Ep 62: USMC United States Marine Corps Service Uniform / Recon Jack

Semper Fi everyone. I’m your host, United States Marine Corps veteran and living-historian, Charlie Lynch. On today’s episode, I’ll discuss the U.S. Marine Corps Service Uniform. The present service uniform for enlisted Marines was adopted in 1943, which makes it the oldest service uniform still in use by the U.S. armed forces. We’re more about continual tradition than changing fashions unlike some other branches.
I’m always open to suggestions, and I will likely cover a few Marine family members of some of you subscribers in the near future. I really enjoy interacting with you folks and seeing the growth of this channel; so please do not hesitate to send an email to [e-mail] if you’d like for me to honor you or your Marine unit, or a Marine friend or family member.
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[@timalexander7758]

Marine uniforms are “timeless” 👍

[@SemperFiGuy]

You're not lying. S/F

[@theroadrunnerjarhead4109]

Those tropical uniforms were SHARP.

[@ElMachoMucho]

Just found your videos and I'm loving them keep it up

[@SemperFiGuy]

Awesome, ElMachoMello. Thank you very much. The comments plus the continual rise in views and subscriptions keep me fueled.

[@FallujahMarine0311]

SEMPER Fi brother. Love your content and love seeing you get better with every show! Keep them coming!

[@SemperFiGuy]

YUT! Thank you greatly for the encouragement. Semper Fi, Brother.

[@semoneg2826]

Nice

[@kenrup]

I do have to admit that the Marine Dress Blues are sharp. The problem I had with my Army uniforms after retirement is that they shrank in the closet.

[@SemperFiGuy]

😅Fortunately, mine have yet to shrink. We a know "yet" stands for "You're Entitled, Too." Semper Fi, Ken

[@SemperFiGuy]

I feel bad for the soldiers who stayed in for a career (like Andy at Reel History), and they had to keep changing their camouflage and dress uniforms every time the Army's clothing department changed the design to justify their MOS. S/F

[@gravitypronepart2201]

@@SemperFiGuy same with the Navy! Man, they keep changing every time we get a new CNO!

[@SemperFiGuy]

I always found changes in service and dress uniforms unnecessary during times of war. Spending money on stronger work uniforms, armor, weapons, technology, etc. always seemed the more reasonable route to me.

[@JeepWrangler1957]

@@gravitypronepart2201 agree. That work uniform looks hideous. It is like they went to a rumage sale and gave you what was left.

[@CalvinMorris-cf8jk]

marines kick butt.

[@ReeseMacalma]

I'm a huge fan of the crew-neck sweater. Nice video Chuck! You seem to be getting the hang of this KZbin thing more and more.

[@michaeldamisch1367]

Howdy Chuck, one of my favorite if not my favorite uniform. Have a great day and stay safe 🪖🌎🦅⚓

[@SemperFiGuy]

Thanks again, Michael. I always liked my Pickle Suit. S/F

[@robwalters4501]

Yah hoo! Good info for everyone on duty or not.

[@SemperFiGuy]

I certainly do not miss wearing any combination of this uniform arrival at my next training/unit, duty, or Chucks Friday. S/F

[@JeepWrangler1957]

I entered MCRD SD on 27JAN1975 PLT 1016. We were issued two of the Alpha's in Green Wool and one in Polyester. We also were issued the double breasted overcoat. I wore that on ce going home on leave at Christmas. We were also issued those worthless rubber rain coats. We were also the last series to be issued Khaki's, which I also never wore. Unless you were a Honor Man you had to buy your Dress Blues, unless going to Sea Duty, Barracks Duty or Embassy Duty. I could never understand why officers Dress Blues did not have the red piping? I do believe that was a sharper look than with it. JMHO. SFMF.

[@sgtjarhead99]

When I was a boot back in '85, I thought the green service was really bland compared to the other services. Looking back, I am eternally grateful that the uniform has changed very little over the decades. You can literally recognize a Marine from virtually ANY DECADE. There's something about tradition that should never be messed with, unlike the ridiculous amount changes the Navy, Army, and Air Force has gone through since WWII. Dude, find your identity and stick with it.

[@SemperFiGuy]

I completely side with you on the latter statement. One of the many attributes that make me respect the Marine Corps is the honor of tradition. I know Marines are a special breed of servicemembers (a cult, if you must), but I hope there is still much of the same comradery and love for service amongst the other branches. Army has soldiers, Navy has sailors, Air Force has airmen, etc. The Marines have Marines. Semper Fi, Brother

[@Tito_Viera]

Oh, man, somehow this episode make me remember Lee Ermey in Full Metal Jacket and Mail Call on the History Channel. He for sure loved the USMC to the bone and soul. Well, let's remember a happy tune to cheer up... This is my rifle, this is my gun... Hahaha.

[@SemperFiGuy]

😂I'm honored for the comparison. RIP Gunny

[@FuzzyMarineVet]

I still have my Winter Service Alpha tunic and trousers from 1978 hanging in my closet.

[@SemperFiGuy]

That's awesome. Can you still fit them?😅

[@michaelcassady3862]

The Wooly Pully. Scratch. Scratch. Yut.

[@ekimp252]

When the Wooly Pully was worn with sateens, it was worn over top of the blouse with the collar pulled out.

[@SemperFiGuy]

I wore my !tchy B!tchy every chance the weather was cool enough to allow it, which wasn't often in Southern California. Ha, ha. Semper Fi

[@SemperFiGuy]

You wore it with sateens? I have learned something new. Semper Fi, Mike

[@f4tweet]

Why doesn’t your Corporal chevrons don’t have crossed rifles?

[@artlichtenberger3083]

Perhaps you can straighten out this old Marine on a couple of points….. 1: I’ve seen so many instances in the last 20 years, of service members traveling on plane, train , or bus , while dressed in the modern utility uniform? When did this become acceptable? When I was active (back in the Stone Age) , it was never acceptable to travel in public in what was considered a work uniform. …… & 2: When did the Corps do away with the wearing of Divisional or Wing shoulder flashes on the class A or dress uniform and why? It would have been a point of pride to show the unit you were assigned to (in my case 3rd MarDiv) Keep up the good work, Jarhead….Semper Fi

[@rhett1029]

They didn’t want any divide the corps with rivalry. They stopped around the end of WWII

[@artlichtenberger3083]

@@rhett1029 Thanks….I thought so but wasn’t sure

[@SemperFiGuy]

I'm glad to help, Art. The Marine Corps has never allowed travel off base in the work uniform (unless while travelling to and from home and work in an automobile, and he or she will not exit the vehicle). Travel off base requires Marines to either wear proper civilian attire, or generally the Service Uniform. Certain circumstances permit wear of the Blue Dress (i.e. Marines who regularly wear it while performing duty such as a recruiter, Marine One staff, or for funeral services, etc.)

[@SemperFiGuy]

Unlike the other branches (I have even witnessed sailors doing the dirty deed), Marines today do not wear their cammies into off-base shopping centers, grocery stores, restaurants, fueling stations, high school recruitment days, etc. The Marine Corps likes to be different, sometimes for the best of reasons, and prefers Marines to represent his or her service to the highest degree.

[@SemperFiGuy]

Rhett, you're absolutely correct. Much like the initial resistance to have specialized units within an already specialized branch (Marine Raiders & ParaMarines) during WWII.

[@ahwilson1744]

Did you get a Uniform allowance?

[@SemperFiGuy]

We were issued an annual uniform allowance, but most Marines I knew spent it on everything besides new/used uniforms (some guys visited MCRD San Diego or the local shops in town to purchase used uniforms--they were dirt cheap at the Depot). Most of that money was wisely spent on dip, alcohol, and toys. Ha, ha.

[@agneslynch7024]

Are you not allowed to wear your uniforms for special occasions such as weddings on Christmas? Interesting.

[@SemperFiGuy]

Actually, depending on the uniform (like the Blue Dress "A" and "B"), a Marine's involvement in the wedding ceremony (whether as a guest, as a groomsman, or as the groom), and the personal preference of the bride (she's the boss), Marines are encouraged to wear the proper uniform to weddings (as well as special occasions like Christmas).

[@SemperFiGuy]

Military weddings are quite common, especially during times of war, and whilst a Marine is on his 10-day Boot Leave. During WWII, as the Service Uniform was issued in far greater numbers than the Blue Dress (mainly due to war-time ration limitations, as well as the Service Uniform being the more commonly proper uniform for travel and liberty/leave), and most Marines wore the Service Uniform for military weddings.

[@SemperFiGuy]

Episode 27: USMC Marine Corps NCO Sword ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKrHmXdjgcZmfrM ) shows a picture of a Marine wedding reception ceremony featuring crossed swords (I know it is the episode thumbnail, and at the 6:38 mark).

[@gravitypronepart2201]

Hey Chuck, have you covered the unique Marine wedding honor guard tradition, (ya know the one I'm referring to)😉, and are they still doing it in todays politically correct invironment?

[@SemperFiGuy]

Ha! That's a good question. I know we were never concerned about hurting someone's feelings, or doing things that some people that was wrong.