This page lists several variations of modified uniforms known to be or highly likely to be used by US Navy personnel during the 1990’s through 2000’s. In the Navy, most modified uniforms were used by Naval Special Warfare (NSW) personnel who modified the uniforms to their own tastes and for practical considerations, for example body armor. NSW seems to have settled on a standard format by the late 2000’s with slanted chest pockets, ergonomically slanted arm pockets, small velcro loop fields for flag patches above the arm pockets, and large velcro loop fields on the arm pockets’ bodies. While this is the stereotypical, “classic”, NSW modification, countless variations exist. 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 2012, most NSW units largely switched to factory-made uniforms made by Crye Precision or Patagonia.
Classic NSW Modified DCU #1:
This jacket was part of a larger early 2000’s SEAL grouping.
Usage Photos:
Classic NSW Modified DCU #2:
This example has extra velcro on the left chest pocket (as worn) likely for a secondary badge.
Chest Pockets:
Arm Pockets:
Tag:
Classic NSW Modified DCU with Blood Type Markings:
Some modified uniforms have their former owners’ blood type information written on in permanent marker in case an emergency transfusion is needed.
Collar:
Unlike many other NSW modified DCU’s, this example does not have a small velcro square on the back in the collar area.
Arm Pockets:
Former owner’s blood type written onto arm pocket flaps. “NKDA” means “No Known Drug Allergies” [4].
Chest Pockets:
Lower pockets moved to chest and ergonomically slanted.
Patches:
Tags:
Classic NSW Modified DCU, Velcro on 1 Arm Pocket:
The orange-tinted velcro means this example was likely modified in-theater (Iraq or Afghanistan).
Arm Pockets:
Only the left arm pocket (as worn) has velcro on it.
Tags:
Classic NSW Modified DCU, factory-made:
This example was made in the NSW format from the factory so it does not have any evidence of removed stitching.
Inside:
Arm Pockets:
Chest Pockets:
Tags:
Classic NSW Modified BDU, factory-made:
Pockets:
Tags:
Like the factory-modified DCU above, this example also has its contractor tag hidden in the jacket opening so it is not visible when worn.
NSW Modified DCU, Symmetrical Chest Velcro + No Arm Pocket Velcro:
Pockets:
Back and Shoulder Velcro:
Tags:
Combat Shirt NSW Modified DCU:
Probably a souvenir shirt made from a modified DCU in the style of a Crye Combat Shirt. Velcro and pocket arrangement is very similar to NSW types above. The DCU used for this modification has evidence of heavy use.
Arm Pockets:
Silkscreened Markings:
Inside:
Sleeve/shoulder area DCU material is sewn directly on top of intact drifire shirt.
Khaki NSW BDU #1:
Tags:
Arm Pockets:
Chest Pockets:
Back Velcro:
Khaki NSW BDU #2, no upper flag field:
Similar to the khaki example above except there is no small velcro patch above the pocket for a flag. 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.
A similar modified khaki tan BDU jacket was obtained from a former SEAL Team 2 member [5].
Arm Pockets:
Chest Pockets:
Tags:
Khaki NSW BDU #3, Slanted Chest Pockets:
This jacket was part of a larger early 2000’s SEAL grouping.
Black NSW BDU:
Jacket:
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Arm Pockets:
Chest pockets moved to arms.
Chest Pockets:
Lower pockets moved to chest.
Pants:
Tags:
Usage Photos:
Modified black BDU’s were used by SEALs in Central America in the 1980’s – 1990’s [6].
Arm Pockets only DCU:
Arm Pockets:
Chest and Collar Velcro:
Back Velcro:
Tags:
Asymmetric Modified DCU:
Arm Pocket:
Chest Pockets:
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Chest Pen Flare Pocket Modified BDU:
All pockets are secured with velcro.
Inside:
Chest Pockets:
Arm Pockets:
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Combat Shirt Modified BDU:
This was found with the pen flare pocket modified BDU above.
Arm Pockets:
Tags:
Torso shirt was made by Under Armour.
Six Pocket Modified DCU:
Arm Pockets:
Arm pockets made from lower pockets of another DCU.
Chest Patches:
UCP US Army tape found in a chest pocket.
Tags:
Civil Engineering Officer Slanted Outwards DCU:
