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August 14th, 2008
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Russians Wearing MARPAT Camo?

Posted by Jeff Barnett on August 14th, 2008

MARPAT = Marine Pattern = the digital camouflage worn by the US Marines

I noticed in a New York Times Pictorial that a Russian soldier and a Russian paramilitary fighter are wearing MARPAT camo, or at least commercial copies of MARPAT. The Russian soldier in slide five is wearing a MARPAT blouse while the paramilitary fighter in slide eight is wearing MARPAT trousers. Interesting that Russian soldiers would be allowed to mix and match camo, especially that of US Marines.



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Comment:
1
Written by:
Josh
Posted on:
August 14th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

Apparently the MARPAT is worn by several countries militariess. South Korean Army soldiers wear MARPAT as well.

Comment:
2
Written by:
Midnight
Posted on:
August 14th, 2008 at 8:39 pm

I had no idea. Thanks for pointing that out.

Comment:
3
Written by:
Elaina
Posted on:
August 17th, 2008 at 8:57 am

Interesting…I read this before seeing an interview on TV with former UN Ambassador Richard Holbrook this morning so I’m back to comment. He is in Tiblisi right now. Apparently, while on a tour with the Georgian National Security Advisor, they saw Russian troops wearing Georgian uniforms. I just wonder if that’s the case with the Russian dude wearing the distinctly Marine MARPAT pattern? Other countries do wear the “digi” cammies. But as far as I’ve seen, I’ve never noticed them wearing the precise Marine pattern as that is patented (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corps_Combat_Utility_Uniform
The Army does have a digital BDU but it looks nothing like the Corps. The Russian guy was wearing the EXACT Marine woodland combat utility. I wonder what’s up with that? Just a curious thing . . .

Comment:
4
Written by:
Rich
Posted on:
August 19th, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Perhaps a Marine unit did a joint excercise with a Russian unit and some of the Marines traded gear with that of the Russians?

Comment:
5
Written by:
Jeff Barnett
Posted on:
August 20th, 2008 at 7:18 am

Rich, that’s definitely a possibility, but I wouldn’t expect to see the Russians wearing the uniforms during official functions. For example, I traded covers (hats) with one of the Triple Canopy security employees in Baghdad. It’s just a keepsake. I would not and could not wear it during official Marine Corps functions.

Comment:
6
Written by:
Rich
Posted on:
August 26th, 2008 at 2:13 pm

I do see your point, but going off the other images and what I’ve seen on TV the Russian military isn’t really striking me as a model of uniformity, either that or perhaps Gunny is on leave in Moscow or something.