This page lists several variations of modified uniforms known to be or highly likely to be used by US Army personnel during the 1990’s through 2000’s. Army modifications tended to vary far more than those used by the Navy, though certain units such as the 75th Ranger Regiment and SFOD-D (Delta Force) tended to prefer certain standardized formats. While modified uniforms tend to be associated with special forces, many conventional units authorized their members to wear them during the early 2000’s, particularly in-theater during the War on Terror, for example the 173rd Airborne [1].
This page is a catalog of the ones in the site owner’s collection, but cannot be all-inclusive due to the custom nature of modified uniforms. The vast majority of modified uniforms were made from woodland BDU’s and 3-color desert DCU’s, but examples in solid colors and other camouflage patterns like Tiger Stripe have been documented.
By the 2010’s, most Army units authorized to use special field uniforms largely switched to factory-made uniforms made by Crye Precision or Patagonia.
Army Ranger Modified DCU, factory made:
Tags:
Hang Tag:
This jacket was unissued and unused.
Arm Pockets:
Ranger style velcro arrangement.
Usage Photos:
3rd SFG/SFOD-D Modified BDU:
Modifications are similar to the DCU here: [4]. Besides Delta Force, the 3rd Special Forces Group, which was also stationed at Ft. Bragg with Delta, used similarly arranged modified BDU’s as well [5].
Arm Pockets:
Chest pockets moved to arms and are secured with velcro. The black square is infrared-reflective like what is found on ACU‘s and the Mountain MARPAT Softshell. Arm pockets are slanted so that they are nearly horizontal when worn with arms at the side for easier access. They are very low on the arms due to the flag velcro.
Chest Pockets:
Lower pockets moved to chest. Straight and close with buttons.
Tags:
3rd SFG/SFOD-D Modified DCU:
This jacket belonged to a member of the US Air Force’s 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24STS). Airmen in Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) tend to wear the same uniform as the unit they are attached to.
Arm Pockets:
Similar glint tape as woodland example above on the arm pockets’ lower velcro.
Chest Pockets:
Lower pockets moved to chest.
Tags:
1997 contract date. Roster number written onto size tag.
Usage Photos:
Delta Force:
3rd Special Forces Group:
SFOD-D Modified DCU:
Twill material. There is glue residue on the chest and shoulders where (foreign?) insignia could be placed. This style of modifications is associated with the US Army’s SFOD-D (Delta Force) [10].
Arm Pockets:
Glint tape sewn onto bottom part of velcro on arm pockets. Arm pockets are made from the former chest pockets.
Chest Pockets:
Bottom pockets were moved up to the chest and sewn straight.
Tags:
Usage Photos:
Chest Pockets Only Modified BDU:
Lower pockets removed, upper chest pockets remain intact in normal orientation, no arm pockets. Shoulder patches include Ranger Battalion scroll, airborne tab, and 504th Military Intelligence Brigade. 504th and Airborne patches were attached with adhesive after Ranger scroll was removed (adhesive residue covers Ranger scroll holes). Chest patches include Expert Infantryman and Jump Wings.
Chest Pockets Only Modified 6-Color Desert DBDU:
This example also has no arm pockets added. It came out of a defunct surplus store in Dothan, Alabama whose stock was obtained by another surplus store in Ohio which then sold the jacket to kommandopost.com.
Tags:
Chest Patch Remnants:
Shoulder Velcro:
Usage Photo:
2000’s Modified 6-Color Desert DBDU:
The eBay listing title for this modified DBDU indicated “Army Special Forces” but the seller also had some modified Desert Tiger Stripe tops listed as “AFSOC”.
Arm Pockets:
Lower pockets moved to arms and UCP ACU velcro used to secure pockets. The chest pockets were not moved.
Inside:
Zipper and velcro from UCP ACU used to secure opening instead of buttons.
Collar:
The collar is stitched down at the corners and the center rear.
Tags:
Hand-Stitched Modified DCU:
Pockets:
No velcro used in this example.
Patch Ghosts:
Six Pocket Modified BDU:
Earlier six pocket modification without velcro that resembles a Soviet Afghanka. This was probably meant to be worn with a webbing harness, not a vest or plate carrier because all 4 pockets were left on the front.
Tags:
A roster number is hand-written on the inside.
Arm Pockets:
Remnants of Army Special Forces patch and tabs on sleeve. The pockets were a different Air Force or Navy BDU’s upper chest pockets.
Cuffs:
Many woodland BDU jackets up to the early 1990’s have small, separate cuff adjustment tabs. Later BDU’s have it integrated into the cuff piece.