USMC with MOPPs in Iraq

[FuturePara]

I was scrolling through the OIF Marine gallery and wondered when did the Marines stop wearing the MOPP suits and just used the DCU's instead?
Also, what was the basis on who got the Desert MARPAT uniforms and who had the regular three colors. Did some people deploy with them but they weren't seen because of the MOPP suits? Did some people get them issued further into the campaign in Iraq?

[Vance]

They ditched the MOPP when they got to Baghdad.

[Jack Mehoff]

They expected biological/chemical attacks.

[Ratamacue]

As for the MARPAT, some (most?) Marines probably managed to get their hands on it before their deployment, most likely the ones that were stationed at Lejeune or Pendleton prior to the buildup. Most of the guys also seemed to have MARPAT helmet covers

[JMooch]

"I was scrolling through the OIF Marine gallery and wondered when did the Marines stop wearing the MOPP suits and just used the DCU's instead?"

We stopped wearing MOPP's on 3 Apr. NBC threat was thought to be low to none by then.

"Also, what was the basis on who got the Desert MARPAT uniforms and who had the regular three colors."

Desert MARPAT's were available on a limited basis prior to us leaving. Basically who ever got to the Exchange first got them at a limit of 1 set per Marine/Corpsman. I had mine but chose not to bring them because there was nothing wrong with the DCU's I had. I had one set of Desert MARPAT's and 3 of DCU's. I paid for the MARPAT's and the DCU's were issued...do you see where I'm going with this? I didn't want to destroy a uniform I paid for versus three free uniforms. Plus I thought the camo difference was minimal. The MARPAT's are more comfortable, but by the time we stepped across the LD, the DCU's were broken in and comfortable as well.

"Did some people deploy with them but they weren't seen because of the MOPP suits?"

We wore our MOPP suit over PT gear. No DCU's/MARPAT's underneath. If we did it would have just been another layer of clothes to overheat you or make it that much harder to decon in case of NBC attack.

"Did some people get them issued further into the campaign in Iraq?"

There were no Desert MARPAT's issued in country. They were only available stateside.

"As for the MARPAT, some (most?) Marines probably managed to get their hands on it before their deployment, most likely the ones that were stationed at Lejeune or Pendleton prior to the buildup."

Most Marines WERE NOT ABLE to get the desert MARPAT's prior to leaving (at least on the east coast). Like I said, they were available on a limited basis (and sporadically at that!), so most didn't have the time to run down to the exchange and grab them. Too many other priorities to take care prior to a wartime deployment.

"Most of the guys also seemed to have MARPAT helmet covers"

Most of those with desert MARPAT helmet covers are from west coast Marine units. CENTCOM is their AO, they train for the desert more than the east coast folks (of which I am), so they get priority for desert stuff (including the tan Interceptor covers). In my company, we had one Marine that had a desert MARPAT cover.

The MARPAT helmet covers are double sided. One side has woodland MARPAT and the other has desert MARPAT.

Hope this helps clear up the confusion,
Semper,
Mooch

[NcDeuce]

MOPP levels increasing/decreasing.

[Ratamacue]

Thanks for the corrections, Mooch.

[FuturePara]

Mooch: Thank you much! That answered it clearly and precisely, deeply appreciate it.
What was the basis of M-16A4's being issued? Sorry about all these questions...

[Ratamacue]

Mooch would know better, but to my knowledge the only A4's issued to Marines in Iraq were issued with an ACOG sight and assigned to designated marksmen. Is that right?

[JMooch]

"but to my knowledge the only A4's issued to Marines in Iraq were issued with an ACOG sight and assigned to designated marksmen"

Yes, again this ultimately depended on what unit you were with. Some units had been fielding them for testing prior and took them in theater.
Again priority went to west coast units...it's their AOR.

Semper,
Mooch

[Tommy Gunn]

The MARPAT helmet covers are double sided. One side has woodland MARPAT and the other has desert MARPAT.



Huh, like going back to the old brown side/green side helmet cover. A good thing IMO.

[Merik]

Cool beans on the info. So what all places did you and your unit end up going to over there Mooch?

[JMooch]

Just about everywhere but Baghdad and north.
Kuwait - Jalibah - An Nasiriyah - Ad Diwaniyah - An Numaniyah - back to Ad Diwaniyah - back to An Numaniyah - Al Amarah - Al Hillah - Al Kut - Qualat Sikkar - all the pissant towns along route 7 - back to An Nasiriyah - back to Kuwait - Home
Suffice it to say we were jerked around a bit. Covered over 700km of Iraqi territory.
Semper,
Mooch