thedrifter
06-23-05, 10:18 AM
Depot Marines receive sneak peek at Corps’ new gear, uniform items
Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island
Story Identification #: 20056231056
Story by Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall
MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (June 14, 2005) -- Marine Corps Systems Command, a command serving as the Commandant’s principal agent for the acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment used by fleet Marines, provided Depot Marines with the opportunity to observe and handle new and improved gear currently being fielded throughout the Marine Corps.
“We present the equipment to three major groups: Congress, the public and the Marine Corps,” said Jason Mollet, a former Marine sergeant and graphic specialist for MarCorSysCom. “We show congress what is going to be protecting the military, we show family members what their son or daughter is going to wear in combat and to the Marines, we show them the gear that will protect them in combat areas.”
New and improved equipment must go through a process of being reviewed and approved by a uniform board consisting of command representatives. Each command conducts a survey on the equipment they think would improve the quality of the currently issued gear. If the commands’ requests are considered, the equipment is brought through the issue organization, who then further test the equipment and make improvements. Approved equipment is then fielded to fleet Marines first.
According to publications by MarCorSysCom, approved items were the hot weather combat boots, light weight Kevlar helmets with reversible helmet covers, multi-purpose bayonets, small arms protective inserts for the outer tactical vests, fleece caps and sweaters, individual water purifiers, field food service systems and improved tray ration heating systems.
A new female service cover is currently under board review as an upcoming change to the Marine Corps uniform.
The new hot weather boot features a cushioned mid-sole and an improved outsole and tread pattern over the current boots. The boot leather is made with breathable, water and mildew resistant leather. The outside leather area also has two drainage eyelets located in the inner arch of each boot.
The eyelets allow water out, but will not allow sand to get into the boot. The boot provides greater comfort, durability and breathing ability over current boots.
The lightweight Kevlar helmet, or LWH, is one-half pound lighter than the existing Kevlar helmets and has protection from fragmentation equal to or better than the current helmet. The reversible helmet cover, which has woodland pattern on one side and the desert pattern on the other, will be issued with the LWH. The lightweight Kevlar helmet provides greater combat effectiveness through greater comfort, improved fit and durability.
The multi-purpose bayonet weighs less than two pounds and is made with an eight inch, corrosion-resistant carbon steel blade. It interfaces with both the M-16 A2 and M-16 A4 service rifles and the M-4 carbine. The bayonet will also be used in conjunction with the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training.
The outer tactical vest is the base component of the Interceptor Body Armor System that also includes Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI) that protect against direct fire from assault rifles, and the Armor Protection Enhancement System (APES), which guards the neck, arms and groin. Tested at point blank, the vest and its inserts were approved for the use of Marines in combat in 1999. Full operational capability is expected by fiscal year 2005.
The issuing of micro-fleece caps and sweaters as cold weather gear began in 2001 and is still in progress. The fleece material is quick drying, provides increased protection against cold weather and the fleece cap is less bulky than the previously issued wool watch cap.
Individual water purifiers, field food service systems and the improved tray ration heating systems are intended to provide individual Marines with clean water and hot meals with sanitary equipment.
Proposed uniform changes, such as the female barracks and garrison covers are being reviewed. If approved, the new female barracks cover will exclude the “duck tail” in the back and look more like a version of the male barracks cover. Females will, like males, change the cover material on the frame to accommodate the proper uniform.
For more information on uniform changes or new gear, visit www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200562310736/$file/marine7(L).jpg
New equipment such as the lightweight Kevlar helmet and the outer tactical vest will be fielded to fleet Marines first. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2005623101155/$file/marine6(L).jpg
The new multi-purpose bayonet, seen on display at the Depot theater June 14-15, weighs less than two pounds and is made with an eight inch, corrosion-resistant carbon steel blade.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2005623101424/$file/marine2(L).jpg
Proposed uniform changes, such as the female garrison and barracks covers are being reviewed. The new female barracks cover could exclude the ‘duck tail’ in the back and would look similar to the male barracks cover.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall
Ellie
Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island
Story Identification #: 20056231056
Story by Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall
MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (June 14, 2005) -- Marine Corps Systems Command, a command serving as the Commandant’s principal agent for the acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment used by fleet Marines, provided Depot Marines with the opportunity to observe and handle new and improved gear currently being fielded throughout the Marine Corps.
“We present the equipment to three major groups: Congress, the public and the Marine Corps,” said Jason Mollet, a former Marine sergeant and graphic specialist for MarCorSysCom. “We show congress what is going to be protecting the military, we show family members what their son or daughter is going to wear in combat and to the Marines, we show them the gear that will protect them in combat areas.”
New and improved equipment must go through a process of being reviewed and approved by a uniform board consisting of command representatives. Each command conducts a survey on the equipment they think would improve the quality of the currently issued gear. If the commands’ requests are considered, the equipment is brought through the issue organization, who then further test the equipment and make improvements. Approved equipment is then fielded to fleet Marines first.
According to publications by MarCorSysCom, approved items were the hot weather combat boots, light weight Kevlar helmets with reversible helmet covers, multi-purpose bayonets, small arms protective inserts for the outer tactical vests, fleece caps and sweaters, individual water purifiers, field food service systems and improved tray ration heating systems.
A new female service cover is currently under board review as an upcoming change to the Marine Corps uniform.
The new hot weather boot features a cushioned mid-sole and an improved outsole and tread pattern over the current boots. The boot leather is made with breathable, water and mildew resistant leather. The outside leather area also has two drainage eyelets located in the inner arch of each boot.
The eyelets allow water out, but will not allow sand to get into the boot. The boot provides greater comfort, durability and breathing ability over current boots.
The lightweight Kevlar helmet, or LWH, is one-half pound lighter than the existing Kevlar helmets and has protection from fragmentation equal to or better than the current helmet. The reversible helmet cover, which has woodland pattern on one side and the desert pattern on the other, will be issued with the LWH. The lightweight Kevlar helmet provides greater combat effectiveness through greater comfort, improved fit and durability.
The multi-purpose bayonet weighs less than two pounds and is made with an eight inch, corrosion-resistant carbon steel blade. It interfaces with both the M-16 A2 and M-16 A4 service rifles and the M-4 carbine. The bayonet will also be used in conjunction with the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training.
The outer tactical vest is the base component of the Interceptor Body Armor System that also includes Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI) that protect against direct fire from assault rifles, and the Armor Protection Enhancement System (APES), which guards the neck, arms and groin. Tested at point blank, the vest and its inserts were approved for the use of Marines in combat in 1999. Full operational capability is expected by fiscal year 2005.
The issuing of micro-fleece caps and sweaters as cold weather gear began in 2001 and is still in progress. The fleece material is quick drying, provides increased protection against cold weather and the fleece cap is less bulky than the previously issued wool watch cap.
Individual water purifiers, field food service systems and the improved tray ration heating systems are intended to provide individual Marines with clean water and hot meals with sanitary equipment.
Proposed uniform changes, such as the female barracks and garrison covers are being reviewed. If approved, the new female barracks cover will exclude the “duck tail” in the back and look more like a version of the male barracks cover. Females will, like males, change the cover material on the frame to accommodate the proper uniform.
For more information on uniform changes or new gear, visit www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200562310736/$file/marine7(L).jpg
New equipment such as the lightweight Kevlar helmet and the outer tactical vest will be fielded to fleet Marines first. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2005623101155/$file/marine6(L).jpg
The new multi-purpose bayonet, seen on display at the Depot theater June 14-15, weighs less than two pounds and is made with an eight inch, corrosion-resistant carbon steel blade.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2005623101424/$file/marine2(L).jpg
Proposed uniform changes, such as the female garrison and barracks covers are being reviewed. The new female barracks cover could exclude the ‘duck tail’ in the back and would look similar to the male barracks cover.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall
Ellie