Modified Military Jackets

[Scott]

Modified BDU. Chest pockets relocated to arms with Velcro closure and large Velcro squares added. Hip pockets relocated to chest at a slight inward angle, and Velcro added for name tapes. I found this one outside Ft. Bragg.

 

 

[Scott]

Modified BDU. Chest pockets relocated to arms with Velcro closure and Velcro on pockets and flaps. IR squares also sewn on with male Velcro strips indicating "A+" blood type used to cover IR squares when not needed. Velcro backed IR US flag patch. Hip pockets relocated to chest with Velcro added for name tapes. I found this outside Ft. Bragg.

 

 

[Scott]

Modified BDU. "Ghosting" of hip pockets, name tape, NCO rank, Airborne and Air Assault badges, and Special Forces SSI with Special Forces Tab. It is common practice for Soldiers to have "Garrison" uniforms and "Field" uniforms. Field uniforms evolve from garrison uniforms that become faded, torn, or stained, and no longer pass standards for garrison use. I believe that this uniform was at one time a garrison uniform that was later modified once it became a field uniform. Hip pockets relocated to arms and Velcro squares added. Strobe pouch sewn to right arm. Luminescent "Cats Eyes" or "Ranger Eyes" sewn on back of collar. I found this one outside Ft. Bragg early into the GWOT, and believe it to be pre-GWOT.

 

 

[Scott]

Collar

[Nkomo]

US Special Forces used and modified BDU combat set.

It is cut to be like the Crye G2 combat set. Knee and elbow pads have been added.

The combat shirt has had a piece of Under Armor shirt added to the bottom as a way to lengthen it so it could be tucked into the pants. Probably used in the 2010-2014 time frame (thanks, Jimmy)

 

[Guest M65_Guy]

Has anyone on seen an m65 with a sewn in M1950 hood instead of the usual one?

[Guest Tylbor]

Hi!

I'm new here, but as I noticed conversation about theater made name tapes I thought it is a right place to show my find. I bought this US Navy Seabees M65 field coat with an aluminum zipper some time ago and the reason was these hand made tapes. They are not machine sewn but stencilled on a WWII USMC frog skin camo or the other side of the Mitchel; I cannot guess. Has anyone idea what is this? I was also trying to guess what patch was attached to the left arm velcro?   

[Guest tententn]

One of my first projects. I called it " Green Horses" as this was the expression used by foreign friend referring to Berlins Brandenburger Gate with the Quadriga on it. The embroidery is handmade and so is the print. The print refelct exact the sign at Checkpoint Charly. In the center you may see what I call the souldboard. It contains all the informations we could collect. By adding this kind of patch we secure that the informations will remain regardless who wons the jkt. the most of the seams were repaired with small soft leather to make them lasting and also adding some value

( struggeling with size to upload here - sorry )

[Guest tonkatsudonuts]

I recently obtained some modified MARPAT utilities that have velcro modifications done to them, which confuse me as Marines don't really wear insignia the way the Army does, and I've never run into modified Marine uniforms like I had BDU RAID mods.

 

They weren't advertised in any special way, being sold as generic MARPAT uniforms with no acknowledgement of the velcro modifications. The seller told me he lives near a base and just buys surplus to resell.

 

The first uniform has velcro added to both shoulder pockets and nametape area, and came with 2 nametapes hidden inside one of the pockets; One being a US NAVY tape and the other being of the sailor's name. It also came with a boonie that had velcro squares sewn to the top and bottom of the hat. Does anyone know of any Navy service that uses MARPAT and would have an incentive to modify the uniforms in this way?

 

The second set I got had similar modifications, with velcro being added to the sleeve pockets and nametape areas. This one did not have nametapes, but the 8 point cap that it came with had a name and "Scout Sniper Platoon" scribbled inside. The seller did not mention this or include a picture of this in his ad, so I don't think it was added to drive up the price; I got these for pretty cheap.

 

Of course, I acknowledge its possible someone could have added the velcro themselves, but considering the seller didn't attempt to use this as a way to charge more, and did not seem to notice the modifications at all, leads me to wonder what exactly the origin of this is. Anyone else have examples of similar things being done? The only explanation I can think of is some sort of Marine/Navy organization like MARSOC, though finding pictures of this is difficult since I can't tell if they're wearing blouses or combat shirts. The seller also had a set in desert MARPAT, presumably from the same source. I would expect those to be more common than woodland sets, but I do not know.

[Ewart]

On 6/14/2020 at 8:05 PM, tonkatsudonuts said:

 

 

The first uniform has velcro added to both shoulder pockets and nametape area, and came with 2 nametapes hidden inside one of the pockets; One being a US NAVY tape and the other being of the sailor's name. It also came with a boonie that had velcro squares sewn to the top and bottom of the hat. Does anyone know of any Navy service that uses MARPAT and would have an incentive to modify the uniforms in this way?

 

The second set I got had similar modifications, with velcro being added to the sleeve pockets and nametape areas. This one did not have nametapes, but the 8 point cap that it came with had a name and "Scout Sniper Platoon" scribbled inside. The seller did not mention this or include a picture of this in his ad, so I don't think it was added to drive up the price; I got these for pretty cheap.

 

Of course, I acknowledge its possible someone could have added the velcro themselves, but considering the seller didn't attempt to use this as a way to charge more, and did not seem to notice the modifications at all, leads me to wonder what exactly the origin of this is. Anyone else have examples of similar things being done? The only explanation I can think of is some sort of Marine/Navy organization like MARSOC, though finding pictures of this is difficult since I can't tell if they're wearing blouses or combat shirts.

 

The US Navy tabbed one is likely to be for a Navy corpsman (medic). The Navy traditionally supply the medics for USMC units. Maybe he is the medic for the Scout Sniper Platoon.

[Bob Hudson]

On 6/14/2020 at 12:05 PM, tonkatsudonuts said:

Marines don't really wear insignia the way the Army does,

 

Was some of the the velcro for  IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) patches?

 

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

I have seen a few photos of velcro covered MCCUUs being worn but seem uncommon

[BagmanL6]

This may contribute somewhat to the conversation.

 

Direct acquisition from a 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion (now 1st Raider Battalion) plank holder.  The desert MarPat has the same sleeve velcro but no velcro for BOS / Name.  Nothing sewn on either. (If someone can flip the picture I'd appreciate it.  Thanks.)

 

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

No caption but photo has been on internet since 2013 and the men a Philippine National Police.

 

Company B 1st Reconnaissance Battalion near Sangin, Afghanistan 19 Oct 2010 during op Eastern Endeavor. Still from USMC video by Col. William J, Faffler

 

 

Company B 1st Reconnaissance battalion at a PB near Sangin, Afghanistan on 19 Nov 2010 during Op Eastern Endeavor. Stills from USMC video by Cpl William J. Faffler.

In the video its possible to see the first has sewn nametapes

 

Company B 1st Reconnaissance battalion conduct a key leader engagement near Sangin, Afghanistan 21 Oct 2010 during Op Eastern Endeavor. Still from USMC video by Cpl. William J. Faffler

 

 

 

 

 

[Sam Brasco]

Maybe this makes more sense here:

Just received this pullover/parka that was issued/sold to the Germans post-war. Two stamps inside, both saying:

»Von der US Armee zum Gebrauch in der deutschen Wirtschaft XXX. Purchased from the US Army for XXX in the Germany economy...«

(The XXX parts are illegible)

I think under the fake pocket on the chest I'll find the U.S.N. stamp. (Yap, it's there).

 

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

 

6 pocket modified DCU, breast pockets were added to the sleeve with the buttons on them replaced with velcro, and velcro added to the pocket body for patches and to the pocket flap for glint tape. 

 

Unfortunately the name has been stripped off but the rest of the patches remain. It belonged to a PO1 in Inshore Boat Unit 24 who earned the Small Craft Petty Officer in Charge award. The left breast pocket contains 3 awards which were never applied; Surface Warfare Specialist insignia, a Basic EOD badge, and the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia.

 

This is a still of a video of IBU 24 in the Port of Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait on January 6th 2005 filmed by Spc. Chase Spears and Sgt. Scott White of the 14th Public Affiars Detachment. EN1(SW) Wes Blair, a patrol leader, can be seen wearing a similar although not identically modified uniform. The patch and IR velcro placement is the same, however in another video filmed by Spc. Chase it can be seen that his uniform is a 4 pocket modification with the lower pockets moved the the sleeves. He is also wearing his Small Craft badge on the left breast pocket flap rather than above the Navy BOS tape.

 

This sailor is wearing a very similar although not identical IBU 24 patch. This is also from a video filmed by Spc. Chase Spears on January 6th.

[KommandoPost]

I found this yesterday in a surplus store:

 

The layout is similar to this DCU here:

Is it possible that Delta used this style of modified BDU in woodland camo as well?  

 

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

3 hours ago, KommandoPost said:

I found this yesterday in a surplus store:

 

The layout is similar to this DCU here:

Is it possible that Delta used this style of modified BDU in woodland camo as well?  

 

Yes there are some photos of Delta wearing uniforms like this, mainly in training. I believe 3rd SFG also used this style since they are also stationed at Fort Bragg alongside Delta. 

 

 

MSGT Ivica Jerak (KIA 25 August 2005)

[Thunderbird collector]

A surplus store find, nice early special forces mod with blood type.

[ekclete]

Nice example!

[Chuckman1108]

Necropost, I know, but insight to the MARPAT (and woodland) mods with Marines.  I was a corpsman, we modded our field utilities.  If I can find mine (that was a minute ago) I will post.

[Nkomo]

On 8/22/2024 at 12:56 PM, Chuckman1108 said:

Necropost, I know, but insight to the MARPAT (and woodland) mods with Marines.  I was a corpsman, we modded our field utilities.  If I can find mine (that was a minute ago) I will post.

Would love to see when you get a chance!

[mysteriousoozlefinch]

Necroposting again, but I have a modified MARPAT in my collection ID'd to a guy from Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Company, 1st Intelligence Battalion with removable tapes and added Velcro squares on the arm pockets.

[mysteriousoozlefinch]

Recently I've had the chance to acquire a few modified Navy uniforms for my collection.

 

First is this DCU that has a lot of the Naval Special Warfare type changes, including lower pockets on the sleeves, the Velcro layout, and tab of Velcro under the collar.  The lower sleeves were cut off as well it seems.  May have belonged to an officer with the surname Huber.

 

The next two came with two other unmodified DCUs that all seem to be from the same person, with rank insignia running from Senior Chief Petty Officer to Chief Warrant Officer 3. The SCPO one was most modified, with all-Velcro backed patches and tapes plus pockets moved to the sleeves. The left arm has a rectangular patch of Velcro over the pocket and square on the pocket flap. Came with free waded up Bazooka Joe comic in the pocket. It's a 1997 UNICOR Big Sandy contract. There are a handful of names written and scratched out around the size tag below the collar.

 

The CWO3 is less modified, with just the collar insignia and name tape being removable.  It arrived complete with the CWO3 badge and Intelligence Specialist.  There was a spare Velcro backed CWO3 patch in the breast pocket.

 

 

[mysteriousoozlefinch]

That should be Intelligence Technician not Specialist, but I can't edit it to fix my error.