Desert Camouflage Uniform

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U.S. Army soldiers in 2005 wearing the Army Combat Uniform, Desert Camouflage Uniform and a World War II-era uniform (left to right).

The Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) is essentially the same as the United States military's Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) uniform, only featuring the three-color desert camouflage pattern of light tan, pale green, and brown, as opposed to the dark green, black, brown, and dark tan of the BDU's woodland pattern. The DCU and the BDU have been phased out of use with the United States Army by the new Army Combat Uniform (ACU).

The DCU "coffee stain camouflage" was developed to replace the 6 color desert camouflage "chocolate-chip camouflage" uniform, which was deemed unsuitable for most desert combat theaters. As opposed to the original six color DBDU, which was meant for a rockier and elevated desert battlefield that was often not encountered and replaced the former DBDU. The DCU was meant primarily for a lower, more open, and less rocky desert battlefield space which became a common sight throughout the Gulf War campaign.

This uniform is also used by the United States Air Force, which is also phasing out the DCU and BDU in favor of the new Airman Battle Uniform; and the United States Navy, which has also authorized a replacement uniform of its own for the Navy Seals while maintaining it for other ground units. For the time being, this uniform continues to be used by members of the United States Coast Guard when deployed to the Middle East.