Tailoring your uniforms?

[Hussar]

Hello. I was reading about Marine uniforms because I want to teach a class about Marine uniforms at my Sea Cadet unit. However I have some questions about the materials I have read. They say that your uniform may not be tailored to be form fitting. However I have seen DI's with tailored uniforms that have tight sleeves and shirts that dont bunch up near the waist. Are regular Marines not allowed to do this? They cannot have the excess material near the waist tailored or the sleeves tightened?

[PaidinBlood]

You HAVE to have your uniforms tailored... Having said that, to my knowledge the camoflauge utilities are not supposed to be tailored. DIs will not likely engage in combat but must show recruits what a Marine should look like. Mine admitted they tailored their cammies, but it looked good so who cares? For your class, I would stick to the regulations. Need help finding them?

[Pete0331]

You HAVE to have your uniforms tailored... Having said that, to my knowledge the camoflauge utilities are not supposed to be tailored. DIs will not likely engage in combat but must show recruits what a Marine should look like. Mine admitted they tailored their cammies, but it looked good so who cares? For your class, I would stick to the regulations. Need help finding them?

He is referring to Service Charlies/Deltas.

Drill Instructors and Recruiters and the only ones authorized to do this.

[PaidinBlood]

I'll take your word for it but I don't think there is any rule that says only these Marines can look good. Either we all can do it, or nobody can and we turn a blind eye to those guys because they are in the public eye. I had the armpits taken in on my chucks - is that verboten too?

[Pete0331]

I'll take your word for it but I don't think there is any rule that says only these Marines can look good. Either we all can do it, or nobody can and we turn a blind eye to those guys because they are in the public eye. I had the armpits taken in on my chucks - is that verboten too?

I don't agree with the policy, I'm simply stating it.

Yes, the Service Charlie and Delta shirts aren't supposed to be modified in the way they fit.
They are to be worn "as is."

I have seen special reprieve given to Marines with oddly shaped torso's.
Mostly fat bodies, or weight lifters.

[PaidinBlood]

Mostly fat bodies, or weight lifters.

Ha. I've been a little bit of both as time has gone by, but the alterations were a result of neither..

[Scottie0417]

What some Marines do to get tight fitting Charlie shirts without having them tailoring them is to buy a shirt that's one or two sizes smaller than what they'd normally wear. My J-Hat had his Charlie shirts tight around his arms, we asked if he had his tailored and he said he bought ones that were smaller sizes since tailoring is unauthorized

[PaidinBlood]

It's not about tight fitting, it's about fitting tight in the right places. If you start working out, a certain neck size just might not fit the chest. Or if you eat a lot, you can have that problem too. oops....

[FromMD]

The utilities also have a tag in them which reads in "Do NOT USE STARCH"

[Gaz]

Morning Sir. I'm pretty sure your not supposed to use starch because it supposedly lights up like a christmas tree when viewed through IR sights.

[FromMD]

Morning Sir. I'm pretty sure your not supposed to use starch because it supposedly lights up like a christmas tree when viewed through IR sights.

That is what I've been told too, but at OCS it was "highly advised" that we starched our utilities for inspections.

[Pete0331]

That is what I've been told too, but at OCS it was "highly advised" that we starched our utilities for inspections.

Digi's or the old style woodland type?

[spotts]

I still have a few of the "salty" woodland cammies. Not the rip-stop pairs but the regualr kind. I got through 31/2 years before they started making everyone put the name tapes on the cammies. I only have one pair that has the name tapes on them.

[FromMD]

Digi's or the old style woodland type?

Digis

[SGT7477]

The utilities also have a tag in them which reads in "Do NOT USE STARCH"

We always starched our utilities from 1974-1977 and on my way out of the Corps they were starting to issue the green cammies and I don't know if they were starched or not.