View source for Tiger stripe camouflage

{{Short description|Type of camouflage pattern}}
{{Other uses|Tiger stripes (disambiguation){{!}}Tiger stripes}}
{{Infobox military gear
| name               = Tiger stripe
| image              = Tigerstripehat (cropped).JPG
| image_size         =
| caption            = Sample tiger stripe fabric
| origin             = Unknown (Likely [[South Vietnam]] or [[United States]])
| type               = [[Military camouflage]] pattern
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1962 c. - present
| used_by            = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = [[Vietnam War]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br />[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]<br />[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = Numerous
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = Numerous
}}

'''Tiger stripe''' is the name of a group of [[camouflage]] patterns developed for close-range use in dense jungle during [[jungle warfare]] by the [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam|South Vietnamese Armed Forces]] and adopted in late 1962 to early 1963 by US Special Forces during the [[Vietnam War]].<ref>Modern Warfare, Published by Mark Dartford, Marshall Cavendish (London) 1985</ref> During and after the Vietnam War, the pattern was adopted by several other Asian countries. It derives its name from its resemblance to a [[tiger]]'s stripes. It features narrow stripes that look like brush-strokes of green and brown, and broader brush-strokes of black printed over a lighter shade of olive or khaki. The brush-strokes interlock rather than overlap, as in French [[Lizard (camouflage)|Lizard pattern]] (TAP47) from which it apparently derives.

==History==
[[File:Jungle_Combat_Vietnam.jpg|thumb|left|Sergeant Billy H. Faulks calls for air support, Co D, 151st (Ranger) Inf., Vietnam War, 1969]]

It is unclear who developed the first tiger stripe pattern, consisting of 64 stripes. The French used a similar pattern called "[[Lizard (camouflage)|lizard]]" in the [[First Indochina War]].{{sfnp|Dougherty|2017|p=64}} After the French left Vietnam, the [[Republic of Vietnam Marine Division]] began using a derived pattern which differed in having interlocking elements instead of overlapping ones.<ref name="IWM">{{Cite web |url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30096160 |title=Trousers, Camouflage, 'Tiger Stripe': ARVN / US Special Forces |website=Imperial War Museums}}</ref> Variants of the pattern were later adopted by [[Vietnamese Rangers]] (Biệt Động Quân)<ref name="IWM"/> and [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces|Special Forces]] (Lực Lượng Đặc Biệt). When the [[United States]] began [[Vietnam War|sending advisors]] to [[South Vietnam]], USMAAG advisors attached to the [[ARVN]] were authorized to wear their Vietnamese unit's combat uniform with US insignia.<ref name="IWM"/> Soon, many American [[special operations forces]] in the Vietnamese theater of operations wore the pattern, despite not always being attached to ARVN units.{{sfnp|Dougherty|2017|p=64}}<ref name="IWM"/>

Tiger stripe was never an official US-issue item. Personnel permitted to wear it at first had their camo fatigues custom-made by local tailors, with ARVN uniforms being too small for most Americans; for this reason there were many variations of the basic tiger stripe pattern. In 1963, Marine Corps Advisors and from 1964, [[5th Special Forces Group]] of the Green Berets contracted with Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian producers to make fatigues and other items such as [[Boonie hat|boonie hats]] using tiger stripe fabric. Being manufactured by different producers in places like Thailand, Korea and Okinawa, Japan, there was a wide variety of patterns and color shade variations.<ref name="IWM"/>{{sfnp|Rottman|2008|p=20}} They were made in both Asian and US sizes.<ref name="IWM"/>

During the latter stages of the war, tiger stripe was gradually replaced in American reconnaissance units by the then-new [[ERDL pattern]],{{sfnp|Dougherty|2017|p=64}} a predecessor of the [[US Woodland|US four-color woodland pattern]]. The Special Forces-advised [[Civilian Irregular Defense Group]] (CIDG) used tiger stripe from 1963 until disbanded in 1971. Special Forces personnel wore tiger stripe when conducting operations with the CIDG.{{sfnp|Rottman|2008|p=20}}

Besides American and ARVN forces, [[Australian Army Training Team Vietnam|Australian]] and [[New Zealand]] military personnel used tiger stripe uniforms while on advisory duty with the ARVN units.<ref name="mcnab2002">{{cite book |last=McNab |first=Chris|title=20th Century Military Uniforms |date=2002 |edition=2nd |publisher=Grange Books |location=Kent, UK |isbn=1-84013-476-3|pages=278, 308}}</ref> Personnel from the Australian [[Special Air Service Regiment]] and the [[New Zealand Special Air Service]] were the principal wearers of tiger-stripe uniforms{{sfnp|Dougherty|2017|p=64}} (and [[ERDL]] uniforms) in theater, while regular Australian and New Zealand troops wore the standard-issue olive green uniforms.

[[File:NAVSOG at the SEACAT 2018 Exercise 002.jpg|thumb|[[Philippine Navy]] [[Naval Special Operations Command|NAVSOCOM]] at the SEACAT 2018 Exercise]]
Outside of Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines have been the most prolific manufacturers of tiger stripe designs since the Vietnam War. Philippine [[Naval Special Operations Command]] personnel wear tiger stripe combat uniforms.

The pattern was tested by the USMC prior to the adoption of [[MARPAT]] through the Scout Sniper Instructor School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/background/CammieConsid.htm|title=Combat Utility Uniform Camouflage Considerations|date=September 20, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010920015716/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/background/CammieConsid.htm|archive-date=2001-09-20}}</ref>

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

===Current===
* {{flag|Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan}}: Used by Taliban forces.<Ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/03/inside-the-cias-secret-kabul-base-burned-out-and-abandoned-in-haste | title=Inside the CIA's secret Kabul base, burned out and abandoned in haste | website=[[TheGuardian.com]] | date=3 October 2021 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Argentina}}: Used by the [[Grupo Especial de Operaciones Federales (Argentina)]].{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=127}}
* {{flag|Dominican Republic}}: Used by Special Forces.<ref>https://acento.com.do/actualidad/ejercito-da-la-baja-a-393-militares-por-faltas-graves-y-otros-motivos-9377580.html</ref>
* {{flag|France}}: Used by [[French Foreign Legion]] forces in [[French Guiana]] under the Army Jungle Warfare School.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|pp=384}}
* {{flag|Iraq}}: A desert tiger stripe variant consisting of four shades of brown  was known to be used by Iraqi commandos.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tacticalgunreview.com/camouflage-fashion-or-function/ | title=Camouflage: Form or Function? | date=11 June 2013 }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=September 2023}}
* {{flag|Philippines}}: Used by the [[Special Forces Regiment (Philippines)|Special Forces Regiment]] and the [[Naval Special Operations Command]].{{sfnp|Larson|2021|pp=298-299}}
* {{flag|Russia}}: Used by the MVD and other Russian law enforcement agencies as the ''Kamysh'' (Reed)<ref name="KT">{{cite web | url=https://kula-tactical.com/what-camo-does-russia-use | title=Russian Camo: What Camouflage Does Russia Use ? | date=April 2020 }}</ref> or ''Tigr'' (Tiger).{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=433}}Various security agencies, notably [[OMON]], have used an urban variant known as ''Ten′'' (Shadow), which uses various shades of blue in place of the Kamysh design's more standard woodland coloration.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=434}} The Kamysh is based on Malaysian-made tiger stripe patterns adopted for Russian use.<ref name="KT"/>
* {{flag|Ukraine}}: Helikon-Tex made uniforms used by [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=AREV |first1=B- |title=Tigerstripe-style camouflage used by Ukrainian forces; the exact time and location are unknown. |url=https://x.com/trip_to_valkiri/status/1815775618652656085 |website=x.com}}{{better source needed|date=November 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|United States}}: Green and desert tiger stripe were used in Afghanistan by US Special Forces units.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sofrep.com/news/the-pic-of-the-day-nothing-screams-pipe-hitter-more-than-tiger-stripes-camo/|title = The Pic of the Day: Nothing screams Pipe-Hitter more than Tiger Stripes camo|date = 5 September 2019}}</ref> Used by Green Berets in [[OPFOR]] drills.<ref name="Throwback">{{Cite web |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us/throwback-tiger-stripes-could-get-more-use-among-green-berets-1.599724 |title=Throwback tiger stripes could get more use among Green Berets |website=Stars and Stripes}}</ref>

===Former===
[[File:Afghan security forces discuss new checkpoint after clearing operation in Paktika 140105-A-ZR634-156.jpg|thumb|210x210px|Tigerstripe camo seen being used by Afghan Security Forces]]
*{{Flag|Islamic Republic of Afghanistan}}: Used by National Directorate of Security forces.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009061548/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/afghan_nds_continues_crackdown.php|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/09/afghan_nds_continues_crackdown.php|title=Afghan NDS continues crackdown on counterfeit uniforms|date=2011-09-05|access-date=2020-03-31|archive-date=2019-10-09|publisher=[[Long War Journal]]}}</ref>
* {{flag|Australia}}: [[Australian Special Air Service Regiment]] (Vietnam War)<ref name="IWM"/>
* {{flag|Croatia}}: Used local copies made in Croatia by the Croatian National Guard.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=368}}
* {{flag|Guyana}}: Used by the GDF ground forces and Coast Guard.<ref>https://kommandopost.com/2016/01/03/guyana-tiger-stripe-cloth-1990s/</ref>
* {{flag|Khmer Republic}}: Formerly used in the 1970s.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=207}}
* {{flag|Paraguay}}: Some Paraguayan military units used tiger stripe patterns made for the ROC military{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=172}} before they were replaced by digital patterns.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=173}}
* {{flag|Philippines}}: Used by the Special Action Force during the EDSA Revolution.{{sfnp|Conboy|1991|p=60}}
* {{flag|New Zealand}}: [[New Zealand Special Air Service]] (Vietnam War)<ref name="IWM"/>
* {{flagcountry|South Vietnam}}: Used by [[Vietnamese Rangers|ARVN Rangers]], CIDGs and [[Republic of Vietnam Marine Division|Marines]]<ref name="Complex">{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/style/2013/08/guide-to-camouflage/1969-dpm-uk |title=The Complex Guide to Camo |website=[[Complex Networks]] |access-date=2018-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810072717/https://www.complex.com/style/2013/08/guide-to-camouflage/1969-dpm-uk |archive-date=2018-08-10 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://msuweb.montclair.edu/~furrg/Vietnam/pbvnmarines.html |title=The Vietnamese Marine Corps |website=msuweb.montclair.edu}}</ref>
* {{flag|Thailand}}: Used by Thai special forces units.{{sfnp|Conboy|1991|p=58}} One version of the pattern is made with darker camo dyes with a pale background color, known as ''Shadowtiger''.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=330}}
* {{flag|Ukraine}}: Formerly used by [[Berkut (special police force)|Ukrainian Berkut]] forces prior to being disbanded.{{sfnp|Galeotti|2019|p=5}}
* {{flag|United States}}: Used by American soldiers advising the ARVN.<ref name="Complex"/> and by American special forces operating in Vietnam.<ref name="Throwback"/>{{sfnp|Dougherty|2017|p=64}}

===Non-state actors===
* [[Khmer People's National Liberation Front]]: Used Thai-made tigerstripe camos in the 1980s.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=207}}
* [[Shan State Army]]: Known to be used in the 1980s.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=282}}

==See also==
* [[Airman Battle Uniform]] 

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book |title=South-East Asian Special Forces |last=Conboy |first=Kenneth |year=1991 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1855321069}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dougherty |first=Martin |date=2017|title=Camouflage at War: An Illustrated Guide from 1914 to the Present Day |publisher=Amber Books |isbn=978-1782744986 }}
* {{cite book |last=Galeotti |first=Mark  |title=Armies of Russia's War in Ukraine|year=2019 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1472833440 }}
* {{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Richard Denis |title=Tiger Patterns: A Guide to the Vietnam War's Tigerstripe Combat Fatigue Patterns and Uniforms |year=1999 |publisher=Schiffer Publishing |isbn=978-0-7643-0756-0 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Larson |first1=Eric H. |title=Camouflage: Modern International Military Patterns |date=2021 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley |isbn=9781526739537}}
* {{cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |title=US Army Long-Range Patrol Scout in Vietnam 1965-71 |year=2008 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1846032509 }}

==External links==
{{commons category|Tigerstripe camouflage|Tigerstripe}}
* {{Internet Archive short film|id=gov.dod.dimoc.26977|name=STAFF FILM REPORT 66-25A (1966)}}

{{Camouflage}}

[[Category:Camouflage patterns]]
[[Category:Military uniforms]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s]]