Bahamas

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas became a colony of the British Crown in 1718 with a plantation economy. During the 19th century the African population increased dramatically, particularly after the British abolition of slavery. The island nation remained a British protectorate until 1973 when it was granted independence.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) provides for the security of the nation. It is essentially a naval unit (the Squadron), supplemented by a small Air Wing, and the Commando Squadron (formerly the Commando Wing). Internal security and law enforcement is overseen by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, which includes a SWAT unit for special operations.

Camouflage Patterns of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force

• At some point, following its creation in 1980, members of the RBDF began wearing British DPM pattern camouflage utilities. This continued until the end of the decade.

• Members of the Special Operations Unit and Commando Wing began wearing the US m81 woodland pattern camouflage BDU at some point in the 1990s.

• Around 2012 the RBDF adopted a copy of the USMC temperate MARPAT camouflage design. This uniform is worn primarily by members of the Commando Squadron, the Military Police, and Force Protection units.

• Additionally, RBDF personnel with maritime duties (e.g. Harbor Patrol) wear a copy of the old US Navy NWU-1 ("bluberries") digital camouflage design. This uniform has also been observed on members of the RBDF Band.

• Members of the SWAT Team of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) are issued urban or "black" Multicam uniforms for field operations.