Desert MARPAT in Non-Desert Environments

[LT08]

Can anyone tell me why the USMC sometimes wears desert MARPAT stateside and in other places that are obviously not deserts?

[Power_serj]

Because the United States is currently deployed mostly in desert terrain in several wars. It would be rediculous to keep changing uniforms.

[JC0352]

It's part of the revised uniform regs. During warmer months, they wear deserts with the sleeves up (in garrison). Green ones in the winter with sleeves down. Sleeves are still always down in the field or in a combat zone.

[TheHatta]

do they have anything for like alaska and winter warfare type stuff?

[1911-a1]

do they have anything for like alaska and winter warfare type stuff?

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8354/bridgeport031pd9.jpg

[el borracho]

Those are only worn during excercises. You won't see Marines walking around garrison wearing winter camo.

[BumpkinBoy]

I Don't know a great deal about the Marines, but I would assume its done depending on the situation they are operating in.

For example, I know the recent pictures of the Marines over in Timor, with the Aussies, they were wearing Desert cams. Despite it being a predominately GREEN environment (and every other friendly nation is wearing green). However, the local rebels were usually seen to be wearing a knock off green-digital pattern similar to the ones used by Marines. So perhaps, to avoid confusion, or the slim chance of friendly fire, they decided to wear Deserts, to distinguish themselves as friendlies to the locals, and other forces. That's just a guess but.

Also, on Talisman Saber 07', most enemy Marines/Aussies we're wearing a mixture of Desert Marpat/Desert Auscam, whilst the friendlies we're wearing the green uniform. So maybe thats another example where you've seen/heard that happen?

On a side note, I think it's bad drills to be instinctively shooting at your own countries' cams (or a friendly nation), whether its desert/green/or a mixture of both.

Perhaps if you made a more specific point of your question, like an example where you've seen/heard about it happening, someone could further help answer it. Otherwise, it might be to general.

[Lifeinasmallbox]

Step One...ask a Marine

[guest]

Step One...ask a Marine

No don't,

He will head-butt you, Scream obscenities directly in your face, along with gallons of spittle, and the distinct smell of pastrami on rye on his breath.

[KEEPER0311]

No don't,

He will head-butt you, Scream obscenities directly in your face, along with gallons of spittle, and the distinct smell of pastrami on rye on his breath.
I resent that...it's spam goddamn it!

Like SgtJC said, state side, starting early April we wear deserts with sleeves rolled in garrison, once the winter months roll around, say Nov. 2nd, we move to green with sleeves down. Sleeves are always down in the field.

On a side note...I just don't like greens as much as my deserts. Don't look as sharp :p

[norkalkilla]

Plus, making sense is not always in a units SOP's

[Lifeinasmallbox]

No don't,

He will head-butt you, Scream obscenities directly in your face, along with gallons of spittle, and the distinct smell of pastrami on rye on his breath.

...I've noticed that Marines are usually nicer that us Army cats...


...

[oregongrunt]

The supply system doesn't care what color you get stateside. When a supply Sergeant orders rucksacks, pouches, etc. They show up in any color from the issusing warehouse. Look at the stateside tanks, trucks, HUMVEEs in the motor pool for example, green body, and tan rims and doors.

[dangerdan87]

Can anyone tell me why the USMC sometimes wears desert MARPAT stateside and in other places that are obviously not deserts?

Cause its a Marine Corps Order stating that we wear deserts in the summer, woodlands in the winter.

[-Church-]

While we're asking question, I dont understand why the USMC dont have body armors with the Marpat pattern, they have the green and the desert one while the Army has their ACU body armor.

Any particular reason or is it just because its cheaper that way ?

[seraosha]

It's my understanding that the coyote brown gear goes with the green and desert MARPAT, independent of ordering more for both uniforms.

[KEEPER0311]

It's my understanding that the coyote brown gear goes with the green and desert MARPAT, independent of ordering more for both uniforms.

That's pretty much dead on. Do you really think the Corps has money to order two sets of body armor for every Marine?

[-Church-]

That's pretty much dead on. Do you really think the Corps has money to order two sets of body armor for every Marine?

Well with a 440 billion dollars budget I would like to think so.

But hey Im french so I get the budget limitations.

[KEEPER0311]

Well with a 440 billion dollars budget I would like to think so.

But hey Im french so I get the budget limitations.

Not with V-22's being introduced, a replacement for the HUMVEE being researched and bought, F-35 programs...the list goes on and on. Us grunts don't get the big money.

[-Church-]

Not with V-22's being introduced, a replacement for the HUMVEE being researched and bought, F-35 programs...the list goes on and on. Us grunts don't get the big money.

Yeah I get that. Its too bad, I'd love to see a loadout with Woodland or Desert Marpat pattern.

[KEEPER0311]

I myself would think it's cool, but on the other hand that just another piece of gear I'd have to sign for, and my gear locker is full as it is.

[-Church-]

Seems pretty counter productive to have one of the most effective camo around(especially desert) and put a big light brown stamp on it.

[KEEPER0311]

Seems pretty counter productive to have one of the most effective camo around(especially desert) and put a big light brown stamp on it.

Doesn't matter to much, I mean we're walking down the middle of streets and crap...The flak works pretty well blending in anyway, once it has some dirt and stains on it, you'll never see it.

[-Church-]

Doesn't matter to much, I mean we're walking down the middle of streets and crap...The flak works pretty well blending in anyway, once it has some dirt and stains on it, you'll never see it.

Yeah yeah I know Im just saying. You never know where the job might take you in the near future, especially in these times.

[dangerdan87]

I would hate it if I had 2 flaks. I barelly have room for 1

[JC0352]

Yep, just more sh!t for some poor Lcpl to lose.

[Ratamacue]

To be fair, it would probably be issued in the form of vest covers, not entirely new vests including kevlar and plates. But it does seem ridiculous to issue both desert and woodland pattern vest covers when coyote brown is a good, neutral color used in both MARPAT schemes. Especially when you consider that to make that camouflage on the vest useful, you'd also need to issue (or buy) pouches and packs in both patterns.

[dangerdan87]

Yep, just more sh!t for some poor Lcpl to lose.

Soo..whatcha tryin to say? :p

Just think about deploying with 1 flak and a 2 seabag limit.:|

Now think about 2 flaks and a 2 seabag limit...:cantbeli:

[KEEPER0311]

Soo..whatcha tryin to say? :p

Just think about deploying with 1 flak and a 2 seabag limit.:|

Now think about 2 flaks and a 2 seabag limit...:cantbeli:

Remember to roll em nice and tight;)

[JC0352]

Soo..whatcha tryin to say? :p

Just think about deploying with 1 flak and a 2 seabag limit.:|

Now think about 2 flaks and a 2 seabag limit...:cantbeli:

Hey Killer, when I deployed in '04, I don't think a 4 seabag limit would've made it any easier to carry all the sh!t they made us bring!:)

[KEEPER0311]

Hey Killer, when I deployed in '04, I don't think a 4 seabag limit would've made it any easier to carry all the sh!t they made us bring!:)

"Tell your Marines they better have brought the kitchen sink, be the one."

[Rynnäkkökivääri]

Couldn't you just fill up your pockets as much as possible, to leave only the bigger things for the bags? I'm not really familiar with deployment regs, so don't yell at me if I'm way off here.

[z_bumbi]

To be fair, it would probably be issued in the form of vest covers, not entirely new vests including kevlar and plates. But it does seem ridiculous to issue both desert and woodland pattern vest covers when coyote brown is a good, neutral color used in both MARPAT schemes. Especially when you consider that to make that camouflage on the vest useful, you'd also need to issue (or buy) pouches and packs in both patterns.

Or just make a third pattern with brown, tan and grey that blends even better with both MARPAT schemes.

[-Church-]

I myself would think it's cool

Then here, i just found that on the internets and thought of you(oh, how special you must feel):

http://www.sentineltactical.com/Graphics/HC_WMP/HC_WMP_Cust_Photo.jpg

[0497]

Also, on Talisman Saber 07', most enemy Marines/Aussies we're wearing a mixture of Desert Marpat/Desert Auscam, whilst the friendlies we're wearing the green uniform. So maybe thats another example where you've seen/heard that happen?



Auscam + woodland marpat + desert marpat
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nukeit1/855479488/

[norkalkilla]

Couldn't you just fill up your pockets as much as possible, to leave only the bigger things for the bags? I'm not really familiar with deployment regs, so don't yell at me if I'm way off here.

Pockets are for writing gear, cell phones and wallets thats about it.

[JC0352]

Then here, i just found that on the internets and thought of you(oh, how special you must feel):

http://www.sentineltactical.com/Graphics/HC_WMP/HC_WMP_Cust_Photo.jpg
He has Gunny rolls. He's either a sh!tbird or salty.p-) or an airsofter with a few grand worth of "loadout"

[JC0352]

Pockets are for writing gear, cell phones, copenhagen and/or smokes and wallets thats about it.

fixedp-) 12345

[KEEPER0311]

Cancer sticks and gum. Gunnny rolls...no sh!t...and then I get **** from the top for having on sleeve a little tighter then the other...gunny has JROTC sleeves going. **** it all!

Churck, looks pretty spiffy. I'm always leaning towards deserts though. For what ever reason the greens just don't look good to me.

[BumpkinBoy]

@ 0497

Yargh! Yee be the ones I remember shooting at us :P

[Rynnäkkökivääri]

Pockets are for writing gear, cell phones and wallets thats about it.
Ah ok. Thanks.