![]() ![]() Retired Captain Rick Woolard, who commanded two SEAL platoons in Vietnam, told me via the The National Navy SEAL Museum, “I tried Levi’s and did not find them as comfortable or functional as jungle cammies, but did not object to my men wearing them. ![]() I tucked the jacket/blouse into my jeans.”Īn excerpt from ‘ Men in Green Faces,’ penned by former SEAL Gene Wentz, details one operation-specific SEAL loadout from Vietnam, “Everyone in the patrol will have cami tops, pants - Levi’s 501s or cami bottoms - jungle boots, insect repellent, first-aid kits, UDT SEAL life jackets, knife, UDT emergency flare, and green and black face paint.” On the forum, a member named SEAL76 commented on a gear-related topic thread, “I wore Levis 501s with pockets from ERDL blouse sewn on. Anecdotes also tell of soldiers customizing the Levi’s 5-pocket design by sewing on additional pockets made from camouflage fabric.Ĭamouflage guru Hardy Blechman of streetwear brand Maharishi told me over email, “I have seen examples of SEALs in Levi’s, and seen rare examples of Levi’s with camouflage/ERDL cargo pockets attached to them,” before pointing me toward the US Militaria forum. Denim could better withstand the rigors of the jungle climate, providing improved protection from leeches, mosquitos and other bugs, especially when combined with a layer of pantyhose underneath. Specifically during late 1970 and early 1971, SEALs donned Levi’s jeans in combat. ![]() In Vietnam, some SEALs preferred American-made Levi’s 501 and 505 denim jeans instead of standard issue dungarees. It wasn’t uncommon for SEALs to be specially equipped, touting heftier arms like the Stoner modular weapon system, and donning “ Coral Boots.” Former Vietnam SEAL Roger Hayden summarized the SEAL uniform in Vietnam by noting, “You would see guys with Coral Boots on, with their Levi’s and their Rolex watch. SEALs acted on their own intelligence networks, managed and deployed their own personnel, and even chose their own gear. In the Vietnam War, Navy SEALs (Sea Air and Land Teams) operating in Vietnam did not abide by the same rules as the standard Marine Corps. ![]()
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