NATIONAL STOCK NUMBER

[ABOVE] A United States Government Issue (USGI) woodland camouflage pattern Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) COAT, CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN (on the left side of the image). On the right side of the image is the "size label" that is normally sewn into the interior collar of BDU coats.

Among the information listed on the label is the National Stock Number (outlined in red). 1 is the Federal Supply Class, which 8415 is for Clothing, Special Purpose. 2 is the National Codification Bureau Code, with 01 being assigned to the United States (for items entering the procurement system after 1974). 3 is the seven digit "nonsignificant serial number."

However, as with some clothing items, sometimes the last seven digit numbers might appear in sequential order based on the clothing item's size. For example, the last seven digit number on the above label, 184-1331, corresponds to the size MEDIUM-LONG. Whereas, the seven digit number proceeding, 184-1330 (for the same type BDU coat), corresponds to the size MEDIUM-REGULAR and the seven digit number following, 184-1332, corresponds to the size MEDIUM-X-LONG. This sequential numbering (of the last seven digits) does not always correspond to the same "block" series of items, as sometimes the last seven digits are assigned out of order (or may have already been assigned to another inventory item).

[ABOVE] A USGI woodland camouflage pattern BDU COAT, CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN (on the left side of the image) that has been utilized by the Korps Mariniers (Marine Corps) of the Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy).

The USGI BDU coats, as used by the Korps Mariniers, are modified by the addition of shoulder straps (to attach "slip-on" rank insignia) in either woodland camouflage cloth, or sometimes olive green shoulder straps that were removed from older pattern (obsolete) olive green field shirts. A shoulder sleeve "arc," inscribed KORPS MARINIERS, is normally sewn on the upper left shoulder of the BDU coat (left side of image). The woodland BDUs (both the coat and trousers) had been acquired from the United States, but more recently they have been manufactured in the Netherlands. The Dutch designate the camouflage pattern "forest", as their armed forces' camouflage pattern was already designated "woodland". In addition to BDUs, the Dutch also produce MOLLE tactical load-bearing vests and ancillary equipment pouches in the forest camouflage pattern (for use by the Korps Mariniers).

[BELOW] A Korps Mariniers operator wearing USGI woodland BDUs and armed with a DIEMACO INC (CAGE 2C085) manufactured C8A1 carbine (which is designated KARABIJN, 5.56 MILLIMETER and assigned the NSN 1005-17-056-6740).