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thedrifter
02-05-07, 08:40 AM
Marines help choose new PT uniform
February 05,2007
ANNE CLARK
Daily News Staff

It's been chilly lately, hasn't it? Before sunrise, temps strain for the freezing point, and walking outside feels like you're hitting a wall of icy air inside a meatlocker inside an igloo.

It's enough to sting your eyes to tears (which will then freeze on your cheeks.)

Yet the Marines keep running outdoors, at least three times a week, cutting through the cold with heart and determination.

And a pair of sweatpants.

That's about to change. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Conway, has ordered a new look for the Marines' cold weather physical training (PT) uniform, which now consists of olive drab sweatshirt and matching sweatpants and, in this weather, a knit cap.

The new uniform will feature some type of jacket and pants, but the details have yet to be finalized.

That's partly because the Marine Corps directly asked their warriors for input.

"It's nice to give Marines a chance to voice their opinions," said 2nd Lt. Daniel McCready, 23.

For two weeks, the Corps' Web site at www.usmc.mil included an online survey, where Marines could anonymously choose the details of their new uniform.

(Service members were asked to give certain identifiers, such as unit, battalion, rank and military occupational specialty, before taking the survey.)

More than 35,000 service members responded, said Portia Blunt, project officer for the Marine Corps clothing team, program manager infantry combat equipment.

"We were able to identify specific design features that were of importance to Marines," said Blunt, who did not elaborate.

The kind of fabric and cost of the new uniform will be determined at a later date, Blunt said.

While taking the online survey, Marines could choose the uniform details, down to the kind of jacket cut (fitted or loose?), the waistband (elasticized, drawstring, or both?), or the kind of closure (snaps or zipper?)

The pants options were nearly as varied, and Marines could say whether they should have pockets or a mesh or soft cloth lining (or no lining at all.)

"It's good to hear they're trying to improve things," said Cpl. Kevin Hood, 20. "We appreciate it."

Sometimes the options bump up against current regulations, like possibly having a headphone port in a jacket pocket.

"It's a base order that we're not supposed to have headphones on both ears," said 2nd Lt. Craig Thomas, base public affairs officer at Camp Lejeune. "You can't have both ears blocked."

A Marine who PTs off base could take advantage of the headphone port, though.

"I personally wouldn't use it," McCready said. "When we PT together, we (sing) cadence."

Though the survey offers the choice of adding a hood to the PT jacket, Marines aren't allowed to flip up the hood unless it's raining.

"It's nice if they're there, but we're not allowed to use them," said Sgt. Vianney Ocasio, 27.

The same goes with pockets: Marines can't put their hands in their pockets while they're standing in formation, which they often do for up to 45 minutes before a PT run, Ocasio said.

Some Marines hope for changes because of aesthetics or comfort.

Ocasio doesn't like the current PT sweatpants' elastic leg cuffs, which ride up while she's running.

Hood doesn't mind what the jacket looks like, as long as it keeps the wind off him.

And McCready wants to see the "glow belt" (a reflective web that Marines hook around their waists) incorporated into the new jacket, which would be simpler.

"Then you don't have to remember to bring it," McCready said.

The online survey also allowed Marines to choose the colors of the proposed PT uniform.

Their choices were scarlet and black, scarlet and gold, olive drab green and black, or olive drab green.

Many Marines seemed to agree that they want the uniform's colors to stay the same.

"Green on green always worked for me," Hood said.

"It separates us from the other services," Ocasio said.

The new PT uniform, in fact, will be a kind of marketing tool for the Corps.

"In keeping with the image and standards of being a Marine, it is appropriate that Marines receive an improved uniform item that will not only enhance their training but reflect on the Marine Corps in a positive way," Blunt said.

Marines take pride in their traditions, and that includes what they wear when they're running together.

"Unity is key," Thomas said. "Other services know we're PTing, when we're wearing green on green. It's very simple, but we're out there Monday through Friday."

Ellie