M-1965 field jacket

The M-1965 Field Jacket (also known as M65 and M-65 Field Jacket), eponymously named after the year it was introduced,[1] is a popular field jacket initially designed for the United States Armed Forces under the MIL-C-43455J standard.[2]

M65 Field Jacket in beige colour

It was introduced into U.S. military service in 1965 to replace the M-1951 field jacket still preferred by U.S. Troops, an improvement on the M-1943 field jacket of Second World War design.[2]

The M-1965 had a built in hood that rolled up and fit into a pouch on the back of the neck as opposed to the separate hood that attached to the M-1951. The M-1965 also had velcro fasteners on the sleeve cuffs and collar.

The M-65 field jacket was widely used by United States forces during the Vietnam War in which the jacket became useful for troops serving in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, as well as keeping a soldier warm from the cool weather conditions that came after monsoonal rains.[3] It was and is a standard issue to US troops in several other wars all around the globe as well.

Originally introduced in olive green shade 107, it is now produced in a large variety of colors and patterns including many military camouflage patterns.[2] The front portion of the jacket has two large hip pockets and two medium-sized breast pockets.[4] The rear neck portion and collar of the jacket features a zipper which houses a protective hood.[2] The M-1965 field jacket can be combined with a button-in insulated lining for cold-weather wear, as well as a button on fur trimmed winter hood.

It was almost exclusively made by Alpha Industries for the military, and Alpha was instrumental in working with the U.S. military designers to improve their performance and design.[5]