The Coffee Stain Desert Combat Uniform (DCU) CAMO is a distinctive camouflage pattern used by the U.S. military in the 1990s, primarily during Operation Desert Storm and other operations in the Middle East. The pattern consists of earthy tones, with a base of tan, brown, and muted yellow, along with black or dark brown blotches that resemble irregular coffee stains or splashes. This design was specifically created for desert environments, intended to blend seamlessly into the rocky and sandy terrain of regions like Iraq and Kuwait. While it offered effective concealment in some desert settings, the Coffee Stain DCU was criticized for its lack of versatility and was eventually replaced by the more refined three-color Desert Camouflage Pattern (DCP). Despite its relatively short use, the Coffee Stain Desert Combat Uniform has become a recognizable pattern in military history, often associated with the U.S. military’s operations in the Gulf War and its early attempts to improve desert camouflage effectiveness.
