Dempsey’s battlefield look centers on mid-century American military fatigues stripped down for brutal close-quarters survival. Rather than a pristine parade uniform, his gear reflects prolonged combat in Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies, defined by rolled sleeves, an open collar, and heavy web gear loaded with ordnance.
Recreating this outfit is largely an exercise in sourcing durable military cuts, matching earth tones, and weathering the fabric so it looks like it survived countless rounds rather than arriving in a shipping bag yesterday.
Uniform Jacket and Base Layer
The core of the upper body is a standard issue khaki uniform jacket worn over a tan military tee. In game, Dempsey often wears his jacket unbuttoned or partially unfastened down the chest, exposing the crew-neck undershirt underneath. Rolling the jacket sleeves up to the forearms immediately establishes the practical, combat-ready silhouette. A heavy cotton or ripstop jacket in a sandy khaki shade that closely matches the trousers keeps the color scheme consistent.
A basic tan military tee serves as the base layer. Since this is an ordinary crew neck, fit is straightforward—choose a comfortable athletic cut that stays tucked in beneath the belt line. A slight difference in shade between the tee and the jacket actually works in your favor, breaking up the tan palette naturally.
Trousers and Combat Boots
Pair the jacket with matching khaki uniform pants featuring standard cargo or slash pockets. The trousers should have a relaxed, straight-leg cut that allows comfortable movement. Instead of letting the hems hang loose over your footwear, blouson or tuck the cuffs securely into the tops of tan combat boots. This keeps the lower leg clean and distinctly military.
For footwear, tan combat boots with durable rubber soles and solid ankle support complete the lower half. Lace them tight to keep the tucked trouser cuffs from slipping out during extended wear on convention floors. If the boots come out of the box looking bright and spotless, a quick pass with diluted brown acrylic paint or powdered charcoal around the seams and toe caps helps knock back the factory shine.
Rigging the Utility Belt and Prop Grenades
A sturdy modular utility belt anchors Dempsey’s midsection and provides mounting points for tactical gear. Because a web belt loaded with accessories tends to sag over time, cinch it snugly around the natural waistline just above the trouser belt loops. Distribute pouches symmetrically or slightly forward on the hips so they remain accessible and do not bounce against your legs while walking.
Attach prop grenades directly to the webbing or dedicated belt clips. When using lightweight replica grenades, check that the retention pins and attachment loops are secure before wandering through crowded venues. If your convention has strict weapons policies, foam or hollow plastic prop grenades satisfy security checks without adding dead weight to your hips.
Weathering and Finishing Touches
Freshly unpacked cotton fatigues look too clean for a seasoned zombie slayer. Spend an afternoon breaking down the fabric: lightly sandpaper high-wear areas like pocket edges, elbows, and collar folds, then mist the entire outfit with a spray bottle of diluted brown fabric dye or tea. A touch of cosmetic smudge dirt across the forearms and neck ties the entire combat veteran appearance together.
