Posted on Mar 20, 2018
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CPO Steelworker
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We did for over 25 years, then Marines came out with MARPAT 2003, and that changed everything.
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SSG Environmental Specialist
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>1 y
You are correct, when I first joined, pretty much everybody wore some version of the BDU, they when the Marines changed everybody else decided they had to change as well.
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CPT Board Member
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It also seems like many of our patterns are one war/operation behind in camouflage effectiveness. That may just be me though
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Cpl Phil Hsueh
Cpl Phil Hsueh
7 y
It wasn't just the Corps adopting MARPAT, it was the Corps coming up with MARPAT and then copyrighting it and not sharing it with the other branches that caused this madness with all of the branches having their own camo pattern(s). I've always felt that the SecDef really should have ordered the Commandant to make MARPAT available for all branches and that they couldn't make it Marine Corps exclusive.
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Maj John Bell
Maj John Bell
>1 y
Cpl Phil Hsueh - The Marine Corps did not copyright the MarPat. The United States government patented MARPAT, including specifics of its manufacture. By regulation, the pattern and items incorporating it, such as the MCCUU and ILBE backpack, are to be supplied by authorized manufacturers only and are not for general commercial sale, although imitations are available such as "Digital Woodland Camo" or "Digital Desert Camo". As such, any Federal Government agency branch, including each of the uniformed services could have selected it as their field uniform.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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No. I'm not privy to the reasons for the "push" to a generic uniform, but I suspect it's generally for reasons that have nothing to do with operations.
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CMSgt Senior Enlisted Leader
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It's not about generic...the best camouflage pattern should be the standard for all. The biggest problem is we now have generations of troops that believe they should have a service distinct utility/combat uniform instead of a functional one. It would save money and prevent duplication of effort and operationally functional for all.
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SSG Aircraft Mechanic
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The only ones that have any argument against it are the Navy and Coast Guard, but even they have people on the ground, hundreds or thousands of miles from the nearest ocean.
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SSG Aircraft Mechanic
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The dress uniforms is where the distinction should be. One the battlefield we're all fighting the same fight, most of the time in the same place, so why shouldn't we all look the same? That's why I singled out the sailors. They work in a very different environment so they shouldn't really have that need unless they're in a field that's going to put them in or near the fight.
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LCpl Shane Couch
LCpl Shane Couch
>1 y
SSG (Join to see) - for the most part I agree. But for the Marines to keep up with the camouflage utilities that the Army uses would be to costly for the Coprs. The Army seems to change its camouflage utilities patterns like they change their skivies. I have no clue as to why the AF needs tiger stripes though...
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SSG Aircraft Mechanic
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The Army didn't go digital until the Marines did though. I think the wear out for the BDUs was like 2007. Then 2 or 3 years later the Army was going Multicam in the Stan because they realized UCP was the dumb.. lol
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LCpl Shane Couch
LCpl Shane Couch
>1 y
Lol! ...the dumb...
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WO1 C 2 Systems Integrator
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Yes lets stop wasting money on so many different designs. When we had BDU's it worked fine and it didn't cost millions to design several ones.
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A1C John Aronowitz
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field uniform yes. Better to cut expensed there then on equipment etc..
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SCPO Investigator
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Edited 7 y ago
I think underwear must always remain an individual choice.
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CPT Board Member
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7 y
Or lack thereof lol!
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LT Brad McInnis
LT Brad McInnis
7 y
Or lack thereof.... SCPO (Join to see)
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COL Deputy G2
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Each service has a distinctive uniform based on their own tradition. Are you ok with a coastie or zoomie wearing a Marine uniform?
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CPT Board Member
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I was more referring to operational uniforms, sir. Think of the cost savings immediately and the unified front to pick the best camo for the current operation
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MSgt John McGowan
MSgt John McGowan
>1 y
2Lt—- cost saving be damned, no one cares about that any more. You or I might but the top of the pile sure doesn’t.
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COL Deputy G2
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Distinctive uniform, field or dress, is a part of the service. I saw Sailors in Army ACU. Not so good. Especially when Army privates are saluting their e4s.
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SGT Rick Myers
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Each branch should have their own individual uniforms. The Army needs to go back to soft caps. When they started handing out berets to everyone it took away lots of the pride and integrity and hard work from those whom had the fortitude to earn and and wear the maroon, green, and black beret.
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SGT Rick Myers
SGT Rick Myers
>1 y
Sorry meant to say brown beret instead of black.....
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CPT Board Member
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SGT Rick Myers own uniforms as in all types or specific types (utility, dress, garrison, etc)?
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SGT Rick Myers
SGT Rick Myers
>1 y
We wore the BDU’s and jungles for everything when I was in. Then we had our class A’s and B’s. Dress blues were for the really special occasions. I believe our mess personnel had whites. But we are talking 30 some years ago. The Air Force had OD’s for work and Dress uniforms for their Occasions. It was easy to tell who was whom then.
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TSgt Carl Johnson
TSgt Carl Johnson
>1 y
SGT Rick Myers - The Ranger beret used to be black, so you were good.
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LTC John Griscom
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Each of the Services deserve to have their own distinctive uniforms as they define who they are and their part in the defense of our Nation.
Also depicts a good amount of each Services history.
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CPT Board Member
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LTC John Griscom are you referring to all uniforms being distinctive or just the ceremonial/dress uniforms?
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LTC John Griscom
LTC John Griscom
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CPT (Join to see) - Good question. Combat uniforms could be the same, but the class A/B and dress uniforms should reflect the Service.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
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Edited >1 y ago
CPT (Join to see) NO!
I believe each branch is unique & different....therefore, each branch deserves to have their unique and different uniforms. Perhaps in a "wartime" situation while in country, uniforms can be the same, since majority of folks over there are there for combat and may be a good thing to share one unique uniform.

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CPT Board Member
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Why not? Curious as to everyone’s opinions.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
Sgt Kelli Mays
>1 y
CPT (Join to see) - I believe each branch is unique & different....therefore, each branch deserves to have their unique and different uniforms. Perhaps in a "wartime" situation while in country, uniforms can be the same, since majority of folks over there are there for combat and may be a good thing to share one unique uniform.
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CPT Board Member
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Thanks for the feedback!
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