OCP | Operational Camouflage Pattern

OCP camouflage, which stands for Operational Camouflage Pattern, is a military camouflage pattern used primarily by the United States Army and other branches of the U.S. military. Here’s a brief history of its development and adoption:

Origins and Development

1. Early 2000s: The Need for a New Pattern

   • In the early 2000s, the U.S. Army identified a need for a new camouflage pattern that would be more effective in a variety of environments compared to the then-current patterns. The previous standard, the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), was found to be less effective in certain terrains and lighting conditions.

2. 2009: The Camouflage Improvement Effort

   • The Army began evaluating new camouflage patterns to replace UCP. This initiative was known as the Camouflage Improvement Effort, and several patterns were tested in different environments.

3. 2014: Selection of the OCP

   • After extensive testing, the Army selected the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) as the new standard. OCP was developed based on the MultiCam pattern, which had been used in Afghanistan and was highly praised for its effectiveness in various environments.

Key Features

• Design: OCP features a pattern with a mix of colors and shapes designed to blend into a wide range of environments, including desert, woodland, and urban settings. The pattern includes shades of tan, green, brown, and black.
• Compatibility: OCP was designed to address the issues found with UCP and provide a more versatile camouflage that would work well in diverse terrains.

Adoption and Implementation

1. 2015: Initial Rollout

   • The Army began the transition to OCP in 2015, initially issuing it to units deploying to the Middle East and other regions where MultiCam had previously been used.

2. 2019: Full Transition

   • The Army fully transitioned to OCP as the standard camouflage pattern by 2019. This included updating uniforms, equipment, and gear to match the new pattern.

3. Broader Use

   • Following the Army's adoption, other branches of the U.S. military, including the Air Force, also adopted OCP as their standard camouflage pattern, contributing to a unified appearance across services.

Current Status

• Ongoing Use: As of now, OCP remains in use across the U.S. military. It has proven effective in a variety of operational environments and has become a standard part of military attire.

Overall, the transition to OCP represents a significant shift from previous camouflage patterns, reflecting advancements in military gear and the need for more effective multi-environment camouflage solutions.