DG3 was a prototype of the AOR2 camouflage pattern that was tested around 2007. Unlike DG3A, it is vertically oriented, like the final NWU3/AOR2 camouflage pattern, though it uses a similar color palette as DG3A. The jacket in this post was made by Beyond. The pocket arrangement and overall cut is similar to some modified BDU’s in use at the time.

Chest Pockets:

Arm Pockets:

Velcro area above arm pocket can be covered by matching camouflage loop cover patches.

This could marginally improve camouflage value, like the matching print velcro used on mid-2010’s dated camouflaged Patagonia PCU items.

Jacket with velcro loop cover patches applied is slightly better camouflaged.

Cuffs:

Collar:

Surprisingly crude construction for a factory-made uniform intended for SEALs.

Inside:

Tags:

Tag indicates the manufacturer, size, and prototype pattern being tested.

Comparison with Crye DGIIIA Prototype:

The DGIII pattern was likely closer to what was finally accepted into service as AOR2 given the similarities in vertical pattern orientation to the final product as well as inclusion of the watermark in the same location.

Article:

A sketch of this uniform appears in the Issue 7 (December 2009) of Ethos Magazine in an article about the then-upcoming NWU Type 3 uniforms [1].

Usage Photo:

2007: DEVGRU Gold Squadron [2] operator Senior Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens [3]. CPO Owens was killed in action during a raid on Yakla, Yemen on January 29, 2017, making him the first US military casualty of the Trump administration [4][5].

2007 date comes from a reenactor that used the above image of CPO Owens as reference [6][7].