As we began supplying our technology for testing and evaluation within the Defense community it became apparent that our standard Black colored Passive Negative Ion Generator would not be sufficient for the Battle Dress Uniform ( BDU ) which is often a Camouflage design, we are now able to produce our devices in camouflage. However during my research, I discovered a few interesting and hidden aspects about the two newest and most radical forms of Camouflage; CADPAT and MARPAT. 

CADPAT: Canadian Disruptive Pattern

The new Canadian patterns; CADPAT™ (Canadian Disruptive Pattern) Temperate Woodland (TW) and Arid Regions (AR). CADPAT TW has been rated best tropical and Temperate Camouflage by NATO soldiers in a recent scientific study. The Canadian studies show there is a 40 percent less chance of being detected from 200 meters away with CADPAT Versus Olive Drab.

MARPAT: Marine Pattern Camouflage

The new U.S. Marine MARPAT (Marine Pattern camouflage) Forest, Desert and Urban

MARPAT was developed with the help of the Canadian Defense Department and their extensive research used to develop CADPAT.

While a spokesman for the Marines is quoted as stating "The U.S. and Canadian uniforms are similar, but nowhere near the same." Most of us would have trouble seeing differences between the two other than the color schemes used. It has been reported that the Marines are Patenting their pattern so others can't copy it. So how does the Canadian Government copyright a pattern that the Marines can't copy, and the Marines develop a pattern that looks identical to CADPAT with different colors and is able to patent it without infringing on the CADPAT copyright?

Subtle differences other than color exist in the CADPAT-MARPAT patterns, those differences are hinted to but have never been fully disclosed for both.

Concealing within the Camouflage

A Marine was quoted in a recent article that the U.S. Marines insignia was pixilated into the MARPAT design every few inches which should stop any knockoffs of MARPAT.

The Urban MARPAT hat on the left is the same hat on the right, except the hat on the right shows a Blue Marines insignia where the it is might be located in brown (questionable) on the left and yellow insignias for the black pattern on the left, these are more obvious. I did not located any insignias within the two Grays colors used. Most of the Insignias are difficult to find as the computer-design masks them with random Chaos patterns or overlays other insignias on top. The Forest and Desert MARPATs also have the insignias blended into the pattern.    

Considering the Marines had been given specific design details from the Canadians, did the Canadians also bury a recognizable shape within the CADPAT. I looked at the Arid Region CADPAT as it only used three colors versus the four in the CADPAT Temperate Woodland, and what Shape would the Canadian Government, hide within CADPAT? My first guess appears to be the correct one, the Maple Leaf symbol from the Canadian Flag. The Picture on the right is of the same pattern on the left. The Red Maple Leafs are placed where the darker brown Maple Leafs occur and the blue Maple Leafs occur where the Tan pattern Maple leafs are located on the left. There might be more located within this pattern but these were the more obvious locations. I did notice that one of the Light Tan Maple Leafs was actually the result of a Brown Maple Leaf located above and to the right of it. Again we find these recognizable shapes are difficult to find as the computer-design masks them with random Chaos patterns or overlays other Maple Leafs on top.         

I looked at the CADPAT Temperate Woodland pattern and the Maple Leafs are much more difficult to pick out considering four colors are used. However, I believe that the two Greens used in the CADPAT TW are made up with Maple Leaf Shapes and the Black and browns are to further break the shapes.

Oddly enough over 100 Camouflage patterns were considered by the Marines, eventually the top 8 patterns were sent to the  Scout Sniper Instructor School in Quantico, VA for evaluation, the two top patterns were MARPAT and a new Tiger Stripe with the Tiger Stripe just edging out MARPAT among an internet survey for their choice.

However, the Marines were seeking a negative area camouflage. Trees and solid objects are positive areas which is what a hunter would stand against and requires a positive type camouflage such as tree bark camo. A moving object within a negative area is quickly picked out in positive style camouflage. MARPAT being a negative type camouflage beat out the Tiger Stripe in the testing as the Stripes tended to show a bi-directional (left to right) pattern which was easier to picked out within negative areas. MARPAT like CADPAT is omni (all) directional with the pattern which is also enhanced in that no sharp edges occur in the pattern due to the pixilation on all edges.

The NATO results of Camouflage testing resulting in CADPAT being chosen as the best NATO camouflage and Sniper School Marine testing resulting in MARPAT winning the Marine competition confirms the ability of the Digital Pattern Designs to maximize concealment even breaking up the soldiers outline in open areas during movement.

Most Canadian Forces personnel would be proud to know the Maple Leaf is placed all over their CADPAT and the U.S. Marines will also be proud to know their insignia is all over MARPAT. This also provides the Soldiers something to do during downtime: Who can find the most hidden insignias or Maple Leafs on their Uniforms?