<Tr> <Th> Variants </Th> <Td> See Variants </Td> </Tr> <P> The Army Combat Uniform, also known as the Airman Combat Uniform (ACU) and its flame - retardant variant, the Flame - Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU), are the current battle uniforms worn by the United States Army . The ACU is also worn by some units of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy, such as SEALs and navy sailors assigned to army units . </P> <P> First unveiled in June 2004, it is the successor to the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) and Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) worn from the 1980s and 1990s through the early 2000s, respectively . The ACU and its component materials are manufactured by the existing industrial infrastructure which produced the now - obsolete BDU . Official military - grade ACUs are made of 50% nylon and 50% cotton . All other blends are not official issue . </P> <P> In early 2004, some U.S. Army soldiers in Iraq were issued the "Close Combat Uniform" a variant of the Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) that featured new innovations such as shoulder pockets affixed with hook - and - loop "Velcro" fasteners, chest - worn rank insignia, and a new collar . The experimental features used on the CCU were eventually incorporated into the ACU, which was announced to the public in June 2004 . </P>

When did the army change from bdu to acu