockets.

•  Argentina: Used by Argentinian troops in peacekeeping operations.[11]
•  Armenia: Used by Armenian peacekeepers in Iraq.
•  Azerbaijan: Used by Azeri peacekeepers in Iraq.[12]
•  Bosnia and Herzegovina: Used by Bosnian troops in Afghanistan.[13]
•  Georgia: DCU was Main camouflage pattern employed by Georgian units in Iraq, also saw usage in opening stages of Georgian mission in Afghanistan before being replaced by MultiCam, still in limited usage by Georgian Special Operations Forces.[13]
•  Egypt
•  Israel: Used by Israeli military in OPFOR capacity.[14]
•  Niger[15]
•  Saudi Arabia[16]
•  Senegal
•  United Arab Emirates[17]

•  Islamic Republic of Afghanistan: Known to be used by Afghan commandos working in Task Force 444.[18]
•  Australia: Used by OPFOR during the 1990s and 2000s for war games.
•  Chile
•  Croatia[19]
•  Dominican Republic
•  Haiti
•  Iraq
•  Kuwait
•  Latvia
•  Netherlands[20]
•  North Macedonia[21]
•  Slovenia: Used until 2013, where SloCam was adopted.[22]
•  United States
  •  United States Army, replaced by the Army Combat Uniform in the late 2000s
  •  United States Marine Corps, replaced by the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform in the mid-2000s[23]
  •  United States Navy, replaced by the Navy Working Uniform in the early 2010s[10]
  •  United States Air Force, replaced by the Airman Battle Uniform in the early 2010s

• Larson, Eric H. (2021). Camouflage: International Ground Force Patterns, 1946–2017. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 9781526739537.