Desert Battle Dress Uniform

General guidelines

a. The DBDU is designed to fit loosely and alterations are not authorized. The coat is worn outside the trousers, and the trousers are worn belted. Commanders may authorize exceptions to this policy under conditions deemed appropriate in the interest of health, comfort, and efficiency because of climatic conditions, or to accommodate a soldier’s religious practices, in accordance with AR 600–20, para 5–6.
b. Soldiers are required to wear the nametape, U.S. Army tape, and the SSI, current organization. However, they have the option of wearing the SSI–FWTS, and they may wear either pin-on or sew-on rank, branch insignia, and subdued badges. If soldiers choose to wear optional sew-on insignia, they will bear all costs associated with the application and removal of the insignia. This includes any damage to the organizational DBDU. All optional insignia must be removed from the DBDU prior to returning the garment to organizational stock.
c. Soldiers will wear the trousers bloused, using the draw cords or blousing rubbers, if the trousers are not tucked into the boots. Personnel will not wrap the trouser legs around the leg tightly enough to present a pegged appearance. Soldiers will not blouse the boots so that the trouser leg extends down to the ankle area. When bloused, the trousers should not extend below the third eyelet from the top of the boot. When sleeves are rolled up, the camouflage pattern will remain exposed. Personnel will roll the sleeves neatly above the elbow, no more than 3 inches above the elbow.
d. The commander may require that soldiers press this uniform for special occasions when an especially sharp appearance is required, such as for parades, reviews, inspections, or other ceremonial occasions. Soldiers may press the DBDU, but they are not authorized to starch the uniform.
e. Headgear. The desert patrol cap, desert camouflage hat, and the beret are the authorized headgear for this uniform. The commander will determine which headgear soldiers wear on the basis of mission requirements. Soldiers wear the desert camouflage hat so that no hair is visible on the forehead, and with the chinstrap pulled up under the chin (see figure 5–1). The desert patrol cap is worn in the same fashion as the woodland patrol cap (formerly the BDU cap) (refer to para 3–5 for wear of the patrol cap and the beret). Figures 5–1, 5–2, and 5–3 show the wear of the desert camouflage hat, desert patrol cap, and the beret.
f. Soldiers may wear the black leather shell gloves with utility uniforms without cold-weather outer garments, provided sleeves are rolled down. When the parka is worn, soldiers will wear it buttoned and will wear the shirt collar inside the parka. Soldiers may wear the black leather shell gloves with this uniform when they wear the parka, but they are not required to do so.
g. Commanders may authorize the use of a desert camouflage personal hydration system only in desert environ- ments. Soldiers will not let the drinking tube hang from their mouths when the device is not in use.