Combat Dress, 1970 Private, Marching Order As part of the sweeping changes that unified the Canadian Navy, Army, and  Air force in 1968 new uniforms were issued. Combat Dress replace both Battle Dress and FSOD and saw the end of the 48th Highlanders distinctive blue putties with the issue of high Combat Boots. In 1970 name tags began to be worn on shirts and regimental helmets and water bottles replaced the previous British style. Insignia restricted to green tags worn on slip-ons. American style
The New 64-pattern accoutrements was designed to complement the new mechanized infantry role, with ammunition being carried in the pockets of the Combat shirt. The C2 rucksack, larger than any previous rucksack reflects the enlargement of the range of equipment and clothing now carried. Kevlar helmet in the 1990s. Combat dress continues to be worn New webbing, Rucksack were issued during the 1980s and a new, although new camouflage uniforms are being phased in.

Helmet with strap, liner & cover, belt with pouches and shoulder straps, Dog tags, D. Chappell (name tag) above right shirt pocket-combat shirt, combat pants, combat boots, water bottle carrier

✅ Base Uniform

• Olive Drab Combat Clothing:
  • Referred to as Combat Dress (officially “Combat Dress, 1964 Pattern”)
  • Made of durable cotton sateen or twill
  • Colour: solid olive green (predating camouflage like CADPAT)

✅ Jacket (Blouse)

• Front button closure
• Two chest pockets with buttoned flaps
• Adjustable waist tabs
• Reinforced elbows
• Worn over a green wool undershirt

✅ Trousers

• Loose-fitting combat trousers
• Large cargo pockets on the thighs
• Drawstring ankles (to blouse over boots)
• Buttoned fly

✅ Headgear

• Combat Helmet: M1 steel helmet (U.S.-pattern), with webbing liner and elastic camouflage band for foliage or identification markings
• Beret: Rifle green beret for general wear, specific coloured berets (e.g., maroon for airborne, black for armoured) or regimental headdress by corps or unit. Balmorals for 48th.

✅ Boots

• Black leather ankle boots (often referred to as combat boots)
• Worn with wool socks
• Trousers tucked or bloused into the tops

✅ Webbing and Load-Carrying Equipment

• 1951 Pattern Web Equipment (some units) transitioning to later 1964/1965 patterns
  • Belt with braces (suspenders)
  • Ammunition pouches
  • Canteen carrier
  • Small and large packs

✅ Other Notes

• No camouflage pattern was in use yet; solid olive drab was standard
• Cold weather layers included a parka and heavier wool shirts
• Distinctive regimental insignia were worn on shoulder slip-ons or patches