Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

MARPAT Utility Uniform

The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) is the current battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. It is also worn by Navy personnel (mostly corpsmen and chaplains) assigned to Marine Corps units (Fleet Marine Force). Field testing began in 2001, the uniform debuted in 2002, and the changeover was completed in October 2004.^[1][2][3] It replaced the Battle Dress Uniform, which the Marine Corps had shared with the Navy, Army and Air Force. However, both the MCCUU, and its distinctive camouflage pattern, MARPAT, are exclusive to the Marine Corps, which holds the patents^{[citation needed]} to their design, and are not available to the civilian market. MARPAT is available in two color schemes, woodland and desert. The uniforms are manufactured by Propper International Inc., American Apparel, E.A. Industries, American Power Source Inc., and Columbia Sewing Company. The MCCUU should not be confused with the similar looking FROG uniform.

Design features

Marines wearing the MCCUU in garrison, with sleeves rolled and utility covers

Marines wearing the MCCUU with combat equipment

The MCCUU is intended for wear in the field or for working parties, but has become the typical working uniform for all deployed and most garrison Marines and Sailors.^[4] The variety worn depends on the environment and season: Deployed Marines wear whichever color is more appropriate to the climate and terrain, Marines in garrison wear the woodland MCCUU with long sleeves in winter months, and the desert MCCUU in summer months. Until recently, the sleeves of the blouse were normally worn rolled up while in garrison during summer months. However, the Uniform Board recently announced that as of October 24, this will no longer be allowed.

Unlike the previous BDU, the MCCUU was designed to be used with body armor, which previously restricted access to front pockets. To further distinguish the uniform, upon close examination, the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor can be found within the pattern. Its use as a combat uniform has led to some strict regulations for wear in garrison: the MCCUU may not be worn off base, although it may be worn when commuting to and from duty in a private vehicle. Dismounting for incidental stops en route off of a military installation is no longer permissible excepting legitimate emergencies only.

Blouse

• Two slanting chest pockets with velcro closure
• Two shoulder sleeve pockets with button closure
• Reinforced elbows
• Internal pockets for elbow pads
• Adjustable cuffs
• Eagle, Globe, and Anchor embroidered on the left chest pocket

Trousers

• Two front slash style pockets
• Two rear pockets with button closure
• Two thigh level bellows cargo pockets with elastic closure
• Button fly
• Reinforced knees and seat
• Partially elastic waistband
• Internal pockets for kneepads

The trousers are worn bloused over the tops of the boots with the use of elastic bands (nicknamed "boot bands") or metal springs.

Headwear

• In garrison, a utility cover, also known as an 8-point cover, is worn.
• In the field, the boonie (floppy) cover is worn in non-combat environments.
• The Marine Corps Lightweight Helmet is worn in combat and training with a reversible MARPAT cover
• The Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor is embroidered on both the boonie and utility covers.^[5]

T-shirt

An olive green t-shirt, or skivvie shirt, without a logo is worn underneath the blouse.^[6] Due to the intense heat in Iraq, moisture wicking tee shirts, such as those produced by Under Armour became very popular. However, due to concerns that the shirts would melt to the skin in the event of a fire or explosion, they were banned.^[7] However, the Marine Corps has worked with Danskin to develop their own moisture wicking shirts under the "Elite Issue" line,^[8] ultimately creating and issuing the Flame Resistant Organizational Gear to troops likely to be exposed to combat.

Belt

The MCCUU is worn with a webbed rigger's belt earned through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The belts are tan, grey, green, brown, or up to six degrees of black, depending on the Marine's proficiency. Uniform regulations still authorize a web belt for wear for Marines that have not qualified in MCMAP; however, the Commandant of the Marine Corps directed in 2008 that all Marines will qualify. This directive rendered the wear of the item on the MCCUU to new recruits in basic training or to those who have lost their MCMAP belt due to not being proficient in the MCMAP. ^[9]

Boots

The Marine Corps now requires tan rough-out combat boots, either hot weather or temperate weather versions. Commercial versions of this boot are authorized without limitation other than they must be at least 8 inches in height and bear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor on the outer heel of each boot. Stains and damage to the boot make them unservicable for wear, as well as a heel with excessive wear.

Insignia

Rank insignia is pinned onto the collar:

• Enlisted Marines wear black insignia.
• Officers wear polished insignia in garrison, subdued (flat black or brown to replace silver and gold, respectively) or none in the field.

Most badges and breast insignia are authorized for wear on the Utility uniform, shined or subdued as appropriate. Landing Support Marines also wear the Red Patch insignia.

MARPAT patterns

• 

  MARPAT woodland pattern

• 

  MARPAT desert pattern

• 

  Prototype of woodland pattern (2002)

• 

  Prototype of desert pattern (2002)

• 

  Infrared comparison of a Navy Working Uniform blouse to MARPAT MCCUU trousers

Users

•  United States
  • United States Marine Corps & attached Naval personnel
  • Texas Maritime Regiment

See also

• Uniforms of the United States Military
• Uniforms of the United States Marine Corps
• MARPAT
• Flame resistant organizational gear
• Airman Battle Uniform
• Army Combat Uniform
• Battle Dress Uniform

Notes

1. ^ Saturday, February 24, 2001
2. ^ Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform
3. ^ Maradmin - Mandatory Possession Dates For The Marine Corps Combat Utility
4. ^ ALMAR 035/07 directing wear of the MCCUU
5. ^ United States Marine Corps
6. ^ Marine Corps Uniform Board
7. ^ Defense Tech: Marines Ban Under Armour
8. ^ Elite Issue – The Skivvie Shirt Evolved
9. ^ ALMAR 034/07 directing all Marines to earn at least a tan belt by CY 2008

External links

• Permanent Marine Corps Uniform Board
• Marine Uniform Regulations
• How to Properly Align Rank Insignia on Marine Uniforms wikiHow