thedrifter
02-07-04, 07:43 AM
Recruiters test new winter coat possibilities
Submitted by: 1st Marine Corps District
Story Identification Number: 200426161350
Story by Sgt John Neal
GARDEN CITY, N.Y.(Feb. 6, 2004) -- As temperatures in the northern parts of the country hover around single digits and blasts of wind plunge them well below zero, Marine recruiters patrol the streets prospecting for our Corps' future in blue sweaters and thin tanker jackets.
It's been five years in the making, but a warmer option for Marines on recruiting duty could be coming down the pike. Marines at Recruiting Stations Buffalo, N.Y., and Fargo, N.D, are testing three new coats and jackets for possible wear in the future.
Two items are already familiar to Marines - the tanker jacket and the all-weather coat - but with some upgrades to make them more durable in the cold. The tanker jacket and the all-weather coat undergoing testing by recruiters feature quilted liners that add more warmth than the current models being used. The item that is turning heads and winning the favor of Marine recruiters, though, is the blue overcoat, also known as the horseblanket.
RS Buffalo received 12 sets of the three coats for testing in November. The coats were distributed to the sergeant major, recruiter instructor, and 10 Marines at RSS Tonawanda and RSS West Seneca. In an area that averages 80 inches of snowfall annually and where temperatures fall to 25 degrees below zero, the blue overcoats have been a welcome change to current uniform options.
"Up until late December, the tanker jackets were getting the most wear, but with the frigid weather that has hit us over the past five weeks, the horseblankets have been a godsend for the 12 recruiters that are trying them out," said Capt. Daniel Colvin, RS Buffalo's executive officer.
"I think they're awesome," said Staff Sgt. William Buckwalter, a recruiter at RSS West Seneca who is participating in the test. "They are the best things ever done for us out here."
The navy blue coats are made of 100 percent wool, have a permanent inner liner, and wear like the all-weather coat. Gold buttons with the Marine emblem like those on the Blue Dress jacket decorate the double-breasted coat. The material and the weight of the coat keeps Marines warm by stopping the wind from cutting through, and the length keeps their legs warm. The coat also compliments the Blue Dress uniforms and Marines like the professional look.
Buckwalter says civilians often approach him on the street to compliment him about the blue overcoat.
"It's a kind of conversation starter," he said. "People come up to tell me it's a nice coat, then I'll ask what have they got going on. So it's helped me in that aspect."
While the majority of Marines going through the testing favor the overcoat, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Rodgers, SNCOIC of RSS Tonawanda, says he's more partial to the reinforced tanker jacket because the overcoat is cumbersome getting in and out of vehicles. Rodgers finds the tanker jacket with the quilted liner provides sufficient warmth when outside and, yet, is still comfortable when worn indoors.
"It's not so big and bulky so when you go to someone's house you don't have to take it off and look for some place to lay it down."
Though the overcoat is "very warm," Rodgers says the wool material is also a magnet for lint and hair.
"If you go into somebody's house and they have a pet, God help you."
Sgt. Maj. Craig Brown, sergeant major of the 1st Marine Corps District, has been lobbying for new coats for recruiters in the northeast since 1999.
"It's the right thing to do," said Brown. "You wouldn't send a Marine into combat without proper equipment. Some recruiters are working in extreme weather conditions. It's not uncommon to see recruiters in frigid temperatures wearing only a tanker jacket and sweater."
Tests will last for three months with surveys issued at 20-, 60- and 90-day marks. During the testing period, Marines will evaluate the new coats on a variety of factors including protection against the cold, durability, fit, appearance and overall performance. After testing is complete, the data will be sent to Marine Corps Recruiting Command for selection and approval.
Brown says he would like to see the new coats made available either as geographic-designated issue or optional purchase in the future.
"We need to push out the type of gear Marines need to do their mission in adverse weather conditions."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20042616231/$file/coats72.jpg
Sgts. Maj. Craig Brown (left) and Fenton Reese wear the blue overcoat and reinforced tanker jacket currently undergoing testing by Marine recruiters in Buffalo, N.Y. and Fargo, N.D. Photo by: Sgt Chad Simon
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/5BE74E33BD494A0085256E3200749F97?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: 1st Marine Corps District
Story Identification Number: 200426161350
Story by Sgt John Neal
GARDEN CITY, N.Y.(Feb. 6, 2004) -- As temperatures in the northern parts of the country hover around single digits and blasts of wind plunge them well below zero, Marine recruiters patrol the streets prospecting for our Corps' future in blue sweaters and thin tanker jackets.
It's been five years in the making, but a warmer option for Marines on recruiting duty could be coming down the pike. Marines at Recruiting Stations Buffalo, N.Y., and Fargo, N.D, are testing three new coats and jackets for possible wear in the future.
Two items are already familiar to Marines - the tanker jacket and the all-weather coat - but with some upgrades to make them more durable in the cold. The tanker jacket and the all-weather coat undergoing testing by recruiters feature quilted liners that add more warmth than the current models being used. The item that is turning heads and winning the favor of Marine recruiters, though, is the blue overcoat, also known as the horseblanket.
RS Buffalo received 12 sets of the three coats for testing in November. The coats were distributed to the sergeant major, recruiter instructor, and 10 Marines at RSS Tonawanda and RSS West Seneca. In an area that averages 80 inches of snowfall annually and where temperatures fall to 25 degrees below zero, the blue overcoats have been a welcome change to current uniform options.
"Up until late December, the tanker jackets were getting the most wear, but with the frigid weather that has hit us over the past five weeks, the horseblankets have been a godsend for the 12 recruiters that are trying them out," said Capt. Daniel Colvin, RS Buffalo's executive officer.
"I think they're awesome," said Staff Sgt. William Buckwalter, a recruiter at RSS West Seneca who is participating in the test. "They are the best things ever done for us out here."
The navy blue coats are made of 100 percent wool, have a permanent inner liner, and wear like the all-weather coat. Gold buttons with the Marine emblem like those on the Blue Dress jacket decorate the double-breasted coat. The material and the weight of the coat keeps Marines warm by stopping the wind from cutting through, and the length keeps their legs warm. The coat also compliments the Blue Dress uniforms and Marines like the professional look.
Buckwalter says civilians often approach him on the street to compliment him about the blue overcoat.
"It's a kind of conversation starter," he said. "People come up to tell me it's a nice coat, then I'll ask what have they got going on. So it's helped me in that aspect."
While the majority of Marines going through the testing favor the overcoat, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Rodgers, SNCOIC of RSS Tonawanda, says he's more partial to the reinforced tanker jacket because the overcoat is cumbersome getting in and out of vehicles. Rodgers finds the tanker jacket with the quilted liner provides sufficient warmth when outside and, yet, is still comfortable when worn indoors.
"It's not so big and bulky so when you go to someone's house you don't have to take it off and look for some place to lay it down."
Though the overcoat is "very warm," Rodgers says the wool material is also a magnet for lint and hair.
"If you go into somebody's house and they have a pet, God help you."
Sgt. Maj. Craig Brown, sergeant major of the 1st Marine Corps District, has been lobbying for new coats for recruiters in the northeast since 1999.
"It's the right thing to do," said Brown. "You wouldn't send a Marine into combat without proper equipment. Some recruiters are working in extreme weather conditions. It's not uncommon to see recruiters in frigid temperatures wearing only a tanker jacket and sweater."
Tests will last for three months with surveys issued at 20-, 60- and 90-day marks. During the testing period, Marines will evaluate the new coats on a variety of factors including protection against the cold, durability, fit, appearance and overall performance. After testing is complete, the data will be sent to Marine Corps Recruiting Command for selection and approval.
Brown says he would like to see the new coats made available either as geographic-designated issue or optional purchase in the future.
"We need to push out the type of gear Marines need to do their mission in adverse weather conditions."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20042616231/$file/coats72.jpg
Sgts. Maj. Craig Brown (left) and Fenton Reese wear the blue overcoat and reinforced tanker jacket currently undergoing testing by Marine recruiters in Buffalo, N.Y. and Fargo, N.D. Photo by: Sgt Chad Simon
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/5BE74E33BD494A0085256E3200749F97?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: