Editing MARPAT (section)

==Development==
[[File:Swatch of woodland MARPAT with no black pixels, used for sewing nametapes.png|thumb|left|upright|Woodland MARPAT with embedded EGAs and black elements omitted, used for the sewing of nametapes.]]
[[File:Unif703.jpg|thumb|upright|A U.S. Marine showcasing the MCCUU in woodland MARPAT in 2001]]
MARPAT was designed by [[Timothy O'Neill (camoufleur)|Timothy O'Neill]],<ref name=Fusco2010>{{cite web |last1=Fusco |first1=Vincent |title=West Point explores science of camouflage |url=https://www.army.mil/article/40245/West_Point_explores_science_of_camouflage |publisher=U. S. Army |date=3 June 2010 |access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref> Anabela Dugas,<ref name=patentMARPAT/> Kenneth G. Henley,<ref name=patentMARPAT/> John Joseph Heisterman Jr.,<ref name=patentMARPAT/> Luisa DeMorais Santos,<ref name=patentMARPAT/> Gabriel R. Patricio,<ref name=patentMARPAT/> and Deirdre E. Townes.<ref name=patentMARPAT/>

The concept of using miniature swatches of color as opposed to large splotches is not new.  In [[World War II]], [[Nazi Germany|German]] troops used various patterns similar to the current German ''[[Flecktarn]]'', which involved similar small dabs of color on a uniform to provide camouflage.

The Canadian Forces originally developed the pattern called [[CADPAT]], on which MARPAT was based.<ref>{{cite web |last1=King |first1=A. |title=The Digital Revolution: Camouflage Uniforms in the Twenty-First Century |url=https://studylib.net/doc/6912885/camouflage-millennium---open-research-exeter--ore-|publisher=University of Exeter |access-date=29 March 2016 |date=2014 }}</ref> O'Neill's<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fusco |first1=Sgt. Vincent |title=West Point explores science of camouflage |url=https://www.army.mil/article/40245/ |publisher=United States Army |access-date=29 March 2016 |date=3 June 2010 |quote=He designed the Marine Corps' MARine PATtern, or MARPAT camouflage and worked with the Marines, Army, Office of Naval Research and Program Executive Office Soldier on various studies and adaptations of texture match. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413103127/http://www.army.mil/article/40245/ |archive-date=13 April 2016 }}</ref> USMC design team in charge of this process, initially with the assistance of Kenneth G. Henley and then John Joseph Heisterman Jr. (both active duty [[United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper|U.S. Marine Scout Snipers]]), went through over 150 different camo patterns before selecting three samples that met their initial objectives. These were two versions of [[tigerstripe]] and an older design of [[Rhodesian Brushstroke]]. The influence of tigerstripe can still be seen in the final MARPAT. These three samples were then reconstructed using new shapes and unique color blends that would allow a more effective uniform in a great range of environments.

The new patterns were then field tested in different environments, day and night, with night vision and various optics. MARPAT did exceptionally well in their wet uniform test when viewed with night vision while illuminated with IR, where normally patterns appear as a solid. The MARPAT patent lists U.S. Army research into [[fractal]] pattern camouflage as the basis for MARPAT.

The MARPAT pattern was chosen in a run-off against seven other patterns at the USMC [[Scout Sniper]] Instructor School.<ref name="tecom.usmc.mil">{{cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/background/CammieConsid.htm |title=Combat Utility Uniform Camouflage Considerations |website=www.tecom.usmc.mil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010920015716/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/background/CammieConsid.htm |archive-date=2001-09-20 }}</ref>

Preliminary development of MARPAT began in April 2000,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/assets/650/648951.pdf|date=September 2012|work=Report to Congressional Requesters|publisher=United States Government Accountability Office|author=United States Government Accountability Office|title=Warfighter Support: DOD Should Improve Development of Camouflage Uniforms and Enhance Collaboration Among the Services|access-date=3 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615172055/https://www.gao.gov/assets/650/648951.pdf|archive-date=15 June 2017}}</ref> with field testing of the pattern and the MCCUU beginning in 2001. The patent for the MARPAT pattern was filed on 19 June 2001,<ref name=patentMARPAT>{{cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/USD491372 |title=Camouflage pattern for sheet material and uniforms US D491372 S |access-date=24 February 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020104643/http://www.google.com/patents/USD491372 |archive-date=20 October 2016 }}</ref> whereas the patent for the MCCUU uniform was filed on 7 November 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US6805957|title=Camouflage U.S. Marine corps utility uniform: pattern, fabric, and design US 6805957 B1|access-date=24 September 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129081629/https://www.google.com/patents/US6805957|archive-date=29 January 2014}}</ref> Early prototypes of the MARPAT desert pattern from 2001 featured grey, whereas the finished product did not.

In 2001, Marine Forces Pacific Lt. Gen. Frank Libutti and Sgt. Maj. Stephen Mellinger were the first Marines to publicly wear the uniform<ref>{{cite web|title=Marines get new uniform {{!}} The Honolulu Advertiser {{!}} Hawaii's Newspaper|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Aug/13/mn/mn01a.html|access-date=2021-02-07|website=the.honoluluadvertiser.com}}</ref> before the uniform made its official debut at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune|Camp Lejeune, North Carolina]] on 17 January 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww2.dcmilitary.com/dcmilitary_archives/stories/011702/13087-1.shtml|title=New uniform debuts today|location=Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia|date=17 January 2002|work=Around the Fleet|access-date=19 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919093854/http://ww2.dcmilitary.com/dcmilitary_archives/stories/011702/13087-1.shtml|archive-date=19 September 2013}}</ref> In February 2003, MARPAT-patterned helmet covers began to be produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=212748%20 |title=ASSIST-QuickSearch Document Details |publisher=Quicksearch.dla.mil |date= |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref> The replacement of the BDU and DCU by the MCCUU was completed on 1 October 2004, a year ahead of the original requirement date set in 2001 of 1 October 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pstripes.com/01/feb01/ed022401e.html |title=Marines' followed Canadians' example in use of digitally-designed 'cammies' |last=Jontz |first=Sandra |work=Stars and Stripes |date=24 February 2001 |access-date=6 June 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020606130101/http://www.pstripes.com/01/feb01/ed022401e.html |archive-date=6 June 2002 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/marine_corps_cu_uniform.htm |title=Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform |first=John |last=Pike |website=www.globalsecurity.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413190514/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/marine_corps_cu_uniform.htm |archive-date=13 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usmc.mil/maradmins/maradmin2000.nsf/0872a7ac9a4c08a6852569b9000bc3f1/54d1925fde54478885256f170027f0b0?OpenDocument |author=Commandant of the United States Marine Corps |publisher=United States Marine Corps |date=22 September 2004 |title=Maradmin 412/04: Mandatory Possession Dates for the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniforms (Mccuu) And Marine Corps Combat Boots (Mccb) |access-date=29 September 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040929112751/http://www.usmc.mil/maradmins/maradmin2000.nsf/0872a7ac9a4c08a6852569b9000bc3f1/54d1925fde54478885256f170027f0b0?OpenDocument |archive-date=29 September 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/jul01/ed070301c.html |title=Officials went to the source to ensure new Marine uniform pleased troops |last=Oliva |first=Mark |work=Stars and Stripes |date=3 July 2001 |access-date=7 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010725223449/http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/jul01/ed070301c.html |archive-date=25 July 2001 }}</ref>
	 
The MARPAT uniform was officially fielded as standard issue to the officer candidates of OCC-181 at MCB Quantico and the recruits of 3rd BN Mike Company at MCRD San Diego in late 2002;<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=61DqDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1996-IA17|page=1,996|title=Parris Island: "The Cradle of the Corps": A History of the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, 1962-2015|first1=Eugene|last1=Alvarez|first2=Leo|last2=Daugherty|date=21 May 2016|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=9781514455333}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=December 2017}}It continues to be the USMC's standard issue uniform pattern to date.
 
In all, the MARPAT development process from concept to completion took 18 months, the fastest time for a U.S. military-developed camouflage pattern to be produced.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Camouflage|series=Modern Marvels|series-link=Modern Marvels|network=The History Channel|airdate=18 June 2002|season=8|number=23|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gIFG5XKFow|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424132035/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gIFG5XKFow|archive-date=24 April 2018}}</ref>