The United States Marine Corps has a rich history and a deeply respected tradition, visually represented through its iconic uniforms. Among these, the dress blue uniform stands as a symbol of honor, esprit de corps, and the distinguished legacy of the Marines. In a historic move to enhance unity and provide a more tailored fit for all its members, the Marine Corps introduced a significant update to the Us Marines Dress Uniform specifically for women. This change, rooted in a 2014 initiative, ensures that every Marine, regardless of gender, projects the same sharp, unified image when wearing this esteemed uniform.
Driven by the vision to present a cohesive and unified appearance, Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) took on the task of developing a dress blue coat for female Marines that mirrored the distinguished look of the male uniform, while also offering a more tailored and appropriate fit. The primary objective was clear: to unify the visual representation of the Corps without compromising the distinct identity of female Marines. This initiative culminated in November 2018, when the first female Marines donned the newly designed US Marines dress uniform at their graduation ceremony at Parris Island.
Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner of MCSC, who officiated the graduation parade, remarked on the historical significance of the event. “I was honored to be a part of history and stand out on the renowned parade deck to witness the newest Marines… All the Marines looked sharp. The uniform represents the United States Marine Corps and its proud, rich legacy,” Fortner stated, emphasizing the uniform’s role in embodying the Corps’ values and heritage.
To ensure the new female marines dress uniform truly met the needs and preferences of its wearers, MCSC’s Infantry Combat Equipment (ICE) team undertook an extensive research phase. This involved direct engagement with female Marines through surveys and roadshows, ensuring their voices were central to the design process. The team visited I and II Marine Expeditionary Forces and conducted on-site surveys with 2,632 Marines across various locations, including Parris Island, Camp Lejeune, and the West Coast. Furthermore, nearly 3,000 additional Marines participated through online surveys, demonstrating the widespread interest and engagement in this uniform update.
Alt text: Female Marine recruit proudly wearing the new US Marines dress uniform at graduation, showcasing the updated design with white belt and standing collar.
Louis Curcio, the ICE clothing designer at MCSC, highlighted that the fielded coat was the result of multiple iterations and refinements. “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 explained. This iterative approach, incorporating direct feedback from female Marines at each stage, underscores the commitment to creating a uniform that is both aesthetically unified and practically suitable. The Commandant of the Marine Corps made the final decision based directly on this collected input, ensuring the change was genuinely driven by the needs and desires of the female Marine population.
The key design additions to the US Marines dress uniform for women include a white belt and a standing collar, replacing the previous standard lapel. These changes are significant in aligning the female uniform more closely with the male dress blue uniform, fostering a more unified and consistent visual identity for the Marine Corps as a whole. Beyond these immediately noticeable changes, designers also incorporated a seam in the upper torso area to facilitate easier alterations, accommodating a wider range of body types and ensuring a better fit for individual Marines. Additionally, the coat length was extended by 1.5 inches to achieve improved structure and balance with the trousers, which themselves were redesigned to offer enhanced range of motion and mobility.
“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,” Curcio stated, emphasizing the ultimate goal of visual unity and immediate recognition of every Marine in dress blues.
During the roadshows, Lt. Col. Jeniffer Ballard and Sgt. Lucy Schroder played a crucial role, modeling the prototypes and directly engaging with fellow Marines to gather feedback and address concerns. Their participation was vital in bridging communication and ensuring that the design team directly understood the perspectives of female Marines across different ranks and duty stations. Current Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller also directly sought their opinions and those of other female Marines, reinforcing the importance of firsthand input in this significant uniform modification.
Initial reactions to the proposed changes were varied. Lt. Col. Ballard noted that some female Marines expressed concerns that the new coats might detract from their femininity or alter established traditions for women in the Corps. However, as Ballard explained, the Marine Corps has a history of evolving uniform standards for women. Presenting the uniform in person during roadshows proved beneficial. “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 recounted, highlighting the positive shift in perception once Marines could see and experience the uniform firsthand.
Alt text: Lt. Col. Jeniffer Ballard and Sgt. Lucy Schroder modeling the updated US Marines dress uniform during a roadshow, showcasing the fit and design details.
Lt. Col. Ballard herself admitted initial reservations, anticipating a mere replica of the male coat. However, her opinion 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 acknowledged, appreciating the move towards greater uniformity and contemporary appeal.
Sgt. Schroder echoed this sentiment, urging Marines to try on the dress blue uniform female version before forming judgments. She emphasized the progressive nature of this change, stating, “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.” Her point underscores the potential of this uniform update to not only enhance unity but also to positively influence the perception of the Marine Corps among prospective female recruits.
The new us marines dress uniform became available for purchase at Marine Corps Exchanges, marking a tangible step in its widespread adoption. The mandate for all female Marines to wear the updated uniform by fiscal year 2022 further solidified this change as a permanent and essential part of Marine Corps uniform regulations.
Sgt. Maj. Fortner aptly summarized the significance of this evolution: “We cannot be afraid of change, often times a new era brings about changes… We must take it on and own it.” This sentiment reflects the Marine Corps’ ability to adapt and modernize while upholding its core values and traditions. The updated US Marines dress uniform for women stands as a testament to this adaptability, ensuring every Marine, man or woman, stands proudly and recognizably as a member of this elite fighting force.
