RANK & FILE
A How -To Column about Military Uniforms by The Captain
UNIFORMS OF THE U.S. MARINES
From IN UNIFORM Magazine, Issue 9, Pages 24-25

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At the end of the column is a list of military terms/slang used (italics) and their meaning. This will introduce you to some "jargon. " Scuttlebutt boxes contain helpful hints and interesting facts about the uniforms being discussed.

Dress Alpha's-Garrison

Unlike the Full Blue Dress Uniform, the Full Garrison Uniform only comes in one type. It consists of a Service Dress Blouse (a.k.a. coat), trousers and cover in serge green and a khaki long-sleeve shirt and tie. The collar dogs (paired, anchors in on the lapels) and cap device are subdued, or blacked. There is more detailing on the Officer's collar dogs and cap device.

FULL DRESS GARRISON	SNCO SERVICE DRESS - C

The Garrison Cover should not be confused with the other forms of cover allowed with the Garrison/Service Uniform. The Garrison Cover has a patent leather visor and chin-strap for all ranks. The most distinguishing marking between Officer and Enlisted is the quatrefoil. Also, the visor of the Garrison Cover is plain for Enlisted Marines and Company-Grade officers (Lt-Capt) and has gold embroidered oak leaves for Field and General Officers.

STRAC

Uniforms of the United States Marines Part 2: Service/Garrison Dress Uniform

As promised, here is part two of my discussion on Marine Dress Uniforms. To avoid confusion, I will be referring a lot to the previous article (issue 8: Marine Dress Uniforms - Blues). Likewise, for a complete discussion of Utilities, or BDUs, see issue 7 (Battle Dress Uniforms) If you need back issues, contact IN UNIFORM.

Marine Uniforms fall into four different categories: 1) Dress; 2) Garrison/Service; 3) Special Dress and 4) Utilities. Special Dress (Mess/ Evening Dress Uniforms) are very limited in their wear.

As a companion, this article will deal with the second group, Garrison/Service Dress. Enjoy.

The Full Garrison uniform can be worn with either a Garrison, or an Over-Seas Cover, however, generally, the Garrison Cover is preferred, reserving the Over-Seas cover for "Bravo's" and "Charlie's."

For officers, rank is worn on the epaulets and shirt collar without Service Strips. This is the only instance, on a Full Dress Uniform, where rank is wom.

Enlisted Marines do not wear rank on their collars, but only on the sleeves with hash marks. The rank chevrons and hash marks are red on green. All blouses, Officer and Enlisted, have amatching cloth belt that is always worn and is secured using a brass pass through buckle. The prescribed distance the belt should extend from the buckle is 21/2"-4" and should be secured at the tip (generally using a safety pin under the fabric). In addition, Officers and SNCOs can wear the patent leather Garrison Belt.

Trousers for both Officer and Enlisted Marine are identical, serge green, no piping or distinguishing marks. It is completed with the khaki web belt with open-faced brass buckle, and black socks and patentleather shoes. Silver Qual-badges are also worn. The tie clasp is solid brass for Enlisted Marines and silver on brass for Officers and is wom centered on the tie attaching between the 3rd and 4th buttons.

Like the Dress Blue Uniform, Garrison/Service Green uniforms have classes: 1) Full Dress; 2) Class B's-"Bravo's;" and 3) Class C's- "Charlie's." The basic look of each uniform class is the same for Dress, or Service. However, the specific trousers, cover and blouse change. Learning the basic relationship between class and Dress and Service uniform isn't difficult.

Full Medals, with rare exception, are never worn with the Garrison Dress Uniform. However, when wearing ribbons, be aware of the following:

1) Never wear soiled/stained ribbons

2) Unlike the Army/Air Force, Navy/Marines do not split ribbons between left and right. All ribbons go over left pocket in order of precedence.

Proper placement of ribbons, qual-badges, and other devices is a must.

The trousers, shoes, socks, belt, shirt, tie and tie clasp remain the same for the Service Bravo's as for Full Garrison Dress. However, the blouse is removed and ribbons, qual-badges (optional), etc. go on the shirt itself. A name tag is generally worn over the right pocket and the OverSeas Cover is preferred. Officer rank placement does not change and Enlisted rank is paired on sleeves (no Service Stripes). The shirt should definitely be military-pressed.

Collar and shirt stays are optional. Tie is tied in a four-in-hand and must not extend below top of belt buckle. Belt buckle, tie, tie clasp, etc., should be gig.

Officer rank placement on collar

The "Charlie's" are identical to the "Bravo's" except the khaki long sleeve shirt and tie are replaced by a short sleeve, open necked khaki shirt that is worn over a white undershirt. Ribbons and name tag are required. Qual-badges are optional depending on command.

Studying how the different elements of the Marine Uniform are worn and work together is the only way to master the intricacies of Marine Dress. However, once done, it can be great fun.

Until then, keep the letters coming, wear'em with pride and keep'em STRAC.

MIL SPEAK

Blouse: External coat or jacket, not to be confused with an over-coat. The Dress version is also called a tunic.
Cap Device: Metal EGA worn on cover
Collar Dogs: Paired EGA worn on the collar. Name derived from the paired hatch screws used to secure a water tight hatch.
Cover: Head gear, "hat"
EGA: Eagle, Globe & Anchor, the Marine logo.
Hitch: Naval/Marine term for a period of enlistment.
NCO: Non-Commissioned Officer
Qual Badges: Qualification Badges, the much coveted Silver Crossed Rifles, or Pistols that are Marksmanship awards.
Quatrefoil: Braided ornamentation on top of the Marine Officer's cover.
SNCO: Senior NCO
Utilities: Battle Dress Uniform: a.k.a. BDUs, or Camies

The Captain is a 14+ year Marine veteran (former DI/mustang-officer with 2 combat tours) and has been involved with Military-SM for a 10+ years Expertise includes USMC/ USMC Recon and German Gebirgesjager (Alpine troops). Also trained with Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, French Para-Legionnaires, IDF and NATO Forces. His collection has 130 uniforms from US, FRG, DDR UK and former USSR. Hobbies include writing military histories, collecting uniforms, come sponding with other military men and interests civilians, and training recruits, professional and privately. Direct questions, comment. correspondence and enlistment inquiries through IN UNIFORM.