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Hunting shirts
Soldiers put together makeshift hunting shirts to distinguish themselves from the British at the Siege of Boston. -
The American Soldier
The troops in this painting wear the uniforms prescribed in the regulations of 1779 and supplied at the time of the Yorktown campaign - blue coats with distinctive facings for the infantry regiments from four groups of states: New England; New York and New Jersey; Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia; and the Carolinas and Georgia. -
Uniform confusion
The US Army began issuing blue coats such as the ones below in 1813. These remained in service until about 1820, though a shortage of blue wool would lead some state militias and the service academies to use gray. -
Tombstone dropped
In 1821, the Army dropped the “tombstone” cap and replaced it with the “bell crown” cap for company officers and enlisted soldiers. The hole in the front was for a colored pompon, a feather-like device which would distinguish what branch of service the soldier belonged to, such as artillery or infantry. -
Epaulets and shoulder wings
Army regulations introduced the use of epaulets and shoulder wings, which were “generally used to designate the soldier’s rank or some other aspect of status,” according to the Army Quartermaster Museum. -
New buttons
New buttons were introduced in 1833, for Dragoons on the left, and infantry on the right. -
Chevrons on both sleeves
Non-commissioned officers were authorized to display chevrons on both sleeves, above the elbow. -
Frock coat
Soldiers began wearing the “frock” coat, and colored accents distinguished among branches, with blue indicating infantry and red meaning artillery, for example. -
Major changes
Changes in 1858 and 1860 would define the look of Union soldiers during the American Civil War. This period saw the adoption of brass branch insignia and different hats, although the various regulations of state militias, substitute items, and homemade garments make it hard to nail down the “typical” uniform of the day. -
Khaki uniforms
During the Spanish-American war of 1898, soldiers were issued khaki uniforms for the field. -
Period: to
Ranks on uniforms
Between the 1940s and 1970s, there were big changes to Army rank structure. Staff sergeants were eliminated in 1948 and made sergeants, only for the rank to be brought back ten years later. In 1954, the Army created the Specialist rank, with different levels that could be obtained, although these were later phased out. -
Olive green utility uniforms introduced
The Army adopted its olive green shade utility uniform, which would see use in the wars in Korea and Vietnam -
Tags
The Secretary of the Army made the wearing of “US Army” official on uniforms, as a result of negotiations for the end of hostilities with the North Koreans. -
Woodland camo
In 1981, the Army adopted its woodland camouflage battle dress uniform. It would become the main field uniform of the Army and the other services until the mid-2000s. -
Multicam
Soldiers headed to Afghanistan were issued Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Patter (OCP) uniforms, better known as “multicam.” -
Today
They wear sophisticated digital camouflage patterns that help them blend into the mountains of Afghanistan.
