The History of: The US Military ERDL Camouflage (Brown and Green Dominant & RDF) | Uniform History

[@3DArchery]

I wore these for seven years (1981 to 1988) as a Paratrooper in the 509th Airborne in Italy and as a Pathfinder in the 101st, Honduras and Korea. We called them simply "Jungle Cammies". They were special issue done by the units. For example only the Pathfinders (and later LRSD) in the 101st Airborne Division was allowed to where them and they were special issue. In the 101st we wore them all the time. In the 509th Airborne, we only wore them "In the field", in garrison we wore our OD's. I preferred these to the BDU (we called then Lightweight BDU's), with the rip stop fabric.

[@christianguzman8228]

Marines: You can't mimic our image or traditions! Also Marines: Buys US Army surplus and irons on USMC, eagle and anchor.

[@kilo5659]

Just because you have tradition doesn't mean you can't be frugal...

[@clintcannon1902]

What? No globe?!

[@kilo5659]

@@clintcannon1902 It was cheaper that way

[@AndrewAMartin]

The USMC has long complained that they were stuck with Army hand-me-downs, from weapons to uniforms to gear. The M-60 tank was in Marine service long after the Army had transitioned to the M-1 Abrams, for example. And this was a motivation to the development of MARPAT camo...

[@arthas640]

I can never understand why the military will sink $100mil on a single extra plane they dont need but then they cheap out and buy second hand boots that dont work. Some older vets I know even recommended "your first purchase out of basic should be new boots since the ones they give you dont belong in Good Will". I've heard that a good quality pair of boots similar ot standard issue ones are around $150 but the army cheaps out and spends roughly $70-$80 on a pair of boots (which considering their bulk discount isnt that much of a savings since they could probably mass purchase the good boots for $100).

[@Ghatbkk]

I wore ERDL (all three patterms) until 1988, as did many of my ODA. Until the lightweight BDU became available, the ERDL Jungles were preferable for warm climates.

[@alexguymon7117]

You should cover the history of East and West German camouflage patterns and uniforms. They have an interesting history that somwhat parallel one another and its a story that isn't really talked about.

[@phillipmarlow8673]

Kenny the G they did when formed. And they developed pattens for trials which weren’t adopted.

[@cammobunker]

Marine boot camp, September 1982, I was issued two sets of RDF ERDL and two sets M81 woodland. Before I left in December the new platoons were getting all M81 Woodland. In the fleet we wore ERDL and Woodland side by side until about 85 when ERDL was phased out.

[@slumberditch]

Well, guess that's why my old thrift shop woodland bdu looked so weird. It's actually brown-dominant ERDL. I wish that jacket could speak to me.

[@arthas640]

i love the old BDUs from the 80s and 90s, they're so durable. it used to be really common work wear in the Pacific Northwest since there are alot of military bases here and tons of surplus stores. before the post 9/11 reorginization the surplus used to be super cheap too.

[@wanderingwonder111]

@@arthas640 It's a shame I'm getting into hunting/shooting when all the surplus is UCP, I can't imagine having cheap and effective surplus

[@arthas640]

@@wanderingwonder111 there used to be construction workers, loggers, and even hobos that would wear army surplus since the boots, jackets, and pants could last for years in rough environment and were dirt cheap. When i was a kid it was the poor kids that wore army jackets. Same thing with surplus MREs: they'd take them to Boy Scouts camping because they were cheap and easy to pack. Now you'll pay a small fortune for an MRE and the clothing isnt as rugged and costs WAY more. I'm jealous of my parents generation getting all that cheap, amazing stuff and turning their noses up at it. My dad traded a Vietnam war era fighter pilots leather bomber jacket fora _fucking bottle of whiskey!_

[@sparkynation2899]

Such an under appreciated camouflage. A lot of people don’t think the woodland came around until the 80’s but this is your early form of it used in combat.

[@valf1733]

Could we see russian EMR camo covered? It’s one of the camos you don’t hear much about and it would be cool to see the history of it.

[@TokenChineseGuy]

In addition, does anyone know if there's any existing photos of the urban "EMR Gorod" variant?

[@supersarge2477]

@@TokenChineseGuy If there's no photos, how do you know it even exists?

[@TokenChineseGuy]

@@supersarge2477 it's mentioned on Camopedia.

[@WardenWolf]

The original Russian Flora was and still is amazing woodland camo. The newer EMR, aka Digital Flora, is just nuts.

[@supersarge2477]

@@WardenWolf I'm curious, how is it nuts? Sure it's a digital camo but it seems fairly effective

[@meremom3]

I hope someone is still monitoring comments...My father, Adolph H. Humphreys, was Chief of Camouflage at ERDL for many years, first as a regular officer in the Army and later as a civilian (though he continued on as a Reservist). He began working at Fort Belvoir during WWII and continued working there into the 1970s. Your video and Wikipedia credit John Hopkins with developing ERDL camo based on an award. I'd like to know what that award was. He was a very good friend of my dad's and worked under him. If my dad were alive today I am sure he would give many credit for the development of ERDL camo especially Dave Ghee who was the physicist on his team.

[@meremom3]

Replying to my own comment--My dad's name and that of Dave Gee appear in your video in the 1976 MASSTER Phase II test. My dad participated in the initial Fort Benning Trials

[@jeffreyroot6300]

It was all woodlands pattern by the time I came of age . I still have a bunch and continue to wear my BDU trousers and field jacket. It’s the season to get that out again!

[@MartyMcfly4890]

Awesome! T I G E R S T R I P E next after Woodland!!

[@FDNY101202]

Yeas!

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

I'm the 100th like!

[@Odessa45]

I was posted to Ops Group, Ft Irwin, CA in 1985-86. In the spring of '85 we were issued 2 sets of 100% cotton ripstop uniforms printed in the brown dominant ERDL with the shadow outlines. We were told to wear one set whenever we wanted - while out in the field when our outfit was on rotation, in garrison on main post, whenever. Basically, just put one set into regular rotation with our issued Woodland pattern stuff. The other set was absolutely NOT to be worn while in the field or while doing any other "Hard Use" training. The test went on for a few months. At the end of the test period we were told to wear the "Field Worn" set to a formation where we filled out a questionnaire. We were told to bring the other set along too, cleaned. The Gov Guys also looked us all over. They asked us basic questions - were the uniforms durable, comfortable...how did they compare to our other issued uniforms? Stuff like that. We were allowed to keep both sets of uniforms. We were allowed to continue wearing them also. My "Field Worn" set didn't last very long after the test period. Being cotton, they were so much lighter than the regular Woodland stuff. I wore that set ALOT!! That set lasted maybe another year...tops!! They just flat fell apart. I had the other set for years and years and years .... decades. I finally outgrew them and dropped them off at a surplus shop one afternoon, LOL ... I'm a DOPE!

[@frogsgottalent1106]

ERDL used to cost peanuts in the Army disposals ........... until Airsoft came around . Damn you Airsoft !! ( shaking fist at Sky).

[@Jooglesberry]

ERDL is my favorite camo pattern.

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

Mine too. Especially green Dominant ERDL. ^_^

[@blueduck9409]

OG 107 and erdl green dominant are my favorite camo sets. The light weight and loose fit was very effective in hot, steamy weather.

[@petesheppard1709]

In 1977, we candidates at Marine Corps OCS were issued both green- and brown-dominant cammies, which were obviously ERDL pattern, corresponding to USMC adoption of the uniforms. According to instructions, wear depended on the season: Green for spring & summer, brown for fall & winter.

[@nunyabusiness4904]

I am so glad that we are finally getting this video and will soon get the M81 woodland, can't tell you how long I've been waiting. Thank you.

[@wormisgod]

Since you mentioned eventually doing the derivatives, here's some tidbits about Singapore's leaf pattern (having tried tracing the tile): - Its tile is roughly squarish, approx 60cm x 60cm - Unlike ERDL and M81, it has a horizontal repeat. - Some shapes are copied (with and without modification) from ERDL, some of these shapes are reused in the repeat with a different orientation and colour. - Some shapes are new. - Having been phased out as the main service uniform for a pixelated pattern in the 2000s, the leaf pattern uniforms continue service with the Opfor. - MOPP suits with the pattern are still in use. - The pants are popular with construction workers.

[@Greymist73]

My Dad still has his "lime green" ERDL pants and trousers as were optionally issued during the 2nd half of his tour after he took command of a recon platoon circa 1969.

[@Mree17]

I call it classic camo. Have you done the “duck hunter / frog skin camo” used from 1942 to Vietnam?

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

It took a while but this video was well worth the wait. ^_^ Green Dominant ERDL is my personal favorite out of all of the ERDL patterns. I have even seen a jacket that was between both Green Dominant ERDL and Brown Dominant ERDL colorwise. There was two versions of Green Dominant ERDL in use in Vietnam, the poplin version and the cotton ripstop version. The ripstop version is more durable but suffers more from fading of the outlines while the poplin version is less durable but retains the outlines better. Also the mixed color pieces of clothing were nicknamed "clown style" ERDL. Plus I have seen Vietnam era cloth used on clothing labeled as late as 1980. o_O

[@Jbdunham]

ERDL Green Dominant is my all-time favorite camouflage, especially in the TCU uniform cut. Part of that is my stepdad’s experience with it during his time in Vietnam. I use it almost exclusively as a hunting camo now

[@DanielESmith-iz7lx]

I have various parts of these set ups. I can kinda do a period rig or two. I was in JROTC at Longview High in Texas in the 80's. Good times. Had demilled 1903's. 200 of 'em. Gosh damn shame. But we had used gear from that era. I learned a lot from your program. Watching more. You do realize you are a special kind of person to present this study.

[@sanction7627]

Major Johnnie Gilreath 16:55 (former Operations Officer with the 1/502 INF when shown) passed away on 1 JUN 2020. He was 76. I worked for him in the 101ST. FIRST STRIKE SIR! RIP.

[@antitankautism8052]

I would be very interested to see if you'd be able to touch on why certain US special operations, namely MARSOC, still use a version of the classic woodland pattern on modern uniforms. Love this channel, very informative and underappreciated!

[@distributeroffineopioidpro1703]

I can tell you one of the main reasons why U.S. SOF wear the M81 Woodland pattern. When U.S. SOF deployed to Afghanistan and worked with their ANA counterparts, the ANA wore woodland styled camo patterns and U.S. SOF mimicked them to trick the Taliban, as from a distance they'd look a lot like ANA. The reason why this was the case was because Taliban and al-Qaeda deliberately targeted American personnel a lot more than Afghani troops.

[@fleetwarrior75]

Woodland bdu summer uniform was the best!

[@HannibalsSurplusReviews]

That's the ripstop cotton or nylon/cotton I've got both and a pair of twill pants too plus the field jacket was nylon/something.

[@HannibalsSurplusReviews]

yeah if your a 1990s kid who didn't still have some today!

[@ErikAndersonNorthStar]

9:19 @GarandThumb sighting. Man literally too angry to die.

[@trevormurphy7041]

Watching this video all I can remember was the time me and my buddy got chased by the cops on a moped we got away I hid in the bushes covered my best friend with my jacket which was a Vietnam pattern straight from the army surplus store it covered our asses so good the cop flashlight pass right over I still can’t believe it we got away on a moped😂 Lowland version don’t move stay still don’t breathe

[@sdivine13]

Lowland

[@AmericanFlyOnTheWall]

I still have an old poncho liner in green-dominant ERDL. It was given to me by a Special Forces Captain in 1986. It would be interesting to know where he got it. I don’t think they were an issued item in the 1980s.

[@jhernandez8830]

i always liked the og107 followed by the woodland pattern.

[@Zoomerdaddy]

6:21 My great uncle named Thach was an ARVN, He's part of the 81st battalion which were one of the best special forces for the south vietnamese.

[@Katzbalger001]

Parris Island in 1982--some folks in my recruit platoon were issued woodland and a few got ERDL (mostly on ripstop fabric)--we wondered at the time what the deal was (but no one tells recruits anything), assuming leftovers from Vietnam or something similar..

[@danditto6145]

I was in an OPFOR unit at Fort Polk and we wore the green dominant ERDL and received complaints from the Units that we aggressed that we were using an unfair advantage when in the field not wearing the pickle suits. I can’t believe how long the Army went without camo uniforms or brown boots, not to mention the Fritz’s helmets that would have saved a lot of lives i f the ballon had went up with Russia and the Warsaw pact.

[@codi149]

Passionating as always ! Greetings from France

[@shrapmagnet]

I wore RDF until 1989. Did a deployment to honduras, and we were told that would be our last use of it. I still have 2 sets and 1 top left in a time capsule/foot locker in the attic.

[@marknemeth539]

Yeah that ranger in the opening sequence was my Drill Sgt in basic training and Ait...fucking sweet...!!!

[@revjh8457]

Great work! Would love to see some stuff on uniform cuts. This is my favorite pattern

[@Gurfi28]

Finally. Waited so long for this. Amazing channel.

[@willkenny5687]

This seems a lot like the multicam/scorpion/OCP camouflage patterns. A lot of unofficially and officially issued variations and iterations, ultimately leading to the official adoption of the OCP pattern. By similar I mean in the way erdl was sorta semi adopted, before influencing and leading to the woodland camo.

[@TheTacticalChannel]

Can't wait for tiger stipe!

[@MilitariaReviewed]

Great video. Glad I found your channel! We need more good educational content like this on KZbin.

[@danmack3173]

Would love to see some episodes on police uniforms, iconic like LAPD/NYPD or London Met Or maybe the SRU from Flashpoint as a Uniforms of the screen

[@Themichaelwesten]

Yes!!!!!! Been waiting on this man!!! 🙏🏼

[@coppertopv365]

We need more tests like this on all uniforms

[@ReviveHF]

Multicam jungle basically does the same thing as ERDL green dominant, looks like the US army is reinventing the wheel. Also, the PLA's previous woodland patttern also look a lot like ERDL brown dominant.

[@helpdeskjnp]

What an awesome channel! Subscribed and I’m gonna watch and like all of your stuff! Thanks!

[@JohnAlberts827]

Great video, really helped me learn about Erdl camouflages

[@HydramaticM16A197]

Amazing video as always! I have always loved this particular pattern, and it happens to be one I have collected quite a bit when I started collecting militaria in my teenage years.

[@aaronplunkett9837]

Love your video. Awesome thanks. Could you do the Aussie camouflage uniforms? We used to call the first generation the bunny suit. The later version looked a bit less ridiculous. There were lots of rumours flying around as to how and why they were developed. I’d be interested to see what your research brings up.

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

Polish woodland is similar to US woodland. It’s probably my favorite camouflage as well came out in 1993 and it’s still being used and I try and buy as much stuff as I can that has the pattern on it both surplus and 3rd party I bought a flak vest and 2 polish ballistic helmets and a helmet cover to match if you want a similar look to US woodland but want a more green dominant color pallet then you’d like Polish Woodland, wouldn’t recommend it for arid climates as you’d start glowing green

[@dawsondjlafleur6293]

Shoutout to the A1C at 9:23

[@pyeitme508]

Awesome!

[@MayheM_72]

My Dad was in the NJ National Guard from '64-'84. He was never issued anything besides the old school "OD" uniforms, and their standard issue rifle was the M1 Garand. By the time he retired, I don't think the M14/16 ever made their way down to him, even as an officer.

[@1joshjosh1]

Okay I'm excited as hell where the hell is part 1 of Woodland pattern???? I've been a collector for many years and bought a few very expensive books but this is amazing I'm almost sad because now everybody can know it. Excellent excellent excellent videos my friend whoever you are

[@erwinprezy7748]

This is a nice and valuable video, well done. Have you found any reference regarding early print ERDL with back-side black print? I remember there was an interesting post about this rare variant at USMF. Regards

[@brandonletzko2472]

The boonie hat I got from the USMC in 1989 (“hat, camouflage (tropical combat) type II” ) is a green dominant ERDL, but does not match the version you show at 9:08. It’s a much darker brown, and has much less of it.

[@Ale-to3fv]

good video! thanks and i hope you can keep up at this level of quality! if you can in future cover the TTsKO and VSR in depth would be awesome!

[@kacasio1]

Awesome video! Would love to see a video on the Philippines camoflauge. Lots of different variants and would love to see more information on them

[@kevincorbin7320]

Hey I grew up in the 80s and remember an all brown woodland camo pattern they use to sell in the Army navy stores. It was exactly like the regular woodland but no green in it anywhere. I have been searching for info on this forever let me know if you have anything.

[@joekurtz8303]

Had some trousers and slant pocket of this pattern, found in surplus stores, pattern getting harder to find in good condition and availability

[@joekurtz8303]

A collector gifted me a green dominant slant pocket USMC (ERDL) jacket w an upper slant pocket sewn to left shoulder( custom tailor? )

[@ernestpaul2484]

That is an old and I mean old picture of Swack in his jungles at RTB. WOW. Ah yes, the fond memories of the Hand to Hand Pit.

[@harosokman]

That was great, cant wait for the next vid.

[@crumply5959]

Finally!!

[@sanction7627]

16:29: Maj Johnnie Gilreath, Former S3 of the 1-502 INF, 101ABN DIV on Operation Bright Star '81. (Nov 80)

[@marknemeth539]

I was in the 1\327inf....86..had friends get killed on that Gander flight...respect !!

[@sanction7627]

@@marknemeth539 I was 1/502 from 79 to 82.

[@FirstnameLastname-py3bc]

Interesting is the British camos, they are basically enhanced US camos, better versions of them, and it's interesting

[@The508ranger]

Green dominant was worn by 1st Gen modern 75th IN Rangers of 1/75 and 2/75 from 1974 to 1982 before going to Olive Drab.

[@6Alpha-yankie_novemberdy2n]

ERDL was pretty damn good in jungle shadows and sunburst rays. Use s quality dye, cover ED's with earth tone , or black and they are hard to beat period.Only. they fade quick.

[@ryanfarndale871]

Could you please do British DPM and all its variations

[@ceoofdazn7615]

*UNDERRATED KZbinR* YOU ARE AWESOME

[@samuelkim1827]

Can you do the British DPM camo? Or all the way to the MTP?

[@xXjOmAmMaXx]

Great video, always worth the wait!

[@rako5865]

Do the M90 pattern or just splinter patterns in general.

[@jodywatkins9467]

Do a video on 3 color desert please.

[@pandabacon11]

Ill have to double check, but Im pretty sure I have a second gen ERDL helmet cover

[@midoriiyahebi3535]

Philippines even had a copy of the M1948 aka ERDL pattern as well, as shown on camopedia, though the picture leaves a lot to be desired just by how dark the copied pattern looks as well.

[@seymourdestruction6237]

very nice to see this. Thank you.

[@uberstrike3404]

My father was issued a ERDL uniform when is was still in trial and he swears it saved his life when his squad was wiped out and he had to hide from a platoon of enemy combatants passing by

[@coppertopv365]

I like that brown dominant erdl That is Nice

[@robertnolan8240]

Had erdl in the Marines during the 70's. The slash pocket cut was functional and great looking. We went to the crappy square pocket stuff and found the quality was horrible. Back then when we had to personally pay for our uniforms..poor boys..uncle sams stepkids! Har..Semper Fi

[@shotgunrain1994]

Can we talk about the guys rifle @ 8:00??? An optic and using another A1 pistol grip for a vertical grip. Pretty forward thinking. Anybody know what chest rig he’s using as well?

[@brianilbrink]

It looks like he is using an xm-177 the chestrig could be a soviet one because he has a 30 round mag and most us rifles of the vietnam war had 20 round mags the optic looks to be a early red dot but dont take my word for it i only know a little bit about the subject

[@shotgunrain1994]

Brian Ilbrink it’s a single point OEG (Occluded Eye gunsight)

[@bx8garageman]

Well done video thanks for sharing

[@CyberCheese392]

I'm just here for that background music

[@chrispbacon955]

Great video.😎👍👍 Informative and fun to watch.

[@scout3058]

My USMC company 1st Sgt (late 1988 through 1989) wore a set of the 1970s issued Delta ERDL. I always liked it, and tried to find a set but never could. Instead, I bought a set of 1980s "winter" woodland 3 color cammies (bigger collars, thicker material, very faded or "salty") from a Sgt who was getting out. Any chance you have information on those thicker 1980s salad suits?

[@robbabcock_]

Fascinating!

[@koerdinatorgaming4370]

Love your work

[@rupvictoria3017]

What about BDUs? We still use them in Civil Air Patrol!

[@TacticsTechniquesandProcedures]

12:05

[@xirensixseo]

as a kid i had a backpack in ERDL. i was playing with nerf guns with my friend, ran out of ammo, and lay down on an open field, beside a brick paved ramp. my friends couldnt see me at all.

[@CalintzJerevinan546]

^I not i

[@boogiebear5567]

Grammar Nazi ok boomer

[@CalintzJerevinan546]

@@boogiebear5567 Lame insult got any more good one's snowflake bitch?

[@beefyjerky4758]

@@CalintzJerevinan546 aye bro why you being weird

[@CalintzJerevinan546]

@@beefyjerky4758 Deal with it.

[@mrv2rocketman]

Leibermuster is such a hot camo pattern sadly it only came out after February 1945

[@kage_tactical]

This camo is also used by the Philippine army too

[@danielchen21]

Can we see some Australian camouflage history

[@gruberjens4354]

The brown dominat version, reminds me in a way of the kryptek highlander pattern.... Highland ERDL... Coincidence? ;-)

[@GlidingZephyr]

The brown dominant coat with a pair of sage/light green colored cargo pants work very well even in the Southern Arizona brush. I tried the combination when I was hunting Javalinas, and they couldn't spot me from 50-60 yards away!

[@Irondevil34]

I would like to see the history of the British camoflage...

[@betancourt10fitness54]

Any possibility of a tiger strip video?

[@Eirik36]

Any chance of a Vietnam tiger stripe video?

[@HanauMan]

I always wondered why US M81 Woodland and the British DPM were so similar but perhaps your video provides a clue. You state that in 1962 the army tested a British uniform (guess it was the pattern 60 uniform) so I'm guessing that some Brits were there too. Would I be far off the mark to suggest that they may have been influenced by the early ERDL camouflage and took these ideas home and ended up with their own version that eventually became DPM?

[@dalewoods7308]

It was also called bdu= battle dress uniform

[@utahraptor4729874]

Do Strichtarn and Blumentarn.

[@Tounushi]

Is there any information whether US ERDL patterns had a horizontal repeat?

[@thurin84]

great info!