Canadian Barracks Pattern

Canadian Barracks Pattern ,was a test patterned dropped for the new digital.



POSTED BY Ordnancebob:

This is what was known as a "Garrison Jacket". We used to wear it in the early 90's with dark green pants a green shirt and black boots. We also had a black belt we wore with this jacket often with a regimental buckle.
Of course in the field we wore plain green combats this cam was only worn in garrison.

Arte et Marte
Ordnancebob

I think I may still have my old uniform around. Of course today we wear our Cadpat combats a daily dress of the day.

Just received a completely mint, un-badged garrison type jacket for my collection.
And though ticking off another box on my 'Need to have'-list, it is with mixed feelings I got to study it and especially try it on...

Designwise it does not set any new records for innovation or comfort, that's o.k., it's a garrison piece.

The camouflage is a strangely dark pattern, not unreminiscent of the old Slovenian or Serb M89 patterns.
There seems to have been put little scientific and no nature study-wisdom into the pattern for effectiveness, more like somebody sat down without too much time on their hands, and had to come up with a pattern that decidedly didn't look like US woodland but held the same colour scheme.
I struggle to think of an enviroment where this pattern would feel at home.

And then materials -
Yuck! 100 % acrylic, that feels like 500 Denier Cordura right on your skin. I could feel the hairs on my arms stand up from the static electricity generated just by putting the thing on!
And I seriously doubt you would be able to wear it for more than 20 minutes with normal psysical activity, before you would smell like sweat-turned-catpee.

Overall I think it's a good thing this line of army wear never made it past trials, especially since the CADPAT generation of combats that followed is so superior in quality, design and function, not to mention with a hugely effective camo scheme.

Cheers!

Now you know our embarrassing secret.

There are thousands of these jackets laying around various surplus shops and discount stores, most of them have been de-badged so a proper set with original badges is desirable.

My own:



But yeah, these things have zero field utility.

Yikes, did the CF really set out to equip all branches of their services with these horrible plastic attires?

From what I could gather in some of the other Canadian threads on CADPAT (on this very forum), that formidable design was well under way and being developed when these abominations were handed out.
Why squeeze in an inferior piece of kit before the good stuff arrived?

But being a Dane, we've seen some mind-boggling misuse of our tax money by our nations armed forces as well - M/84 camo maternity combat dress, anyone?

This wasnt a combat pattern, it was essentially a pointless camo pattern for Garrison use only...and it was ONLY the shirt. The uniform used for out in the field was a green utility uniform.

This was only issued by the Army by the way

Responsive! Great!

And oh yes-oh yes, I got the whole garrison-only idea, but that still doesn't explain the futile act of issuing a completly useless, badly designed, uncomfortable and soon-to-be-replaced piece of kit, even if it was only the army (thanks for that tidbit of info, by the way) and for garrison use only.

Was there a transitional period before the CADPAD went whole hog, or was the garrison jacket dropped like a stone? And when did the airborne troops abandon their DPM smocks, please?

It was not a transitional uniform, probably just the brain-child of some rear-echelon procurement commnando with nothing better to do, but the exact origins and purpose have yet to be determined.

The Garrison Jacket was only issued for a couple of years, 89-94 I think? It was NOT popular.

The Cadpat had a transitional period of quite a few years between the OD uniform, the helmet covers began issue in the late 90's and it began being issued en-masse with the uniform, then eventually the field gear after a little while.

Im assuming the DPM smocks went the way of the dodo when the CAR was disbanded in the mid-90's.

Medical officers version :

Click Here

Gentlemen, thank you for invaluable insights and background knowledge.

You make me a better camo collector and a better person!

Cheers!

CADPAT not CADPAD CanadianDisruptivePattern CADPAT

Yikes!

I stand corrected, Good Sir.

Deep, humble and sincere appologies go out to You and the people of Canada, I should know better!

By the way Koalorka, would some badges or rank tabs for garrison model jackets be more 'correct' than others, and how should they be placed, as mine looks a bit naked?

I noticed your badget jacket is thickly covered, even at the cuffs, is that the way forward, please?

Hahaha Its ok no worries we have some Canadian Forces members up here who call it MARPAT You should see there faces when I correct them lol

I would like to correct a couple of errors in this thread.... the short sleeve shirt worn with the garrison dress jacket was tan, not green. These uniforms were issued during a time when it was not permitted to wear combat uniforms in public. It was intended as a day to day uniform in garrison which was less formal than the dress uniform (DEU) but supposedly presented a neater and more professional appearance than the olive green combats. The boots worn with garrison dress were very tall, made of smooth leather and were to be highly polished all over. A real pain to maintain and not terribly comfortable. The dark green trousers were then bloused at the top of the boots.

Also, the DPM jump smock continued in use after the disbandment of the Canadian Airborne Regiment. It was worn by instructors and staff of the Canadian Parachute Center until the introduction of Cadpat uniforms.

Thanks for the update! Great added info!

One seriously runs the risks of getting wiser on this forum!

Here is the jacket I wore back in the day...