[2][inconsistent] Before 1912, the word cadet grey was used as a name for a type of military issue uniform.

By 1863, all troops were asked to obey the Regulations for the Confederate States Army and have cadet grey uniforms.

[8] The lack of a formal uniform at the beginning of the war, with some Confederates wearing blue and some U.S.-allied state militias still wearing grey, caused significant confusion for both sides in the First Battle of Manassas.

Cadet grey was previously chosen for the Army of the Republic of Texas in 1835 and 1840.

[9][10] Under the name "pike grey" (Hechtgrau) this colour distinguished the jäger regiments of the Austrian (and subsequently Austro-Hungarian) armies from the 18th century until 1915.