Marine Corps to field new Mountain Cold Weather Boot

The Marine Corps Times is reporting that the Marine Corps will adopt a Mountain Cold Weather Boot.  The boot, made by Danner, will be for Mountain Operations only and will not be issued to Marines.   No further information is available at this time.   Pictures of the boot and the Marine Corps Times Article can be found here.

USMC Conducts Male SNCO Evening Dress Survey

The Permanent Marine Corps Uniform Board is conducting a Survey in order to get Marines opinions of a new Marine Corps SNCO Evening Dress Coat. The survey will be active from 9 Nov- 3 Dec 2007.   Marines can participate in the survey here.

Air Force Instruction 36-2903

The 97th Air Force Uniform Board released results for proper wear of the Air Force uniform. Airmen should refer to Air Force Instruction 36-2903 for details.  The following are an overview of the some of the changes (again Airmen are advised to read the AFI in detail for all changes):

-Approval to wear the blue nametag with the Air Force informal uniform .

 -Eyeglasses will not be worn around the neck, on top or back of the head or hanging on uniform.

-The Air Force Good Conduct Medal will no longer be awarded. Previously earned medals are still permitted.

-Permanent wear of the scuba badge is authorized on the Air Force battle dress uniform.

-While not deployed, Air Force desert combat uniforms may not be worn unless en route to the basic combat convoy course. “Deployed” for this purpose includes members traveling en route to/from rest and recuperative leave from the Central Command area of responsibility, as outlined in policy announced in mid-2005.
 

Army Exception to policy to allow soldiers to wear black (ICWB) boots with the Army Combat Uniform

ALARACT 238/237 dtg 22 Oct 2007 announces an Army exception to policy to allow soldiers to wear the Black Intermediate Cold Weather Boot with the Army Combat Uniform (ACU).  Due to limited availability of the TAN ICWB soldiers are authorized to wear the Black ICWB in the following areas:

• Cold Regions of the US
• Korea
• Europe
• Alaska

Soldiers should see the ALARACT for further details.

Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) confusion

The Air Force Times is reporting confusion caused by shortages at clothing sales stores and Army and Air Force Exchange Services stores (AAFES).   Airman buying ABUs from other than AAFES or clothing sales should be aware that it is “Buyer Beware”.  Some uniforms are authorized for wear and some are not.   Airman can find the ABU buying guide here.

MARADMIN 504/07 outlines changes to USMC grooming & civilian clothing

MARADMIN 504/07 outlines several changes to Marine Corps grooming and civilian clothing regulations.  Marines can find a  complete list of updated grooming and clothing regulation changes www.marcorpsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub. 

Some of the changes are significant and Marines should ensure they review the MARADMIN and website to ensure they are in compliance with regulations.  Other uniform issues in the MARADMIN 504/07 include:

• 8th & I overcoat for recruiters. (Organizational allowance. Issued as needed)
• Female Frame Cap. (Not available for issue/purchase until FY/09)
• Desert maternity work uniform. (Tentatively scheduled for introduction in 2nd QTR FY 08)
• Dress Blue Issue. (Mandatory possession date, Oct 1, 2011)

2008 Clothing allowances

2008 US Military clothing allowances took effect 1 Oct.  Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Marines have significant increases over 2007 rates. The Army did not see any increase as there were no new uniform items introduced in FY 08.  Military clothing allowances are issued annually to US Military enlisted personnel to cover uniform wear and tear and replacement. 

Initial clothing allowances:

• Army  (M) $1330.70  (F) $1622.36
• Navy  (M) $1203.64 (F)  $1432.15
• Air Force (M) $1292.89   (F) $1499.21
• Marines  (M) $1596.43  (F)  $1879.05
• USCG (M) $1142.36 (F) $1244.28

Annual Cash Clothing Replacement Allowances:

Changes to policy outlined in AR 670-1 and messages outlining the wear policy for the ACU

ALARACT 140/2007  updates AR 670-1 and outlines several significant uniform policy changes for soldiers.  Soldiers should review the ALARACT to ensure they are in compliance with Army uniform policy.  A summary of the changes follows:

• The Army White Uniform is no longer authorized for wear.
• Bluetooth devices and non-wireless ear pieces are prohibited while wearing Army uniformsexcept while operating a commercial or military vehicle.
• Black, ACU, foliage, green, desert camouflage pattern gym bags, civilian rucksacks and other similarbags are authorized for wear while in uniform.
• Non-subdued SSI(S) is not authorized on utility uniforms.
• Subdued pin on or sewn on rank is to be worn on the ACU boonie hat and the ACU patrol cap.
• Black leather boots, Tan Combat Boots, or optional tan boots are authorized for wear with the Aircrew battle Dress Uniform and the Flight Uniform.
• The MP, EOD, and CID insignias are authorized to be worn on the ACU.
• Blood types, CLS, medic, allergies, Arabic nametapes, no known drug allergies (NKDA), no known allergies (NKA), penicillin (pen), etc. Insignias are not authorized to be worn on the ACU.
• Subdued pin on or sewn on rank is to be worn on the ACU boonie hat and the ACU patrol cap.
• Black leather boots, Tan Combat Boots, or optional tan boots are authorized for wear with the Aircrew battle Dress Uniform and the Flight Uniform.
• The MP, EOD, and CID insignias are authorized to be worn on the ACU. Blood types, CLS, medic, allergies, Arabic nametapes, no known drug allergies (NKDA), no known allergies (NKA), penicillin (pen), etc. Insignias are not authorized to be worn on the ACU.
• Black or tan rigger belts are authorized for wear with the ACU.
• Black, tan or green socks are authorized to be worn with the ACU.
• Boots with zippers or sneaker-type construction are not authorized to be worn with the ACU.
• Sleeve cuffs on the ACU are not authorized to be rolled inside the ACU coat.

This list is not all-inclusive.  Soldiers should review the ALARACT for further details.

Military Uniform Exchange

 There is a new website that we think you will be interested in called Military Uniform Exchange.

 

  Military Uniform Exchange is the end result of a conversation that two recently retired Marines had.  Both had serviceable Dress Blue Uniforms, Service Alpha’s,  Barracks Covers, Desert Boots and Utility uniforms hanging in their closets in Stafford that someone stationed at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton or MCAS Yuma might be able to use.  

  Many Military installations don’t have a thrift shops.  At bases that have thrift shops, Marines are limited to what is available on the shelf (luck of the draw). 

  If you couldn’t find what you were looking for at the base thrift shop your only option was to pay full price at the PX or the Uniform Shop. Now you can check online at Military Uniform Exchange.  Someone in California or North Carolina may have posted the USMC uniform, Army Uniform, Navy or Air Force Uniform you are looking for online. By bringing Military personnel together from around the world you have a better chance of finding what you need and saving money over the high cost of new Military Uniforms.  

  Military Uniform Exchange as a worldwide electronic combination of all local base newspaper classified ads and all local base thrift shops. The Military Uniform Exchange exists to serve Solidiers, Sailors, Airman, Marines and Coast Guardsmen by providing a platform where they can come together at one location and defray the high cost of new uniform items.   It is one place where military personnel stationed around the world can link-up, help each other and save money on Military Uniforms.

Military Uniform Exchange serves two basic purposes:

-Provides one location where all military personnel can go to find a large selection of quality second hand military uniforms (saving significant money in the process). 

-Provides an opportunity for transitioning military personnel to post their serviceable uniforms for sale, help a fellow Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine and make a few dollars in the process. (There is no fee to post a basic ad for a current service uniform.  This includes one picture). 

  The website serves all services which helps cover costs and most importantly to keep all the basic services for posting current service uniforms free.  

  The Military Uniform Exchange also has a Vintage and Collectible Uniforms category for people interested in pre-2001 Military Uniforms (all types) that are collectible or may be of historical value. This category is a great place to sell those out of service Woodland Utilities, black combat boots and other out of service uniforms.  Unlike the other categories a one time fee is charged for this basic service.  The fees in this category help fund the website and keep costs down in the Service Uniform Categories.

  Additionally, there is a Coins and Collectible category where you can find things like Marine Corps challenge coins, Flags, plaques, coffee mugs, patches and other memorabilia.   

 

  Military personnel selling uniforms must create a free account in order to list items. A seller can elect additional services (provides more exposure for the ad) for a fee. If additional services are purchased, a one-time only fee is charged for that specific service over the specified period of time. There are no additional fees charged, including final value fees, for the duration of that ad unless the seller elects additional services.

 

 Military personnel interested in purchasing an item can contact the seller using the “Reply to Ad” button. If a buyer notifies a seller that he is interested or agrees to buy an item listed, the buyer and seller deal directly with each other during the transaction.

 

  There is no cost to create an account.   Military personnel looking for a specific uniform can sign up for a free account and elect to receive an email alert.  An automatic notification will be sent when a uniform they are interested in is posted online for sale.

 

We think this site will be a great tool for all  Military personnnel to find and sell uniforms on the web.  Please check it out at:  http://www.militaryuniformexchange.com   

Navy PT uniform approved for all Sailors.

The new Navy physical fitness uniform has been approved for all Sailors.  The uniform consists of a gold, short-sleeved shirt and Navy blue shorts. Delivery to the fleet is anticipated for spring 2008. Availability at uniform centers and command uniform distribution activities will be phased in beginning with major Fleet concentration areas in spring 2008. Sailors’ clothing replacement allowance will be adjusted starting Oct.1, 2007 to allow for the purchase of two sets of short sleeve shirts and shorts.