MultiCam Uniform Regulations of the U.S. Army

The MultiCam is currently the official military uniform worn my U.S. Army soldiers in Afghanistan and throughout the middle east. Like other military uniforms of the U.S. Army, standard-issue wear of the MultiCam uniform comes with specific regulations to improve battle-readiness and discipline of specific dress codes. The primary purpose of MultiCam uniform regulations (as well as other common uniforms) is for the evaluation, interpretation, revision, and development of acceptable military uniform and insignia dress codes that will improve the uniformity and image of U.S. Army units.

In this Army and Military blog post, we outline the general military-issue regulations of the MultiCam uniform.

MultiCam Trousers

MultiCam trousers is held up by a two-inch web belt that is made of nylon, and includes Velcro pouches for inserting knee pads. The trousers must always be tucked into the top of the boots or secured by drawing the string at their bottom ends. Trousers must never extend below the third eyelet from the boot’s top. MultiCam trousers manufactured using flame resistant materials are currently standard issue for soldiers being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

MultiCam Jacket 

Much of the MultiCam jacket regulations focus on the patches and insignia worn on the jacket. The embroidered rank insignia is 2 inches in height and 1 3/4 inches wide. It must always be worn centered between the front hook and loop-face pad of the MultiCam jacket for all U.S Army ranks. The rank insignia’s background may be either the universal camouflage pattern or just plain olive drab, and must always match with the background of the name and the name tape.

The U.S. flag patch must always adorn the right shoulder pocket flap of the MultiCam jacket. Current MultiCam regulations also require that the Army jacket must never extend below the top of the cargo pocket or go higher than the bottom of the side pocket. Finally, the MultiCam jacket sleeves must strictly be worn down at all times.

MultiCam Headgear

The MultiCam typically includes the Advanced Combat Helmet, a patrol cap, a fleece hat for cold weather, and boonie hat. Green, maroon, and tan berets may be worn in barracks by army special forces, paratroopers and Rangers, in that order. The green micro fleece cap is only allowed for use in the field and garrison outside of unit patrols while camouflage cover rank must always be sewn when worn although its use is limited because it is often obstructed by the night vision device mount.

MultiCam Undershirt

MultiCam military uniforms must be worn with a moisture wicking cotton tan t-shirt. The MultiCam undershirt must be worn underneath the coat and tucked inside the trousers at all times.

A pure cotton foliage-green T-shirt is authorized for MultiCam regulation wear by soldiers in special training environments or for those deployed in Korea, Afghanistan or Iraq. Black T-shirts are the standard issue for the uniforms worn by certain instructors on Army posts in areas like the Ranger School, Special Forces, Snipers, Jumpmaster, Airborne, Sapper, and Pathfinder (although much less common.)

MultiCam Combat Boots 

Military-issue combat boots for the MultiCam uniform must be made from tan rough side out cattle hide leather that has a plain toe and tan rubber outsoles. The boots must at all times be diagonally laced using tan laces, with any extending lace neatly tucked into the top of the boot underneath the bloused trousers, or securely wound around the top of the boot.

There are no metallic cleats, side tabs, or zipper tacks that are either sewn or laced in allowed by the MultiCam regulations. The MultiCam must at all times be worn with the official tan Army Combat Boots and moisture wicking socks. There is also a Mountain Combat Boot that is provided to cater for tough terrain and Extreme Cold Vapor Barrier Boots for walking on snow and ice. An innovative Modular Boot System is in development to eventually replace the current Army Combat Boot in the near future.

The U.S Army is a uniformed service where a soldier’s discipline is partially dependent on the manner in which they wear their officially sanctioned uniforms, as well as by their personal grooming. A smart and well-groomed appearance by all soldiers is thus essential to a functional Army, and contributes fundamentally to the pride and spirit that are the major drivers of an effective military force.

Three Types Of American Flag Patches

There are five branches of the United States Armed Forces. This includes the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. Each of these branches requires its personnel to wear the American flag on the right sleeve of the service uniform. The wearing of dress uniforms and physical training uniforms do not require it. For military service members assigned to garrison duty or deployed in a combat zone, the wearing of American flag patches is a must unless otherwise ordered by their commanding officer. Generally, there are rules that must be followed when wearing American flag patches although there are no federal laws that govern it. However, some states have their own laws regarding its use.


American flag patches are worn by members of the Armed Forces, law enforcement officers and members of other such organizations as well as patriotic organizations. It is not allowed to be used when wearing athletic uniforms or costumes. If you are thinking about using one, you can choose either the forward-facing or the reverse field flags. The left side of the flag patch should be worn closest to the heart. This is the portion where the field of stars of the flag is positioned. This means that you need reverse American flag patches if you intend to use it on the right sleeve. This placement has an important significance as it means that the soldier wearing it runs forward to battle instead of running away from it as implied when the flag patch is worn with the stripes facing forward. Hook and pile fasteners were used since 2006 instead of sewing the flag patch directly onto the uniform.


Military personnel are authorized to use three types of American flag patches. These are the full-color flag, subdued flag and infrared flag patches. The discretion for wearing any of these types depends upon the commander of the unit. Full color flags consisting of red, white and blue colors with gold trim are most often worn for garrison duty. Subdued flag patches are used in the field where camouflage is essential. In this context, subdued means that the colors used for these American flag patches blends with the combat uniform worn; hence avoiding uncalled for attention from hostile forces. Subdued flags often consist of various shades of gray but are also available in other equally drab colors. Infrared flags are also usually made of varying shades of gray but black and tan infrared flag patch and olive drab infrared flag patch are also sold through military supply outlets. These infrared flag patches have a visible IR signature when viewed through night vision equipment. They are most often used for field and combat duty and very seldom for garrison wear.


Infrared flag patches are forms of combat identification. Designed to protect soldiers from friendly fire, these infrared flag patches are observed using night vision equipment commonly found in combat helicopters and other modern combat aircraft. They are not easily differentiated from the combat uniform when viewed through the naked eye; therefore, they do not compromise the camouflage value of the combat uniform. The United States presently restricts the sales and usage of infrared flag patches to “military personnel only” because Taliban and Al-Qaeda members were able to purchase them freely when the restrictions were not yet in place. The coalition attack aircraft were not authorized to fire on anyone wearing it, hence providing enemy forces with the same protection accorded to ISAF personnel. Illegal distribution, however, still occurs and their popularity with those who engage in airsoft led to the development of replica versions that are not infrared receptive.


American flag patches, both in full and subdued colors are available through the online military store, MillitaryUniformSupply.com. Military personnel authorized to wear infrared flag patches can find the Infrared Reverse American Flag in Tan and Black and the Infrared Reverse OD American Flag, an olive drab infrared flag patch, at MillitaryUniformSupply.com. Both GI issued infrared patches, feature a reverse reflective flag and are attached with hook fasteners. They come in the same size of 2 1/8” x 3 ½” with the US flag is clearly visible under IR light illumination. Reverse Flag Patch Foliage Green in sew on type or Velcro are also available as well as a forward facing Gray on Black American Flag Patch with hook.