View source for Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

{{Infobox weapon
| name            = Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform
| image           = U.S. Marines Combat Utility Uniforms 2003, Full-Color Plate (2003), by John M. Carrillo.png
| image_size      = 300px
| caption         = A 2003 drawing depicting U.S. Marines wearing the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform in desert and woodland-camouflaged variants
| origin          = United States
| type            = Uniform
| service         = 2002–present<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/887056/combat-utility-uniform-and-boot-guidance/|title=COMBAT UTILITY UNIFORM AND BOOT GUIDANCE > The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website > Messages Display|website=www.marines.mil}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/894296/mandatory-possession-dates-for-the-marine-corps-combat-utility-uniforms-mccuu-a/|title=MANDATORY POSSESSION DATES FOR THE MARINE CORPS COMBAT UTILITY ;UNIFORMS (MCCUU) AND MARINE CORPS COMBAT BOOTS (MCCB) > The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website > Messages Display|website=www.marines.mil}}</ref>
| used_by         = [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]] (including USMCR and MCJROTC)<br />[[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] (primarily corpsmen, chaplains, and [[Religious program specialist|chaplain bodyguards]])<br />[[New York Naval Militia]]<br />[[Texas Maritime Regiment]]
| wars            = [[War in Afghanistan (2001–14)|War in Afghanistan]]<br />[[Iraq War]]
| designer        = Propper International and American Power Source
| design_date     = 2001
| manufacturer    =
| unit_cost       = $77.00 (MSRP in 2002, minus boots)
| production_date = 2001–present
| number          =
| variants        = [[Flame Resistant Organizational Gear]]
}}
[[File:Unif703.jpg|right|thumb|A U.S. Marine wearing the MCCUU in woodland MARPAT in 2001]]
[[File:3MCCUU.jpg|thumb|Desert, Urban, Woodland MCCUU]]
The '''Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform''' ('''MCCUU''') is the current [[battledress|battledress uniform]] of the [[United States Marine Corps]]. It is also worn by [[United States Navy|Navy]] personnel (mostly [[United States Navy Hospital Corpsman|corpsmen]], [[Seabees]], [[United States Navy Chaplain Corps|chaplains]], and  [[Religious program specialist|their bodyguards]]) assigned to Marine Corps units (e.g. the [[Fleet Marine Force]]).
It replaced the [[Battle Dress Uniform]], which the Marine Corps had shared with the Navy, [[United States Army|Army]] and [[United States Air Force|Air Force]]. However, both the MCCUU, and its distinctive [[camouflage]] pattern, [[MARPAT]], are exclusive to the Marine Corps, which holds the [[patent]]s to their design.<ref name="Free">{{patent|US|6805957|"Camouflage U.S. Marine corps utility uniform: pattern, fabric, and design."}}</ref> The uniform is available in two color schemes, woodland and desert. The MCCUU should not be confused with the similar looking [[Flame Resistant Organizational Gear|FROG]] uniform.
==Development==
[[File:MARPAT MCCUU Prototypes Removable Sleeves.png|thumb|upright|left|Two U.S. Marines test out early predecessors to the MCCUU in 2001. The two prototypes feature removable sleeves, a feature that was later abandoned on the finished production version.]]
Field testing of the MCCUU began in early 2001 and was officially announced to the public in June 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/jul01/ed070301c.html |last=Oliva |first=Mark |author2=Childs, Jan Wesner |title=Officials went to the source to ensure new Marine uniform pleased troops |work=Stars and Stripes |date=July 3, 2001 |accessdate=July 25, 2001 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010725223449/http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/jul01/ed070301c.html |archivedate=July 25, 2001 }}</ref> Early prototypes had featured removable sleeves, but that design feature was later abandoned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/camouflage010620.html |work=ABC News |publisher=ABC News Internet Ventures |last=Starr |first=Barbara |date=June 20, 2001 |accessdate=June 25, 2001 |title=From Cammies to Pixies?: Marines Dump Old Wrinkled Duds for Permanent Press and Pixel Patterns |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010625105145/http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/camouflage010620.html |archivedate=June 25, 2001 }}</ref> The patent for the [[MARPAT]] pattern was filed on June 19, 2001,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/USD491372|title=Camouflage pattern for sheet material and uniforms US D491372 S1|access-date=September 24, 2013}}</ref> whereas the patent for the MCCUU uniform was filed on November 7, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US6805957|title=Camouflage U.S. Marine corps utility uniform: pattern, fabric, and design US 6805957 B1|access-date=September 24, 2013}}</ref> The uniform made its official debut at a [[base exchange]] at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune|Camp Lejeune, North Carolina]] on January 17, 2002,<ref name=January2002>{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/NAVMC%202932.pdf |author=United States Marine Corps |work=United States Department of the Navy |publisher=United States Department of Defense |title=U.S. Marines Combat Utility Uniforms 2003 |accessdate=April 9, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409112601/http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/NAVMC%202932.pdf |archivedate=April 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww2.dcmilitary.com/dcmilitary_archives/stories/011702/13087-1.shtml|title=New uniform debuts today|location=Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia|date=January 17, 2002|work=Around the Fleet|accessdate=September 19, 2013|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919093854/http://ww2.dcmilitary.com/dcmilitary_archives/stories/011702/13087-1.shtml|archivedate=September 19, 2013}}</ref> and the changeover was completed on October 1, 2004 (with a few exceptions of April 1, 2005),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/894296/mandatory-possession-dates-for-the-marine-corps-combat-utility-uniforms-mccuu-a/|title=Mandatory Possession Dates for the Marine Corps Combat Utility ;Uniforms (Mccuu) and Marin}}</ref> a year ahead of the original deadline date set in 2001 of October 1, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pstripes.com/01/feb01/ed022401e.html |title=Marines' followed Canadians' example in use of digitally-designed 'cammies' |last=Jontz |first=Sandra |work=Stars and Stripes |date=February 24, 2001 |accessdate=June 6, 2002 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020606130101/http://www.pstripes.com/01/feb01/ed022401e.html |archivedate=June 6, 2002 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/marine_corps_cu_uniform.htm|title=Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform|first=John|last=Pike|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usmc.mil/maradmins/maradmin2000.nsf/0872a7ac9a4c08a6852569b9000bc3f1/54d1925fde54478885256f170027f0b0?OpenDocument |author=Commandant of the United States Marine Corps |publisher=United States Department of the Navy |work=United States Marine Corps |date=September 22, 2004 |title=MARADMIN 412/04: MANDATORY POSSESSION DATES FOR THE MARINE CORPS COMBAT UTILITY UNIFORMS (MCCUU) AND MARINE CORPS COMBAT BOOTS (MCCB) |accessdate=September 29, 2004 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040929112751/http://www.usmc.mil/maradmins/maradmin2000.nsf/0872a7ac9a4c08a6852569b9000bc3f1/54d1925fde54478885256f170027f0b0?OpenDocument |archivedate=September 29, 2004}}</ref>
The early prototypes of the MCCUU were designed by Propper International and American Power Source.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/docs/man-la-bdu-010210.htm|title=Saturday, February 10, 2001|date=4 March 2001|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010304191452/http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/docs/man-la-bdu-010210.htm|archivedate=4 March 2001}}</ref>
==Design features==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Marines in formation.jpg
| width1 = 268
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = 1stMarineDivision ChangeofCommand May2007.JPG
| width2 = 115
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| footer = U.S. Marines wearing the MCCUU in garrison, with sleeves rolled and [[utility cover]]s
}}
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = USMC M249 SAW PIP.jpg
| width1 = 175
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = TANKSaimingin2041102.jpg
| width2 = 175
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| footer = U.S. Marines wearing the MCCUU with combat equipment
}}
[[File:USMC woodland MCCUU collar, 2002.png|thumb|The collar of an MCCUU, being worn by a U.S. Marine sergeant in 2002]]
[[File:Back view of USMC MCCUU, 2002.png|thumb|The rear of an MCCUU, being worn by a U.S. Marine in 2002]]
The MCCUU is intended for wear in the field or for working parties, but has become the typical working uniform for all deployed and most garrison U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy sailors.<ref>[http://www.marines.mil/news/messages/Pages/Archive/WEAROFTHEMARINECORPSCOMBATUTILITYUNIFORM.aspx ALMAR 035/07] directing wear of the MCCUU</ref> Initially the variety worn depended on the environment and season: Deployed Marines wore whichever color is more appropriate to the climate and terrain, Marines in garrison wore the woodland MCCUU in winter months, and the desert MCCUU in summer months. However, the Marine Corps announced on December 8, 2016, that the desert pattern would no longer be worn in garrison. Instead, the woodland MCCUU will be worn year-round, with the sleeves rolled up during the summer and down during the winter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/12/11/marine-corps-ditches-desert-camouflage-for-seasonal-uniforms.html|title=Marine Corps Ditches Desert Camouflage for Seasonal Uniforms|first=Katy|last=OHara|date=31 October 2017|publisher=}}</ref> Until recently, the sleeves of the blouse were normally worn rolled up while in garrison during summer months. However, the Uniform Board announced that as of October 24, 2011, this will no longer be allowed. This decision was later reversed when Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos announced on February 25, 2014, that the Marine Corps will return to its former standard of rolling up the sleeves while in garrison during summer months, effective March 9, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20140226/NEWS07/302260010/|title=Marinecorpstimes.com|publisher=}}</ref>
Unlike the previous BDU, the MCCUU was designed to be used with [[body armor]], which previously restricted access to front pockets. To further distinguish the uniform, upon close examination, the [[Eagle, Globe, and Anchor]] can be [[:Image:MARPAT woodland pattern.jpg|found within the pattern]]. Its use as a combat uniform has led to some strict regulations for wear in garrison: unlike the U.S. Army's [[Army Combat Uniform]] (ACU), the MCCUU may not be worn off base, although it may be worn when commuting to and from duty in a privately owned vehicle. Dismounting for incidental stops en route off of a military installation is no longer permissible excepting legitimate emergencies only.
===Blouse===
* Two slanting chest pockets with [[velcro]] closure
* Two shoulder sleeve pockets with button closure
* Reinforced elbows
* Internal pockets for [[elbow pad]]s
* Adjustable cuffs
* [[Eagle, Globe, and Anchor]] embroidered on the left chest pocket
===Trousers===
* Two front slash style pockets
* Two rear pockets with button closure
* Two thigh level bellows cargo pockets with elastic closure
* Button fly
* Reinforced knees and seat
* Partially elastic waistband
* Internal pockets for [[kneepad]]s
* Seven belt loops
The trousers are worn bloused over the tops of the boots with the use of elastic bands (nicknamed "boot bands") or metal springs.
===Headwear===
* In [[garrison]] the [[Utility cover|8 point cover]] is worn
* In the field, the [[boonie hat|boonie]] (floppy) cover can be worn, not authorized for garrison wear.
* The Marine Corps [[Lightweight Helmet]] and [[Modular Integrated Communications Helmet|MICH]] is worn in combat and training with a reversible MARPAT cover
* The Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor is embroidered on both the boonie and utility covers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.com/page/usmc.jsp?pageId=/page/Detail-XML-Conversion.jsp?pageName=Combat-Utility&flashRedirect=true|title=United States Marine Corps|publisher=|access-date=2020-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616155218/http://www.marines.com/page/usmc.jsp?pageId=%2Fpage%2FDetail-XML-Conversion.jsp%3FpageName%3DCombat-Utility&flashRedirect=true|archive-date=2008-06-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===T-shirt===
An olive drab green [[t-shirt]], or [[t-shirt|skivvy]] shirt, without a logo is worn underneath the blouse.<ref>[http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Chapter%209_files/Chapter%209.htm Marine Corps Uniform Board] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202225549/http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Chapter%209_files/Chapter%209.htm |date=2007-02-02 }}</ref> Due to the intense heat in [[Iraq]], moisture wicking [[t-shirt]]s, such as those produced by [[Under Armour]] became very popular. However, due to concerns that the shirts would melt to the skin in the event of a fire or explosion, they are banned when a Marine is deployed to a combat zone.<ref>[http://www.defensetech.org/archives/002325.html Defense Tech: Marines Ban Under Armour] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405172621/http://www.defensetech.org/archives/002325.html |date=2007-04-05 }}</ref> However, the Marine Corps has worked with Danskin to develop their own moisture wicking shirts under the "Elite Issue" line,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,78945,00.html|title=Military Life, News, Entertainment & Fitness Resources|last=Military.com|website=Military.com}}</ref> ultimately creating and issuing the [[Flame Resistant Organizational Gear]] to troops likely to be exposed to combat.
===Belt===
The MCCUU is worn with a webbed rigger's [[Belt (clothing)|belt]] earned through the [[Marine Corps Martial Arts Program]]. The belts are tan, grey, green, brown, or up to six degrees of black, depending on the Marine's proficiency. Uniform regulations still authorize a web belt for wear for Marines that have not qualified in MCMAP; however, the [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] directed in 2008 that all Marines will qualify. This directive rendered the wear of the item on the MCCUU to new recruits in basic training or to those who have lost their MCMAP belt due to not being proficient in the MCMAP.<ref>[http://www.marines.mil/news/messages/Pages/Archive/MARINECORPSMARTIALARTSPROGRAM(MCMAP)UPDATE.aspx ALMAR 034/07] directing all Marines to earn at least a tan belt by CY 2008</ref>
===Boots===
The Marine Corps now requires tan rough-out [[combat boots]], either hot weather or temperate weather versions. Commercial versions of this boot are authorized without limitation other than they must be at least 8 inches in height and bear the [[Eagle, Globe, and Anchor]] on the outer heel of each boot. Stains and damage to the boot make them unserviceable for wear, as well as a heel with excessive wear.
When the MCCUU was first being fielded in 2002, the black leather boots that were worn with the woodland BDU were authorized to be worn with the woodland MCCUU in the absence of the tan suede ones, though now, only the latter are authorized.<ref>{{cite web |title=Art Guide |url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/artguide.pdf |date=19 Jun 2002 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030308015700/http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/artguide.pdf |archivedate=8 March 2003}}</ref>
===Insignia===
[[United States Marine Corps rank insignia|Rank insignia]] is pinned onto the collar:
* Marines from [[Enlisted rank|pay-grades E-1 to E-9]] wear black insignia.
* Marine [[Officer (armed forces)|officers]] wear polished insignia in garrison, subdued (flat black and brown to replace silver and gold, respectively) or none in the field.
Most [[Badges of the United States Marine Corps|badges and breast insignia]] are authorized for wear on the utility uniform, shined or subdued as appropriate. Landing Support Marines also wear the [[Red Patch]] insignia.
==MARPAT patterns==
<gallery>
File:MARPAT woodland pattern.jpg|MARPAT woodland pattern
File:MARPAT desert pattern.jpg|MARPAT desert pattern
File:Marpat wood.gif|Prototype of woodland pattern from 2001
File:Marpat du.gif|Prototype of desert pattern from 2001 featuring grey elements<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hyperstealth.com/coyote/|title = Why not just use MARPAT?}}</ref>
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[Uniforms of the United States Military]]
* [[Uniforms of the United States Marine Corps]]
* [[MARPAT]]
* [[Flame Resistant Organizational Gear]]
* [[Airman Battle Uniform]]
* [[Army Combat Uniform]]
* [[Battle Dress Uniform]]
* [[Navy Working Uniform]]
* [[Operational Camouflage Pattern]]
* [[Operational Dress Uniform]]
==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081004210141/http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/SITES/MCUB/ Permanent Marine Corps Uniform Board]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070205132221/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/library/MCUR/URTOC.htm Marine Uniform Regulations]
* [http://www.wikihow.com/Properly-Align-Rank-Insignia-on-Marine-Uniforms How to Properly Align Rank Insignia on Marine Uniforms wikiHow]
* {{cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/index.html |title=Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform |author=United States Marine Corps Uniform Board |publisher=United States Marine Corps Training and Education Command |date=September 2001 |accessdate=September 19, 2001 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010919221113/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/index.html |archivedate=September 19, 2001 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/background/CammieConsid.htm |title=Combat Utility Uniform Camouflage Considerations |author=United States Marine Corps Uniform Board |publisher=United States Marine Corps Training and Education Command |date=September 2001 |accessdate=September 20, 2001 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010920015716/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/background/CammieConsid.htm |archivedate=September 20, 2001 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/background/UtesConcept.htm |title=Combat Utility Uniform - Conceptual Background |author=United States Marine Corps Uniform Board |publisher=United States Marine Corps Training and Education Command |date=September 2001 |accessdate=September 19, 2001 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010919231950/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/utility/background/UtesConcept.htm |archivedate=September 19, 2001 }}
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[[Category:2001 in military history]]
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[[Category:United States military uniforms]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps equipment]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s]]