Hat, Utility, Camouflage, Waterproof

For more specific details such as manufacturer, date of manufacture, size, and weight, see individual examples.

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History

The Hat, Utility, Camouflage, Waterproof was first issued in the mid-1960s, alongside a waterproof smock made in the same camouflage pattern. Designed for use in humid jungle environments, the hat was issued in more limited numbers than the smock.

While its overall design remained consistent throughout its service life, it did receive a few minor tweaks to improve performance. The hat was eventually withdrawn from service in the mid-1970s.

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Description

The hat features a round crown with a high top. It is fabricated from a lightweight nylon green cloth with a clear polyurethane (PU) lamination on the inner side for waterproofing, and a black mottled/splotchy camouflage pattern laminated over the external surface of the cloth.

The brim is 6.5 cm wide, constructed from two layers of nylon cloth with an interlining sandwiched between them to provide stiffness. All three layers are stitched together in a circular pattern around the crown, reinforcing the brim’s structure and preventing the interlining from shifting during use.

The interior of the crown is lined, and at the lower edge on either side, there is a cloth tab with a small grommet. These tabs anchor a length of olive green polyester cord, which serves as a chinstrap or retention tie.

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Examples

Example One

This early example is lined internally with drill cotton fabric.

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Example Two

In the later style, internal construction was modified to address excessive heat buildup. The top of the drill cotton crown lining was removed and replaced with a lightweight olive green cotton Aero-tex mesh. Externally, a large rectangular nylon mesh vent was added to each side of the crown, covered by a section of the hat’s original nylon fabric to maintain camouflage and prevent debris ingress.

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