An interesting part of military history is the combat uniform, how it came to be and how it has changed over the years.
Service member uniforms are commonly found on display in living history museums throughout the country, as there are many and each with a different story.
Every version of our military’s combat uniform up to the very uniforms being used today, begins with the first ones ever used during the American Revolution.
The First U.S. Military Combat Uniforms
The first U.S. military uniforms consisted largely of blue garments.
Initially, it was due to the need to separate American soldiers from the British Redcoats during the Revolutionary War.
Blue garments were used by American military forces for a century after that, through the Civil War and beyond, with the Confederate Army distinguishing itself with gray uniforms.
It was not until the Spanish-American War that things started to change, as this is thought by many to be the introduction of the first uniform designed to blend into the scenery as a protection method.
The Progression of the Combat Uniform
By the time the U.S. was about to enter World War I, military uniforms changed considerably.
Durability and functionality were key factors in the designs of these uniforms.
The plain blouses and trousers that had become standard to that point were officially replaced with tunics, breeches, and coats, all of which had pockets for carrying gear and were made of durable wool and cotton.
Footwear consisted of tall riding boots for officers and short boots for soldiers.
Other than the slightly different shades of olive-drab green worn by soldiers and officers, the entire U.S. military wore these same, easy-to-produce uniforms as they went to Europe to fight in the Great War.
When the U.S. entered World War II, combat uniforms had undergone significant changes to make them more comfortable and useful.
The steel helmets worn by soldiers were improved and there were multiple uniforms designed for use in different parts of the world due to the different climates.
The well-known olive-drab, waterproof, windproof, and pocketed U.S. military field jacket was also introduced during this period, a garment that would go on to be issued to all branches of the military continuing on to today.
As the U.S. military went on to play additional roles in future wars and combat battles, the uniform that had now served well in WWII was simply modified as necessary for climate, fit, and comfort.
Some specialty uniforms were designed for paratroopers, aviators, and tank crews as well, but all uniforms for every branch of the military were designed around the same basic shirt, pants, and field jacket.
Camouflage - Then and Now
Camouflage has been a traditional and recognizable part of U.S. military combat uniforms since it first came into use.
Technically, the first use of basic camouflage came about during the Spanish-American war, when the traditional military blue was slowly replaced with tan khaki garments so that soldiers were able to more easily blend in with the background in the drier, more arid climate where they fought.
The olive-drab uniform used during WWI was a continuation of the idea for soldiers fighting on grassy, muddy, and wooded battlefields throughout Europe.
Therefore, as the locations changed so did the foliage and surroundings, requiring a change in camouflage as well.
Since the first true camouflage was introduced in 1940, a brown and green pattern designed for use in the Pacific Theater during WWII, camouflage service member combat uniforms have undergone various pattern and color variations, each one designed to blend more completely in the surrounding environment.
Experiments during the cold war revealed that one camouflage combat uniform was not enough and uniforms were necessary depending on where U.S. troops were going.
This has held true even today, with the military using various camouflage shades as well as color schemes, and even different camouflage patterns for different branches, units, and locations.
Although the camouflage continues to change as needed, the U.S. military pants, shirt, and field jacket remain standard.
See U.S. Military Combat Uniforms At A Living History Museum
Combat service member uniforms are an interesting part of U.S. military history that can usually be seen on display in military history museums like the Museum of the American G.I. all throughout the country.
In addition, many authentic military uniforms can be seen being worn at living history museums that offer military reenactments.
From the first uniforms worn by Americans during the Revolutionary War to the battle fatigues of the Vietnam and Gulf Wars through to current times, combat uniforms have evolved considerably while also remaining the same for all these years!