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Corps eliminates black, brown boots

1 Oct 2004 | Cpl. Micah Snead Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Brown is the new black in the Marine Corps fashion world.

Beginning today Marines are only authorized to wear the temperate or hot weather Marine Corps Combat Boots or certified safety boots. Black boots (except safety boots) and green jungle boots are no longer authorized.

Marine Administrative Message 412/04 was released Sept. 22, to remind Marines of the deadline and to provide guidance for anyone who has not acquired the new boots.

Marines may continue to wear black, special or organizational issue boots, like safety and flight boots, in keeping with their commander’s guidance, however, those boots do not satisfy the minimum uniform requirements, according to the MARADMIN.

The dismissal of black and green boots is the first phase of the combat utility uniform mandatory possession program. The program aims to convert the minimum uniform requirement from the old camouflage utility uniforms to the new combat utility uniforms over the next two years. By Oct. 1, 2006, the camouflage utility uniform will be deemed obsolete and no longer authorized for wear.

As of today, the minimum requirement list for officers and enlisted Marines is two sets of camouflage utility uniforms, two sets of combat utility uniforms (woodland and desert MARPAT) and two pairs of Marine Corps Combat Boots (temperate and hot weather).

Marines who received the MCCUU and MCCBs at boot camp or OCS are required to maintain the fiscal year 2006 minimum requirement list. That list consists of two sets of woodland MARPAT CUUs, two sets of desert MARPAT CUUs and two pairs of MCCBs (temperate and hot weather).

The Commandant of the Marine Corps approved the adoption of the combat utility uniform on June 6, 2001. The uniform is designed to improve durability and combat utility while providing Marines with a Marine-unique uniform, according to All Marine Message 028/02.

The move to the new brown boots was prompted by advancements in technology and a desire for uniformity, according to Mary Boyt, project manager, Marine Corps Systems Command. The MCCBs, with rough-side-out leather, have two versions: an improved infantry combat boot for temperate climates and a jungle/desert boot for hot weather.

Marines are not required to settle for the boots they are issued at basic training but, need to be wary of purchasing unauthorized look-alikes, according to MARADMIN 112/04.

The new MCCB Optional Boot Program requires manufacturers to receive certification approval prior to selling Marines authorized boots. The optional MCCBs will look exactly like the issued boot except in the sole area. The approved optional MCCBs will have a Marine Corps emblem on the outside of the heel and an approval certification number on the inside tongue of the boot. If the optional boot does not have both of those items, it is not authorized and cannot be worn. The optional MCCBs can be used to meet the minimum requirement and should be offered in both weather styles, according to the MARADMIN.

While a review of inventory and production has shown that the majority of Marines should be in compliance with the regulations, some Marines may not meet the mandatory date for reasons beyond their control like hard-to-fit sizes or remote duty locations, according to MARADMIN 412/04.

Commanders are allowed to locally extend the deadline on a case-by-case basis no later than April 1, 2005.

For more information on the minimum requirement list and deadlines, visit http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/undersites/meub.