Militia Equipment Considerations: Field Uniforms

Happy new Trump administration! As usual, his words and deeds generate mixed thoughts and feelings. At least, so far, Trump 2.0 is being better received (by Americans, not so much our rivals) than Trump 1.0 was.

Yet it is still early, reforms will be slow in implementation (if this week's mid-air collision over DC is any indication reforms ARE badly needed), and even if that were not the case it does not diminish the need for ready and able volunteers to help their communities should a natural or man-made crisis arise. Since before 1775 the citizen militiaman in the United States has been an essential component of the common defense, neither aligned with a particular political orientation nor technically supposed to be political at all (same as the regular military and law enforcement). As the need to reduce government deficits grows more pressing, it is quite probable that volunteering for the common defense will grow in importance.

Sooner than planned (but still totally on my own terms) I decided to go ahead and augment my Militia Equipment Considerations series that had concluded as covering the bare essentials a few months ago. I said there was more that could be covered, though what remains is a matter of how the militiaman can be equipped with proper prior planning (say that five times fast) to be more suited for tasks at hand, not ill-equipped should these be lacking due to affordability or other logistical factors. Just like the Minute-men of Lexington & Concord or the volunteers who ensured Santa Anna's defeat, what won the day had nothing to do with who was uniformed and standardized better.

It should be clear to those who have read previous entries that this is NOT a breakdown of actual militia equipment recommendations (why I use the word "considerations" instead). Instead it is obvious I take these opportunities to "geek-out" regarding US military equipment development...but I still offer review of components and how they may be practical to those who obtain them through secondhand channels (since aside from rare originals that have become collectible they tend to be nicely affordable). Today's topic: utility uniforms made for the field.

A Long Time Ago in a Continent Far Away...

Thanks to Mike Buckendorf, a specialist in WWII impressions, via his Instagram. Note the necktie, British-style helmet, and khaki M-1941 jacket. In the beginning, a soldier wore soldier's gear and may have been indistinguishable from his civilian peers the rest of the time. By the 19th century a fortunate regular army man may have had up to a standard uniform for general use, a fatigue type for non-combat work, and/or a pristine variant for parade use, but this was not common in the era before mass production of textiles. Both World Wars became all about mass production, victory going to whomever could best the opposition in attrition, and though that was decided more by vehicles and heavy weaponry than uniforms and infantry gear the same principles applied. WWII, as it turned out, landed on the tail end of the era of service uniforms (with equipment additions, of course) doubling as field uniforms; camouflage considerations is why khaki was service standard.

Previous conflicts had shown the limits of suitability of a single type of uniform for general use, but it was WWII which expanded horizons like nothing before in so many ways. While logistical limits preempted total implementation a dichotomy was already developing between garrison and field/working uniforms. Prior to the war there was a denim uniform (in classic blue) for working use, and specialty uniforms such as mechanic's coveralls were already in the system.

Birth of the Field Camouflage Utility

In-house reproductions courtesy of reenactment source AtTheFront.com. Note the differing cuts, shades, and designs of available headgear.

Fortuitously, the blue denim uniform was already giving way to a green cotton utility in herringbone twill, a weave whose popularity would outlast the war for some time until supplanted in its particular niche by ripstop cotton. While designed strictly to succeed the blue denims as a garrison working uniform (sized to be worn over the regular service uniform no less), it would gain a whole new life as a camouflage field uniform suitable for hot weather fighting such as that in the Pacific and North Africa. As a matter of fact, there would exist a variant printed in the first actual camouflage pattern made generally available to US troops (more on that later).

Note the expandable cargo pockets, jump boots, reinforced elbows and knees, and universal field pouches. Concurrent developments were made that would ultimately prove more impactful in the long-term. Owing to their specialized role which involves mobilizing and fighting light, airborne troops have been responsible for some of the best innovations for the infantry as a whole which manifested in WWII as the first war to really see paratroopers put to good use (late war, despite no longer having means to wage aerial assaults, German fallschirmjäger were still feared as elite, well-equipped troops). Produced specially for them was the M-1942 uniform, boasting features immediately recognizable as standard in modern combat utilities. Initially the cargo pockets were a custom feature made from spare canvas sewn by the textile specialists whose regular duty was refurbishing used parachutes (thus they made for superb seamstresses). The jacket pockets were also slanted, something that would rub parade officers like George Patton or Matt Ridgeway the wrong way but favored by the troops themselves because it enabled both easier accessibility of its contents and better overall compatibility with the various field gear ensembles (either standard or airborne-specific: paratroopers used both). Also, boots were a uniform standard with the airborne, regular troops applying chaps over their standard leather shoes for the field.

All prior considerations consolidated service-wide for the US Army with issue of the M-1943 uniform, the first designed specifically for field use. Many long-lasting traditions began with the M-1943: a beloved lined field jacket (over the reviled M-1941) worn in general over any type of utility, calf-height boots now being standard for regular troops, the ability to layer as conditions demand, and standard color going from khaki to a deep green (olive drab number 7 in this case). This was the uniform that most who have at least cultural exposure to the ETO know because it was what US troops wore winning the war on that front for D-Day and after (thus is what reenactors typically go for).

M-1943, while still worn over the regular khaki service uniform components in warm conditions, was the first designed for a range of temperatures including cold (which Europe often is). Specific components include a wool serge jacket and trousers, meant to be worn over a suitable base layer (as anyone knows who has tried, wool may be great protection under all kinds of weather but wearing it next to the skin is rather uncomfortable); the first lined pile cap, later known as a helmet liner, was introduced with M-1943 and would improve over the years. This concept would culminate in the M-1951 uniform, made for cold conditions (with improved components including an upgraded field jacket plus lined field trousers for alpine/arctic use) such that it would remain the official US Army cold weather uniform on the books until 2005 [though it was likely not getting much use since introduction of synthetic liners with M-65 that were light and comfortable enough to wear under regular uniforms in frigid weather].

Garrison vs. Field

The years following WWII saw no substantive field uniform changes but it did see maturity of philosophy of use that would define the following generation. The Korean War saw introduction of the first OG-107 uniform, a new standard for service-wide working and field use superseding all but specialty uniforms in their roles (mechanic, armor, flight). The M-1951 field cap was the first of a design that remains familiar today: after a hiatus in the 60s and 70s it would return in camouflage print as the BDU cap which remains standard today.

Most personnel on post standardized upon the new Army Green Service Uniform, a color choice made to replace all WWII-era equivalents in order to keep soldiers from being confused with civilians (an issue stemming from the widespread wear of leftover uniform components by veterans and surplus purchasers following the war). Actually the AG-44 (albeit still worn with a khaki shirt) was for temperate use while a full cotton khaki remained available as a summer uniform, both gradually having components become consolidated and replaced until full standardization around the AG-344 jacket and trousers with AG-415 shirt in the 1980s. The "greens" were not well-received at first but over the decades achieved a distinct Army identity (other nations came out with similar designs for their ground branches) which served well until its discontinuation in 2015 (with no direct equivalent replacement at first, then 2018 saw a revival of the WWII-era service uniform).

For better or worse, the 1950s saw the rise of a "parade" mentality within the Army: the beginning of the tradition of maintaining utility uniforms, designed for grungy condition, in a state suitable for PR at most times. Officers of this mindset hated "slovenly" jungle (a.k.a. "boonie") hats, and at the auspice of their leader General Ridgeway even the M-1951 cap was eschewed in favor of one that kept a flat appearance at all times (unfortunately the "Ridgeway cap" today is typically associated with a certain Cuban dictator who favored it; the trope over the years says those who wear them are Latin American tyrants and their henchmen). The brown boots of WWII were replaced with black and expected to be polished to gloss.

A side effect of this mindset is that the utility uniform became that much less utilitarian; when tried in the field by a new war in Vietnam it was found wanting. Because of of the cut and stipulations on how they were worn, regular OG-107 utilities may have looked the part but were most uncomfortable in the heat. Several old factors would be made new, bringing the parade era to an abrupt end (though elements of it would continue forever as martial tradition, even if only for training and situational PR use).

Early Vietnam War: different types of OG-107 utilities with standard colorful accoutrements, "Mitchell" camouflage helmet covers ("baseball" utility caps utility caps worn by support personnel in back) & M-1956 gear ensemble.

An early casualty of this return to practicality was the Ridgeway cap, replaced by one in baseball style designated for hot weather but in reality standardized service-wide until its replacement was able to be fielded in the 80s. While full leather boots never stopped being standard until their soft tan successors in the 2000s, jungle boots (which existed for limited use in WWII's Pacific Theater) were modernized for the nature of this new war in Southeast Asia and quickly became favored as such. Most significantly: an alternative uniform in cotton ripstop for field use, first in OG-107 then later in ERDL "leaf" camouflage print, in a bush-type cut with slanted pockets galore that immediately attained such affection it was worn in more than just the field until finally supplanted by the BDU in the late 1980s.

Later war, anything goes: jungle uniforms both OD and camouflage, boonie hats (the camouflage beret is non-standard indicating this is a special unit, possibly Rangers), jungle boots, rucksacks, and ammo pouches are the weatherproof M-67 nylon type as shown by their black plastic closures which were carried into those for ALICE.

Pax Americana

The 4-pocket bush jacket and cargo-pocketed trousers, while in concept a revival of the M-1942 uniform, set the stage for what was to follow. Camouflage prints were more expensive than OD, and the 2 ERDL patterns of the Vietnam War consolidated into 1 for first-line troops afterwards while everyone else still wore OG-107 (utility as standard and jungle as hot weather variant, though most favored the latter if they could attain sufficient extras). Even the M-1951 Cold Weather Uniform, improved with synthetic & blend fabrics in the succeeding M-65 ensemble, was produced in just OG-107 and its components (especially the field jacket and liner) were favored for general use in climates that saw mild temperature drops.

The BDU era (1981-2011 within the regular US military) has been covered in detail before. Camouflage was now service-wide standard (an achievement our friends the Brits beat us to) in the form of an ERDL-derived woodland print with the same cut produced in a desert variant for deployment to such regions. Pockets were straight rather than slanted (which already occurred with the transitory RDF cut of ERDL in the prior few years), and standard headgear was a matching camouflage-printed blend-fabric revival of the M-1951 field cap (retractable ear flaps and all...though officers highly discouraged their use) with the option of matching camouflage boonie hats for operational issue only. With memories of the Vietnam War growing distant, the BDU design accompanied something of a renewing of utility parade mentality.

This had its issues: the BDU was originally in a nylon-cotton twill fabric designed to be universal but was so uncomfortable in hot conditions it kept the older OG-107 and ERDL uniforms on the books until they were successfully replaced by a cotton ripstop "hot weather BDU" starting in 1986. Officers caught up in appearance philosophy would stipulate starching the uniform to keep it well-pressed, a practice that had existed for years with earlier uniforms but had to be yanked back with the BDU because starching compromised effectiveness of the camouflage under night vision. While these same officers preferred the polish-able black leathers, popular demand won for jungle boots being authorized as an alternative (now available with black fabric trim in addition to the original green).

M81 Woodland eventually achieved standardization across the board: the IIFS load carrying system, new ALICE items (most especially the medium pack) printed to match, the ECWCS cold weather ensemble (though it only adopted the M-65 field trousers in camouflage while the M-65 field jacket was available in woodland since around when the BDU first became standard), ponchos, shelters, and, of course, the first generation of the MOLLE load carrying system. It remains a favorite choice because it is so widely available, both as original surplus and commercial items made in the pattern which has now passed into history as a classic. While there are some shortcomings of the BDU cut, the camouflage pattern made to go with it remains just as good as it was all the years it served.

Applications From Head to Toe

I consider the history of these developments important, at the very least, in order to appreciate how war experience prompted innovation (even with some misses along the way). It is assuring that so much of what is still available to nascent militia volunteers is time-tested and proven. Yet, as militia history shows, much of this would constitute an upgrade in effectiveness since it has always been about the man who answers the call.

Solid colors, green or tan, have always been effective in terrain even lacking patterns to break up profiles (something that can be compensated for with proper hiding technique) and remain more cost-effective choices; Israel, for instance, is possibly the only First World nation still following the vintage tradition of reserving camouflage uniforms for use only by elite troops. Khaki, especially, is less liable to raise alarm since it is a common color for casual business attire and is available in working fabric and cuts easily able to be converted into duty as a makeshift uniform (utility or service). Headgear is a much more arbitrary component: it should be there in most cases for weather protection if nothing else, but a particular type as uniform standard is more likely to apply to those in a militia unit who agree to such a standard.

For active field use the BDU has always been recommended, but there are more options out there. It is difficult to go wrong with surplus USGI uniforms still in decent shape, though camouflage effectiveness tends to be lower on those that have seen heavy use. The ACU cut solves problems with the BDU cut, so long as one is certain to avoid those in UCP (olive drab makes a more effective camouflage than that travesty).

ACUs in OCP may offer the best of all worlds and I am aware of multiple militia groups who have already standardized around it. Just bear in mind, by the manufacturer of Multi-Cam itself developing variants for the desert and tropics, that it has the drawback of being a jack-of-all-trades pattern that is great for general terrains but less effective than older patterns in special types. Another problem with Multi-Cam, whether actual OCP or commercial, is that with OCP being current standard in the US Army & Air Force that opens up the possibility for liabilities from being confused for actual servicemembers.

Just about any US military surplus (that you manage to find in your size) or modern "tactical" boot ought to fulfill the role of protecting feet just fine provided they get broken in properly and are used with good blend fabric socks (USGI socks are easily obtainable and recommended). They need not be even be US uniform standard height: while those are great for the field and/or parades, urban and working settings tend to call for something smaller and more comfortable to manage. Even if budgets are an issue boots are the one thing not to cheap out on: I have seen too many cheap Chinese reproductions fall apart, and a militiaman without proper foot protection is ineffective.

But as indicated before, showing up with an effective weapon and proper survival gear is higher priority. Military uniforms have historically been chiefly for identification and utility, load carrying and camouflage being peripheral additions in much more recent years. Since militia are not regular troops but still must be identifiable as militia for legal reasons, judgment of this should be weighed in addition to logistical factors.