Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/861022
heADweAr Cap, Camouflage pattern, Woodland camouflage printed NSN 8415-01-134-31XX Standardized on 3 July 1982. There is a dissonance between the standardization date of coats and trousers and patrol caps. Probably, the patrol caps were initially produced without the official specification. The patrol cap was made of lightweight but strongly impregnated 80% cotton 20% nylon fabric. It had a two-layered structure, stiffened visor and ear flaps folded to the inside that were lined with flannel (a mixture of wool & nylon). The inside of the cap was made of the same fabric as on the outside. However, it was recommended for manufactures to use fabric turned inside out or undyed or OD fabric (which was also used for lining of M65 jackets). The patrol cap was produced in 18 sizes: 6 3/8" - 8 1/2". It was always worn parallel to the surface, about 1 inch (two fingers) above ears. BDU patrol cap was always used with Type I uniforms, when helmet was not required, until 2001 (when berets were introduced). Despite of that, the patrol cap was used with Type I BDUs after 2001, but only in field. Within military installations, soldiers wore berets. Patrol cap was always worn with Type III. Only some of the soldiers were allowed to wear them with Type III uniforms (even if, they were only allowed to do that under field conditions, when no helmet was required). Throughout the whole production, the design remained the same. Unfortunately, the legacy patrol cap was not designed to be used in summertime. It was too hot because of ear flaps and the impregnated fabric did not absorb sweat. Paradoxically, patrol caps with outside ear flaps were usually not permitted. It is hardly surprising, since the fabric of the cap could get dirty easily because of sweat. The cap also did not perform well in winter. Ear flaps could, at most, slightly protect ears against wind because when they were unfolded, the cap became thin. No summer caps were implemented for BDU Type III so soldiers would cut out the earmuffs to increase the breathability of the cap or they would use commercial patrol caps made of rip-stop cotton. Usually, regular caps were worn. The last batch was produced on 1 October 2008 (SPM1C1-08-DN-012). Cap, HoT WeaTHer NSN 8415-01-393-78XX Standardized on 27 July 1994. Introduced later than BDU Type VI, because first hot weather patrol caps appeared in 1996. Caps were made of 50/50 NYCO Rip-stop fabric - after years of using standard caps, there was finally a hot weather version. The new headwear was redesigned – the two layers of fabric were kept only on the sides, while the crown is now single layer. The visor was stiffer. Six vent holes were added on the sides. The cap was well-adjusted to hot climate and, finally, it absorbed sweat well. The sizes of BDU caps were kept the same. Hot weather patrol cap could only be worn with rip-stop uniforms, regardless whether those were Type III or Type VI. They were never allowed to be worn together with Type I BDUs. Since 2001, Hot Weather cap was used only in field. Within military installations, only berets were allowed. The last caps were produced on 5 October 2009 (SPM1C1-08-D-1091). HaT, sun, Woodland Camouflage paTTern, Type III NSN 8415-01-196-83XX Standardized on 15 December 1984 and produced until 1985. The classy Boonie Hat was basically the same as the Vietnam era ones, but made of Woodland camoufalge 100% cotton rip-stop with Quarpell water repellent. It resulted in good www.fragoutmag.com