AOR1 vs AOR2 vs MARPAT vs OCP: Military Camouflage Patterns Explained

When it comes to U.S. military camouflage, there isn't one pattern designed for every environment or mission. AOR1, AOR2, MARPAT, and OCP each have their own history, color palette, and intended purpose. For collectors, gear enthusiasts, and outdoorsmen, knowing the differences can make it much easier to identify what you're looking at.

At a glance, several of these patterns can look similar because they use small, repeated shapes. Look closer, though, and the differences become obvious. AOR1 vs AOR2 is largely a desert-versus-woodland comparison, while MARPAT vs OCP also reflects different branches and different approaches to camouflage design.

AOR1 — Desert Digital Camouflage

AOR1 is commonly associated with the U.S. Navy and Naval Special Warfare and the desert digital camouflage used with the Navy Working Uniform Type II. The Navy describes NWU Type II as a four-color desert digital camouflage uniform designed for desert, tundra, and arid regions. It was intended for Special Warfare operators, sailors who support them, and select Naval Expeditionary Combat Command units.

Visually, AOR1 camouflage is easy to recognize by its predominantly tan, beige, brown, and other muted earth tones. Its small digital-style shapes create a distinctly different appearance from the larger, more organic-looking shapes found in OCP.

It's worth making one terminology distinction: AOR1 is commonly used to identify the desert digital pattern associated with this family, but "AOR1" and "NWU Type II" should not automatically be treated as interchangeable names for every garment.

For collectors looking for an authentic example, The Torch carries a AOR1 Boonie:  NEW US Navy NWU Type II AOR1 Desert Boonie Hat.

Torch also carries an AOR1 Parka: NEW US NAVY NWU Type II AOR1 Desert Goretex Parka Jacket – The Torch LLC Military Surplus

AOR2 — Woodland Digital Camouflage

If AOR1 is the desert pattern, AOR2 is its woodland counterpart. AOR2 is associated with the U.S. Navy and Naval Special Warfare and the Navy Working Uniform Type III.

The Navy describes NWU Type III as a four-color woodland digital camouflage uniform designed for woodland, jungle, and temperate regions. It became the Navy's standard camouflage uniform for use in the continental United States and as prescribed by combatant commanders when deployed.

The easiest way to understand the AOR1 vs AOR2 difference is simply to look at the colors:

AOR1 = predominantly desert/tan

AOR2 = predominantly woodland/green

AOR2 uses the same general digital-style concept, but its greens, grays, browns, and darker earth tones give it a completely different appearance. For someone sorting through surplus, color is usually the quickest way to distinguish the two.

AOR2 Parka: NEW US NAVY NWU Type III AOR2 Woodland Gore-tex Parka Jacket – The Torch LLC Military Surplus

AOR2 Boonie: NEW US NAVY NWU Type III AOR2 Woodland Boonie Hat SUN COVER All Sizes – The Torch LLC Military Surplus

MARPAT — Marine Corps Digital Camouflage

MARPAT stands for Marine Pattern and was developed specifically for the U.S. Marine Corps. Unlike AOR1 and AOR2, which are associated with Navy uniforms, MARPAT was created around Marine Corps requirements.

The Marine Corps field tested the Combat Utility Uniform in 2001, debuting early 2002. Official Marine Corps guidance describes MARPAT as a digital pattern with optimized colors and identifies woodland and desert versions.  MARPAT was also developed and inspired from Canada's CADPAT.  The transition from the older camouflage utility uniform to the new Combat Utility Uniform began in June 2002.

Woodland MARPAT uses a darker green, brown, and black-oriented palette, while desert MARPAT uses lighter tan and brown tones. One recognizable detail of authentic Marine Corps MARPAT uniforms is the Marine Corps emblem incorporated into the pattern.

That makes MARPAT vs OCP a particularly useful comparison for collectors: both are modern U.S. camouflage patterns, but their visual construction and military histories are quite different.

The Torch currently carries Desert Marpat Boonies , Woodland Marpat Boonies and Desert Marpat Gtx Pants

OCP — The Army's Operational Camouflage Pattern

OCP stands for Operational Camouflage Pattern and is associated with the U.S. Army's Army Combat Uniform. In 2014, the Army selected OCP as its base combat uniform camouflage pattern and announced that uniforms using the pattern would become available in 2015.

The Army's transition from the previous Universal Camouflage Pattern, or UCP, extended through 2019, with the entire Army scheduled to be in OCP by October 1, 2019.

OCP generally has a more blended appearance than the distinctly pixelated look associated with AOR1, AOR2, and MARPAT. Its palette includes muted greens, browns, tans, and darker shapes. The pattern is commonly associated with the Scorpion design; Army sources also refer to the pattern as Scorpion/OCP.

For a current surplus example, see The Torch's OCP Trousers. Because individual garments can have different construction and labeling, always check the specific item's description when identifying surplus.

AOR1 vs AOR2 vs MARPAT vs OCP — What's the Difference?

These are broad comparisons rather than descriptions of every variation or garment made in each pattern.

How to Tell the Patterns Apart

The simplest way to identify these military camouflage patterns is to start with color.

AOR1: Look for a predominantly light tan and desert-brown appearance.

AOR2: Look for predominantly green and darker woodland colors.

MARPAT: Look for the distinctive Marine Corps digital pattern, including the emblem incorporated into authentic Marine Corps garments.

OCP: Look for a green, brown, and tan palette with shapes that generally appear more blended and less obviously pixelated.

Remember that surplus clothing can look different depending on lighting, fabric, fading, wear, manufacturer, and photography. Two pieces of the same pattern may not look identical after years of use.

Which Patterns Are Most Collectible Today?

There isn't one answer for every collector. Interest in a particular camouflage pattern can depend on the branch that used it, its historical period, the military community associated with it, the specific garment, condition, authenticity, and rarity.

For some collectors, the appeal is the history behind a particular pattern. Others may be interested in a specific uniform, Boonie hat, or piece of field gear. Still others simply appreciate the differences in camouflage design.

That variety is part of what makes military surplus collecting interesting. The same pattern that represents one period of U.S. military history to one collector may simply be an attractive and practical camouflage pattern to another.

The Torch Military Surplus

At The Torch Military Surplus, we carry genuine U.S. military surplus and camouflage gear for collectors, gear enthusiasts, and outdoors-oriented customers.

Browse our U.S. Navy Clothing & Accessories for Navy-related surplus, check out our Hats & Caps for items such as Boonie hats, or explore our USGI Military Uniforms for uniforms and related gear.

Whether you're comparing AOR1 vs AOR2, looking for MARPAT, or adding OCP gear to your collection, understanding the pattern's history makes the piece more than just camouflage—it gives you a better idea of what you're looking at and why it was made.

Explore The Torch Military Surplus to find genuine U.S. military camouflage and surplus gear for your collection, gear setup, or next outdoor adventure.