The Different Types of Military Uniforms That the Military Wears Today

In 1779, the USA developed its first military uniform as a standard blue long coat.

These days, four types of military uniforms make up the standard military dress code. Uniforms can communicate your military branch, rank, years of service, assigned duties, and awards won to any onlooker in a glance.

The three main types of uniforms are combat, service, and dress uniforms. Service members will also have a PT uniform for fitness activities. Do you want to learn a little more about these different uniform types?

Keep reading to find out more about each of the three main types of military uniforms and how they change for each branch.

Combat Uniforms

Service personnel wear these uniforms in combat and everyday casual situations. Each branch’s uniform comes in camouflage patterns and colors. The US Army and US Air Force both use the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP), available in different colors.

Marines wear combat uniforms called Cammies, which are available in grey, brown, green, and tan colors. The grey color is for cold climates, whereas Marines wear the brown color in desert locations.

Those who serve in the US Navy wear sea-blue or green digi camo for the Naval Working Uniforms. Officers wear a khaki-colored working uniform for identification.

The combat uniform is the most common uniform worn by civilians and the best to decorate with military patches.

Service Uniforms

These uniforms are used when working in the office or in public-facing situations. They are considered the business wear uniform option, and they are the military etiquette uniform of choice for a service member at funerals, weddings, and parades.

The US Army has reintroduced an Army Green Service Uniform to give thanks and recognize the efforts made by the generations of the World Wars. Women in the army have an option to wear a skirt version of the uniform if they desire.

The US Air Force Service uniforms are dark blue suits with a light blue shirt and flight cap. The jacket features three silver buttons bearing the Hap Arnold wings.

Marine service uniforms come in various styles, all of them in dark olive or khaki color options. The Navy service uniform is also in khaki but with a black cap and silver buckle at the belt.

Dress Uniforms

Mess dress is the common term used to describe the most formal style of uniform used by all types of military branches. The uniform always includes a formal jacket to wear at ceremonial events and military balls.

The US Army wears a black coat with blue pants featuring a gold trim, whereas the Airforce mess dress is black all over with a cummerbund or tie tab for women.

The Marine service uniform may be considered the best dress code for military service personal and is undoubtedly the most recognizable. It consists of a black jacket with the blood-red trim or stripe representing veterans lost in combat. The stripe is only available for those who have achieved the rank of corporal.

The Navy mess dress in its most formal form is the White or Dinner dress uniform. This consists of a short jacket and a black bow tie. The men wear a gold cummerbund, whereas the ladies wear a tie tab.

Understanding Different Types of Military Uniforms

The history of the different US military uniforms is long and exciting one that has gone through many evolutions over the years. Hopefully, this short guide has given you some insight into the different types of military uniforms available.

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