Dress Blues

[yellowwing]

Nothing says pride and dignity than a Marine in his Dress Blues.

Perfection. I would bet it would take the same amount of time for a woman to get ready, as it would for a Marine to don his Dress Blues.

When I first purchased my Dress Blues, I went home on leave. I was walking up the hallway of my church. Four church women were totally stunned and 'dripping' when they saw me decked out.

A year later, I wore my Dress Blues to my Citizenship Ceromony in the Federal Courthouse in Chattanooga Tennessee. The judege read off the names of the citizens to be. For some reason my name was not on the list. When he was about to procede without me, I stood up to be recognized.

That "Commanding Presence" stopped everyone, (Its not easy to impress a Federal Judge)!

I was immediately recognized and added to the roll.

[thedrifter]

When I see A Marine in their Dress Blues...

I always took Notice...;) :D :yes:


Ellie

[TracGunny]

...even anodized brass didn't seem to cut down on the prep time... It does not seem to matter how "routine" the event is; if it calls for 'Blues, the donning of the symbol of all that is Marine is paramount to a religious act...

I would rather fail IG/CG inspections in any other uniform than be caught in any circumstance in 'Blues that were less than perfect.
:marine:

[yellowwing]

http://www.ywg-web.com/images/dress_blues.jpg
Young Bucks Carrying on the Tradition

[Arlene Horton]

A United States Marine in Dress Blues will always get immediate respect and show what pride in this country looks like.

[hrscowboy]

ooorahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh arlene you got that one right. I always gained immediate respect when i wore my blues and when i see a marine to this day in his blues I always make a gesture or comment to that marine when i see them...

[Caesar Augustus]

Yep I spent more time on that uniform just to wear it to church than I did for my alpha inspection. That is the first thing people think of when they think Marine. Someone standing tall, proud, and strong. Everything has to be perfect

[yellowwing]

"Everything has to be perfect" - You betcha! I have never seen any Marine less than Outstanding in Dress Blues.

It is a religious experience. The spirit and pride of 229 years goes into every minute of preparation. 0 Irish pennants, 0 scuffs, 0 wrinkles. Perfection.

[Dale Glasscock]

As a young Sgt. at Marine Barracks Bremerton, Wa. It was an occasion when SSgt. Moody brought us out for a Sunset Parade... I will never forget it. Eighth and I didn't have a lick on us! Even though we had some of their Marines who had trained in D.C., (the lord was thinking) I love Dress Blues worn right! History and photograhs show through whether you are a PFC or Sgt Major, Lt or Four Star F**king General...! There isn't a better looking Marine than a Marine in Dress Blues, (officer or enlisted) and that was my wife's quote...(I'm partial to ol' SSgts' like me) I'm still lean but I can't quite fit in to my blues what made me a fighting machine. But hey, I'm getting old Corps.... I salute you Marines! God, Honor, Country, Corps! .... Semper Fi Marines

[CPLRapoza]

You think the ladies swoo when your in the states, man then you should wear them overseas. Being an MSG during the Marine Ball, there isn't a Marine who goes home alone.

[hrscowboy]

yehawwwwwwwww yes those blues do something to the ladies indeed.

[Kurt Stover]

I can remember getting my blues. At the time I was an avid lifter and had a 49 inch chest and 32 inch waist V to the max and the tailor spent about an hour fitting me.

When I did suit up, the collar was 21 inches and that was snug, but wow! I made it to 4 MC balls in that set of blues. I had another pair made in Okie and they trimmed the collar down to 20 inches and the chest to 47, can still get into them, but the waist is now a snug 37 inches...sigh..old age.

Went to the MC Ball in Ft Worth and it was funny seeing Col's with 8 ribbons and me sitting there with 14. and only 4 hash marks.

[lurchenstein]

I wore Dress Blues to marry the 1st wife in '77. More recently wore a tux to give one of my daughters in marriage. I truly believe that no tuxedo on earth can compare with a squared away set of Blues. (Mine are well preserved.):marine:

[greensideout]

In civilian life a suit is tailored to fit the man.

In the Marine Corps, the man is tailored to fit the Dress Blues.

The Dress Blues represent the history of the most recognized and respected fighting force in the world.

They are the semble of the history of the Marines that went before us and the honor and pride of those that have earned the right to wear them now.

I received my Dress Blues, handed down twice before from Marines that served before me. The uniform was in perfect condition. Impeccable! The Eagle, Globe and Anchor were gold plated as was the belt buckle.

The wearing of that uniform gave me a sense of being a part of the whole, from Tun Tavern to my day as a Marine.

I didn't really wear the Dress Blues---They were greater then I---They wore me.

Semper Fi,
GSO

[Sgt0811]

:marine: I did not want to wear the Dress Blues until I was an NCO. I did not like the way they looked without the Blood Stripe.
As it was I did not have a set. I did not need them in Nam.
When I returned Home and was at Quantico they were issued. I was a Cpl. by then.
I know that I walked a little taller and straighter when I wore them. Being a thin Marine at that time I looked pretty good.
Just about a year and a half ago I was at Quantico and purchased a set of Blues to fit me now. Remember, 37 years has passed and I am much bigger now.
Everyone that has seen me in my Blues now says that they are the best of any service.
One thing for sure is that they are not the best to wear when firing howitzers for some senator. But you sure as hell look GREAT doing it.
Just my 2 cents.
Proud to be a :marine:

Semper Fidelis.

[Sgt0811]

Actually we have the BEST uniform no matter which one we wear. Marines look the best in all of them.

[hrscowboy]

Hey anyone know what a set of blues cost now???

[Sgt0811]

Around 300.
If I can find my cash slip I will be able to give you the exact amount I paid for mine.
The above price includes everything, Barracks cover , Blouse, Trousers, collar emblems, stripes(E5), hash mark(1), Web belt, Buckle, Gloves, Shoes.

:marine:

[Sgt0811]

I should have added that this was at cash sales in Quantico, VA.

[LivinSoFree]

Actually, you can get off a FAR sight cheaper by ordering through MCCS online. I just ordered my FIRST set (as birthday ball is approaching, and I've gotta get 'em to the tailor) online for 166 bucks and change, with 7-10 day shipping. However, I have noted that the coat is backordered... anyone here affiliated with NEXnet or MCCS and know how long it'll take to get that order fulfilled?

[greensideout]

Coat? Is there a coat with the Dress Blues? Maybe I was out of uniform not having one. Hummm, don't think so.

LivinSoFree, did you mean blouse? ;)

[Tom D]

I wore mine to a friends wedding, and I dare say I was looked at more than the wedding party!!!!

[LivinSoFree]

Roger that, greenside, I was reading the nomenclature off my order receipt, and the good 'ol brain housing group failed to kick in there. Thanks for the check.

[Sgt0811]

What is the web site URL for MCCS?

[LivinSoFree]

http://www.usmc-mccs.org/uniforms/

That'll take you directly to the online enlisted uniform store (officers still have to order by phone).

[enviro]

Actually the "coat" or "jacket" is the proper terminology. A "blouse" is a shirt - either worn by itself or underneath the service alpha coat.

http://www.usmc-mccs.org/shopping/catalog5.asp

[Namvet67]

Put mine on one time and that was at love field airport in 1967. Just came in from ITR on a short pass before shipping out for Nam. Wearing a Marine uniform in Calif in the 60's was not a good idea so you just got out of Dodge as soon as you could and jumped into your civies (high n tight still gave you away). I was still proud to be a Marine regardless of what the west coast people thought of us at the time. I still have mine and I can still get into them. No doubt the best uniform on the planet. Semper Fi

[yellowwing]

Hey gbudd, my Senior Drill Instructor in '83 told us about how he came a cross a hippie wearing a Dress Blue blouse. After a few minutes of "convincing", he talked him into giving it up!

[greensideout]

Originally posted by enviro
Actually the "coat" or "jacket" is the proper terminology. A "blouse" is a shirt - either worn by itself or underneath the service alpha coat.

http://www.usmc-mccs.org/shopping/catalog5.asp

Actually the "coat" or "jacket" is NOT the proper terminology, but I'll try to find something to agree upon---uh,---oh yes, the "blouse" can be worn under a coat. :)

But what is worn under a "blouse"? The Dress Blue Blouse is worn over a tee-shirt, right? If you remove the "blouse" you are out of uniform, right? If you remove a "coat" you are still fully dressed and remain in uniform, right?

I'm glad that we can now fully agree. :D

[greensideout]

Let's take this exercise one step further.

I would not order my Dress Blues by asking for a coat, pants and a hat. Here's why.

Coats are worn over a uniform in cold weather. (What if it's hot?)

Men wear trousers. Under the trousers they wear skives. Both have a fly. (Useful).

Women wear pants. Under the pants they wear panties. (Well, sometimes. Men don't mind when they don't.) (Neither have a fly).

A hat is worn by civilians and other branches of the military. (Sometimes hard to tell apart).

Marines wear a cover. (Always looking sharp).

So---The order would be a blouse, trousers and a cover.

Sempers,
GSO

[LivinSoFree]

My blouse showed up today... even without tailoring, stripes, etc... it made for quite an impression when I tried it on for fit.

[yellowwing]

Wear it with the utmost pride and dignity, you earned it! :marine:

Semper Fidelis

[farva]

remember birthday ball is coming up

[LivinSoFree]

Absolutely... it's off to the tailor's and cleaner's ASAP. Can any of you Marines give me a quick period of instruction on how to put the daggone belt and waistplate together?

[kentmitchell]

Never had a set. Wish I had.
When we were in we had to buy them and, hey, that would have meant missing a few all-important beers.

[GySgtRet]

LivinSoFree,

It has been a few years since putting the "waistplate" together but I will give it a try. But first a little story about my official exposure to the Marine Dress Blue uniform. While at recruit trainng at Parris Island in 73, our Senior Drill Instructor entered the squadbay in his Dress Blues on the way to the Marine Corps Ball...!!! You talk about a bunch of motivated slime bags, we had been at the island since October the 5th. If you were a person that never saw a Marine in Dress Blues that was a highlight in recruit training.

1. You have a waistplate, (two) keepers, buckle and of course the white belt. If you don't have an anodized waisteplate you had better be carefull because the brasso or neverdull will couse the white to turn green. If you need to shine your waisteplate make sure to clean you hands thourghly.

2. Take the left side of the waisteplate in your hands facing it outboard. Run the end of the white belt through the slot and through the keeper, at this point in time do not tighten anything. Repeat the steps for the other side. When threading the buckle end through the loops becareful not to snag anything on the loops as this will cause russian ropes if done in correctly. Fit ti size while it is on your body.

3. Wear it with Pride and never discrace the title or the uniform of Marines.

Semper Fidelis

[enviro]

Well, I have to go by what the Marine Corps Order says.

And that would be to call it a "coat"

http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/

[Sgt. Smitty]

I don't know about you enviro, but when i was in the Corps my "jackets" were called a blouse.

[enviro]

Our "blouses" are called "blouses" - they are the garments worn under the "coat" - and underneath them are the "shirts" - shirts can be white or green depending on what "blouse" you have on.

My original point was lost somewhere in all of this. Today's active Marines need to go by the Marine Corps Order - MCO P1020.34G

I just flew to MCRD San Diego and watched my 19 year old cousin become a Marine this past Thursday/Friday. Much has changed.

[yellowwing]

I just flew to MCRD San Diego and watched my 19 year old cousin become a Marine this past Thursday/Friday.

That must have been a fantastic experience. Didja' get that old calling?

[decuervo]

Question to all about dress blues. I'm a corporal with 4 years prior service, am going to OCS in January, do I put a hash mark on my blues since I was enlisted for 4 years even though it'll be a Marine officers uniform? I can't find my TM manuals so I can't find the answer.

[DSchmitke]

Officers don't have hash marks.

[LivinSoFree]

Finally got 'em back from the tailor, (amazingly NOT messed up). Another question, what's the best way to press them yourself so as not to ruin the fabric or cause other damage?

[decuervo]

DSchmitke, they do if they're mustangs don't they? I mean those four years of service don't go unnoticed do they?

[HardJedi]

I personally have never seen an officers dress uniform with hash marks on em. course, that doesn't mean they don't exhist.. be interesting to find out.

[cjwright90]

Kenny?

[cjwright90]

Just kidding Enviro.
So any of us can go to a cash sales and get a set? Or only currently active Marines?

[hrscowboy]

your four years dont mean squat after your an officer and no officers dont have hash marks....

[DSchmitke]

None that I've ever seen and I worked for a mustang by the name of Major Charlie Dankmyer.

[yellowwing]

No hash marks on Officer's Uniforms is correct. But that Good Conduct ribbon will easily mark you as a Mustang!

[fulmetaljackass]

We need more Mustangs

[decuervo]

Thanks for the answers all, oh well, gonna miss the hash marks. Thanks yellowwing, at least I stiill have the GCM huh?
Thanks fulmetaljackass.

[enviro]

You can't go to cash sales and get them but you can buy better quality from other vendors over the internet. It's better off that way I think CJ.

As a side note: we discuss uniforms a lot around here. We Marines of Leatherneck.com span so many generations and ranks, that this issue could become convoluted very easy - especially when giving advice to current Active Marines. I propose that we issue the website address I have listed so many times before anytime a question comes up.

Consider this: the uniform board meets every six months or so and comes up with a whole slew of changes. Some minor and some major. If you havebeen out of the Marine Corps for more than 6 months, you are already out of date or what we call "Old Corps".

EVERYDAY new guidance comes out with a policy change or something similar. Another website you should check out if you want to stay current is: http://www.usmc.mil/maradmins/maradmin2000.nsf/maradmins

I stay current with the latest happenings of the Marine Corps because I have constant contact with prospective recruits. In order to advise them, I have to stay current. (Yes the local recruiters and I get along REAL well!!)

I hesitate to say all of this because I am a history buff as well and I like to hear from the "Old Corps" about how it was. :yes:

[yellowwing]

Good idea, enviro.

At one time every Marine was required to have 6 crewneck white t-shirts. Then when a certain Commandant decided to have his official photo with a V-neck t-shirt, we were suddenly required to have 3 v-necks and 3 crewnecks. P*ssed us off royally!

[hrscowboy]

yeah tellem what the old Corps was really like enviro these kids have no idea...

[enviro]

This always reminds me of a letter to the Marine Times when we were switching over to the new digital cammies. The letter was from a LCPL and he was upset that "tradition" was going to be broken.

First I laughed, then my viens started pumping with a little outrage that some wet-behind-the-ears 19 year old would start slamming the Commandant and preaching tradition to all of us.

Fact is, if he had had more than 8 months in the Marine Corps, he would have noticed that things change. If he had read any number of Marine History books he would have noticed that the Cammies have had significant changes in 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1991, 1989, 1970's, 1960's, all the way back to 1775. Butterfly Collars, flaps on the side, USMC on the pocket, nametapes - dang, I could go on forever.

Tradition seems to lean on the side of change - not staying stagnant. I'm sure after 4 years, the LCPL is a bit wiser.

Another historical note about our cammies - I read a cartoon published in 1942 where it showed young marines "salting" and "slightly bleaching" their cammies so they would appear to be a "Salty Marine". How many of us have done that or know a young Marine who has. Some things never change....

[decuervo]

hahaha! Was talking to some Army guys today and they're green with jealousy over the new digital cammies. They got some crap now called ACU's that look like they belong in a duck blind (they're REAL TREE camoflauge). They're awful!

[greensideout]

"Bleaching the uniform to look salty"---Really Gunny, I've been in the Corps a long time now---uh, well, 18 months---uh, sure Gunny, I'll get it taken care of right away!---hey, anyone going to the PX? I need a ride---LOL

[mdavis]

as a recomendation I would suggest investing a few bucks to get an anodized waist plate. If you think you will be in the Marines for awhile and will use your blues I would also suggest getting your blouse "button holed" by a tailor. In so doing you can remove the brass buttons before sending it off for dry cleaning, you can also get anodized buttons as well which look really sharp and reduce the maintenance time greatly. The Marine shop at Quantico has everything and you can mail order or call them. Some of the larger PX's (like CamPen or MCRD) may have everything as well. I can tell you from my experience that I was glad to done this. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Enjoy your time in your blues and always maintain your bearing out of respect for those who have gone before you (and for yourself) Good luck!

[jdavis]

My father wore his dress blues at my wedding 23 years ago. He is getting ready to wear them again at my sons wedding. He is his best man. No man in either ceremony will be as dressed as he.
My father Jackie Davis is and will always be proud to be a Marine.

[LivinSoFree]

Got them suckers buttonholed... amazingly the civvies didn't screw up but one thing on it, which was easily fixed with a needle and thread... now trying to press these things at the moment, since I didn't have time to get them to the cleaners... now THAT is a chore...

[greensideout]

Getting it done yourself---or should I say, keeping the old Corps new? ;)

[Sgt0811]

Enviro,
The uniforms are made about 18 miles from me . In a city called Vineland, NJ. This place makes just about all of them. That is where Cash Sales had to special order my Blues for me. I could not just walk in and buy them.
Cjwright, if you know a disabled Marine, one that is 100%, he can go to cash sales to purchase items.
Thats how I was able to get mine.

[enviro]

http://www.marineshop.com/

[1stSgtMell]

Just like the red stripe on the NCO's trousers, Officers are not authorized to wear nor the hash mark.

[Sgt0811]

Quantico is about 3.5 to 4 hours from me. I have been to the shop. All they had was the Blues Blouse for Officers. Trousers they do have as the difference between the two is the width of the stripe. They do carry just about everything else for the inlisted.
Very nice shop and great people to deal with. The gentleman that helped me was an Officer in the Corps.

Semper fi

[cjwright90]

Cjwright, if you know a disabled Marine, one that is 100%, he can go to cash sales to purchase items.

I was only listed as 10%. Has to be 100% disabled?

[Sgt0811]

Yes. 100% disabled are entitled to a ID card that allows them to use the commissary and other stores. They also can get a sticker that allows them onto the bases. You remember the decals you had to have on your car to get into the base, its the same thing.