OG-107
Encyclopedia
OG-107 utilities
were the basic work uniform of all branches of the American Military from 1952 until finally being discontinued in 1989. The designation came from the United States Army
's color code Olive Green 107, which was a gray green.
. As the Tropical Combat Uniform (jungle fatigues) became more plentiful in South Vietnam
, they began to replace the OG-107 Uniform in combat units. A rough time line is that line infantry
units from "standard" divisions (not airborne
or Special Forces
) began receiving jungle fatigues in the Spring of 1966 and the OG-107 was slowly relegated to use in rear areas. In the United States and foreign postings (outside of South East Asia), the OG-107 remained the standard uniform throughout the 1960s and 70's. This is one of the longest issued uniforms by the US Military, seeing use from 1952 until the adoption of the Woodland Pattern
Battle Dress Uniform
in 1982. They were completely discontinued in 1989.
sateen
. The shirt could be tucked in or worn outside the trousers depending on the preference of the local commander. It consisted of a button front and two simple patch pockets on the upper chest that closed by means of a buttoned flap. The trousers
were a straight leg pant with two simple patch pockets in the front with slash openings and two simple patch pockets on the back with a button flap. The cotton versions tended to fade quickly to greenish grey while the poly-cotton variant used in the Type III stayed darker much longer.
There were three basic models or "patterns" for the OG-107 Cotton Sateen Utility Uniform:
rear two pockets had a rectangular pocket flap that buttoned. The buttons were a "dished" style and most of the 50's production were a dark brown color while the majority of the 60's production were dark green. The trousers also had a simple adjustment tab on the waist that could be buttoned. The shirt and trousers were also sized in groups (Small, Medium, Large, etc.) This model was replaced in April 1963 when specifications came out for the second model.
Fatigues
-Clothing:* Nowadays, usually a synonym of battledress.* Formerly, work clothes worn by soldiers to avoid getting their uniforms dirty in non-combat manual work* Camouflage-patterned clothing found in civilian fashions...
were the basic work uniform of all branches of the American Military from 1952 until finally being discontinued in 1989. The designation came from the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
's color code Olive Green 107, which was a gray green.
History
The OG-107 uniform was introduced in 1952, and, succeeding the M1943 Uniform, it became the standard for use both in the United States and on overseas deployment by the beginning of the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. As the Tropical Combat Uniform (jungle fatigues) became more plentiful in South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, they began to replace the OG-107 Uniform in combat units. A rough time line is that line infantry
Line infantry
Line infantry is a type of infantry which composed the basis of European land armies from the middle of the 17th century to the middle of the 19th century....
units from "standard" divisions (not airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
or Special Forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
) began receiving jungle fatigues in the Spring of 1966 and the OG-107 was slowly relegated to use in rear areas. In the United States and foreign postings (outside of South East Asia), the OG-107 remained the standard uniform throughout the 1960s and 70's. This is one of the longest issued uniforms by the US Military, seeing use from 1952 until the adoption of the Woodland Pattern
M81 Woodland
Woodland pattern is the name of the default camouflage pattern issued to United States soldiers, Marines, airmen, and sailors from 1981, with the issue of the M81 Battle Dress Uniform until nearly the present day...
Battle Dress Uniform
Battle Dress Uniform
The Battle Dress Uniform were the fatigues that the armed forces of the United States used as their standard uniform for combat situations from September 1981 to April 2005. Since then, it has been replaced in every branch of the U.S. military. Only the U.S. Navy currently authorizes wear of the...
in 1982. They were completely discontinued in 1989.
Basic Design
All versions of the OG-107 shared several basic design features. They were made out of an 8.5 ounce cottonCotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
sateen
Sateen
Sateen, not to be confused with satin, is a type of fabric often found in bed sheets.Sateen is usually applied to cotton, or sometimes rayon. Better qualities are mercerized to give a higher sheen. Some are only calendered to produce the sheen but this disappears with washing and is not considered...
. The shirt could be tucked in or worn outside the trousers depending on the preference of the local commander. It consisted of a button front and two simple patch pockets on the upper chest that closed by means of a buttoned flap. The trousers
Trousers
Trousers are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately...
were a straight leg pant with two simple patch pockets in the front with slash openings and two simple patch pockets on the back with a button flap. The cotton versions tended to fade quickly to greenish grey while the poly-cotton variant used in the Type III stayed darker much longer.
There were three basic models or "patterns" for the OG-107 Cotton Sateen Utility Uniform:
"Type I" (1952–1963)
The first "Type I" model was introduced in 1952 and remained virtually unchanged through its 10 year production run. The shirt featured a sleeve with no true cuff or buttons; it was simply a straight sleeve with a simple hem at the cuff. The shirt's two chest pockets and the trousersTrousers
Trousers are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately...
rear two pockets had a rectangular pocket flap that buttoned. The buttons were a "dished" style and most of the 50's production were a dark brown color while the majority of the 60's production were dark green. The trousers also had a simple adjustment tab on the waist that could be buttoned. The shirt and trousers were also sized in groups (Small, Medium, Large, etc.) This model was replaced in April 1963 when specifications came out for the second model.
"Type II" (1963–1964)
The "Type II" was specified for production in April 1963 and had several slight variations from the Type I. The only change of any real significance was the "clipping" of the pocket flaps on the shirt, so that they no longer appeared rectangular. As with the Type I, the shirt and trousers were also sized in groups. Due to the limited production time before the Type III was specified, these were not seen nearly as often as the Type I or III."Type III" (1964–1989)
The "Type III" is the most common model and can be split into two versions based on the time of manufacture and material.- Cotton – This version was specified at the very end of 1964 and still used the standard 8.5 ounce cotton sateen. However, due to changes in production and distribution time, they were not really seen until 1966. This version maintained all of the key distinctive style features such as the pockets, etc., but with some key differences. The two shirt chest pockets received a pointed pocket flap. The shirt also received a button cuff at the wrist. The buttons were changed to the "standard" dull plastic button as used on jungle fatigues (and later BDU's). Another change to the trousers was the removal of the waist adjustment tab. Both the shirt and pant also adopted the "true measurement" sizing style – for example, pants were marked in waist and inseam length (32" x 34" would show a pant with a 32" waist and 34" inseam) and the shirts were marked in neck size and sleeve length (16.5" x 34" would show a shirt with a 16.5" neck and a 34" sleeve length).
- Poly Cotton blend – The second version of the Type III came into use in the mid-1970s and was in production until being replaced by Woodland BDUBattle Dress UniformThe Battle Dress Uniform were the fatigues that the armed forces of the United States used as their standard uniform for combat situations from September 1981 to April 2005. Since then, it has been replaced in every branch of the U.S. military. Only the U.S. Navy currently authorizes wear of the...
's. This model switched from using 100% cotton to a 50/50 blend of Polyester/Cotton. These mixed OG-107's were often referred to as "Dura-Press" or "Permanent pressPermanent pressA permanent press is a characteristic of fabric that has been chemically processed to resist wrinkles and hold its shape. Alternative terms include wrinkle resistant, wash and wear, no-iron,durable press, and easy care...
" as they did not require extensive starching and they could often be quickly identified by a yellow tag in the garment. This was the version featured in the movie 1981 StripesStripes (film)Stripes is a 1981 American comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman, starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Warren Oates, P. J. Soles, and John Candy. It also featured several actors in their first significant film roles, including John Larroquette, Sean Young, John Diehl, and Judge Reinhold. It was one...
.
Variants
Variants of the OG-107s consisted of two main groups:- 1. locally produced versions which may have had small differences in pocket details, shoulder straps and colors.
- 2. Privately purchased tailored versions with additional pockets, hip cargo and/or sleeve pen and pencil, or other colors such as sand, khaki, and various camouflage patterns.
Users
- United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the many countries who received Military aid from the United States - South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
- Republic of China (Taiwan)
- BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
- CubaCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
– after the Revolution the FARMilitary of CubaThe Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces consist of ground forces, naval forces, air and air defence forces, and other paramilitary bodies including the Territorial Troops Militia , Revolutionary Armed Forces , and Youth Labor Army .The armed forces has long been the...
wears the same uniforms - NicaraguaNicaraguaNicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
– worn by the ESPSandinista Popular ArmyThe Sandinista Popular Army was the military established in 1979 by the new Sandinista government to replace the National Guard, following the overthow of Anastasio Somoza Debayle. In post-Sandinista Nicaragua, it has been remolded into the National Army of Nicaragua. Joaquín Cuadra was chief of... - HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
– wears a copy - CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...