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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.]

Red Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage
Commonwealth of Australia

Known variously as 'auscam' or 'ozcam', 'bunnies', 'bunny ears', 'hearts and bunnies' and even 'jellybean', the Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage employed on the current Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) has been designed and developed based on information obtained from detailed analyses of likely combat scenarios. It is a five-colour 'duck hunter' style of camouflage pattern, and features spots of dark green, medium green, red-brown and tan printed on a sand-coloured background.

Since its introduction, 'auscam' has become internationally recognised as the Australian pattern and, as such, it is also an aid to the identification of Australian personnel on operations. It was for this reason that the Chief of Defence Force mandated its use on the recent Australian Desert Pattern Uniform (ADPU).

Like the original 'auscam', Red Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage is a five-colour camouflage, comprising brick pink, crimson, tan and wood brown elements on a beige background. The pattern was introduced in 1997 specifically for wear by OPFOR ('opposition forces'; units that represent an enemy during exercises) during training exercises). Red Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage was withdrawn from service in 1998, however, allegedly for further development; apparently this camouflage pattern was unexpectedly effective in the terrains that characterise northern Australia. Its current status is not known.

kamouflage.net is grateful to Damien Ewin, for his invaluable contributions to this article. Please visit his Web site, Cool Kit Australia.

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