Utilities/MARPAT Question

[Correus]

Hello -

First off, thank you for serving your Country.

My father served in the Corps during the 50s.

I have a question about the USMC Utility / MARPAT uniform. Please forgive me if I ask this in the wrong way, no offense is intended.

I've noticed pictures of Marines in the field and they appear to have nothing on the U's except for branch and name tapes. When I looked at the regs I only saw the same required.

So, I'm curious as to why the Marine Corps doesn't seem to wear the Flag, rank, or other patches on the combat uniform.

Thanks in advance.

Larry

[Zulu 36]

Hello -

First off, thank you for serving your Country.

My father served in the Corps during the 50s.

I have a question about the USMC Utility / MARPAT uniform. Please forgive me if I ask this in the wrong way, no offense is intended.

I've noticed pictures of Marines in the field and they appear to have nothing on the U's except for branch and name tapes. When I looked at the regs I only saw the same required.

So, I'm curious as to why the Marine Corps doesn't seem to wear the Flag, rank, or other patches on the combat uniform.

Thanks in advance.

Larry


Your question is valid and not offensive at all. However, site rules do require a completed profile for posting. Please complete your profile and I'm sure a Marine or two will be along to answer your question.

[Correus]

Done.

[MLMonk]

Well we wear the rank on the uniform, but the other stuff, no. I am unsure on why we don't wear that other insignia's, I'm guessing it's because we don't want to be like the army, or the uniform just wasn't designed to have those on there. Actually, now that I think of it, I don't think we've ever worn the USA Flag on our uniforms, I know we had patches though for some things a while back.

[BR34]

It's because the Marine Corps doesn't want to individualize Marines. We aren't an army of one. We're all Marines, so "U.S. Marines" is the only "patch" that matters.

[Lisa 23]

It's because the Marine Corps doesn't want to individualize Marines. We aren't an army of one. We're all Marines, so "U.S. Marines" is the only "patch" that matters.
Exactly! :thumbup:
I know I read this somewhere and was trying to look for it......but can't find it.

[Zulu 36]

Marines do wear rank insignia on MARPATS. Enlisted insignia is always subdued collar pin-ons. Officers wear shiny collar pin-ons in garrison, subdued pin-ons in the field. Sewed on rank insignia like the Army uses is a no-no.

When wearing flak jackets, etc, wear of rank insignia depends on the unit commanding officer's preferences. Some allow only a single pin-on the front of the flak jacket, others allow privately bought "flight suit" patches that also have an EGA, name, blood type, etc, embroidered on the patch.

Reduced rank display in the field, and especially combat, has been normal in the Corps since WWII. You should know who your officers, NCOs, and troops are by sight and don't need insignia and name tapes to tell you. In fact, in combat, officers and NCOs are often called by nicknames or just names, no rank used.

Marines do not wear unit patches of any sort on any uniform (except flight suits) and that includes flags. Flight suit patches are worn more due to custom than required and are rarely, if ever, worn on combat flights.

The branch and name tapes on MARPATS are relatively new. The Marine Corps never wore those on utilities until sometime in the 1990s. We wore an iron-on EGA with USMC in block letters. This was placed on the left blouse pocket. That only came out with the issue of the old herringbone utilities during WWII.

When I was in (71-78) only DIs, recruiters, and MPs wore name tags on any uniform (pin-ons, white letters on black). All uniforms were name marked, but in non-visible locations. For the most part, only those people still wear name tags on service uniforms.

As a point of history, in WWII, Marines did wear divisional shoulder patches on the left shoulder of their Service or Dress blouses. Only the patch of your current division was worn. If you were not in a division, you didn't wear a patch. When WWII ended, so did the wear of shoulder patches.

In WWI, Marines assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade (assigned to the Army's 2d Infantry Division) wore that division's patch, again only while assigned. Because Marines were wearing Army uniforms, they conformed to Army uniform regs. Toward the end of WWI, Marines were allowed to start wearing the collar EGA insignia as a token of respect from General Pershing.

[Wyoming]

It's because the Marine Corps doesn't want to individualize Marines. We aren't an army of one. We're all Marines, so "U.S. Marines" is the only "patch" that matters.

EXACTLY!!

****, did I just agree with a hungover democrat?:bunny:

[rktect3j]

Patches? Patches? We don't need no stinking patches.

[Zulu 36]

EXACTLY!!

****, did I just agree with a hungover democrat?:bunny:


Oh, God. The world has come to an end.

:sick: = BR34 this morning

[ecom]

Patches? Patches? We don't need no stinking patches.

Landing Support Specialists wear red patches on their trousers and cover. This developed during WWII to distinguish landing crew and infantry.

[BR34]

EXACTLY!!

****, did I just agree with a hungover democrat?:bunny:
...ya know...I'm actually an Independent. All of you are just so far right that it's hard to tell.

My hangover is gone, for the most part...I'm not going to drink again, for a while.

[3522]

HAHA! Sounds like the Drunkard's Prayer: "Oh, God, take away all this hurt, and I promise, "I'LL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN!!!" :bunny::beer:

[Wyoming]

HAHA! Sounds like the Drunkard's Prayer: "Oh, God, take away all this hurt, and I promise, "I'LL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN!!!" :bunny::beer:

... and we all say, AMEN!!