The Marine Corps has ended a plan to revamp its bodily health uniform, based on the service. The initiative lasted practically three years however produced no new uniform.
In 2020, the service got down to redesign the trunks and undershirt that make up the Marine Corps heat climate bodily coaching uniform, or PTU.
The primary prototype of the uniform saved the traditional inexperienced colour scheme however featured knee-length shorts, moisture-wicking cloth and thick reflective strains on the again of the shirt. After damaging suggestions from Marines, the Corps tried once more to design a greater uniform, however the effort was short-lived.
Learn Subsequent: As Laser Pointer Incidents Spike, Airmen Are Getting Up to date Eyewear That Gives Higher Safety
A spokesperson for Marine Corps Programs Command, which was tasked by then-Commandant Gen. David Berger, to modernize the gear, instructed Navy.com that the initiative was “unfunded” for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
Efforts to enhance the uniform design formally stopped in September, the spokesperson added.
“Marine Corps Programs Command has ceased work to acquire and area the brand new PT uniform to redirect sources to extra pressing protection wants,” mentioned spokesperson Morgan Blackstock.
“In September 2023, the Marine Corps rescinded approval to develop a brand new stand-alone bodily coaching uniform (PTU),” she added. “The Marine Corps is prioritizing packages that higher concentrate on taking good care of Marines and USMC modernization.”
Marine Corps Occasions was first to report that the service had deserted the plan. It’s unclear why the newest iteration of the uniform effort was unfunded.
Final yr, the Corps acknowledged that the preliminary design didn’t sit effectively with the pressure. Particularly, officers mentioned that, primarily based on suggestions, the fabric was too heavy, the shorts had been too lengthy, and the reflective materials was too restrictive.
In October of final yr, Marine Corps Programs Command tried once more to revamp the uniform — slicing the inseam down to five inches and utilizing a lighter materials. Roughly 350 Marines examined the uniforms, based on press releases from the service. Their response to the second effort is unknown.
Marines at the moment put on a easy inexperienced shirt and shorts throughout heat climate. That uniform has been in place for years, regardless of many Marines fondly remembering their beloved silkies — very brief, olive drab shorts — that had been phased out in 2011. The chilly climate uniform was not a part of the tried replace.
Different providers have efficiently transitioned into newer, extra modern-looking uniforms. For instance, the Army up to date its grey PT uniform in 2017 when it picked up an all-black model with yellow lettering and reflective strains.
— Drew F. Lawrence could be reached at drew.lawrence@army.com. Observe him on X @df_lawrence.
Associated: Marines Licensed to Put on Desert Sample Uniform at Commanders’ Discretion Amid Cammie Scarcity
