What do you get when you combine a durable fabric that’s made in the USA and uses the latest visual technology and research to blend into its environment?

A high-quality uniform that’s destined for the United States Army.

Having the right clothing could make the difference between life and death when serving in the line of duty.

Life & Death

Manufacturing such products as garments, plate carriers, chest rigs, backpacks, IFAKs and MOLLE compatible pouches for those who proudly serve our country means that zero defects, precision cuts, and stitching need to be a qualitative measurement. When it comes to fabric, however, the scale is somewhat more subjective.

One such area of fabrics the military recently decided to update is its pattern.

Universal Camouflage Pattern

The Army’s UCP uniform — or Universal Camouflage Pattern — is a pixelated uniform that conceals troops in versatile terrains and environments. Noticeable for its elimination of the color black, the UCP includes urban gray, desert tan, and sage green hues. While great in modern cities, UCP patterns do little to blend in with the natural colors that make up the towns, hillsides, and woodlands of Afghanistan…although recent memes have shown they’re fantastic for blending into couches:

IMAGE: The UCP uniform is famously known for “blending into grandma’s couch”

…As a result, the Army began to roll out new patterns in 2015.

Operational Camouflage Pattern

Dubbed the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP), the new uniform and other potential patterns underwent the most grueling and intensive camouflage testing the Army has ever conducted. During trails, trained soldiers rated patterns based on blending, brightness, contrast, and detection at varied distances during day and night.

The final pattern selection came down to MultiCam and OCP. Positive feedback and lower printing costs for the latter lead to its final selection, and in September 2019, the OCP eventually replaced the Army’s standard issue UCP.

The OCP Difference

Design wise, the OCP forgoes the pixelated print that made the Universal Camouflage Pattern famous, and includes six alternative colors: Gray, Artichoke, Laurel Green, American Silver, Grullo, and Dark Silver.

Tests have shown this new and improved uniform will prove safer than its pixelated predecessor and cost approximately $5 billion for Congress to rollout, keeping soldiers looking good — if you’re even able to see them, that is — and safe.