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Rocky C
03-30-16, 09:03 AM
Female Marines could soon see more changes to their uniforms as service leaders consider modifying the classic A-line skirts they wear with certain looks.

Just a couple months after Marine officials switched women's dress coat to a more unisex style, the Corps is now asking for opinions on further changes to female uniforms by way of an online survey.

Capt. Sarah Burns, a Marine spokeswoman at the Pentagon, said the survey asks Marines whether they prefer A-line, straight or pencil-style skirts with the service and dress uniforms. Female Marines currently wear A-line skirts with those looks.


The A-line skirts female Marines wear now flare out slightly from the hip. Straight skirts are more fitted than the A-line styles. Pencil skirts are typically higher waisted and are somewhat tapered below the thigh.

Marines can vote on their fit preference for the green service uniform skirt, which will be paired with the existing jacket and khaki blouse. Marines can also vote on the style of the black or white dress skirt they'd prefer to wear with the new unisex-style coat.

“This is part of the Marine Corps' ongoing efforts to finalize the design of the female blue dress uniform,” said Barb Hamby, a spokeswoman for Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Virginia.


The uniform board is also weighing whether to move the zippers on female Marines' skirts from the back to the side. Marines are also given the option to move the pocket for identification cards from the inside of their skirts to the outside.

Uniform board officials also want to get a sense for what types of alterations women currently make to their skirts. The survey, which will run through May 27, can be completed here with a common access card.

Marines will be able to see prototypes of the different skirts on display during a roadshow to be held in May. Exact dates and locations have not been released. Marines can opt to complete the survey in person at that point.

A female Marine, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said she was pleased to see the uniform board asking women for input before any changes were finalized. When the new dress coat was adopted, women didn't get much of a say, she said, aside from offering feedback on some cosmetic aspects, like the positioning of certain pockets.

"It was nice to actually be asked about a current uniform ... to have a choice," she said.

The new dress coat was adopted in January after more than two years of tests. It followed the move toward a common dress cover as the female cap was phased out and replaced with one like that that traditionally worn by men. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus was behind the move for push gender-neutral uniforms, which coincided with the Pentagon’s move toward gender-neutral physical standards and job opportunities.


Data from a uniform survey on the new dress coat showed that while the majority of respondents preferred the new look, it proved less popular with more senior-ranking Marines. Half of female field grade officers and staff noncommissioned officers voted for the Corps to keep its existing dress coat and adopt the prototype as a special assignment item to be issued at unit expense.

Natalie P
03-30-16, 11:54 AM
I think this Dress Blue Uniform is the way to go hehe.

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=29787&stc=1

oldtop
03-30-16, 02:08 PM
NICE INDEED, but wouldn't work at all for SOME of our females.... nor would the "straight" skirt or the "pencil" skirt... best to leave the A line skirt alone and move on to something of true import, I'm SURE that there are things that are more important to National Security and America's safety than the type of skirt to be worn by female Marines.....

Rocky C
03-31-16, 09:46 AM
Hahahaha, yes Natalie, NICE!

True words Top.