Hey, FNG and I were discussing shoulder ranks at DC....since were just lowly Pvts, we dont get rank bars, unless we make PFCs...but I think we both are happy just being grunts...


so whatever is cool with me


Derek

_________________
Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

Delta collar pins- Derek got a fantastic deal!

I'm sure he'll have the same results with the "Colonial Marines" patch too!

Ranks- 'eh, I'm in the "whatever" part of this. No worries, ranks or no ranks, I'm good either way.

Screaming Animals- the offical rock band of the USCM!


Here's the first out of pocket costs Marines-

$278 for custom Delta pins
Next is Custom Colonial Marines, followed by a custom Screaming Eagle for the hat and buckle.

We'll have to be diggin' deep to contribute to this project.

Here's where the "walkin' the talk" starts...

I don't have a problem funding parts of this. I just sold my house, I love the USCM!

But...that said, I ain't funding it all...

_________________


USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

Oh come on Daddy Warbucks....




Derek

_________________
Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

I can contribute $30.00 for pins. More than 1/10th the total cost.

9 more people do the same and it's a done deal.

I'd be willing to send my money to Derek if he'd be willing to make the order for us.

Since Derek has brought up the point of no rank insignia for pvts, I have a question: how many of us are there here that will be above a pvt? We're the only ones that will have to worry about rank placement yes?

_________________
I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Uhhh, Pfc here... and I did get a battlefield promotion by
Sgt. Ogawa to Lance Corporal in the middle of DZC...but the paperwork never got filed...

_________________


USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

Just throwing this out there again, that we could have screaming (animal) patches made that were smaller and/or subdued. That way we have them but they're not so freakin' big/gaudy.

As for rank, I've never figured out just what I "am". Do we each decide for ourselves or is there a loose guideline for that among the group, depending upon how many convention "drops" we've made or whatever? (Maybe I should note I've never officially regisitered anywhere...I know we're not the 501st but I do know someone has set up some kind of roster.)

I'm toward the more aged extreme of the group and it's going to start to show in a few years. On one hand I think that my fictional self should bloody well have advanced at least a couple steps in rank by now...on the other hand there's something to be said for the noncom that's still going strong, and, well, alive!

Jay, I think our ranks just came from the "movie named" ranks....IE..PVT, Corporal, Sarge..etc...

Theres no structure on what we rank ourselves...but most of us just like being grunts...so were Pvts or PFCs.


Derek

_________________
Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

We pick our own ranks. "Sarge" or "Sergeant Burton" was actually my nickname throughout highschool (from both my friends and teachers) due to my wearing a camouflage BDU top nearly every day.

When I made my first Colonial Marines uniform in 2002- the only decent rank patch I could find at the local surplus shop was a Staff Sergeant.

I figured if I was called Sergeant as a teenager, it was time for a promotion.

When I graduated from Air Cadets in 1989, I had acheived the rank of Master Warrant Officer; one rank above Flight Sergeant which was our equivalent of a SSgt. Though personally I have no desire to be a W.O. in our beloved Corps.

Bit of trivia about the Sarge.

Anyway- personally I think it's best if we pick our own ranks. Any kind of actual rank structure based on merit and/or experience can usually lead to in-fighting. Something our group has managed to avoid all these years.

I keep joking that one day I'm going to promote myself and tell everyone not to be surprised when I show up in a chrome M1 helmet as COLONEL BURTON!

About the Screaming patch- If it didn't have the USCM at the bottom it would significantly reduce the size to allow ranks on the arm. My perference would be a circular patch like a USMC patch-



but with the Delta and "United States Space Command---Colonial Marine Corps" like our challenge coin.

_________________
I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

<hijack>
Pick & choose your own rank I say. I was a Sergeant in the Canadian Army but my favorite rank was Corporal therefore I figured I'll be a CFL Corporal For Life in the USCM.
That's Mike's story
</hijack>

Carry on Marines with the thread.

Mike

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There is nothing more impressive than a bloody big Alien wiggling on the end of a sharp stick!

I'm ok with that.... but I though we were going with the lobster?

Kevin, as duly appointed (drafted) keeper of standards, I would recommend that you write up some kind of checklist of things that have been agreed upon on a seperate page... perhaps your site? Like this the clutter and confusion of this massive thread you've created (thank-you very much) will not confuse people who want to jump on board with this project.

Waddaya think?

Interesting. RAF Flight Sergeant is the equivalent of Gunnery Sergeant in the USMC.

I carried carry over my real-world rank so that's why I'm Sgt Carthew. Little did I realise that the USMC equivalent to our Sergeant is Staff Sergeant. lol
Gave my self a demotion! That was silly!:D

_________________
"The other Gareth"

I don't wanna hear about demotions... my real-world rank is four full grades above my USCM rank

But hey. Can't everyone be a chief, gotta have some indians too. Besides... when was the last time you saw an NCO carrying the squad automatic weapon? Bigger rank < BIG FREAKING GUN.

...Sarge's PPIG notwithstanding. He's the senior NCO, he can do what the frak he wants.

_________________

CPL Sean Maio A01/TQ2.0.72156E1
Public Relations Division (Temporary Cross-Assignment)
M-56 Smartgun Operator, A/3Btn, II CMEF, USS Sephora

A source of mine has found the following:

Dress USMC cover:

Frame: $13.55.

White vinyl cover: $11.

Total: $24.55.

Brand new.

I have one being sent to me for evaluation. When I get it, I'll take pics and post. It may be a few days... I just got word about it this morning.

_________________
CPL Conley, D. A06/TQ2.0.72147E1



"To err is human; to forgive, divine... Neither of which is Marine Corps policy."
"In Onoraigh Ar Marbh" ~ We Honor Our Fallen

For the last time people it is the Lemming. Now get in line and follow up!!!

You are da man!!! Right on!! SCORE!!
If it's acceptable to you, just put me down for one, 7 1/4, I'll paypal you the $ right away!!

NIIIICCCCEEEEE job DD!!!

-

_________________


USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

For everyone regarding covers... remember that the USMC cover does not sit as low as a normal "hat".

For instance, my normal hat size is 7 1/8.... but for USMC dress covers of all types, I wear a 6 7/8.

_________________
CPL Conley, D. A06/TQ2.0.72147E1



"To err is human; to forgive, divine... Neither of which is Marine Corps policy."
"In Onoraigh Ar Marbh" ~ We Honor Our Fallen

I knew there was a reason why we took DD under our wings at DC

Good job on the covers bro...cant wait to see them..


Derek

_________________
Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

It sounds good to me- I'll create a page on my site with the title USCM Dress Blues Project (or just Dress Blues if that title won't fit in the page links column). I'll do it tonight. My website link is in my profile or accessable by clicking my banner.

But just to review what we've agreed upon so far:

-USMC Dress Blues tunic or high collar equivalent if Dress Blues tunic is unavailable in your size (must be midnight blue with red piping on collar and epaulettes. Preferably with plain brass buttons).

- Black dress pants with USMC Enlisted Bloodstripe (1 1/8 inch)

-USMC white service cap (cover)

- Oxford dress shoes with high polished shine

-White USMC belt with plain brass buckle

-Dropship wings above left breast pocket (to indicate Orbital Drop qualified)

For the moment I'm leaving out ranks and collar pins. Although I'm pretty sure we are going to have a run of Delta pins made for our collars, I'm not 100% sure.

And again, I'm not touching the rank placement issue until it's been thoroughly hammered out.

Anything I've missed?

Good score on the cover Derek! About the sizing- could you fill us in on any other nuances we may not be aware of? Please remember the majority of us (myself included) are civilians who won't know the particulars of wearing a dress uniform let alone a US Marine one.

For instance in purchasing a tunic, are the sizes equivalent to chest size? In other words is a 40R for a person with a 40" chest?

My hat size is about a 7- should I go with a 6 7/8 as well or smaller?

Which might bring up another issue- haircuts.

_________________
I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Sarge..I was thinking the same thing about haircuts today...scary!! I dont wanna shave it...but I will go a bit short...


Derek

_________________
Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

The days of me having a "high and tight" haircut are over. Most I'm willing to go with is a set of number 2 clippers up the sides and back with it just over an inch long on top.

I do like to wear other costumes at D-Con ya know.

We do want to have this look sharp, so a neatly trimmed haircut should suffice. Nobody's asking anyone to shave their head.

_________________
I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Hair cut? What is this Hair thing. LOL

Some of us have no worries. maybe little turtle wax. LOL

I AM. Kevin, be sure to add links for "where to obtain" for each item on your upcoming FAQ, ok?

Well... that was an (un)educated guess on my part. You're probably correct that a Flight Sergeant in the Canadian Forces is the equivalent of a GySgt in the USMC.

They have sooooo many Sergeants it's a little hard to keep track of.



Done! But so far the only one I have is for the dress shoes. Should I include the (retardedly expensive) Marlow White High Collar coat link?

Anyway here is the direct link to the page:

USCM Dress Blues Project

It is in the page directory column of my site under the same name.

_________________
I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Hey, I'm on a quick break from work so I only have time to post this... my source contacted me again and gave me a price on a "Kingform" brand USMC dress cover. This is the type I had and it's much better than what was issued.

Kingform:

Frame: $31.43
Vinyl Cover: $17.50
Total: $48.93

The Kingform is an excellent cover.

That doesn't mean you have to buy one, however. You always see a mixture of brands when Marines wear their dress uniforms... it depends on budget and/or simply what they wanted to buy.

Easy enough.

_________________
CPL Conley, D. A06/TQ2.0.72147E1



"To err is human; to forgive, divine... Neither of which is Marine Corps policy."
"In Onoraigh Ar Marbh" ~ We Honor Our Fallen

DD, how much difference is there between the two covers?

And, how do we measure our noggins for 'em?


Got my vintage USMC Dress Blues jacket yesterday! It's gorgeous!

First of all, Midnight Blue is another term for Black. It ain't blue, it's black!

Kev, we talked about removing the sleeve "flaps", but it's more work then we thought. It's sewed into the sleeve seam. Cutting it loose could:
Leave a little edge of material, unless one cuts really close and then it might not require the sleeve to be re-sewn.

The jacket is awesome though!

I'm really excited about this project. Get the rest of the stuff in the line up and it'll be good to go!

_________________


USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!