Uniforms and Equipment
UNIFORM LIST, Basic Infantry
* denotes Ranger diamond patch on left sleeve
+ denotes exclusive to elite units, including Rangers.
R Denotes basic Ranger uniform requirement
R Jacket, M1941, Field, OD*
Jacket, Combat, Winter (Tanker)*
R Belt, Khaki; open face black buckle
R Undershirt, OD (not white), Type A or Tank top
Option
1 Early War
Shirt, Wool, OD, EM (mustard shade)
Trousers, Wool, OD (mustard shade)
2 Mid War
R Jacket, HBT*, 1st (OD #3) or 2nd (OD #7 pattern)*
R Trousers, HBT, 1st (OD #3) or 2nd (OD #7) pattern
3 Late War
Jacket, M1943, Field, OD (Note: Late war only)*
Trousers, Combat, M1943 (Note: Late war only)
4 Class A Service Dress
Option 1, including
Jacket, Enlisted, 4 pocket blouse (early / mid war)*
Jacket, Eisenhower (late war)*
Necktie, mohair
HEADGEAR
Cap, Overseas, Wool, OD with blue (infantry) piping
R Cap, HBT
Cap, Knit Wool, OD (jeep cap)
R Helmet, Steel, M1, with khaki chinstrap
R Liner, M1, with leather chinstrap
Net, M1 Helmet
FOOTGEAR
R Boots, Brown Corcoran (jump boots) +
Boots, Low Quarter Service, roughout
R Leggings, M1938, Dismounted, OD #3
Socks, Wool, OD
COLD WEATHER GEAR
Sweater, Wool, high neck, OD
Scarf, Wool, OD
Gloves, 1 pair, Wool or wool uppers/leather palm
Cap comforter, British issue
* denotes Ranger diamond patch on left sleeve
+ denotes exclusive to elite units, including Rangers.
R Denotes basic Ranger uniform requirement
R Jacket, M1941, Field, OD*
Jacket, Combat, Winter (Tanker)*
R Belt, Khaki; open face black buckle
R Undershirt, OD (not white), Type A or Tank top
Option
1 Early War
Shirt, Wool, OD, EM (mustard shade)
Trousers, Wool, OD (mustard shade)
2 Mid War
R Jacket, HBT*, 1st (OD #3) or 2nd (OD #7 pattern)*
R Trousers, HBT, 1st (OD #3) or 2nd (OD #7) pattern
3 Late War
Jacket, M1943, Field, OD (Note: Late war only)*
Trousers, Combat, M1943 (Note: Late war only)
4 Class A Service Dress
Option 1, including
Jacket, Enlisted, 4 pocket blouse (early / mid war)*
Jacket, Eisenhower (late war)*
Necktie, mohair
HEADGEAR
Cap, Overseas, Wool, OD with blue (infantry) piping
R Cap, HBT
Cap, Knit Wool, OD (jeep cap)
R Helmet, Steel, M1, with khaki chinstrap
R Liner, M1, with leather chinstrap
Net, M1 Helmet
FOOTGEAR
R Boots, Brown Corcoran (jump boots) +
Boots, Low Quarter Service, roughout
R Leggings, M1938, Dismounted, OD #3
Socks, Wool, OD
COLD WEATHER GEAR
Sweater, Wool, high neck, OD
Scarf, Wool, OD
Gloves, 1 pair, Wool or wool uppers/leather palm
Cap comforter, British issue
EQUIPMENT, Basic Issue
R Denotes basic Ranger uniform requirement
R Belt, Cartridge, M1923, Dismounted (for M1 Garand)
R Belt, Pistol M1936 (for pistol,M1 Carbine, or M1Thompson)
R Suspenders, Field, M1936, OD #3
R Haversack, M1928 with meatcan & pack carrier
Bag, Field, Canvas, M1936 (Musette)
Bag, M5 ,Gas Mask ,Waterproof
R Canteen cover, m1910 / 1942, Dismounted, OD #3
R Canteen, M1910 / M1942
R Cup, Canteen, M1910
R Mess Kit, with fork, knife, and spoon
R Pouch, First Aid Packet, M1910
R Bandage, Carlisle, for M1910 FA Pouch
Knife, Fighting Commando, Type V-42 or F/S
Sheath, Leather (for V-42 Knife) +
Knife, Trench, M35 Scabbard, M8, OD ( for M3 knife)
Bayonet, M1903, 10" or 16" blade (M1903, M1 Garand)
Knife, TL-29, utility
R Tool, Entrenching, M1910 or M1943
R Cover, Entrenching tool, M1910 or M1943
R Shelter half, canvas, with wooden tent pegs (4) and pole
Cot, wooden, with canvas cot cover
Bag, Sleeping, WWII issue, khaki
R Blanket, wool, OD or khaki
R Bag, Duffel, canvas, OD
Flashlight, TL-22
Vest, Invasion OD #7 (worn mostly by NCOs & officers)
EYEGLASSES – Period style eyeglasses only
R Denotes basic Ranger uniform requirement
R Belt, Cartridge, M1923, Dismounted (for M1 Garand)
R Belt, Pistol M1936 (for pistol,M1 Carbine, or M1Thompson)
R Suspenders, Field, M1936, OD #3
R Haversack, M1928 with meatcan & pack carrier
Bag, Field, Canvas, M1936 (Musette)
Bag, M5 ,Gas Mask ,Waterproof
R Canteen cover, m1910 / 1942, Dismounted, OD #3
R Canteen, M1910 / M1942
R Cup, Canteen, M1910
R Mess Kit, with fork, knife, and spoon
R Pouch, First Aid Packet, M1910
R Bandage, Carlisle, for M1910 FA Pouch
Knife, Fighting Commando, Type V-42 or F/S
Sheath, Leather (for V-42 Knife) +
Knife, Trench, M35 Scabbard, M8, OD ( for M3 knife)
Bayonet, M1903, 10" or 16" blade (M1903, M1 Garand)
Knife, TL-29, utility
R Tool, Entrenching, M1910 or M1943
R Cover, Entrenching tool, M1910 or M1943
R Shelter half, canvas, with wooden tent pegs (4) and pole
Cot, wooden, with canvas cot cover
Bag, Sleeping, WWII issue, khaki
R Blanket, wool, OD or khaki
R Bag, Duffel, canvas, OD
Flashlight, TL-22
Vest, Invasion OD #7 (worn mostly by NCOs & officers)
EYEGLASSES – Period style eyeglasses only
APPROVED WEAPONRY
For a complete description of these firearms, see
the Weaponry section of this site.
PISTOLS
US Pistol, Cal. .45 M1911 ACP
US Pistol, Cal. .45 M1911A ACP
(Pistols carried mostly by NCOs & officers)
RIFLES & CARBINES
US Rifle, Cal. .30, M1 Garand
US Rifle, Cal. .30, M1903 Springfield
US Rifle, Cal. .30, M1903A3 Springfield
US Carbine Cal. .30 M1
SUBMACHINE GUNS
M1928 or M1A1, Cal. .45 Thompson
M3or M3A1, Cal. .45 "grease gun"
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS & AUTOMATIC RIFLES
M1919 Cal. .30 Browning machine gun
M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (B.A.R.)
HEAVY MACHINE GUNS
M2 Cal. .50 Browning machine gun
All weapons are to be blank adapted as practical.
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PACKING THE BARRACKS BAG
“You are now ready to wear the uniform of the enlisted man. Wear it with
pride, soldier, for it symbolizes your country and the values you represent.”
On arrival to the reception center, recruits were given a duffel bag and issued the uniforms and
equipment they would need during basic training. Proceeding through a long line in a
warehouse, the quartermaster would distribute gear to the soldier based on job description.
Sometimes, the soldier was given equipment that didn’t quite fit, as the quartermasters
estimated shoe and shirt sizes, or as inventory caused a shortage of stock. However, these
items were often traded in later for the proper fit. Once issued, these items were placed in the
possessor’s duffel bag.
As a re-enactor, there isn’t much you can do without equipment. It is an absolute necessity.
Fortunately, you have the opportunity to obtain your equipment and uniform with the entire world
being your warehouse. And, hopefully, the quartermasters will issue you the size you request.
This section will answer some questions about what is needed, and how to go about acquiring
these items.
A. UNIFORMS. During the Second World War there were several variations of uniforms that
comprised the standard of the United States Army. Based on utilitarian design and function,
these uniforms were placed into four basic ‘classes’. All of them were intentionally practical in
purpose, so sound that many modern clothing designs have evolved from these uniforms.
Most re-enactors will initially acquire the Class D uniform, also known as the work, or duty,
standard. This attire was rugged and durable, constructed for battlefront operation. Therefore,
the Class D is the core of your re-enactment attire.
“You are now ready to wear the uniform of the enlisted man. Wear it with
pride, soldier, for it symbolizes your country and the values you represent.”
On arrival to the reception center, recruits were given a duffel bag and issued the uniforms and
equipment they would need during basic training. Proceeding through a long line in a
warehouse, the quartermaster would distribute gear to the soldier based on job description.
Sometimes, the soldier was given equipment that didn’t quite fit, as the quartermasters
estimated shoe and shirt sizes, or as inventory caused a shortage of stock. However, these
items were often traded in later for the proper fit. Once issued, these items were placed in the
possessor’s duffel bag.
As a re-enactor, there isn’t much you can do without equipment. It is an absolute necessity.
Fortunately, you have the opportunity to obtain your equipment and uniform with the entire world
being your warehouse. And, hopefully, the quartermasters will issue you the size you request.
This section will answer some questions about what is needed, and how to go about acquiring
these items.
A. UNIFORMS. During the Second World War there were several variations of uniforms that
comprised the standard of the United States Army. Based on utilitarian design and function,
these uniforms were placed into four basic ‘classes’. All of them were intentionally practical in
purpose, so sound that many modern clothing designs have evolved from these uniforms.
Most re-enactors will initially acquire the Class D uniform, also known as the work, or duty,
standard. This attire was rugged and durable, constructed for battlefront operation. Therefore,
the Class D is the core of your re-enactment attire.
