thedrifter
09-15-05, 04:57 PM
New larger chevrons available for woman Marine uniforms
MCB Quantico
Story by: Sgt. LaToya Graddy
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Sept. 15, 2005) -- New, larger rank insignia for female Marine uniforms are available at military stores here.
Marine Administration Message 230/03 announced approval to adopt larger enlisted women’s cloth rank insignia and service stripes as the new standard, and now the chevrons are being made available to women Marines, said Shakinta Johnston, project officer at Combat Equipment and Support Systems here.
“There was a delay in manufacturing the larger insignia because of the development and contracting processes,” said Johnston. “We also had to find vendors to produce them.”
The cloth insignia and service stripes will be distributed Corpswide through various vendors as well as orders through Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia, said Johnston.
After a women Marines’ symposium in May 2002, the topic of the insignia size was raised. The decision to change the uniform items came from extensive discussions at the December 2002 meeting of the uniform board, added Johnston.
“The current insignia is very small when compared to the male insignia,” said Mary Boyt, Marine Corps Systems Command uniform board project manager.
Designers experimented with different ranks and insignia sizes on an average-size female sleeve until they found one size that worked for all ranks, said Boyt.
“After testing different insignia sizes, the size that looked best on the female uniform was 70 percent of the male rank insignia,” Boyt said. “It looks a lot better on the uniform and it is more visible.”
The change does not necessarily mean women Marines should rush to replace the old insignia and service stripes. The smaller insignia will continue to meet the minimum requirement until they are no longer serviceable, the Marine is promoted, or a new uniform is purchased, said Boyt.
Individuals must also keep in mind that certain ranks may not be available, due to the amount of existing insignia on hand at stores.
“As long as the (larger) chevrons look OK and enhance the uniform, I think it will be a good change,” said Gunnery Sgt. Cindy Whetzel, Security Battalion criminal intelligence chief.
For more information on uniform regulations, visit the Marine Corps Uniform Board Web site at www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/.
http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2005915111211/$file/CHEVRON-4541_lowres.jpg
New, larger cloth rank insignia and service stripes for the female Marine uniforms are now available at military stores. The new chevrons are 70 percent of the male uniform item. Old cloth rank insignia (top) and the new cloth rank insignia (bottom). Photo by: Lawrence Giberson
Ellie
MCB Quantico
Story by: Sgt. LaToya Graddy
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Sept. 15, 2005) -- New, larger rank insignia for female Marine uniforms are available at military stores here.
Marine Administration Message 230/03 announced approval to adopt larger enlisted women’s cloth rank insignia and service stripes as the new standard, and now the chevrons are being made available to women Marines, said Shakinta Johnston, project officer at Combat Equipment and Support Systems here.
“There was a delay in manufacturing the larger insignia because of the development and contracting processes,” said Johnston. “We also had to find vendors to produce them.”
The cloth insignia and service stripes will be distributed Corpswide through various vendors as well as orders through Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia, said Johnston.
After a women Marines’ symposium in May 2002, the topic of the insignia size was raised. The decision to change the uniform items came from extensive discussions at the December 2002 meeting of the uniform board, added Johnston.
“The current insignia is very small when compared to the male insignia,” said Mary Boyt, Marine Corps Systems Command uniform board project manager.
Designers experimented with different ranks and insignia sizes on an average-size female sleeve until they found one size that worked for all ranks, said Boyt.
“After testing different insignia sizes, the size that looked best on the female uniform was 70 percent of the male rank insignia,” Boyt said. “It looks a lot better on the uniform and it is more visible.”
The change does not necessarily mean women Marines should rush to replace the old insignia and service stripes. The smaller insignia will continue to meet the minimum requirement until they are no longer serviceable, the Marine is promoted, or a new uniform is purchased, said Boyt.
Individuals must also keep in mind that certain ranks may not be available, due to the amount of existing insignia on hand at stores.
“As long as the (larger) chevrons look OK and enhance the uniform, I think it will be a good change,” said Gunnery Sgt. Cindy Whetzel, Security Battalion criminal intelligence chief.
For more information on uniform regulations, visit the Marine Corps Uniform Board Web site at www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/.
http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2005915111211/$file/CHEVRON-4541_lowres.jpg
New, larger cloth rank insignia and service stripes for the female Marine uniforms are now available at military stores. The new chevrons are 70 percent of the male uniform item. Old cloth rank insignia (top) and the new cloth rank insignia (bottom). Photo by: Lawrence Giberson
Ellie