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Uncover your potential', indeed! Once you stop ogling the girl, though, you might notice that this Australian Special Air Service (SAS) recruiting poster shows Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage to very good effect. [Image courtesy Brad Turner collection.]

Indonesian Special Forces Pattern (current)
Republic of Indonesia

Early in 1952, Alex Kawilarang, who was commander of the 3rd Teritorium (Siliwangi) at the time, established a company-sized commando unit called Kesatuan Komando Teritorium III. This unit, which reported directly to Alex Kawilarang, was trained by a former Dutch commando named R. B. Visser, who had married an Indonesian woman, converted to Islam and changed his name to Mohammad Idjon Djambi.

Before long this unit was transferred to the control of Army HQ. Its name was changed to Kesatuan Komando Angkatan Darat (KKAD), and it size was increased.

KKAD was renamed in 1954, to become Resimen Pasukan Komando Angkatan Darat (RPKAD); at that time the RPKAD comprised three companies, each with a strenght of 300 men; these companies were A (combat), M (HQ) and Z (demonstration). The unit was renamed again in 1959, to become Resimen Para Komando Angkatan Darat (RPKAD).

By the time of its involvement in Indonesia's 'confrontation' with Malaysia, in 1964, the unit was known as Pusat Pasukan Khusus Angkatan Darat (PPKAD).

1964 was also the year in which this Special Forces Pattern camouflage was issued to the PPKAD. Also known as bleeding colours or bleeding vines among collecters, Indonesian Special Forces Pattern is a four-colour design of vertically-aligned medium green, purple and brick-red elements on a pale green background.

Like all other indigenously-developed Indonesian camouflage patterns, the Special Forces Pattern camouflage was officially discontinued in 1986, when the Army adopted DPM. However, it continues to be worn — unofficially — by the training cadre of Komando Pasukan Khusus (KOPASSUS).

A reorganisation in June 1996 restored KOPASSUS as the unit that was created in 1985. The motivation for the reorganisation was to permit a development rotation, with one quarter on duty, one quarter in training, one quarter on consolidation, and one quarter in reserve. By the late 1990s KOPASSUS numbered some 6000 strong.

Along with the reorganisation and increase in size, KOPASSUS was issued distinctive camouflage uniforms. This current Special Forces Pattern is clearly derived from the camouflage pattern that was adopted by the PPKAD in 1964. Likewise known as 'bleeding colours' or 'bleeding vines' among collecters, it is a four-colour design of vertically-aligned medium green, purple and red elements on a pale green background.

kamouflage.net is grateful to Eric H. Larson, for his invaluable contributions to this article.

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