I don't think you jumped the gun at all; you had an idea and ran with it! That's what this is all about... and I totally applaud your efforts. The ensemble looks really good, Kev. Seriously.



Good point. I propose this (and it may meet some resistance) - If a Marine chooses to wear the white belt, then white gloves are no longer optional... they become mandatory as part of that particular uniform. Now, imagine that uniform with white trousers as well.

Same Browne in black would be the other optional belt, with white gloves as optional as well.



Let me clarify in that I'm not "opposed" to the cover at all... I just started leaning a bit towards a beret. I think it was more subconscious really... finding alternatives to keep resembling the uniform but make it markedly different. I've no objection to the issue USMC cover at all.

Just... not with a Korean Marine insignia.




I've warmed up more to this suggestion as well... but then we have to figure out what color the beret should be.

Or... wait a minute... what if uniform A was white cover/belt/gloves, and uniform B was beret/black Sam Browne... ?



The Navy cap is definitely an option, but that would really need a popular vote here. I'm still big on the silver buttons instead of gold.

_________________
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

Derek- thanks for the comment and clarifications. Really helps Bro!



I would have no problem with this at all.

And WDI does have a point that Colour/Drill teams usually have a bit more "flair" than the regulation uniform. Back in my AC days, the Colour Guard wore a pvc white belt, a white shoulder cord, white spats, and white gloves.



Well then it would be a wee bit too close to the USMC Silent Drill Team:





That is a huge relief!



No problem Bro! That was another spur of the moment purchase. Methinks they would be impossible to find anyhow. Challenge Coin it is then! Just have to see about epoxying a screwpost to it.




DUDE! I think you may have hit a grand slam with that!



The Navy cap was really if we were against using a USMC cover. I could do silver buttons.

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

And I don't suggest it to try and be all full of Rules and Regulations or whatever... but if we're going to do this uniform up and do it well, I think some agreement of "uniformity" amongst us should be paramount. Costuming is about doing what you want, so I certainly don't want to come across as trying to be restrictive... I hope I make sense here.




Exactly what I was thinking about when I threw the suggestion out there... but... black trousers is the way to go in retrospect.



Thankya, thankya... I like the idea. Class A Dress and Class B Dress, or something like that.

Again, it's not meant to be restrictive... I just hope folks can agree that if there are 2 uniforms, they need to be worn a "certain" way (based on our concensus) instead of a mishmash of the two. Would just look better for photos and all the spectators... y'know?

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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

Just chiming in to say that I'm REALLY liking how this is turning out. You guys have put a ton of thought and effort into this project, and it really shows. Keep up the good work.

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

Great Job on the Dress Blues.

I got question here. Wouuld anyong happen to have a size 44 or 45 Tunic. I got a 42 that I would be willing to trade.
As these things tend to run small for some reason.

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SFC
Michael Larson
Minnesota-USA

A03/TQ1.0.92141E1

This is seriously looking like a bunch of brainstorming and then coming to a consensus!! Who'da thunk it?!





It's very difficult to find one in larger sizes. I've a 43, 44 chest. I finally, finally managed to find a 46. .. And it's still damn tight across the chest!!! It's uncomfortable that I don't know how long I could wear it. My particular jacket isn't sized for a 34-35 waist either. It's sized for about a 29!

Frack!

_________________


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

I like the dress blues for what they are, and the project is pretty cool, but...

The red stripe still calls USMC rather than USCM, call me a stick in the mud, but I think even with mods that red stripe still makes it a bit mis mash.

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-Dan AKA
A07/TQ1.0.72161E1

You're a stick in the mud.




I just placed my final order from Paradestore. I'm pretty much tapped out for cashola now (might have ebay garage sale soon).

So I've ordered a Flag harness- it was their least expensive one. Single white web style:

http://www.paradestore.com/detail.aspx?ID=934



(Just remember it is the single harness in white ).

Cost was (unfortunately) the deciding factor. Ones with brass cups nearly triple the price. I also figured there would be no need for leather straps (as opposed to web straps)- my parade belt is a web belt anyway.

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

DOM!!! Wherefor art thou, Dom?!

_________________
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

Dude, I'm just trying to ABSORB all this...

Sorry to hear you don't care much for the ROKMC cap badge, 'cuz I personally thought it would've been a fine replacement... but I'll be honest, taking the challenge coin as a cap badge would certainly help me out... I still have a box of these coins!

What's my position? I like the work that Kevin has put together, I'm going to use his ideas for something I'm working on on my side... I'm for the CF Navy forage cap and the red beret for headdress.... What can I say...? It all looks good.

I have to finalize my position on the belt... I believe the white one is just more aesthetically pleasing with the colour of the tunic... black would lack contrast.... that's my final word on it and it won't change.

I don't want to meddle any more in the progress of this project... I did a while back and ended up shoving my foot in my mouth. Kevin's consulted me a few time in private... I appreciate him doing so, and I've given him my input as well as I could.

Let's lock this sucker down, men!

I'd best get started musing on a set of No.2 Dress I suppose...

_________________

That's good though... at least we have some more concrete opinions on this. The white does look good and I think the option of having white belt/cover/gloves as more of a dressy uniform as well as a crimson beret/black Same Browne option is the way to go to appeal to everyone.

There is still the option of the off-white berets I found a while back, too. I may order one for evaluation, unless most people lean towards the crimson.

Where's Derek to chime in?

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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

Im here..just been at the airport seeing my wife off for 3 hours...dang weather

Anyway..Im digging the white cover/belt/gloves package...I think that looks very smart..

Derek

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


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

That's a great point that raises a question:

Who here are thinking of USCM dress blues as (A) a color/drill uniform, and who are thinking of them as (B) a formal function uniform?

(A) for marching
(B) for a dignified welcome ceremony honoring a visiting Arcturian diplomat (of indeterminate gender)

I've been thinking (B) all along, which explains the opinions I've shared. Which also reflects why I was originally going to do the uniform, as my interest was in the dignity/formality rather than the "flair"/showiness of a drill team.

Two different (and equally valid) approaches.

_________________
Jay Pennington

So then... a vote? A poll, perhaps?

I'd feel much more comfortable if we had more people giving a concrete "yay" or "nay" on some points.

Really, I think the main one right now is: Do we go with 2 accepted styles of dress uniform?

_________________
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 would just like to know how many are 100% truly committed to doing this uniform first.

100% committed.

Not iffy- not "hey that's cool, but why don't you try this".

We have gone through sooooo much with this. I apologize for the rant, but it irks me when people throw their opinion into the mix having no real vested interest in the project. Other than a thumbs up of course.

I am all for two dress styles- Class A (maybe call it Parade Dress?) and Class B (Formal dress?). There shouldn't really be an issue about having multiple styles; the USMC has several dress uniforms. I totally agree with Derek that there needs to be continuity with the seperate styles. Just as he suggested- White belt with gloves and cap, black Sam Browne with beret. Mixing them would look sloppy.

For me the bottom line is: with two options we should be able to make everyone happy and excited to wear this uniform representing the USCM!

...And I'd like to retain the gold buttons on mine; you don't have a clue what I went through to find those.



*edited for spellink

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

110% committed....


Derek

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


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

Still committed...just tryin' to get my jacket to fit!! That's my issue...

_________________


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

Same here... although I've postponed my date with the treadmill, I doubt I'll get this sucker to fit for now... I'll have this uniform one day as well... I just have different projects on the burner presently.

I'm obviously all about it.

And Kev... maybe we could just say that gold buttons are for Staff-NCOs and above or something.

_________________
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 was pretty cranky this morning (unrelated stuff)- sorry for it coming out in my post.

It's cool guys- there's no deadline involved. It's just if we do a poll or vote on something- let's just voice it here rather than starting a poll thread that anyone could vote in.

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

Graciously rogered! I'm not going to do the uniform (not this year, anyway) but am still quite interested in seeing how it turns out for you guys, and haven't been able to resist chiming in with opinions that just aren't helping.

_________________
Jay Pennington

Seems like this thread has gone essentially quiet... again.

_________________
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 think it may be that there has been a flurry of other projects which have kept us busy (or at each other's throats)... so this may be the reason. Let's not approach this one all angered up, it needs our calm loving attention.

I think now, looking back, we did not fight the enemy; we fought ourselves. The enemy was within us.


Oops wrong movie.


Truly looking back my comment was pretty selfish, arrogant and petty. I apologize for that.

I welcome anyone who wishes to contribute.

And I think one of the reasons this thread moves as slowly as it does is that it is difficult finding a USMC jacket in a larger size.

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