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 Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Space Force. Within U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, it is referred to as the OCP Uniform, rather than the Army Combat Uniform.
U.S. Army soldiers in May 2011, wearing the ACU in the Universal Camouflage Pattern, along with its replacement MultiCam pattern (second from left) in Paktika province, Afghanistan
The ACU of a U.S. Navy sailor attached to a U.S. Army unit during the Iraq War, August 2009
A U.S. Army soldier in June 2005 wearing the ACU in UCP with matching IBA vest and ACH helmet