The History of: The US Military ERDL Camouflage (Brown and Green Dominant & RDF) | Uniform History

Well it's been a long time coming but here it is finally. Part two in our series on US woodland camouflage patterns with the ERDL camouflage family.

[DArchery]

I wore these for seven years (1981 to 1988) as a Paratrooper in the 509th Airborne in Italy and as a Pathfinder in the 101st, Honduras and Korea. We called them simply "Jungle Cammies". They were special issue done by the units. For example only the Pathfinders (and later LRSD) in the 101st Airborne Division was allowed to where them and they were special issue. In the 101st we wore them all the time. In the 509th Airborne, we only wore them "In the field", in garrison we wore our OD's. I preferred these to the BDU (we called then Lightweight BDU's), with the rip stop fabric.

[christianguzman]

Marines: You can't mimic our image or traditions!
Also Marines: Buys US Army surplus and irons on USMC, eagle and anchor.

[sparkynation]

Such an under appreciated camouflage. A lot of people don’t think the woodland came around until the 80’s but this is your early form of it used in combat.

[cammobunker]

Marine boot camp, September 1982, I was issued two sets of RDF ERDL and two sets M81 woodland. Before I left in December the new platoons were getting all M81 Woodland. In the fleet we wore ERDL and Woodland side by side until about 85 when ERDL was phased out.

[meremom]

I hope someone is still monitoring comments...My father, Adolph H. Humphreys, was Chief of Camouflage at ERDL for many years, first as a regular officer in the Army and later as a civilian (though he continued on as a Reservist). He began working at Fort Belvoir during WWII and continued working there into the 1970s. Your video and Wikipedia credit John Hopkins with developing ERDL camo based on an award. I'd like to know what that award was. He was a very good friend of my dad's and worked under him. If my dad were alive today I am sure he would give many credit for the development of ERDL camo especially Dave Ghee who was the physicist on his team.

[Ghatbkk]

I wore ERDL (all three patterms) until 1988, as did many of my ODA. Until the lightweight BDU became available, the ERDL Jungles were preferable for warm climates.

[valf]

Could we see russian EMR camo covered? It’s one of the camos you don’t hear much about and it would be cool to see the history of it.

[slumberditch]

Well, guess that's why my old thrift shop woodland bdu looked so weird. It's actually brown-dominant ERDL. I wish that jacket could speak to me.

[Odessa]

I was posted to Ops Group, Ft Irwin, CA in 1985-86. In the spring of '85 we were issued 2 sets of 100% cotton ripstop uniforms printed in the brown dominant ERDL with the shadow outlines. We were told to wear one set whenever we wanted - while out in the field when our outfit was on rotation, in garrison on main post, whenever. Basically, just put one set into regular rotation with our issued Woodland pattern stuff. The other set was absolutely NOT to be worn while in the field or while doing any other "Hard Use" training. The test went on for a few months. At the end of the test period we were told to wear the "Field Worn" set to a formation where we filled out a questionnaire. We were told to bring the other set along too, cleaned. The Gov Guys also looked us all over. They asked us basic questions - were the uniforms durable, comfortable...how did they compare to our other issued uniforms? Stuff like that. We were allowed to keep both sets of uniforms. We were allowed to continue wearing them also. My "Field Worn" set didn't last very long after the test period. Being cotton, they were so much lighter than the regular Woodland stuff. I wore that set ALOT!! That set lasted maybe another year...tops!! They just flat fell apart. I had the other set for years and years and years .... decades. I finally outgrew them and dropped them off at a surplus shop one afternoon, LOL ... I'm a DOPE!

[alexguymon]

You should cover the history of East and West German camouflage patterns and uniforms. They have an interesting history that somwhat parallel one another and its a story that isn't really talked about.

[jeffreyroot]

It was all woodlands pattern by the time I came of age . I still have a bunch and continue to wear my BDU trousers and field jacket. It’s the season to get that out again!

[MartyMcfly]

Awesome! T I G E R S T R I P E next after Woodland!!

[petesheppard]

In 1977, we candidates at Marine Corps OCS were issued both green- and brown-dominant cammies, which were obviously ERDL pattern, corresponding to USMC adoption of the uniforms. According to instructions, wear depended on the season: Green for spring & summer, brown for fall & winter.

[Jbdunham]

ERDL Green Dominant is my all-time favorite camouflage, especially in the TCU uniform cut. Part of that is my stepdad’s experience with it during his time in Vietnam. I use it almost exclusively as a hunting camo now

[nunyabusiness]

I am so glad that we are finally getting this video and will soon get the M81 woodland, can't tell you how long I've been waiting. Thank you.

[Zoomerdaddy]

6:21 My great uncle named Thach was an ARVN, He's part of the 81st battalion which were one of the best special forces for the south vietnamese.

[wormisgod]

Since you mentioned eventually doing the derivatives, here's some tidbits about Singapore's leaf pattern (having tried tracing the tile):

- Its tile is roughly squarish, approx 60cm x 60cm

- Unlike ERDL and M81, it has a horizontal repeat.

- Some shapes are copied (with and without modification) from ERDL, some of these shapes are reused in the repeat with a different orientation and colour.

- Some shapes are new.

- Having been phased out as the main service uniform for a pixelated pattern in the 2000s, the leaf pattern uniforms continue service with the Opfor.

- MOPP suits with the pattern are still in use.

- The pants are popular with construction workers.

[blueduck]

OG 107 and erdl green dominant are my favorite camo sets. The light weight and loose fit was very effective in hot, steamy weather.

[Greymist]

My Dad still has his "lime green" ERDL pants and trousers as were optionally issued during the 2nd half of his tour after he took command of a recon platoon circa 1969.

[sanction]

Major Johnnie Gilreath 16:55 (former Operations Officer with the 1/502 INF when shown) passed away on 1 JUN 2020. He was 76. I worked for him in the 101ST. FIRST STRIKE SIR! RIP.