BAR TO THE CAR, NOT A CAR TO THE BAR

The Browning Automatic Rifle or BAR. Ask a Second World War, Korean War, or Vietnam War veteran how it is pronounced. If you say "bar," they will tell you that is where people go to drink alcohol. The correct pronunciation is, and has always been, "bee-ay-ar" - or simply sounding out each of the letters in the abbreviation of the weapon's name.

The exact same method of pronunciation applies to Colt's CAR-15. It is NOT pronounced "car fifteen" (like an automobile), it is "cee-ay-ar fifteen." I was at a gun show looking a certain dealer's wares. Another person, in their twenties, was at the dealer's table before I arrived. The person was talking to the dealer about modifying this and that on a "car fifteen." I honestly believed the person was referring to something made by Kahr Arms. It was only after I actually started paying attention to the conversation did I realize the person was talking about an AR-15 semi-automatic clone.

The pronunciation of CAR-15 is derived from the pronunciation of, not only the BAR, but the original AR-15, which is pronounced "ay-ar fifteen" (not "ar fifteen"). The CAR-15 has ALWAYS been pronounced "cee-ay-ar fifteen" by Colt and the end user, the United States military. Further, Colt applied the designation CAR-15 to their family of SELECT-FIRE weapons, NOT the semi-automatic ones. Calling a semi-automatic AR-15 (or clone) a "CAR-15" is completely incorrect.

PISTOL, 9 MILLIMETER, AUTOMATIC

[LEFT] Member of the Norwegian Forsvaret armed with a HECKLER & KOCH GMBH (CAGE D2330) MP5A3N (the "N" stands for Norway and assigned the NSN 1005-25-133-7485) and P80 in a Safariland 6004/6005-series SLS Tactical Holster.

The 9x19mm Glock 17 was adopted by the Norwegian Forsvaret as the P80 (officially designated PISTOL, 9 MILLIMETER, AUTOMATIC) and assigned the NSN 1005-25-133-6775. The actual firearms are marked P80, along with the Norwegian military "crest" (property mark), on the left side of the slide (similar to the way the Austrian military P80 pistols are marked).

The NSN, for the P80, shows to have been assigned on 1 January 1984. The Norwegian P80 were obtained from GLOCK GMBH (CAGE S5591).

[RIGHT] The Norwegian Forsvaret MAGAZINE, CARTRIDGE, for the P80, are marked with the Norwegian military "crest" (property mark) at the bottom of the rear of the cartridge magazine. The cartridge magazine is assigned the NSN 1005-25-133-6785.

COLT MODEL 723 (RO723)

With the standardization of the RIFLE, 5.56 MILLIMETER, M16A2 (NSN 1005-01-128-9936), on 30 March 1982, Colt Defense LLC (CAGE 13629) set about to produce a carbine version of the M16A2 as they did for the M16A1 rifle. In early 1985, Colt unveiled the "M16A2 Carbine," which essentially was an improved version of the CARBINE, 5.56 MILLIMETER, M16A1 (NSN 1005-01-029-3866; also known as the model RO653 carbine). The weapon was marketed to both military and law enforcement as "...smaller, more compact versions of the M16A2 Rifle, intended for use wherever lightness and speed of action is required."

The M16A2 carbine's "lightweight" 14.5-inch barrel was upgraded from the M16A1 carbine's 1:12 twist rate to a 1:7 twist rate. This was done to improve performance of the barrel with the NATO STANAG 4172 62 grain SS109 5.56 x 45mm cartridge. The SS109 cartridge would later be standardized, on 10 June 1983, by the United States government as the CARTRIDGE, 5.56 MILLIMETER, M855 (NSN 1305-01-155-5458).

In addition to the new barrel, the following re-designed/improved parts were added to the M16A2 carbine:

(1) a new COMPENSATOR (NSN 1005-01-134-3633), Colt Defense LLC part 64502
(2) a new PLUNGER ASSEMBLY (NSN 1005-01-144-1468), Colt Defense LLC part 64541
(3) a new GRIP, RIFLE (NSN 1005-01-148-4805), Colt Defense LLC part 64576
(4) a new BUTTSTOCK ASSEMBLY (NSN 1005-01-371-1805), Colt Defense LLC part 64679

Colt assigned the model number RO723 to the carbine. By late 1985, the carbine was being equipped with the RECEIVER, CARTRIDGE (NSN 1005-01-248-5858; Colt Defense LLC part 64948) with cartridge case deflector (as found on the M16A2 rifle), but retaining the M16A1 "field sight." The RO723 received the nickname "Abu Dhabi carbine," as in 1987, the "sheikdom" of Abu Dhabi (part of the United Arab Emirates or UAE) ordered 20,000 units of the RO723.

With the adoption of the M16A2 rifle by the United States Army, in 1986, special operations units began looking into replacing their inventory of RO653 carbines with RO723 carbines. The RO723 carbines were purchased Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) and not marked "PROPERTY OF U.S. GOVT." (as the M16A2 rifles were). Further, the RO723 was not considered a Limited Procurement Type item (like the RO653 was), so a National Stock Number was not assigned to the carbine.

[ABOVE] The RO723 as illustrated in the 1985 dated OPERATOR'S MANUAL FOR M16A2 CARBINE, COMMANDO & 9mm SMG (Colt Defense LLC part 94892).

[ABOVE] The RO723 as illustrated in the 1985 dated OPERATOR'S MANUAL FOR M16A2 CARBINE, COMMANDO & 9mm SMG (Colt Defense LLC part 94892) illustrating the round forward assist plunger, new upper receiver with cartridge case deflector and M16A1 "field sight."

The RO723 carbine was utilized by special operation forces (mainly with the United States Army) during many American military operations during the late 1980s through the 1990s. The RO723 was seen in use during Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield/Storm, and Restore Hope. Like the RO653, the RO723 was also called a CAR-15 by the grunts.

[ABOVE] Image dated 11 April 1991 and originally captioned "Security personnel, one armed with a 5.56mm M-4 Colt carbine, escort Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander-in-chief, U.S. Central Command, as he walks toward Kuwait military headquarters after arriving by UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to visit Kuwaiti dignitaries in the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm. Schwarzkopf will also be presenting awards to military officials who contributed to coalition efforts during the war." The "security personnel" are actually General Schwarzkopf's Personal Security Detail (PSD) and are all Delta operators. Of course, the weapon has been mis-identified. The weapon (carried by the operator at the right) is actually a RO723 carbine fitted with the new profile "notched" (for the M203's barrel mount) BARREL AND FRONT SIGHT ASSEMBLY (NSN 1005-01-233-8529). The barrel, even though standardized on 4 June 1986, has erroneously become known as the "M4 profile barrel." The carbine is further fitted with a CLIP, CARTRIDGE (the USGI designation for the Johnson Firearms REDI-MAG, NSN 1305-01-493-2955) and is slung using a standard SLING, SMALL ARMS (NSN 1005-00-167-4336) and KIT, ADAPTER, TOP SLING (NSN 1005-00-406-1570). The operator is SGM (retired) Michael Vining.

5.56mm KIT, CLEANING

The basic standardized cleaning equipment, for all government issued 5.56mm rifles and carbines, are the following:

On 10 January 1966 the ROD, CLEANING, SMALL ARMS (FSN 1005-999-2035; P/N 11686455) was standardized for use with the 5.56mm rifles in service. This initial cleaning rod was comprised of four "sections" - the handle, swab tip, and two (2) rod section. It was further designated M11E2 (while the separate bore brush was designated M11E1).

ROD, CLEANING, SMALL ARMS (NSN 1005-00-089-3994; P/N 8436777) - five section rod (handle, swab tip, and three (3) rod sections) designated M11E3 and was standardized on 8 June 1967, replacing the M11E2 cleaning rod. Colt Defense LLC Part Number 62702.

The M11E3 small arms cleaning rod can be broken down into the following parts:

(1) HANDLE ASSEMBLY, STEEL (NSN 1005-01-113-0321; P/N 8436776; standardized on 15 May 1981)

DAAA09-90-C-0278[1]	YANKEE HILL MACHINE CO INC	3D540
DLA700-91-M-CC86[2]	YANKEE HILL MACHINE CO INC	3D540
DLA760-91-M-F339[3]	YANKEE HILL MACHINE CO INC	3D540
DLA750-92-C-0232[4]	YANKEE HILL MACHINE CO INC	3D540
DLA750-92-C-0267[5]	JEFFREY ALAN MFG & ENG LLC	3D531

^[1] 7,173 units were produced under this contract
^[2] 393 units were produced under this contract on 14 January 1991
^[3] 140 units were produced under this contract on 4 February 1991
^[4] 421 units were produced under this contract on 16 December 1991
^[5] 241,958 units were produced under this contract on 7 August 1992

(2) ROD SECTION, CLEANING, SMALL ARMS (NSN 1005-00-050-6357; P/N 8436775; standardized on 4 December 1967), and (3) SWAB HOLDER SECTION, SMALL ARMS CLEANING ROD (NSN 1005-00-937-2250; P/N 11686327; standardized on 25 November 1966).

BRUSH, CLEANING, SMALL ARMS (NSN 1005-00-903-1296; P/N 11686340) - bore brush designated M11E1 and standardized on 1 January 1960. Colt Defense LLC Part Number 94144.

DLA700-87-D-0179[1]	THE MILL-ROSE COMPANY	79901
DLA700-89-D-0195[2]	THE MILL-ROSE COMPANY	79901

^[1] 446,235 units were produced under this contract on 15 February 1989
^[2] 3,805,158 units were produced under this contract between 6 October 1989 through 20 December 1993

BRUSH, CLEANING, SMALL ARMS (NSN 1005-00-999-1435; P/N 8432358) - chamber brush; standardized on 2 January 1966. Colt Defense LLC Part Number 94145.

DLA700-89-C-0097[1]	BRUSHES INC	60861
DLA700-89-M-3101[2]	THE MILL-ROSE COMPANY	79901
DLA700-89-M-3425[3]	THE MILL-ROSE COMPANY	79901
DLA700-89-M-3735[4]	THE MILL-ROSE COMPANY	79901
DLA740-91-C-0050[5]	BRUSHES INC	60861
DLA740-91-C-0051[6]	THE MILL-ROSE COMPANY	79901

^[1] 986,700 units were produced under this contract on 3 October 1988 and 986,700 units on 2 March 1989
^[2] 35,000 units were produced under this contract on 27 October 1988
^[3] 35,000 units were produced under this contract on 23 March 1989
^[4] 35,000 units were produced under this contract on 20 December 1988
^[5] 1,288,720 units were produced under this contract between 4 April 1991 through 30 September 1991
^[6] 569,280 units were produced under this contract on 4 April 1991

[ABOVE] Original Colt Defense LLC small arms cleaning rod with label bearing Colt's Part Number 62702.

The complete set of components is later assigned the National Stock Number 1920-01-201-1989 and the nomenclature KIT, CLEANING. Further, Colt Defense LLC assigned its Part Number 94455 to the complete set.

CAGE CODE

Listing of CAGE Codes for GLOCK:

GLOCK INC	0N2S7
GLOCK GMBH	0143N
GLOCK GMBH	S5591
GLOCK AMERICA SA	STT49
GLOCK DO BRASIL SA	00D1K
GLOCK PROFESSIONAL INC	7QHU1

NCB AND THE GLOCK

As stated in a previous post, the National Codification Bureau Code, or NCB, are the two digits after the Federal Supply Class (FSC) within a National (NATO) Stock Number. These fifth and six digits, in a NSN, correspond to an assigned set of two numbers that identify what county the NSN is generated from.

In the Wikipedia entry for "Glock" one finds this erroneous statement (allegedly attributed to author Peter Alan Kasler):

"Shortly thereafter, the Glock 17 was accepted into service with the Norwegian and Swedish armed forces, surpassing all prior NATO durability standards. As a result, the Glock 17 became a standard NATO-classified sidearm and was granted a NATO stock number (1005-25-133-6775)."

Normally Wikipedia entries are taken for what they are, baseless paragraphs of opinions. The issue with this specific quote is that it has been repeated and repeated over the world wide web to the point people seem to think it is the truth. It could not be further from it.

The NSN listed, 1005-25-133-6775, is the NORWEGIAN NSN for the P80 (their armed forces' designation for the Glock 17). The "25" in the listed NSN is, of course, assigned to Norway. By Norway assigning a NSN to the weapon means THEY have accepted it into their armed forces' inventory...not NATO. NATO is assigned the NCB of 11. NATO rarely assigns NSNs as it is not a military organization itself, but instead a conglomeration of militaries. Historically, for NATO to assign a NSN, utilizing their NCB, means that the item has truly been accepted as "standard NATO-classified." Very few items exist that can carry this honor, Glock handguns are NOT one of them.

NATO STOCK NUMBER

[ABOVE] A Koninklijke Landmacht issue woodland camouflage pattern JAS, MANNEN (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 coats.

Among the information listed on the label is the NATO Stock Number (outlined in red). 1 is the Federal Supply Class, which 8405 is for Outerwear, Men's. 2 is the National Codification Bureau Code, with 17 being assigned to the Netherlands. 3 is the seven digit "nonsignificant serial number." The large KL in the upper left corner of the tag is the abbreviation for Koninklijke Landmacht (Royal Netherlands Army) and serves as an army property designation.

The Netherlands military camouflage pattern [RIGHT: © armeeoffizier.ch] is most often erroneously called "DPM camo" (taken from the British armed forces' Disruptive Pattern Material camouflage). Actually, it should be said that non-Europeans ALWAYS erroneously call the Dutch camouflage pattern "DPM." The actual Koninklijke Landmacht designation for the camouflage pattern is "woodland". The United States military's woodland camouflage pattern, utilized by the Korps Mariniers, is re-designated "forest" camouflage pattern within the Dutch armed forces.

PISTOOL, 9 MILLIMETER

[ABOVE: © Dutch Defence Press] Members of the Korps Commandotroepen (KCT), of the Koninklijke Landmacht (Royal Netherlands Army), during a training exercise. The operator on the left is armed with a Glock 17.

The handgun is officially designated PISTOOL, 9 MILLIMETER, GLOCK 17 and assigned the NSN 1005-17-106-4055.

COLT MODEL 653 (RO653)

CARBINE, 5.56 MILLIMETER
NSN 1005-01-029-3866

The RO653 carbine was first utilized by United States Army Rangers during Operation Urgent Fury (in 1983). The carbine would continue to be utilized by special operation units throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. The RO653 carbine was utilized during Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield/Storm, and Restore Hope. While most of the RO653 carbines were acquired Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS), there was a small amount of the carbine acquired through normal contracting.

On 1 April 1982, 11 carbines are acquired as part of the larger DAAA09-81-G-2026 contract with COLT DEFENSE LLC (which included acquisition of M16A1 rifles, M231 firing port weapons, and a large quantity of spare parts). On 1 March 1986, 256 carbines were acquired as part of the PTHC8Z5312500 contract with COLT DEFENSE LLC. On 1 July 1988, an additional 30 carbines are acquired as part of the N00104-88-T-CZ43 contract with COLT DEFENSE LLC.

[ABOVE: Department of Defense] Image dated 22 January 1986 and originally captioned "Three U.S. Army Rangers participate in a training exercise. The Ranger in the foreground is armed with an M-16A1 carbine." The center Ranger, holding the RO653 carbine, is (at the time of the photograph) Sergeant Vincent John Lombardi Jr. (no relation to the football legend - even though his nickname was "coach"). He was a Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) veteran, hence the dual Ranger scrolls on his OG-106 uniform. He served in the United States Army for twenty-two years, attaining the rank of Major. He sadly passed on 18 February 2003.

The end-user of the RO653 carbine simply called it the CAR-15. The name was a holdover from the Vietnam War, where the shortened XM177-series of submachine guns were called CAR-15 by grunts. The name originally derived from Colt's marketing of their series of 5.56mm submachine guns, rifles, and machine guns known as the "5.56mm MILITARY WEAPONS SYSTEMS." The term CAR-15 was an attempt by Colt to distance the AR-15 name from Armalite. The name AR-15, originally created by Armalite, stood for ARmalite model 15. The term AR-15 has often been erroneously stated as standing for Armalite Rifle model 15, even though Armalite itself stated it stood for ARmalite model 15. Colt wanted to disassociate Armalite from the AR-15 and thus came up with the CAR designation, standing for Colt Automatic Rifle. Colt's original CAR family consisted of the CAR-15 rifle (designated by the United States military as the M16), CAR-15 carbine, CAR-15 submachine gun, among others. The CAR-15 submachine gun evolved into the CAR-15 Commando or Colt Commando. The United States military utilized the CAR-15 Commando during the Vietnam War (designed by the United States military as the XM177-series of submachine guns). Grunts simply referred to all variations of the Commando and XM177-series as CAR-15. The term continued to be utilized by grunts after the war, applying it to any Colt 5.56mm submachine gun and carbine.

PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION

[LEFT] The manufacturer's label on a woodland camouflage pattern Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) COAT, CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN.

The coat's PII, DLA100-93-D-0416, indicates a contract let in FY1993 (the last contract year for the "DLA" prefix). Further, this specific BDU coat is from the first contract for the then newly adopted enhanced ripstop hot weather BDUs (made of 50% cotton and 50% nylon). The contract, as indicated on the label, was let to TERRY MANUFACTURING CO INC (CAGE 4H128).

CAGE CODE

The KIT, ADAPTER, TOP SLING (NSN 1005-00-406-1570; P/N 8448471) was standardized on 10 April 1970. The kit was designed to attach to the front sight base (by means of a metal wire clip) and buttstock (by means of a black nylon web strap with metal "D" ring) of 5.56mm rifles and carbines to allow the user to utilize a small arms sling in an upper retention position.

The first contract let for the top sling adapter kit, DAAF01-70-C-1005, was in June 1970 (the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 1970) to United States Small Business Administration. The designated completion date was set for March 1971. The components of the top sling adapter kit were normally packaged together with a folded illustrated instruction sheet detailing how to attach the top sling adapter kit.

[ABOVE] Label corresponding to the first top sling adapter kit manufactured after standardization.

Later production top sling adapters have the metal "D" ring replaced with a plastic one. The instruction sheet is later changed to depict the M16A2 rifle (instead of the M16A1).

[ABOVE] Label for a FY1988 contract dated sling adapter. The old FSCM designation is still being used. The FSCM code, 2A178, is assigned to ENVISION INC.

[ABOVE] Label label for a FY1992 contract dated sling adapter. The CAGE designation is now being utilized. The CAGE code, 2A178, is the same manufacturer as the FY1988 dated sling adapter, ENVISION INC.

PII	MANUFACTURER	CAGE
DAAA09-92-F-0065	ENVISION INC	2A178
DAAA09-91-F-0064	ENVISION INC	2A178
DAAA09-88-F-0030	ENVISION INC	2A178

NCB CODE

[LEFT] The Bundesheer issued Pistole 80 holster.

Whereas the Austrian government has been assigned a National Codification Bureau Code (originally 0 and later changed to 41), they are one of the few countries that have not extensively utilized the NATO Stock Number system for property inventory (mainly due to not being a member of NATO). One exception is the GLOCK GMBH (CAGE 0143N)-manufactured holster utilized by the Bundesheer, which is assigned the Vers. Nr. 1005-0-301-0450 (pictured BELOW).

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).

PISTOLE 80

[LEFT] The original GLOCK: the Bundesheer Pistole 80.

The handgun that would come to be called the Glock 17, was originally designed specifically for competition in the Austrian government's search for a replacement handgun for their armed forces. At the time, the Bundesheer was equipped with the Pistole 38 (both of Second World War and post-war Walther manufacture: Vers. Nr. 1005-0-300-0104). The name of the handgun, Glock 17, was chosen as it was the 17th item patented by the company.

The Glock 17 eventually beat out 8 different handguns, from some of the top names in European firearm manufacturing, during the Austrian handgun trials. It was officially adopted, in 1982, by the Austrian armed forces as the Pistole 80 (the 80 coming from the year the search began for a replacement handgun). After the announcement of the adoption had been made, the world sat up and took notice of the "plastic gun."

The Pistole 80 continues to serve the Austrians as well as having been adopted by the armed forces of the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, (recently) the United Kingdom, and many others. In the United States, law enforcement agencies across the country have adopted many of the Glock-produced variants as official sidearms.

[RIGHT] A Bundesheer soldat armed with the standard sidearm of the Austrian Heer, the 9mm NATO Pistole 80. The handgun is also called the P80 (and marked as such on the slide).

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PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION

During United States Government Fiscal Year (FY) 1967 (1 July 1966 through 31 June 1967) the Defense Supply Agency (DSA) "contract number" is changed and designated the Procurement Instrument Identification (PII) number. The PII number is broken down as follows: the first three characters (usually letters) are the identifier of the agency that issues the instrument (or "contracting agency" - the agency that secures the contract). The next set of three characters (usually numbers) identifies the "class" of item. The next two characters are the last two digits of the Fiscal Year the instrument (or "contract") is awarded. The next character (always a letter) indicates the type of instrument (or "contract") of which there are many (all corresponding to letters in the alphabet). The last four digits are the serial number of the instrument (or the "contract number"). The DSA prefix (the normal contracting agency of clothing and individual equipment) of the PII number remains unchanged from FY1967 through FY1977.

PII example:

DSA100-74-C-0001

Whereas "DSA" is the "contracting agency." "100" is the item "class." "74" is the fiscal year the contract is awarded. "C" is the type of contract. "0001" is the last four digits of the "contract number."

During FY1976 the date range of the fiscal year is changed. FY1976 runs the normal date range (1 July 1975 through 31 June 1976) but an additional three months are added and a "second" FY1976 is created. This fiscal year is designated FY1976T and runs the additional three months of 1 June 1976 through 30 September 1976. Beginning with FY1977 the new fiscal year runs from 1 October of the current year through 30 September the next year. This fiscal year system remains in place to date.

FY1977 (1 October 1976 through 30 September 1977) is the last Fiscal Year the DSA prefix appears in the PII number. On 1 January 1977 the DSA, due to growth and expanded responsibilities, is renamed Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

Due to the DSA being renamed DLA, beginning in FY1978 (1 October 1977 through 30 September 1978), the prefix of the PII number is changed to DLA. The DLA prefixed PII number remains in use from FY1978 through FY1993.

[LEFT] The manufacturer's label on a woodland camouflage pattern Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) COAT, CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN. The coat's PII, DLA100-93-D-0416, indicates a contract let in FY1993 (the last contract year for the "DLA" prefix). Further, this specific BDU coat is from the first contract for the then newly adopted enhanced ripstop hot weather BDUs (made of 50% cotton and 50% nylon).