Date Signed: 11/1/2011
ALMAR Active Number: 043/11 2011

According to the Quantico Sentry, "This year is the first Marine Corps birthday in decades when hosting commands have the option to obligate all attendees to wear dress blues to the ball because, as of Oct. 1, all Marines are required to own the uniform". 

Since 2008 all Marines have been issued Dress Blues and the USMC 236th Birthday this will be the first year that every Marine attending the Marine Corps Birthday Ball will have Dress Blues.  Up until 2008 only Officers were required to have Dress Blues.

Marines can find more information in the Quantico Sentry.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Marine Gen. James F. Amos, has approved the wearing of memorial bracelets effective immediately. Memorial bracelets memorializing prisoners of war, missing in action, killed in action, and those who died of wounds or injuries sustained in a combat theater are authorized.

Last week, the Commandant of the Marine Corps met with his senior leaders at a Marine Corps General Officer Symposium, a group of general officers who make recommendations to the Commandant. The issue of the bracelets was discussed and the decision was made to allow their wear.

"We are acknowledging the close personal nature of our ten years at war and the strong bonds of fidelity that Marines have for one another, especially for those fellow Marines who we have lost," said Amos.

Further guidance that details standardization and uniformity will be distributed across the Marine Corps through official correspondence by the end of the week. 

Story by Maj. Stewart Upton, Dvids.

Subject:  MARINE CORPS COMBAT UTILITY UNIFORM POLICY CHANGE
Originator: CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
DTG: 181719Z Oct 11Precedence: ROUTINEDAC: General
To: AL MARADMIN(UC)

UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADMIN 621/11
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS// SUBJ/MARINE CORPS COMBAT UTILITY UNIFORM POLICY CHANGE// REF/A/MSGIDOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MCUB/31MAR2003// AMPN/A IS MCO P1020.34G, MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS.// POC/M. BOYT/CIV/UNIT:MCUB/-/TEL: 703-432-3333/TELSN 378-3333 /EMAIL:MARY.BOYT(AT)USMC.MIL// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  THIS MARADMIN ANNOUNCES THE COMMANDANT'S DECISION TO CHANGE THE MARINE CORPS COMBAT UTILITY UNIFORM (MCCUU) WEAR POLICY.
2.  EFFECTIVE 24 OCTOBER 2011, THE MCCUU WILL BE WORN WITH THE SLEEVES DOWN, YEAR ROUND.  THIS CHANGE DOES NOT AFFECT TIMING OF THE SEASONAL UNIFORM CHANGE, WHICH WILL BE ADDRESSED AND ANNOUNCED IN A
FUTURE MARADMIN.
3.  REFERENCE (A) WILL BE UPDATED TO REFLECT THIS CHANGE.
4.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY LTGEN W. J. WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR, MARINE CORPS STAFF.//

Current inventory of the USAF sage green fleece has caught up with demand, officials announced Sept. 2.

The sources for purchase of the fleece are Army Air Force Exchange Service military clothing stores in person and online.

Airmen have raised issues field concerning availability, where to buy the green fleece authorized for wear as an outer garment by Air Force members and how to avoid buying unauthorized versions.

"With ample stock in 15 sizes and production continuing, there should be no reason for Airmen to purchase a knock-off," said Capt. Micah Porter, the project manager for the Air Force Uniform Office.

Porter said most knock-offs are drastically different in appearance and highly noticeable. Even if AAFES doesn't have a certain size in stock, Airmen who order it now will ensure they have a fleece by the time temperatures begin to fall.

According to a message issued by the Office of Manpower, Personnel and Services at Headquarters Air Force, Washington, D.C.; "The sage green fleece jacket, commonly known as Generation III or Gen III, was the original version authorized for wear. Due to limited availability at AAFES military clothing stores and through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, some units purchased and issued other versions."

Previously issued green fleece jackets and those that are currently available for purchase, if worn as an outer garment, must meet the following configuration requirements:

- A fabric fastener ABU print name tape with dark blue block lettering, centered between the zipper and sleeve seam on the wearer's right chest

 A fabric fastener ABU print U.S. Air Force tape with dark blue block lettering, centered between the zipper and sleeve seem on the wearers left chest

- A fabric fastener subdued cloth rank with a solid sage-green background, flushed with and centered above the last name tape on the wearer's right chest.

- Fleece must remain zipped no lower than halfway between the name tape and the collar

- The collar must be folded over and resting on the shoulder, chest and back when the zipper is not completely zipped

- The bottom length of the fleece must be as close to the length of an ABU top as possible

- Sleeves must be worn down at all times

- Fleece must be kept in a neat, serviceable condition and present a professional appearance at all times

- When worn as an outer garment, the sage green fleece may only be worn over the ABU top and is not authorized to be worn solely over a T-shirt, thermal underwear and similar undergarment

Commanders also have the authority to allow wear of the fleece indoors if mission needs require it.

Airmen who have policy questions regarding this article should address them through their chain of command or by calling the Air Force Personnel Center at 800-525-0102, or DSN 665-5000.