The Marine Corps has unveiled a historic update to its dress blue uniforms for female Marines, marking a significant step towards visual unity within the esteemed military branch. This change, culminating in a redesigned dress blue coat, ensures that all Marines, regardless of gender, project the same sharp and unified image while adhering to the proud legacy of the U.S. Marine Corps. The initiative, driven by feedback from female Marines themselves, introduces a more tailored and contemporary fit without compromising the iconic Dress Blue aesthetic.
The journey towards this uniform evolution began in 2014, when Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) was tasked with developing a dress blue coat for women that mirrored the distinguished appearance of the male uniform. The core objective was to present a cohesive and unified Corps to the world, while simultaneously providing female Marines with a uniform that offered a more appropriate and comfortable fit. The first Marines to showcase these updated uniforms were the graduates of November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island, during their graduation ceremony on November 16th. Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner of MCSC, who served as the parade reviewing official, expressed her honor in witnessing this historical moment. “All the Marines looked sharp. The uniform represents the United States Marine Corps and its proud, rich legacy,” Fortner noted, highlighting the successful embodiment of Marine Corps values in the new design.
MCSC’s Infantry Combat Equipment (ICE) team prioritized incorporating the voices of female Marines throughout the design process. Extensive research was conducted through surveys and roadshows, ensuring that the final product reflected the preferences and needs of the women who would wear it. The team engaged with Marines from I and II Marine Expeditionary Forces and conducted on-site surveys with 2,632 Marines across various locations including the National Capital Region, Parris Island, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, Yuma, and the West Coast. Furthermore, nearly 3,000 additional Marines participated in an online survey, demonstrating the widespread interest and engagement in this uniform modification. Sgt. Maj. Fortner emphasized the importance of this meticulous approach, stating, “It was important for MCSC to get this right for the institution. I appreciate the diligence that went into this effort from the beginning.”
Louis Curcio, ICE clothing designer, explained that the fielded coat represents the third iteration of prototypes, refined based on continuous feedback. Key modifications include the addition of a white belt and a standing collar, replacing the previous standard lapel. “Throughout the process, we conducted three different surveys to figure out if the new coat was something Marines actually wanted—and we only surveyed females,” Curcio clarified. The survey results were presented to the Commandant, who made the final decision based directly on the input from female Marines, underscoring the user-centric design philosophy.
Design enhancements also included a seam in the upper-torso area to facilitate easier alterations for diverse body types. Additionally, the coat length was increased by 1.5 inches to provide improved structure and balance with the trousers, which themselves were redesigned to enhance range of motion and overall mobility. Curcio succinctly captured the essence of the update: “With this change, all Marines will have the uniform of the Corps, and there will be no doubts that they are U.S. Marines in the dress blue uniform.” This emphasizes the goal of eliminating visual discrepancies and reinforcing the unified identity of all Marines in their dress blues.
During the roadshows, Lt. Col. Jeniffer Ballard and Sgt. Lucy Schroder played a crucial role, modeling the uniforms and addressing questions from fellow Marines. Current Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller actively sought their opinions, along with input from other female Marines, ensuring direct feedback from the intended wearers. Lt. Col. Ballard, from Manpower Management Integration branch, noted some surprising feedback gathered during the roadshow. Concerns were raised by some Marines about the new coats potentially detracting from their femininity or disrupting established traditions for female Marines. Ballard contextualized these concerns by pointing out the historical evolution of women’s uniforms within the Marine Corps, emphasizing that change and adaptation are inherent aspects of Marine Corps history. “It was important for us to show what the uniform looked like in person versus in an online survey, and some Marines were pleasantly surprised saying it exceeded their expectations,” Ballard stated, highlighting the positive impact of visual demonstration and direct interaction.
Initially, Lt. Col. Ballard admitted her own reservations about the uniform changes, anticipating a mere replication of the male coat. However, her perspective evolved as the design progressed. “Over the course of time the coat grew on me, and I really like it now because it helps modernize the force, so there isn’t such a distinction between male and female uniforms,” she concluded, appreciating the unifying effect of the updated design. Sgt. Schroder echoed this sentiment, urging Marines to try on the blue coat before forming judgments, recognizing the update as a “huge step for the Marine Corps.” She reflected on her own initial impressions of the Marine uniform, shaped by the iconic male dress blue coat, and emphasized the growing voice of female Marines in shaping their representation. “The more we progress in time, the more female Marines are having a voice and opinions on how they want to look, which will hopefully draw the attention of future recruits,” Schroder suggested, linking uniform evolution to recruitment and future representation.
The new dress blue uniform is currently available for purchase at Marine Corps Exchanges. The mandate for all female Marines to wear the updated uniform will be effective by fiscal year 2022, marking a complete transition to the new standard within the specified timeframe. Sgt. Maj. Fortner concluded with a forward-looking perspective: “We cannot be afraid of change, often times a new era brings about changes. Many Marines have adapted throughout their careers, and this is no different. We must take it on and own it.” This statement encapsulates the Marine Corps’ adaptability and its embrace of progress while upholding its core values and traditions through its evolving All Marine Uniforms.
