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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/another dog tag question, some uniform questions

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Expert: - 12/9/2006


Question
Is current rank not included on the Marine's dog tag?  Was it ever?
Are BDUs the same thing as the field uniform, and is that the same thing as the utility uniform?  I heard that they are changing over to MARPAT as the standard for utility uniform - is it still allowed to wear the old woodland camouflage uniform, or is it phased out entirely?
Do Marines wear nametapes above the breast pocket of utility uniform?  Do Marines wear any other patches or insignia on utility uniforms?  
I have a lot of questions about the current uniform standards, esp utility uniform - can you recommend any websites or books for me to look at?
Thanks so much for your help!
Beth  

Answer
Beth:

 No, current rank is not on the dog tag.  It's never been included, as it would be too hard to keep changing dog tags everytime someone got promoted.

 The MARPAT stands for 'Marine Pattern'.  "Utilities" is a WWII term still used by the Marine Corps, designating a non dress uniform used for 'utility' work (so, the field would be 'utility' work, get it?).  BDU is an army term designating "Battle Dress Uniform", or the Cammies.  The woodland cammie uniform is no longer being issued or worn, as far as I can see.

Marines do wear nametapes, they were the last service to do so, they were made to do so in the first Gulf War.  The left side of the utility uniform tape says "U.S. Marines" the right side has the wearers last name.  No other patches are worn by Marines on any uniform, other than the Eagle Globe and Anchor collar devices on the collar of the Service Dress Alpha and Dress blues.   Rank insignia is worn on the sleeve on both of those.  A pin on collar rank insignia is worn on the collar of the MARPAT's.  

You are certainly welcome to email me at zebra305@earthlink.net if you have more questions...  

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

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Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

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Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

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United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

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I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

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Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

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Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

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United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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