US Marine Infantry Combat Uniforms And Equipment 2000–12

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US Marine InfantryCombat Uniforms andEquipment 2000–12J. KENNETH EWARD Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

&MJUF t US Marine InfantryCombat Uniforms andEquipment 2000–2012J. KENNETH EWARDSeries editor Martin Windrow Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

CONTENTSINTRODUCTION40SHBOJ[BUJPO t i PSQPSBUF JEFOUJUZwINFANTRY COMBAT EQUIPMENT DESIGN83FTFBSDI EFWFMPQNFOU QSPDVSFNFOU BOE SFGJOFNFOU t 8IBU B .BSJOF DBSSJFT BOE XIFSF JU DPNFT GSPNCOMBAT CLOTHING12 BNPVGMBHF QBUUFSOT BOE FRVJQNFOU DPMPST t 6UJMJUZ VOJGPSNT t 'PPUXFBS t 'MBNF SFTJTUBOU DMPUIJOH t &YUFOEFE PME 8FBUIFS MPUIJOH 4ZTUFN t "MM 1VSQPTF &OWJSPONFOUBM MPUIJOH 4ZTUFN t .PVOUBJO PME 8FBUIFS MPUIJOH 4ZTUFN t PNCBU %FTFSU BDLFU t *OTJHOJB BOE CBEHFTPERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT26#PEZ BSNPS *OUFSDFQUPS 057 o 4"1* QMBUFT o BUUBDINFOUT BOE FOIBODFNFOUT o .PEVMBS 5BDUJDBM 7FTU o 4DBMBCMF 1MBUF BSSJFS o *.57 BOE 1 o 114 t )FMNFUT 1"4(5 o -8) o /11 BUUBDINFOU o DPOUJOHFODZ VTF PG " ) o & ) t PJOU QSPUFDUJPO t &ZF QSPUFDUJPO t )FBSJOH QSPUFDUJPO t IFNJDBM #JPMPHJDBM 3BEJPMPHJDBM BOE /VDMFBS QSPUFDUJWF FRVJQNFOULOAD-CARRYING EQUIPMENT38*OUFHSBUFE *OEJWJEVBM 'JHIUJOH 4ZTUFN t .PEVMBS -JHIUXFJHIU -PBE DBSSZJOH &RVJQNFOU t .0--& ** BOE i64. .0--&w t *NQSPWFE -PBE #FBSJOH &RVJQNFOU t 'BNJMZ PG *-#& t 0UIFS MPBE DBSSZJOH FRVJQNFOUBIVOUAC & SPECIAL-PURPOSE ITEMS465BSQBVMJO BOE QPODIP MJOFS t 4FBTPO 4MFFQ 4ZTUFN t .FDIBOJDBM #SFBDIFS T ,JU t PME 8FBUIFS *OGBOUSZ ,JU t "TTBVMU MJNCFS T ,JU t 4FOTPST t 0CTFSWBUJPO BOE JMMVNJOBUJPO CJOPDVMBST o OJHIU WJTJPO FRVJQNFOU o GMBTIMJHIUT t PNNVOJDBUJPO FRVJQNFOUINFANTRY WEAPONS51#BZPOFUT BOE GJHIUJOH LOJWFT t 1JTUPMT SJGMFT DBSCJOFT BOE TIPUHVOT t 4OJQFS BOE EFTJHOBUFE NBSLTNBO SJGMFT t 4RVBE BVUPNBUJD XFBQPOT BOE NBDIJOF HVOT t 4NBMM BSNT TJHIUT BOE UBSHFU JMMVNJOBUPST t (SFOBEFT BOE HSFOBEF MBVODIFST t "OUJ QFSTPOOFM FYQMPTJWFT t 3PDLFU MBVODIFST t .PSUBST t /PO MFUIBM XFBQPOTFUTURE DEVELOPMENTS62GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS63INDEX64 Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

US MARINE CORPS INFANTRYCOMBAT CLOTHING &EQUIPMENT 2000–2012INTRODUCTION BQUVSFE JO B NPNFOU FNCMFNBUJD PG UIFJS IJTUPSZ BOE EPDUSJOF 64 .BSJOFT iIJU UIF CFBDIw EVSJOH B FYFSDJTF JO 5IBJMBOE %FTQJUF UIF TFWFSF DPOTUSBJOUT JNQPTFE CZ B EFDBEF PG PQFSBUJPOT JO *SBR BOE "GHIBOJTUBO UIF 64. SFNBJOT FOHBHFE JO DPNNJUNFOUT BSPVOE UIF HMPCF *U QBSUJDJQBUFT JO DPOWFOUJPOBM FYFSDJTFT EFQMPZT UP SFHJPOBM IPUTQPUT BOE QSPWJEFT IVNBOJUBSJBO SFMJFG NJTTJPOT JO UIF XBLF PG OBUVSBM EJTBTUFST 4UBò 4HU -FP " 4BMJOBT 64. 4In April 2000, Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit landed on aKuwaiti beach just south of the Iraqi border in support of Operation EagerMace. This landing was not a raid, but part of a joint exercise with Kuwaititroops, held annually since the 1991 Gulf War for the purpose of deterringIraqi adventurism. Although these Marines could not have known it at thetime, American combat forces would spend the next decade fighting in theMiddle East and Southwest Asia. The 15th MEU would itself spearhead thiseffort the following year, as it established a forward operating base inAfghanistan with the assistance of Navy SEALs. The “Long War” – as theAmerican- and British-led military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraqcame to be known – defined the planning of the US armed services for ageneration, reshaping tactical doctrine and even equipment design.The United States Marine Corps has played a prominent part in theseconflicts from their beginnings. Collectively, they have become the longestsustained military action in Corps history. As the character of these conflictschanged from lightning invasion to grueling, drawn-out occupation, theUSMC found its resources stretched far beyond the normal limits – eventually,one of every two Marine battalions would be committed to a combat theaterat any given time – yet it still managed to maintain preparedness for itsprimary role as a conventional amphibious shock force, and to pursuevigorous programs to refine its training, tactics and matériel.When the collapse of the Sovietregime brought the Cold War to aclose in 1991, the US embarked on aperiod of steep cuts in militarypersonnel and spending. Base closures– particularly of overseas facilities –were common, and investment inresearch and development (R&D)was pruned back. However, MarineCorps leaders saw these years ofrelative austerity as a time of increasednational need for the USMC and itsspecialization in rapid deployment,peacekeeping and humanitarian relief.With the ability to quickly respond to Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

"O BOUJUBOL BTTBVMU UFBN PG UIF SE #BUUBMJPO UI .BSJOF 3FHJNFOU EVSJOH B EFQMPZNFOU UIBU EFNBOET WFSZ EJòFSFOU TLJMMT GSPN UIFJS PóDJBM TQFDJBMUZ -FE CZ BO / 0 BSNFE XJUI B HBVHF TIPUHVO UIFZ BSF TFBSDIJOH GPS JOTVSHFOUT EVSJOH 0QFSBUJPO Steel Curtain B /PWFNCFS NJTTJPO JO OPSUIXFTUFSO *SBR OFBS UIF 4ZSJBO CPSEFS 4HU FSBE 8 "MFYBOEFS 64. a crisis by one of its seaborne expeditionary forces continuously deployedaround the globe, the Marine Corps could maintain a global US militarypresence even in the absence of permanent bases. Strategists reasoned thatthis capability would be particularly important in years to come, as the threatof local and regional destabilizations around the world eclipsed that of amajor nuclear or conventional war. It was with this perspective that theUSMC entered the 21st century.Marine involvement in the invasion of Afghanistan began in November2001, with the seizure of Camp Rhino by seaborne helicopter assault and thesubsequent capture of Kandahar International Airport. The total USMCcommitment in support of Coalition operations was small at this stage of thewar, never rising above (light) brigade strength. The outcome was a greatsuccess, validating the Marines’ brand of maneuver warfare; yet a number ofimportant lessons were learned, including the need for better small-unitcommunications, and improved coordination of combined arms.Large-scale combat deployment of Marines began during the March 2003Coalition invasion of Iraq, in which the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force andUS Army 3d Infantry Division struck out from Kuwait in a pincers movementto envelop Baghdad, fighting a series of sharp battles and skirmishes alongthe way. The 1st MEF also supported British forces in the capture of thesoutheastern port of Basrah and surrounding oilfields. By early Mayorganized resistance had ended – only to be replaced by an insurgencymovement that the Marines would battle in their assigned occupation zoneof Anbar Province for the remainder of their time in Iraq. Through acombination of aggressive actions against guerrillas and goodwill gesturestoward civilians, the Marines succeeded in quelling much of the violence intheir area of responsibility following a troop surge in 2007.The experience severely tested the resources of the Marine Corps: matérielwas drawn from strategic reserves, and often left in theater to be sharedbetween rotating units. The shortage in personnel was so acute thatparticipation in the 2007 surge was accomplished largely by extending thedeployment cycles of Marines stationed in Iraq rather than by adding newpersonnel. The USMC combat mission to Iraq ended in January 2010, in Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

advance of a 2011 Coalition withdrawal as military authority was turnedover to the new Iraqi government. Marines were then sent to reinforceCoalition troops in Afghanistan, where they took up residence in the Talibanheartland of Helmand Province and neighboring areas to resumecounterinsurgency operations. A reduction in the Marine presence inAfghanistan is planned for late 2012, in preparation for a scheduled generalexit of Coalition combat forces by 2014.Events in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade have come todominate the Marine Corps experience in a way that no conflict has since theVietnam War, but this is not the whole story. During this time the USMC hasmaintained – albeit at a much reduced level – an engagement in internationaltraining exercises, humanitarian relief, counter-narcotics and smaller armedconflicts around the world: in Norway, the Philippines, the Horn of Africa,Turkey, Bosnia, Louisiana and Mississippi in the United States, Indonesiaand Egypt, to name but a few. With the end of the “Long War” in view, theUSMC plans a return to its pre-war focus on amphibious maneuver and anincreased investment in training, despite the period of budgetary retrenchmentthat is certain to follow.OrganizationThe US Marine Corps is structured as a rapid-deployment expeditionaryforce. Its expertise in amphibious operations, forward-deployment of forceson continuous rotation, and strategic prepositioning of supplies have madeit an organization ideally suited to respond to regional crises around theglobe, both as a combat force and as a provider of humanitarian relief – oftenas both.4JNQMJöFE PSHBOJ[BUJPOBM The fundamental unit of organization for USMC combat strike forces isEJBHSBN PG 64. DPNCBU GPSDFT "VUIPSthe Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The MAGTF can be scaledin size to meet the task at hand,and consists of command,USMC COMBAT FORCESground, aviation and logisticscomponents. Currently theUSMC has three primaryMarine Corps Forces Marine Corps Forces, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operationsstanding MAGTFs, eachCmd. (Atlantic)PacificReserveCmd.centering on one of its threeMarine Expeditionary Forces(MEFs). Each MEF is assignedII MEFI MEFIII MEFto the command of eitherMarine Corps Forces Atlanticor Pacific, and is composed ofMEFa reinforced infantry division,(typical)air wing and combat logisticsgroup (see diagram). TheMarineMarineMarineHQ Grp.combat arm of the MarineDivisionAir Wing Logistics Grp.Corps also includes reserveand, since 2006, specialMEBoperations forces, whoseCmd. Elementpersonnel may provide supportto a MAGTF. SmallerMEUMAGTFs may be created fromthe host MEF, which acts as areservoir of manpower. These Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

MAGTFs include the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and MarineExpeditionary Unit (MEU).The Marine Expeditionary Brigade is not a standing brigade, but is anotional force only, to be staffed by personnel drawn from the host MEF ifa contingency arises. The Marine Expeditionary Unit, on the other hand, isa standing battalion-size force whose personnel are drawn from the hostMEF on a rotating basis. MEUs are embarked on amphibious ready groupsable to respond to emergencies and for special operations – for this reasonthey are usually designated MEU(SOC), for ‘special operations-capable’.Typically, three MEUs are drawn from each MEF and go to sea in rotation.Like their host MEF, the smaller MEB and MEU types of MAGTF comprisecommand, ground, air and logistics components. A fourth type of MAGTFalso exists: the Special-Purpose MAGTF. This is not a standing MAGTF, butis organized to carry out specific combat operations, training exercises andother tasks.“Corporate identity”The US Marine Corps fought an existential battle with other branches of theAmerican military services throughout much of its earlier history. Because itsmilitary capabilities overlapped those of the Army, the USMC looked todefine a unique mission in order to preserve its existence as an independentarmed service, ultimately cementing a reputation as an elite amphibiousrapid deployment force in the years leading up to and during World War II.In this pursuit, the USMC has succeeded in cultivating a “corporateidentity” of its own, one that is distinct in customs, attire and even combatequipment. The passage of time has done nothing to dull this institutionalsense of identity – indeed, Marines have worked unceasingly to hone it. Asymbol of this identity is the Eagle,Globe and Anchor emblem (EGA),used in various forms since the mid19th century. The EGA has sincebeen trademarked, achieving statusas a commercial logo as well as aninstitutional symbol. During itshistory, the EGA has beenincorporated into a range of insigniaand used to brand utility uniforms,boots and a variety of otherequipment – it has even beenintegrated into the very design of thecurrent MARPAT camouflagepatterns used for clothing andindividual equipment, which haveaccumulated a number of additionalMarine-specific markings over theyears. In addition to the increasedlevel of “branding,” a savvy designconsciousness has arisen in recentyears, driven by institutional prideand the need to attract new recruits– even clothing labels have receiveda makeover. Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com5IF .BSJOF PSQT JT NPSF DPOTDJPVT PG JUT iCSBOEw UIBO NPTU öHIUJOH GPSDFT 5IJT MBCFM GSPN BO BSUJDMF PG øBNF SFTJTUBOU DMPUIJOH XPVME OPU MPPL PVU PG QMBDF JO B SFUBJM DMPUIJOH TUPSF "VUIPS T QIPUP

INFANTRY COMBAT EQUIPMENTDESIGNThe old military admonition, “Remember that your weapon was made bythe lowest bidder,” while holding a kernel of truth, implies certainassumptions that are not necessarily true. In the case of the modern MarineCorps and the US military as a whole, the value attached to human life hasnever been greater, nor has the premium attached to protecting it. In light ofthe considerable effort made to provide equipment that safeguards that life,another truism – “You get what you pay for” – may be more appropriate.The cost to outfit a Marine is 8,000 (at 2011 prices). This cost, which doesnot include electronic communication or targeting devices, has risendramatically over the past decade, and largely reflects a greater investmentin protective equipment constructed of advanced materials. Wartime budgetincreases have made possible an intensive R&D effort and the replacementof worn-out or obsolescent equipment with new designs. At the same time,the inevitable teething problems that accompany accelerated R&D cycleshave served to hasten the obsolescence of even newly-designed equipment,begetting replacement by yet newer designs.A key trend in infantry combat equipment design during the past decadehas been toward increasing the modularity of systems – the ability toreconfigure equipment to meet changing mission requirements. Modularityhas featured in nearly every aspect of a Marine infantryman’s gear, includingbody armor, load-carrying equipment and even weaponry. Improvedprotection and ergonomics is another consistent theme in the design ofinfantry clothing and equipment. Examples include the introduction offlame-resistant garments and bullet-resistant body armor for Marine groundforces, the use of lighter-weight, less bulky materials, and the fielding ofload-carrying equipment designed to minimize fatigue. Improvements in" NPSUBSNBO PG UIF .BSJOFT BEKVTUT UIF TJHIU PG IJT NN NPSUBS EVSJOH B .JMJUBSZ 0QFSBUJPOT JO 6SCBO 5FSSBJO .065 USBJOJOH FYFSDJTF /PUF PO UIF SFBS TVTQFOTJPO QBE PG IJT -JHIUXFJHIU )FMNFU UIF GBNJMJBS &BHMF (MPCF "ODIPS FNCMFN 5IF VTF PG iUSBEFNBSLTw BOE VOJGPSN PSOBNFOUBUJPO IBWF JODSFBTFE JO SFDFOU ZFBST OPU TP NVDI SFøFDUJOH B DIBOHF JO PSQT DVMUVSF BT BO BóSNBUJPO PG QSJEF JO TFSWJDF -BODF QM 4DPUU 4DINJEU 64. Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

ergonomics and weight reduction, recognized in the 2007 Marine CorpsScience & Technology Strategic Plan, have become especially important inthe light of another trend: the burgeoning load carried by a typical Marinein recent years, resulting largely from an increased reliance on body armor.A final trend has been a greater use of communications, target acquisitionand sensing devices.Because Marine Corps ground forces share similar needs with Armytroops but fall under the jurisdiction of the Navy, they benefit from theresearch and development efforts of both organizations. The USMC andArmy collaborate on the development of new infantry equipment at theArmy’s Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center in Natick,Massachusetts, which is where most infantry equipment is designed.Additional research efforts are carried out through the Office of NavalResearch (ONR) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency(DARPA).Development and procurement of combat equipment have becomeparticularly challenging in recent years with the need to equip Marines forboth conventional and unconventional warfare. Marine Corps CombatDevelopment Command (MCCDC) is tasked broadly with developingUSMC combat capabilities, including material development. Specificoversight of infantry equipment planning, development and procurement iscarried out by Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC). Since 2005, itsefforts have focused on equipping infantry personnel, drawing on lessonslearned from recent combat experience. MCSC keeps track of how wellequipment performs in the field, encouraging feedback from deployed forces.Also, when a Marine is injured or killed, his or her equipment is analyzed byMCSC technicians for possible material or design flaws, and the results usedto guide future improvements.A number of subordinate departments help ensure that Marines receiveequipment best meeting their needs. One such unit is the Marine Enhancement" HVOOFSZ TFSHFBOU PO QBUSPM JO "GHIBOJTUBO OPUF UIF EBSL NFUBM SBOL JOTJHOJB QJOOFE UP IJT MFGU TMFFWF QPDLFU o POF TPMVUJPO UP UIF QSPCMFN PG EJTQMBZJOH SBOL XIJMF XFBSJOH DPMMBSFE CPEZ BSNPS )F IBT FYQFOEFE BO VOVTVBM EFHSFF PG BSUJTUJD FòPSU JO QFSTPOBMJ[JOH IJT -"8 SPDLFU MBVODIFS BO FTTFOUJBMMZ EJTQPTBCMF XFBQPO 4HU .BSL 'BZMPHB 64. Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

.BSJOFT PG UIF TU #O TU 3FHU DPOEVDUJOH B MJWF öSF USBJOJOH FYFSDJTF JO ,VXBJU 'PS B TIPSU UJNF JO FBSMZ UIF DBSSJFE PVU UIF VOVTVBM QSBDUJDF GPS .BSJOFT PG XFBSJOH SFDPHOJUJPO NBSLJOHT PO UIFJS VOJGPSNT BOE IFMNFU DPWFST 5IFTF XFSF JO UIF TIBQF PG USJBOHMFT GBTIJPOFE JO B WBSJFUZ PG TJ[FT BOE GSPN B WBSJFUZ PG NBUFSJBMT JODMVEJOH *3 SFøFDUJWF QMBTUJD -BODF QM 5IPNBT (SPWF 64. A Program (MEP), initiated in 1989. TheMEP is a streamlined program empoweredto quickly adapt “commercial off-the-shelf”(COTS) items of equipment in response toneeds expressed by Marines in the field. Inthis way, the lengthy development andcontract solicitation process can be bypassedto meet certain exigencies. MEP has beenparticularly active following the invasionsof Afghanistan and Iraq, procuringequipment badly needed by deployedMarines. Examples include specific items offlame-resistant combat clothing, weaponsand accessories, communications gear,load-carrying equipment, head and eyeprotection and many other items.Another organization, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, is aMCCDC department established in 1995 to study tactical concerns. Itcontributes to the planning of new infantry equipment from the perspectiveof tactical utility. A recent addition is the Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad(MERS) program Gruntworks facility, founded in 2007. Gruntworks istasked with the integration of infantry combat equipment developed indifferent design programs, ensuring that protective equipment, load-carryingequipment, weaponry, and other gear will work well as an ensemble and thatincompatibilities do not develop. An outline of how the USMC should usethese assets to capitalize on innovation and advanced technology in the 21stcentury is codified in Marine Corps Strategy 21, a document written insupport of the inter-service Joint Vision 2020 strategic blueprint for the nearterm future of the US military.NEW EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM5IF 64 .BSJOF PSQT FOUFSFE UIF TU DFOUVSZ XJUI B NÏMBOHF PG MPBE CFBSJOH FRVJQNFOU PO JUT IBOET 5IF .PEVMBS -JHIUXFJHIU -PBE BSSZJOH &RVJQNFOU .0--& TZTUFN IBE SFDFOUMZ CFFO JOUSPEVDFE JO MBSHF OVNCFST CVU IBE OPU FOUJSFMZ EJTQMBDFE JUT QSFEFDFTTPST UIF "MM QVSQPTF -JHIUXFJHIU BSSZJOH &RVJQNFOU "-* & BOE *OUFHSBUFE *OEJWJEVBM 'JHIUJOH 4ZTUFN **'4 #PUI **'4 BOE "-* & QFSTJTUFE JO JOGBOUSZ VOJUT BT MBUF BT BOE XFSF VTFE CZ TVQQPSU VOJUT BOE SFDSVJUT JO USBJOJOH GPS TFWFSBM NPSF ZFBST 1: Major, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, early20008IJMF PO B DPNCJOFE BSNT FYFSDJTF JO UIF USBJOJOH BSFB BSPVOE 5XFOUZOJOF 1BMNT BMJGPSOJB UIJT PGGJDFS XFBST UIF TUBOEBSE UISFF DPMPS EFTFSU DBNPVGMBHF VUJMJUZ VOJGPSN UIBU IBE SFQMBDFE UIF TJY DPMPS iDIPDPMBUF DIJQw QBUUFSO UXP ZFBST QSFWJPVTMZ )JT **'4 MPBE CFBSJOH FRVJQNFOU NBSLT B EFQBSUVSF GSPN UIF USBEJUJPOBM NFUIPE PG TVTQFOEJOH JOGBOUSZ FRVJQNFOU GSPN B XBJTU CFMU BT UZQJGJFE CZ "-* & NPWJOH NBOZ JUFNT UP UIF UPSTP GPS CFUUFS XFJHIU EJTUSJCVUJPO BOE UP NBLF SPPN GPS BEEJUJPOBM FRVJQNFOU JG OFFEFE )F JT BSNFE XJUI B #FSFUUB . TFSWJDF QJTUPM 2: Machine gunner, 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment,February 2001)F XFBST UIF VOJGPSN BOE FRVJQNFOU DIBSBDUFSJTUJD PG UIF MBUF UI DFOUVSZ 8PPEMBOE DBNPVGMBHF VUJMJUJFT 1FSTPOOFM "SNPS 4ZTUFN (SPVOE 5SPPQT 1"4(5 iGMBL WFTUw BOE IFMNFU BOE "-* & MPBE DBSSZJOH FRVJQNFOU 0G QBSUJDVMBS JOUFSFTU JT UIF OJHIU WJTJPO HPHHMF NPVOU PO IJT IFMNFU OJHIUUJNF NBOFVWFST XFSF BO FNFSHJOH GFBUVSF PG 64 UBDUJDBM EPDUSJOF BJEFE CZ JODSFBTJOHMZ DBQBCMF UFDIOPMPHZ )F JT BSNFE XJUI UIF . NFEJVN NBDIJOF HVO GJUUFE XJUI B NV[[MF BUUBDINFOU GPS GJSJOH CMBOLT BOE BO . QJTUPM 3: Hospital Corpsman; Exercise Tandem Thrust, Australia,20015IF DPODFQU PG B EJTUSJCVUFE MPBE JOUSPEVDFE JO UIF **'4 TZTUFN XBT DPOUJOVFE JO UIF OFYU HFOFSBUJPO .PEVMBS -JHIUXFJHIU -PBE BSSZJOH &RVJQNFOU 5IJT .0--& -PBE #FBSJOH 7FTU -#7 JT BO FBSMZ JUFN JTTVFE XJUI UXP UZQFT PG JOUFSDIBOHFBCMF XBJTU CFMUT MBUFS DPOTPMJEBUFE JO UIF .0--& ** 'JHIUJOH -PBE BSSJFS 5IF .0--& TZTUFN XBT JOUFOEFE UP CF JTTVFE JO TFWFSBM DPOGJHVSBUJPOT FBDI PQUJNJ[FE GPS B EJGGFSFOU DPNCBU SPMF ,JUT XFSF DPOGJHVSFE GPS SJGMFNFO BVUPNBUJD SJGMFNFO FRVJQQFE XJUI UIF . HSFOBEJFST BOE QFSTPOOFM BVUIPSJ[FE UP DBSSZ B QJTUPM " NFEJDBM QBDL BOE EFUBDIBCMF QPVDIFT JTTVFE JO TFUT PG FJHIU XFSF NBEF TQFDJGJDBMMZ GPS NFEJDBM QFSTPOOFM 5IJT DPSQTNBO JT DIFDLJOH IJT NFEJDBM QBDL Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

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What a Marine carries, and where it comes fromOn entering Boot Camp, a recruit receives basic uniform articles, physicaltraining gear, toiletries and other personal items, collectively referred to as“sea bag” items. A Marine recruit will carry these throughout his or hercareer – or at least until they are worn out and replaced. The recruit alsoreceives Infantry Combat Equipment (ICE) with which to train. Traditionallycalled “deuce gear” or “782 gear” (after the Form 782 on which equipmentwas once signed for), these items include body armor, load-carryingequipment and other gear, and are returned upon graduation. Equipmentissued for recruit training typically consists of older models no longer in usewith active units; in this way the useful lifetime of equipment is extended.Upon graduation from recruit training and assignment to a unit, thenewly-minted Marine draws combat equipment from the local IndividualIssue Facility (IIF), which is still usually referred to as CIF, for the nowdefunct Consolidated Issue Facility it recently replaced. Each unit maintainsits own inventory of this organizational (in contrast to personal) equipment,which is used by its Marines until their transfer to a new post or retirement.Additional, specialized equipment may be requisitioned from a SpecialTraining Allowance Pool (STAP) upon a unit’s deployment. This equipmentis intended for limited-term use during the period of deployment, andtypically includes hot or cold weather clothing and equipment, flameresistant protective gear, and many other items. The Special TrainingAllowance Pool is now managed by the Unit Issue Facility (UIF) network, asis Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) protective garb andtesting equipment. The modern Marine accumulates a considerable amountof combat equipment in preparation for deployment, designed to carry heavyloads; a Marine’s full marching load of equipment and provisions can easilytop 135lb in weight. Even a comparatively light combat load can total 80–90lb when body armor, load-carrying equipment, rifle, ammunition, rations,water and other supplies are factored in.Many replacement uniform items may be purchased by the Marine fromvendors approved through the USMC Vendor Certification Program." TVQQMZ DMFSL JOTQFDUT UIF CPEZ BSNPS PG UI .&6 .BSJOFT o NBMF BOE GFNBMF o QSJPS UP UIFJS EFQMPZNFOU UP UIF 8FTUFSO 1BDJöD *O BEEJUJPO UP CBTJD JUFNT ESBXO EVSJOH SFDSVJU USBJOJOH .BSJOFT BSF JTTVFE JOGBOUSZ DPNCBU FRVJQNFOU BU UIF UJNF UIFZ KPJO B QFSNBOFOU VOJU BOE NBZ SFDFJWF BEEJUJPOBM FRVJQNFOU QSJPS UP B EFQMPZNFOU TVCKFDU UP UIFJS DPNNBOEFS T EJTDSFUJPO 5IFTF .BSJOFT XFBS VUJMJUJFT BOE UIF GBNPVT iFJHIU QPJOU DPWFSw JO 8PPEMBOE ."31"5 DBNPVøBHF QBUUFSO QM IBE 1VMMJBN 64. Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com

Marines may also purchase certain commercial models of combat equipmentprivately, or receive commercial equipment from their commanders, whohave purchased it with discretionary funds to fill an immediate need. Thiswas particularly common at the beginning of the war in Iraq, when therewere shortages of certain items, but it is now usually a matter of personalpreference rather than need. After receiving reports of avoidable injuriesreceived as the result of commercial equipment that did not meet protectivestandards, the USMC has drawn up lists of approved commercial alternativesto many issue items; these have been tested to ensure they provide anequivalent level of quality and/or protection to the issue item.COMBAT CLOTHINGCamouflage patterns and equipment colorsAt the beginning of the millennium the familiar Woodland camouflagescheme, with its distinctive whorls of subdued hues, remained the standardUS temperate zone camouflage pattern for textiles used in combat clothingand equipment. This pattern had been in use by all armed services since itsintroduction in the early 1980s. The standard joint-service desert camouflage,a three-tone pattern, had been adopted in the late 1990s by the USMC. Itabcdef Osprey Publishing www.ospreypublishing.com(a & b) 5IFTF UXP DBNPVøBHF QBUUFSOT o UIF TJY DPMPS iDIPDPMBUF DIJQw EFTFSU EBZ DBNPVøBHF BOE JUT OJHIUUJNF FRVJWBMFOU o CFDBNF PCTPMFUF JO UIF MBUF T CVU TBX MJNJUFE DPOUJOVJOH VTF JOUP UIF TU DFOUVSZ BMCFJU QSFEPNJOBOUMZ JO B USBJOJOH SPMF 5IF GPMMPXJOH TXBUDIFT TIPXO UP TDBMF JMMVTUSBUF DBNPVøBHF GBCSJDT VTFE JO 64. VOJGPSNT BOE QFSTPOBM FRVJQNFOU EVSJOH UIF öSTU ZFBST PG UIF TU DFOUVSZ (c & d) WoodlandQBUUFSO BOE UISFF DPMPS EFTFSU DBNPVøBHF "MUIPVHI SFQMBDFE CZ ."31"5 FBSMZ PO UIFZ QFSTJTUFE JO TFSWJDF GPS NBOZ ZFBST o JO #3/ TVJUT BOE PUIFS JUFNT PG TUPDLQJMFE FRVJQNFOU (e & f) 8PPEMBOE ."31"5 DBNPVøBHF BOE %FTFSU ."31"5 5IF TIBSQ FZFE XJMM CF BCMF UP NBLF PVU UIF TIBQF PG UIF 64. T &BHMF (MPCF BOE "ODIPS iMPHPw BDUVBMMZ XPSLFE JOUP UIF EFTJHO PG UIFTF QBUUFSOT "VUIPS T QIPUPT

replaced the Gulf War-era six-tone daytime desert camouflage pattern –informally called “chocolate chip,” from its fancied resemblance to thequintessential American cookie. The six-tone daytime camouflage was issuedwith a complementary nighttime pattern, produced with infrared-absorbentdyes designed to evade detection by enemy personnel equipped with nightvision devices. Unlike the older six-tone daytime pattern, the new three-tonedesert camouflage used dyes that extended its effectiveness into the infraredspectrum, so could be used day or night. The transition to the new desertcamouflage occurred over a period of years, and it was still possible to seearticles of clothing in the older patterns during the post-2003 occupation ofIraq – even after the new three-color pattern had itself been replaced.With an eye toward developing a new field uniform, the Marine Corpsmade plans at the turn of the millennium to develop new camouflage patternsunique to its service. It initiated a study of existing camouflage schemesworldwide, and was particularly impressed by tests of a so-called “digital”pattern developed by Canada in the 1990s (CADPAT). Reminiscent of tiledmosaic, digital camouflage designs had their origins in World War II; butwhile early patterns used by Soviet troops in 1944 were designed by hand,CADPAT was engineered with the assistance of modern computer-aideddesign. Working in cooperation with Canadian Armed Forces, the USMCproduced a new scheme that it called Marine Pattern, or MARPAT for short.In its appearance, MARPAT is a disruptive mosaic pattern derived from abanded, tiger-stripe motif. Its patterns are repeated at multiple scales toB MODULAR LIGHTWEIGHT LOAD-CARRYINGEQUIPMENT5IF .0--& TZTUFN JNQSPWFE PO **'4 CZ BGGPSEJOH GMFYJCJMJUZ JO UIF QMBDFNFOU PG FRVJQNFOU QPVDIFT XIJDI DPVME CF QPTJUJPOFE BU UIF XFBSFS T EJTDSFUJPO "U UIF IFBSU PG UIF FBSMZ .0--& TZTUFN XBT UIF -PBE #FBSJOH 7FTU -#7 XIJDI XBT DPNCJOFE XJUI B XBJTU CFMU UP DSFBUF B QMBUGPSN GPS BUUBDIJOH QPVDIFT "O BSSBOHFNFOU UZQJDBM GPS BO . HVOOFS JT TIPXO JO (1) 5IJT JODMVEFT B IBOE HSFOBEF QPVDI GJYFE UP UIF VQQFS MFGU TJEF XFCCJOH PG UIF -#7 BOE TFWFSBM JUFNT PG FRVJQNFOU BUUBDIFE UP UIF VUJMJUZ CFMU JODMVEJOH GSPN MFGU UP SJHIU B SPVOE . QPVDI B RVBSU DBOUFFO JO BO "-* & DBSSJFS B .0--& CVUU QBDL XJUI JOEJWJEVBM GJSTU BJE QPVDI BUUBDIFE B TFDPOE DBOUFFO BOE B SPVOE . QPVDI XIJDI EPVCMFE BT B HFOFSBM QVSQPTF VUJMJUZ QPVDI 5IF FBSMZ .0--& TZTUFN EJE OPU GFBUVSF B OFX DBOUFFO DBSSJFS PS VQEBUFE GJSTU BJE LJU TP FYJTUJOH "-* & JUFNT XFSF SFUBJOFE VOUJM SFQMBDFNFOUT XFSF EFWFMPQFE #FDBVTF "-* & BUUBDINFOU DMJQT BSF JODPNQBUJCMF XJUI UIF .0--& 1PVDI "UUBDINFOU -BEEFS 4ZTUFN BEBQUFST (2) XFSF QSPWJEFE "EEJUJPOBM .0--& QPVDIFT XFSF QSPWJEFE GPS DBSSZJOH B SPVOE NN QJTUPM NBHB[JOF (3) B TJOHMF

globe, both as a combat force and as a provider of humanitarian relief – often as both. The fundamental unit of organization for USMC combat strike forces is the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The MAGTF can be scaled in size to meet the task at hand, and consists of command,

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