The Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) is an arid-environment camouflage uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. In terms of pattern and textile cut, it is identical to the U.S. military's Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) uniform, but features a three-color desert camouflage pattern of dark brown, pale olive green, and beige, as opposed to the four-color woodland pattern of the BDU. It replaced the previous Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU) which featured a six-color "chocolate chip" pattern of beige, pale olive green, two tones of brown, and black and white rock spots. Although completely phased out of frontline use in the U.S. Armed Forces, some pieces and equipment printed in the DCU camouflage pattern are used in limited numbers such as MOPP suits and/or vests.
Marines from the U.S. 6th Marine Regiment wearing DCUs in 2004; the very latest the USMC used the DCU was April 2005.
U.S. Army soldiers in May 2005 wearing the Army Combat Uniform, Desert Camouflage Uniform, and a World War II–era uniform (left to right)
U.S. Navy Seabees in August 2012 wearing the DCU
Image: 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry snipers scanning for activity from a Mosul police station DA SD 06 03422
The Navy Working Uniform (NWU) is a series of military uniforms that are currently used by the United States Navy for wear by its members. The NWU is a "working" uniform, which means that it is made to a more durable and utilitarian standard, thus being worn in lieu of more formal uniforms that might get unduly damaged or dirtied in the process of normal military duties.
Rear Admiral Michelle J. Howard in July 2009, wearing a Desert Camouflage Uniform while meeting with U.S. Navy sailors wearing the NWU Type I. The DCU was eventually replaced by the NWU Type II a few years later and the NWU Type I discontinued in 2019.
AOR2, the camouflage pattern used on the NWU Type III
The camouflage pattern used on the NWU Type I
Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy Rick D. West in August 2010, wearing an early version of the NWU Type III featuring rank insignia on the collars and not on the chest