Paisley
I'll Lock Up
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The beret used to be reserved for elite troops (e.g., the Green Berets). Now everybody's special.
Paisley said:The beret used to be reserved for elite troops (e.g., the Green Berets). Now everybody's special.
marineabilly said:No WAY!!! Ixnay on the high collar. That, of course, resembles the Marine Corps Dress Blue blouse. This was a functional addition to the uniform in the 18th and 19th century designed to protect the neck from a sword blow during battle. Something we pride ourselves on - not a fashion statement...
What a blow to the Marine Corps. First they copy the idea of our digital pattern now this?
Paisley said:Good to know, even if I don't get it. It just seems odd to see soldiers walking around in camoflage in downtown Denver.
Paisley said:When I was in, we had the choice of wearing fatigues, BDUs (camoflage) or dress blues to work if we were going to be in the lab all day. I wore blues--the oxfords were much lighter than combat boots and the shirt and pants were easier to iron. Do ABUs still have to be ironed?
Widebrim said:Well, to be fully accurate, it was a leather belt that was added to the Marine uniform in the 18th century to ward off saber blows to the neck (hence the term "Leathernecks"). The standing collar was already standard for both Soldiers and Naval officers during that time period (on and off), and was used by the Army Air Service until about 1926. So the Air Force wouldn't have been copying the Marines, per se, just going back to its WWI, Billy Mitchell heritage. Oh, and for the digital patterns, I believe they started with the Canadian Army, if I'm not mistaken.
The military does not appreciate having its symbolism deconstructed, but I can't resist:Widebrim said:That's what really ticks me off, too, when you are actually told not to wear your uniform, period. A terrorist is going to walk up to you, and try to blow you away simply for wearing a uniform?
Widebrim said:And then the Army is now telling Soldiers not to wear dress uniforms on normal duty, but ACUs, in order to identify with those in country...I hate seeing fatigues, utilities in public, and on those whose MOS's have nothing to do with the field...Infantry all the way!
dhermann1 said:Well, as an ex Marine, I can glibly point out that the Marines have had the sense not to mess with a good thing for about a century or more now.
But for my money, the old WW II uniform totally outclasses all others.
Widebrim said:That's what really ticks me off, too, when you are actually told not to wear your uniform, period. A terrorist is going to walk up to you, and try to blow you away simply for wearing a uniform?
William Shears said:IUnfortunately, at least in the Marines, we are discouraged from wearing our service and dress uniforms on liberty. Not only because we will be mercilessly mocked by our peers, but because it supposedly makes us targets for terrorists. Still have to have a high and tight haircut though.
This also might be my first post here, can't recall. So, greetings! EDIT:Look at that, it was. I was going to make a post somewhere all formal and polite like. I'm so embarrassed now.
Story said:Riiiiiiiiiiight.
I have 20+ years in service and am currently in an Infantry Battalion, near Baghdad International. We have a boatload of 88Ms and 63Bs fleshing out our ranks and a fair number of females holding low density MOS'.
They're all on the UMR as belonging to the BN.
They all pull 12 hours shifts. They all wear IOTV and carry an M4.
And they all have right shoulder patches.
marineabilly said:Yes, those are current uniforms.
That is, as you stated, the Marine Officer's Boat Cloak and is apparently still authorized for wear. I just leaned over to my LtCol who's been in for 24+ years and he stated that he's never seen anyone wear one. The $600 price tag is probably the reason why. The Dress Blues alone are pricey and to add the cloak is just rediculous seing as the majority of Marines wear their Blues only once a year during the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
http://www.marineshop.com/Boatcloak.aspx