Chocolate chip camouflage, often referred to as chocolate chip camo or six color desert pattern, was a camouflage pattern that was used by the United States military from the 1980s through the 2000s. It got its nickname from the small dark brown and light brown splotches on the uniform that resembled chocolate chips. Chocolate chip camo went through phases of use and discontinuation over the years before eventually being phased out completely in the late 2000s.
Origins and Early Use
The chocolate chip camouflage pattern was developed by the United States Army Soldier Systems Center in 1981 as an initial attempt at creating a new camouflage pattern to better blend in with desert environments. It was known officially as the six color desert pattern. The pattern consisted of small brown and tan splotches on a tan background. The splotches were randomly sized and spaced, creating a dappled effect.
The Army began using chocolate chip camo in the field in 1981, though it was initially restricted only to elite units such as special forces and airborne divisions. It saw its first major widespread use in combat operations during 1983’s Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. Chocolate chip performed well in the tropical environment there, and its use expanded more in the Army over the next couple years.
The pattern saw extensive use throughout the 1980s, especially among Army personnel deployed in the Middle East. Troops wore chocolate chip uniforms during peacekeeping operations in the Sinai Peninsula and during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Kuwait and Iraq. The camo’s performance in desert environments solidified it as the Army’s primary desert combat uniform pattern during this time period.
Phase Out and Discontinuation
Even as chocolate chip camo saw widespread use in the Army during the 1980s and 1990s, there were criticisms of the pattern’s effectiveness. Some argued it provided inadequate camouflage compared to newer digital camo patterns emerging. Others criticized its lack of infrared reflection properties. This led to calls within the Army to develop a new, more effective desert camouflage.
The first step toward discontinuation came in the early 1990s when the military adopted a new standard camouflage pattern for all branches of service, known as the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). The BDU pattern was issued in both woodland and desert variants. The new Desert BDU pattern began replacing chocolate chip camo as the primary desert uniform, though use of chocolate chip continued in some units into the late 1990s.
In the early 2000s, more advanced digital camo patterns like MARPAT and the Army’s own Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) started entering service. These digital patterns offered greater effectiveness through computer-designed camouflage. From the mid 2000s onward, the new digital patterns almost completely superseded chocolate chip camo in regular combat units.
Chocolate chip camo managed to hang on in some limited roles even as digital camo became the norm. It was still used by the Navy into the late 2000s, especially by SEAL teams operating in desert environments. Some Army National Guard and reserve units also retained chocolate chip uniforms for training purposes through the mid to late 2000s.
However, by the late 2000s, all branches of the military had transitioned to digital patterns for standard field use. The last holdouts discontinued using chocolate chip camo by around 2008-2009. The Army’s UCP and the Marine Corps’ MARPAT digital camo had completely replaced it as the standard desert combat uniforms. Thus, after around 25 years of service, the chocolate chip pattern was finally phased out completely from the US military.
Post-Discontinuation Use
Though no longer used in the US military, chocolate chip camo did not disappear completely. It remained popular with civilian hunters and recreational shooters who liked the old school camo look. Many surplus military gear companies also continued to sell clothing and equipment in the chocolate chip pattern.
Some smaller foreign militaries with close ties to the US, such as Lebanon’s, continued using chocolate chip into the 2010s before later transitioning to digital camo. Various irregular militias have also made use of surplus chocolate chip gear over the years. Additionally, the pattern has occasionally been featured in movies and video games as a classic camo look, keeping it in the public eye even after discontinuation.
The development of chocolate chip camo represented an important step in the US military’s quest for effective desert camouflage. It served troops well from the 1980s Gulf War through the 1990s and early 2000s despite its eventual limitations compared to newer digital patterns. The unique look of small brown splotches on a tan background earned it an iconic status among camouflage patterns. Even if no longer actually worn by today’s troops, chocolate chip camo remains a memorable symbol of the modern US soldier.
Key Facts and Dates
- Chocolate chip camo was developed in 1981 by the US Army Soldier Systems Center
- It was initially restricted to special forces units but saw wider use by 1983
- The pattern was extensively used by Army personnel throughout the 1980s and 1990s, especially in the Middle East
- Criticisms emerged regarding its effectiveness compared to digital camo patterns in the 1990s and 2000s
- The new Desert BDU started replacing it in the 1990s, followed by digital patterns like MARPAT and UCP in the 2000s
- Use was discontinued by remaining US military branches around 2008-2009
- Surplus chocolate chip gear has remained popular with civilians and some foreign militias
Conclusion
In summary, the chocolate chip camouflage pattern was developed by the US Army in 1981 and used extensively throughout the 1980s and 1990s, becoming the standard desert camo of that era. It began to be phased out in the 1990s and 2000s with the adoption of newer BDU and digital patterns. By the late 2000s, it was discontinued completely by all US military branches, ending a nearly 30 year run. Though no longer used by the US military, the iconic chocolate chip camo pattern remains recognizable as a symbol of the modern American soldier.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Chocolate chip camo pattern developed by US Army |
| 1983 | First major use in Grenada conflict |
| 1980s-1990s | Extensive use as Army’s standard desert camo pattern |
| 1990s | Begin phase out with new BDU desert pattern |
| 2000s | Digital camo patterns accelerate phase out |
| 2008-2009 | Final discontinuation by all US military branches |
