| Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform | |
|---|---|
%2c_by_John_M._Carrillo.png) A 2003 drawing depicting U.S. Marines wearing the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform in desert and woodland-camouflaged variants | |
| Type | Uniform |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2002–present[1][2] |
| Used by | U.S. Marine Corps (including USMCR and MCJROTC) U.S. Navy (primarily corpsmen, chaplains, andchaplain bodyguards) New York Naval Militia Texas Maritime Regiment |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Propper International and American Power Source |
| Designed | 2001 |
| Unit cost | $77.00 (MSRP in 2002, minus boots) |
| Produced | 2001–present |
| Variants | Flame Resistant Organizational Gear |
TheMarine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) is the currentbattledress uniform of theUnited States Marine Corps. It is also worn byNavy personnel (mostlycorpsmen,Seabees,chaplains, andtheir bodyguards) assigned to Marine Corps units (e.g. theFleet Marine Force).
It replaced theBattle Dress Uniform, which the Marine Corps had shared with the Navy,Army andAir Force. However, both the MCCUU, and its distinctivecamouflage pattern,MARPAT, are exclusive to the Marine Corps, which holds thepatents to their design.[3] The uniform is available in two color schemes, woodland and desert. The MCCUU should not be confused with the similar lookingFROG uniform.
Field testing of the MCCUU began in early 2001 and was officially announced to the public in June 2001.[4] Early prototypes had featured removable sleeves, but that design feature was later abandoned.[5] The patent for theMARPAT pattern was filed on June 19, 2001,[6] whereas the patent for the MCCUU uniform was filed on November 7, 2001.[7] The uniform made its official debut at abase exchange atCamp Lejeune, North Carolina on January 17, 2002,[8][9] and began being issued to Marine Corps recruits in June 2002.[10] The changeover was completed on October 1, 2004 (with a few exceptions of April 1, 2005),[11] a year ahead of the original deadline date set in 2001 of October 1, 2005.[12][13][14]
The early prototypes of the MCCUU were designed by Propper International and American Power Source.[15]
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 U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy sailors.[16] Initially the variety worn depended on the environment and season: Deployed Marines wore whichever color is more appropriate to the climate and terrain, Marines in garrison wore the woodland MCCUU in winter months, and the desert MCCUU in summer months. However, the Marine Corps announced on December 8, 2016, that the desert pattern would no longer be worn in garrison. Instead, the woodland MCCUU will be worn year-round, with the sleeves rolled up during the summer and down during the winter.[17] Until recently, the sleeves of the blouse were normally worn rolled up while in garrison during summer months. However, the Uniform Board announced that as of October 24, 2011, this will no longer be allowed. This decision was later reversed when Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos announced on February 25, 2014, that the Marine Corps will return to its former standard of rolling up the sleeves while in garrison during summer months, effective March 9, 2014.[18]
Unlike the previous BDU, the MCCUU was designed to be used withbody armor, which previously restricted access to front pockets. To further distinguish the uniform, upon close examination, theEagle, Globe, and Anchor can befound within the pattern. Its use as a combat uniform has led to some strict regulations for wear in garrison: unlike the U.S. Army'sArmy Combat Uniform (ACU), the MCCUU may not be worn off base, although it may be worn when commuting to and from duty in a privately owned vehicle. Dismounting for incidental stops en route off of a military installation is no longer permissible excepting legitimate emergencies only.
The trousers are worn bloused over the tops of the boots with the use of elastic bands (nicknamed "boot bands") or metal springs.
An olive drab greent-shirt, orskivvy shirt, without a logo is worn underneath the blouse.[20] Due to the intense heat inIraq, moisture wickingt-shirts, such as those produced byUnder 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 are banned when a Marine is deployed to a combat zone.[21] However, the Marine Corps has worked with Danskin to develop their own moisture wicking shirts under the "Elite Issue" line,[22] ultimately creating and issuing theFlame Resistant Organizational Gear to troops likely to be exposed to combat.
The MCCUU is worn with a webbed rigger'sbelt earned through theMarine 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, theCommandant 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.[23]
The Marine Corps now requires tan rough-outcombat 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 theEagle, Globe, and Anchor on the outer heel of each boot. Stains and damage to the boot make them unserviceable for wear, as well as a heel with excessive wear.
When the MCCUU was first being fielded in 2002, the black leather boots that were worn with the woodland BDU were authorized to be worn with the woodland MCCUU in the absence of the tan suede ones, though now, only the latter are authorized.[24]
Rank insignia is pinned onto the collar:
Mostbadges and breast insignia are authorized for wear on the utility uniform, shined or subdued as appropriate. Landing Support Marines also wear theRed Patch insignia.
![Prototype of desert pattern from 2001 featuring grey elements[25]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aMarpat_du.gif)
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