The US Army is 243 years old — here's what its soldiers have worn into battle in every war since the American Revolution

From rags to spit-and-polish boots, from scratchy blue wool to the new operational camouflage pattern, from tricorn hat to helmet, the Army uniform has changed drastically through the years.

In honor of the US Army’s birthday in 2015, and the launch of the Operational Camouflage Pattern, soldiers takes a look at the evolution of battle dress from the Revolution through today.

Editor’s note: Most of the historical information in this blog is from the US Army Center of Military History, as are all of the paintings. Multicam and operational camouflage information is from Army News Service stories. Unless otherwise noted, all photos are courtesy of the US Army Heritage and Education Center. Photos are also identified by photographer when possible.

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The Revolutionary War

Early in the war, most soldiers simply wore what they had, whether that was a state militia uniform, frontier dress (as seen here in the 1777 battle of Saratoga) or even their regular clothes. Washington actually ordered the use of fringed hunting shirts as a field garment to provide some uniformity until the Continental Army had a more consistent uniform.

Supply problems throughout the war — sometimes Congress actually failed to authorize uniform funds — forced many soldiers to huddle in blankets in the winter and tie rags around their feet when their shoes wore out.

Even officers’ uniforms varied widely. Here, Washington sports the blue and buff regimentals he designed, whereas an aide-de-camp wears brown and another general wears black. The officers’ ribbons, instituted by Washington, indicate their various ranks and positions. Noncommissioned officers were distinguished by epaulettes or strips of cloth on the right shoulder.

Later in the war, Continental Army uniforms became more standardized. Here, soldiers wear the uniforms prescribed in 1779: blue coats lined with white and trimmed with white buttons, worn with white overalls and waistcoats. The colors facing the coats identified Soldiers by region or branch.

For example, the lieutenant on the right wears blue faced with buff and shoulder epaulettes, indicating he is an infantry officer from New Jersey or New York. The soldier on the left is an artillery private.

In 1782, blue coats faced with red became standard for everyone except generals and staff officers.