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.

The Progression of Military Name Tapes

Military name tapes is essentially a name tag that would be attached to the uniform of a military personnel. Military name tapes cannot be placed anywhere on the uniform, there are regulations and instructions laid out to ensure its proper placement. Name tapes are generally worn on the right side of the shirt or jacket, just above the pocket.

Military name tapes can be attached to the uniform by sewing the name tape on the shirt or jacket. The name tape may be a cloth, plastic or a Velcro tape. Military name tapes and tags may also be embroidered onto the shirt or jacket directly. There are digital name tapes available too.

There are a variety of name tapes for various military uniform types:

• ACU (Army Combat Uniform): Sew on name tapes are no longer used for Army Combat Uniforms. They are name tapes with black letters made from digitized fabric with hook fastener or Velcro.
• ABU (Airman Battle Uniform): These are name tapes with blue letters and come in twill winter weight material.
• MultiCam Uniforms: These name tags have black letters and are made on 1 inch MultiCam fabric strips. They are 5 inches in length with Velcro on the back.
• A-TACS Military Uniforms: These name tapes are 5 inches in length and have a Velcro backing. They are available in olive drab and black threads
• Woodland BDU (Battle Dress Uniform): The specific colour for Woodland BDU name tapes is olive drab and are made on 1 ¼ inch olive drab fabric strips with black letters.
• DCU (Desert Camouflage Uniforms): These military name tapes are made with 1 inch cotton webbing tape

BDU and DCU name tapes are the traditional types, whereas Army ACU, ABU, ATACS and Multicam name tapes are newer variety that have progressed in their development.

The main purpose of these military name tapes are the easy recognition. Sometimes their designations can also be seen here. In the battle field a name tape or tag is very useful. Looking at the tape what kind of treatment is necessary that can be decided. In case of emergency this tape also helps to reach their nearest family members.

3 Military-Grade Packs That Promote Optimal Efficiency

Whether as a soldier or civilian, if you are going on outdoor adventure, then you need to have plenty of storage space for the essentials. Military backpacks offer a highly efficient and functional solution to suit your needs. Below we highlight three of the most functional and high performing for all types of situations.

1. Transport Backpack 

If you are under a strict budget, this military backpack would be the perfect one for you. Under $60, you can have military-grade backpack, made from a rugged, synthetic material which offers flexibility. All pockets on the Transport Pack are P/U coated for waterproofing and heavy duty nylon coil, self-repairing zippers for security. It has additional pockets for better organization both in and out of the main pack. The Transport Pack is also easy to carry with padded shoulder straps which are adjustable and carry handle for easy handling.

2. Military Bugout Bag 

Military-grade backpacks offer a great deal of security and stability of your items needed for travelling, especially with the highly function military bugout bag. The bugout bag is made with an abrasion-resistant synthetic 1000-D material and is very durable. Most military bugout bags are coated and waterproof for your convenience, using easy to zip, good-quality zippers for further security. It also has padded waist belts and straps with a carry handle. Its price ranges from $110 to $115 which is fair enough for the quality.

3. 3-Day Assault Pack

For those who are serious travelers or even soldiers on mission, the 3-Day Assault Pack would suit you well. For $160, you can have this military-grade backpack with seven compartments to divide and organize your items. For security, the 3-Day Assault Pack has two straps that offer stability. It also comes in with hydration systems that are essential in the field plus the pockets and the main back pack are waterproof for ease of usage. It is a large back pack 22”x17”x11”with another set of pockets: 2 on the side and one in front. You can find the the 3-Day Assault Pack in MultiCam, ACU, and various other camouflage patterns.

You don’t really have to be a military man to use quality grade back packs for your trips. There are several distributors online that can give you the back pack that you want. When inspecting for a back pack, check the sewn edges for any missed stitches or runs that would have a great impact on quality. Check also the zippers if you have any difficulties pulling it. Check all the pockets for any holes and even the straps outside the bag. While it is rare to find these errors in military-grade bags, it’s still good habit to check.

One big tip for shoppers is to do your research on a specific military backpack that you want online. If you are having difficulties in choosing one, you are free to explore more designs, price ranges and materials used on military-grade backpacks.

Today's Military Uniforms of the U.S. Armed Forces

The U.S. Armed Forces is composed of many branches of the Military. As a result, there are a number of different military uniforms to support each branch, namely the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Crops.

In this post, we highlight three common military uniforms worn by today's military personnel. Two of these military uniforms (the ACU and Mutlicam) are worn by the U.S. Army, while the other (ABU) is worn by the member of the U.S. Air Force.

ACU (Army Combat Uniform)

The ACU is the latest design of U.S. Military uniform succeeding the Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) and the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). The Army Combat Uniform features several changes in design including a camouflage pattern change from the BDU and DCU.

As one the most cutting edge U.S. Military-issue uniforms, ACU's are designed as a set comprising a pair of ACU Trousers, Headgears, T-shirt, Army Combat Boots and an ACU Jacket. The headgear comprises an advanced combat helmet, fleece caps for warmth, a boonie hat and patrol caps.

The ACU Universal Digital Camouflage is the standard color pattern for the U.S. Army and includes other digital patterns like; the digital desert which is now officially worn by all officers in undertaking desert combats like the Middle East missions including Afghanistan.

The ACU Digital Camouflage pattern is made from synthetic cotton blended to avoid shrinking and treated with Dupont Teflon to resist stain and water. The Army combat uniform is also currently available in two other important versions: Insect resistant and Flame resistant versions.

ABU (Airman Battle Uniform)

The second newly introduced Army gear for the U.S. Forces is the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) which was adopted by the entire United States Air Force. This transition saw a complete replacement of the Battle Dress Uniform.

The ABU is similar to the ACU in color although it includes a blue color scheme in contrast to the ACU Universal color scheme. The Airman Battle Uniform also incorporates the NIR (near-infra red), which is a similar property with the ACU. However, the hook and loop attachment points and slant pockets are not included in the ABU.

The Tiger Stripe Camouflage based on the Vietnam War is the distinctive pattern in the Airman Battle Uniform. Originally, Tiger Stripe Camouflage was designed for close-range use in thick jungles during the Jungle Warfare of Vietnam. French and American forces used the Tiger Stripe Camo which derives its name from the resemblance it has to a tiger’s stripes.

The first Tiger Stripe camo pattern had 64 stripes but it is unclear who developed this initial design. With over 19 different patterns, the Tiger Stripe mainly features crossing stripes similar to brush strokes which interlock instead of overlapping as is with the regular combat patterns. The patterns are mainly small brown and green stripes interlocked with a larger black brush-stroke to display the effective Tiger Stripe Camouflage.

MultiCam Uniform

MultiCam uniform is a camouflage effort by the United States Army to replace Universal Camouflage patterns which had failed to be effective in the desert sand. This particular Uniform Pattern is proving to be very effective in the Afghanistan War providing a much better camouflage in the desert compared to Universal Camouflage patterns.

The Universal Camouflage pattern was believed to be more effective in all sorts of terrain but the MultiCam pattern proved to be best suited especially in the Afghanistan topography. Multicam is common in many articles of clothing, as well as combat gear, such as MultiCam boots and footwear, backpacks, and other textiles.

Advanced camouflage patterns are aimed at utilizing the digital capabilities of creating shapes that are in close resemblance to the natural objects providing a complete optimum disappearance of the human image at different distances in different locations.

Features & Advancements in Today's Army Combat Shirts

Whether from Propper, Rothco, or 5.11 Tactical, today's army combat shirts are one of the best tops available for various combat situations. Army combat shirts provide a wide range of features and help protect users from a wide range of elements and hazards.

In this article, we share some the advancements and features behind common army combat shirts on the market.

Materials Used in Army Combat Shirts

Modern army combat shirts are typically made of a 60/40 or 50/50 blend of cotton and nylon that helps in insulating the skin when exposed to high temperatures such as is the case with flash fires and blasts. Unlike polyester or “polypro” the resulting blend does not melt onto the skin and thereby reduces burn injuries.

Nearly all army combat shirts feature a No Melt/No Drip Cordura Baselayer fabric to cover the torso. This extremely light weight and extra comfortable torso fabric unlike heavier Nomex apparels is not only durable but it also reduces chafe, increases airflow between the skin and the fabric thus wicking sweat away from the body.

Features Behind Army Combat Shirts

For the ultimate apparel best suited to the most hostile environments, manufacturers have come up with army combat shirts featuring padded elbows. Commonly called “the SuperFabric abrasion dots”, such elbow pads are designed to provide a good level of durability and protection when a soldier is in crawling position. The rest of the sleeve fabric, just like the Cordura Baselayer fabric making up the torso, is designed to be flame resistant.

Following the discovery that uniform chest and lower pockets can’t be reached especially when a soldier is wearing body armor and thus practically useless, manufacturers have done away with the weight of the pockets on a standard army combat shirt. Instead, the pockets are located on the sleeves where they can be easily accessed.

After phasing out breast pockets, shoulder pockets have become rampant in nearly all army combat shirts being produced today. This adequately addresses known problems when wearing body armor and in addition, the shoulder pockets feature light weight FR zippers that help keep military gear within reach.

Another peculiar feature of nearly all modern army combat shirts is the presence of wrist cuffs. Such hook and loop cuff closures can be easily adjusted to fit a variety of wrist sizes in a way that the shirt assumes a snug fit.

To help in identification, army combat shirts designs have incorporated Velcro loops on the sleeve pockets to help attach a soldier’s name, rank, unit and their flag patches. This feature has done away with the Army Logo that featured in army combat shirt and appeared at the front of the shirt.

Colors of Army Combat Shirts

Most army combat shirts come in camo patterns, such as ACU digital, MutliCam, Woodland, and desert camo. Other designs feature heavily foliage green color, though other options such as sand color body, black, olive drab and khaki color options are also available. Most of the army combat uniform designs can be found at military-issue stores like Military Uniform Supply.

Other features to be found in army combat shirts include: the presence of glint tape holder for IR military operations tape that helps identify friend from foe, sleeves which are gusseted, a mock turtle neck, flat seams to minimize chafing under body armor and pen pocket on forearm for easy access.

3 Exceptional Backpacks for Military & Civilian Use

Choosing the most appropriate backpack might represent a challenging task in some cases, as there are numerous aspects you have to consider if you want to obtain a high quality and very resistant pack that can also offer you numerous other functions.

Considering the elementary details of every military backpack available is essential in this situation. If you are not completely sure regarding the most fitted choice you should make, these three  military backpacks are very suitable for both civilians and military personnel.

The Bugout Bag is the first most appropriate option you have when choosing military backpacks, as it can provide you an impressive number of features and benefits. There are three patterns this backpack provides, including ABU, ACU and Multicam, which present different colors and models, keeping, though, the original design. However, this backpack is not only very suited for soldiers, but it can constitute an adequate choice for all traditional travelers.

The main features of the Bugout Bag are an internal frame, expandable main compartment, rugged and abrasion-resistant exterior, hydration compatibility, panel organization, Molle and Pals panels, tuck away shoulder harness, padded waist belt and a material that is 1000-D Cordura. Choosing this backpack will offer you the possibility to store numerous objects and items, as it has many zippered pockets and open slots available. With a very affordable price for everyone's pocket, this backpack constitutes a very valuable acquisition mostly for military personnel, especially if they need to prepare for war or other military duties.


The 3 Day Pack military backpack is an ideal option for soldiers who prefer effectiveness and functionality instead of style, as it has a very attractive Multicam pattern. This backpack can provide people complete comfort while carrying it, as it includes many remarkable features, like comfort, removable waist strap, heavy duty carry handle, adjustable padded shoulder straps, adjustable sternum strap, an 1000-D Cordura material and many others.

 If you appreciate functionality and comfort and you want to store all the items you need for your trip, the 3 Day Pack backpack represents an excellent choice for all your needs and expectations, as you can carry it easily, without feeling the unpleasant sensation most backpack involve. Its reasonable price makes this military backpack the most suitable option for you, as it can be successfully used any time you need because of its very durable material and complete load stability.

If you have to accomplish a military duty, but you are not extremely sure about the backpack you should use, the Sling backpack is more than adequate for all your needs. Given that it has a very functional and attractive design as well, this military item is right for every soldier and other military personnel who need a backpack with a large storage space and other features included.

There are numerous benefits associated with this backpack and the most remarkable ones are external pockets, padded back, mobile phone case, compression straps, quick-release single strap and carry handle. This backpack can be easily used and it provides complete access to all its pockets, so it is more than right if you need it for military purposes. The Sling backpack has a attractive ACU pattern, which makes it perfect for military duties that require camouflage.

Whether you opt for the Bugout Bag, 3 Day Pack or Sling backpack, all these military-grade backpacks for sale can simplify your military duty and allow you to obtain a large storage space, where you can keep all the items you need in order to succeed.

This post was contributed by Tyler Tafelsky.

The Rise of MultiCam in Today's Military Uniforms & Combat Gear

MultiCam® is a advanced camouflage pattern that's becoming quite popular due to its incredible effectiveness in the field, as well as its unique and innovative design.

MultiCam was designed to disguise users amidst a wide range of environments, seasons, and conditions. The objective behind its creators was to develop a new camouflage that centers on the need for optimal concealment in a wide spectrum of terrain and changing conditions.

While there are a wide range of camouflage options that suit the demands for concealment in specific environments (such as that of today's desert and woodland BDU's), MultiCam is known to be effective in a wide array of landscapes and conditions, making it one of the most revolutionary developments to support the United States Armed Forces.

The Design Behind MultiCam Camouflage

MultiCam camouflage is a complex pattern composed of many different layers and colors. The background color scheme consists of a tan/brown gradient with light shades of green in between. The frontal layers of MultiCam include a green/yellow color gradient with blotches of brown and a slight pink scattered throughout the camouflage's pattern.

The desirable feature behind MultiCam is its ability to conceal a user by deceiving the eye's perception of color. In essence, the visible appearance of MultiCam seems to change from slight green to brown, depending on the brightness and backdrop of the environment. This makes MultiCam uniforms and combat gear ingenious applications for a wide range of situations, particularly for use in the Middle East.

The Emergence of MultiCam in Today's Military Uniforms & Gear

MultiCam uniform attire and gear has exploded over the last few years. For military issue applications, MultiCam uniforms have become increasingly demanding as more combat situations are present in Middle Eastern environments. Retailers like Military Uniform Supply have realized this rise in demand MultiCam uniforms and combat gear.

Beyond military use, hunters and outdoors men are also finding MultiCam to be a unique choice for their attire. The uniqueness of this camouflage pattern has earned recognition amongst many different markets.

Find popular military uniform items with ease

The Multicam camouflage pattern helps soldiers hide in different environments, seasons, elevations and weather conditions. Its strong points hinge on its ability to reflect the surrounding environment, disguise volume and shape and balance of scale and contrast. The people behind the Multicam camouflage pattern spent a year and a half testing the design with the US Army, which they called Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or the OCP. The results of these tests were more than what they hoped for and after two consecutive tests where they were consistently top ranked, they produced it for large scale use and was henceforth known as the Multicam.

The Multicam camouflage pattern is a single camouflage pattern made up of seven different hues. Designed to reflect some of the colors of the environment, it mimics the green shades of a forest canopy or the seemingly monotonous tan of the open desert. One of the Multicam camouflage pattern’s strengths is its ability to distort the way the human eye perceives shape, volume and color. Since only a small portion of the human eye actually sees colors, the brain fills in the majority, which tricks the observer in perceiving the Multicam as part of the background. The Multicam design works to blend instead of utilizing contrast. This is why it works in a variety of environments including close distances. Usually, short distances compromise concealment when a soldier uses a camouflage with bulky or pixilated patterns.

The Multicam Camouflage Pattern is used by the Armed Forces of several countries. In the United States, Multicam uniform items are used by the US Military’s Special Operation’s Command. The US Army’s 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Charlie Company was spotted wearing Multicam uniforms. The Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Homeland Security also use it. The USAF also announced that they will be using the Multicam for some of their official uniforms.

The online military store, MilitaryUniformSupply.com offers Multicam ACU items, including boonie hats, name tapes, branch tapes, rank insignias, unit patches, belts, socks and other accessories and paraphernalia on top of Multicam jackets, trousers and boots. Offering high quality, military specified items, MUS.com makes it easy for shoppers to locate items that are difficult to find because of the sheer number listed under it. The website’s quickfinder pages enable visitors to gain easy access to the items they are primarily looking for without wasting precious time figuring out where it is. Located on the left side of the MUS.com pages under the heading “Categories”, the Unit Item Quickfinder is divided according to divisions. If you’d rather browse through the website according to item, you will also easily find them in the category list.

MUS.com’s Item Quickfinder allows customers to easily pinpoint what they need as it is represented in the image provided in the page. This feature is different than the Unit Item Quickfinder. For instance, if you are interested in Woodland BDU items, clicking on the image corresponding to it will bring you to the page where each Woodland BDU item is labeled and can be easily clicked on if you want to learn more about it or if you plan on making a purchase. If you’re looking for ACU Uniform and Multicam Uniform items, the same Item Quickfinder method can be used for easy access.


With MilitaryUniformSupply.com’s considerable experience in selling military items, you can be assured that you can find what you need in the quickest, easiest way. If you are looking for convenience, quality and affordability when buying popular military uniform items, choose MUS.com.

Top Source for Multicam Gear and Equipment

When it comes to military clothing, few can equal the large inventory that the online military store, Military Uniform Supply.com has. They are specialists in military uniforms, clothing and gear and accessories as well as kids’ military clothing. When it comes to multicam gear and equipment, MUS.com is the top source wherein you can get all that you need or desire at reasonable costs. For military personnel, people whose passions are directed towards all things military and for those whose fashion sense are geared towards it, taking a look at what MUS.com has to offer can definitely give you something to be happy about.


MilitaryUniformSupply.com has a great selection of Multicam jackets and coats printed with the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern and made with a combination of varying amounts of nylon and Cotton Ripstop, polyester and Cotton Battle Rip and polyester and Cotton Twill. This collection is available in ACU or BDU styles and is based on military specifications. They also sell Propper Flame Resistant Multicam ACU Style Jacket made of Tencate Defender M fabric that sets the standard for fire retardant military combat uniforms. Water proof ECWS Gen-2 Multicam parkas and Multicam Tru-Spec M-65 Field Jackets are also available and many others.


The Multicam jackets they offer have counterpart trousers in the pants and trousers category of the website. Multicam ACU pants are worn with its specified jacket for official purposes. They are made in the Multicam pattern and use a combination of nylon and Cotton Ripstop, Polyester and Cotton Battle Rip and Polyester Cotton Twill. Like the jackets, they are made according to military specifications. They have Multicam Frog Trousers and Propper ACU Pants Flame Resistant Multicam. The former are sewn to the official Marine Frog specs and the latter is approved for use by the US Army. They also sell the BDU Zipper Fly Shorts in Multicam which is made of 65% polyester and 35% Cotton Ripstop.


The high demand for Multicam uniform clothing has increased the need for Multicam footwear. At MUS.com, you can choose the right Multicam footwear that will answer your needs perfectly. They have the Belleville KIOWA TR505-Lightweight Tactical Research Multicam which boasts of a sleek, low profile outsole for enhanced feel and mobility. They also have the Belleville KHYBER TR-560 Mountain Hybrid Boots, Belleville 330 ST Waterproof Steel Toe Flight Boots in chocolate brown, Belleville 700 Waterproof Duty and Insulated Boots in black, Belleville 340 DES Hot Weather Desert Boots Flight and Combat Vehicle in tan, Belleville 551 ST Hot Weather Steel Toe Combat Boots in olive drab and the Altama 4250 USMC Certified Hot Weather Combat Boots in olive Mojave. For women, the Belleville F340 Hot Weather Flight and Combat Vehicle Desert Boots in tan are also available. All these can be worn with Multicam jackets and trousers.


As for multicam equipment like bags and backpacks, headgear, plate carriers, MOLLE gear and field equipment, you can find them all at Military Uniform Supply.com. They also carry branch and name tapes, Multicam flags and patches, rank insignias, Kevlar helmet bands and helmet covers and Multicam shirts. Practically everything you’ll need to come up with an official Multicam military uniform can be found at www.militaryuniformsupply.com.