Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/861022
The Battle Dress Uniforms or BDUs were issued to all American troops since the early 1980s up to the first decade of the 21st century. From the historical point of view, these shaped the image of modern, well-trained and well-equipped soldiers in Grenada, Panama, Iraq, the Balkans, or Afghanistan. Today, more and more people look back at the period of 1980-2000 through the prism of the past. It is the perfect time for a detailed presentation of BDU and their 30-year-long history. In this article, Battle Dress Uniform will be presented from the perspective of US Army regulations, because each branch of US Armed Forces had a bit different regulations – the differences concerned accessories and use (e.g. rolled up sleeves). Due to a relatively vast variety of setups, types, and production variants, the article will be generally devoted to BDU in M81 Woodland camouflage pattern. Desert uniforms, due to their differences or even the everchanging concept of application, would require a separate story. A Bit of hiStory The 1980s were for the US Armed Forces the period of great changes, both in terms of organization as well as individual equipment. If we could travel back in time, a regular GI would probably wear one of two versions of utility uniform: OG107 cotton sateen issued since 1964 and OG507 Durable Press (50% cotton 50% polyester Twill weave) commonly called Dura Press. Today, both uniforms would be called garrison ones. The shirt was worn tucked into trousers, which caused problems with comfort and ventilation. The 100% cotton OG107 was relatively thick, lost its color pretty fast, and wasn't solid. Dura Press did not require ironing, but it had poor performance at higher temperatures. The chemicals used to provide the uniform with resistance to folds, sun, or during ironing generated a characteristic formaldehyde scent. The choice of used uniforms depended on availability. The last contract for OG107 was awarded in 1981, while OG507 was produced until 1987 as they were worn in USAF. Both uniforms were standard fatigues for temperate climate and in 1981 they were standard issue for all US Army soldiers. The situation was different in the case of units in tropical areas and Rapid Deployment Forces (75th Ranger Regiment and 82nd and 101st Divisions). After the Vietnam War, so called RDF uniforms were designed for use in jungle areas. These were 100% cotton rip-stop fabric with modified and simplified ERDL camouflage pattern. ERDL was designed in 1948, but no sooner were such uniforms issued at a greater scale in the 1960s. At the same time, due to the fact that it was a small-scale production, Tropical Combat Uniform (TCU) from the Vietnam War era were still authorized. Production of RDF uniforms was finished in 1981. Very often, soldiers of the same unit wore different uniforms (TCU or RDF) according to their commander's decision. Most of the US Army wore plain OD uniforms, while global armies had already decided to use camouflage ones. That was the appearance of US Army uniforms in the early 1980s. BAttle DreSS SyStem In order to change the situation and issue modern uniforms, in the late 1970s, US military launched the Battle Dress System (BDS) program conducted at Natick Labs. The goal was to develop new field uniforms and additional clothing systems for use in woodland, desert and Arctic areas. The program resulted in a new uniforms and new clothing components that were introduced in service in the 1980s. The basic www.fragoutmag.com