MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- The Marine Corps is currently conducting an online survey to collect feedback on possible uniform changes. Active duty Marines can now influence the future of the policy by voting at
https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/application_noncac/..
According to Mary Boyt, the Marine Corps Uniform Board manager for Headquarters Marine Corps, the survey began on July 12 and will conclude
Aug.9. Once the survey closes, the Commandant will be briefed on the results and make a final decision on the uniform changes.
The survey asks for feedback on three areas of the uniform policy. The first is a proposed change in the female dress blue coat. The current garb may be replaced with a redesigned coat that more closely resembles the male coat.
Marines can vote to keep the current design, switch to the new design, or keep the current coat while reserving the new one for special assignments.
The second area contains three recommended changes to the seasonal uniform policy that Marines can either approve or disapprove.
The first recommendation would allow Force level commanders to determine the seasonal uniform for their area of operation. Currently, Marines all over the world are locked into the same seasonal uniform schedule regardless of their operational climate.
The second recommendation proposes the removal of the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform from the seasonal rotation entirely; leaving the decision of what cammies to wear entirely up to the commanders.
The third recommendation would make service uniforms the universal uniform of the day for the entire Marine Corps. The only exception would be for Marines in a working environment where service uniforms would be impractical such as a deployed environment or a potentially hazardous work place.
The final proposal on the survey would remove desert cammies from the required gear list and use only the woodlands.
According to the survey, this proposal would improve uniformity within the Corps, but would not give Marines in a desert environment a uniform that matches the environment they are working in. However, there is enough desert flame resistant organizational gear in circulation to allow Marines who need to use them to continue.
Retiring the desert uniform will also cut back on uniform costs for the Corps.
Active duty Marines are encouraged to let their voice be heard at and vote no later than
Aug. 9.