Skip to content
FREE STANDARD SHIPPING! Use code SHIPNOW at checkout
FREE STANDARD SHIPPING! Use code SHIPNOW at checkout
USMC Constant Uniform Spending and Up-keep vs. Times Worn

USMC Constant Uniform Spending and Up-keep vs. Times Worn

What really sucks is the hundreds of dollars spent at cash sales, multiple bullsh*t games put up with during inspections be it Company, CG or the oh so loved ‘dog & pony’ show for a visiting (my personal favorite, haha) dignitary.

Fact is being in WPNS Co 1/7 1st Mar Div all 4yrs active duty only wore my dress uniforms a handful of times and even had my Blues tailor made in 89’ Okinawa.

  • manned the rails in Charlie’s on USS Barbour County a few times over in South West Asia as we pulled into Malaysia and fairy sure also in Singapore as well.
  • went to my California gf’s graduation in my Dress Blues.
  • a road trip from MCAGCC 29 Palms to MCRD San Diego with a bunch of NCO’s after the Gulf War in our Charlies to look into DI school. Never been saluted so much by so many ‘boots’ before. I guess a decent salad bowl (ribbons) on our chests equal officer status in their young eyes, haha.
  • did a West Pac to Hawaii on USS New Orleans and stood tall as we pulled into Pearl Harbor. I highly recommend all Marines/veterans visit those hollowed grounds.
  • finally I dawned the ole’ Blues once again after I got off active & did 4 more in my hometown Reserves. Besides a couple Marine Corps Balls had a few friends get married and busted them out. Now maybe it’s because I live in the Puget Sound surrounded by Joint Base Lewis/McCord & the Bangor Trident Naval Base, but Marines are few & far apart in this neck of the woods.

My recruiter was finally right about something, (although a lying Curd Dog when it came to the fleet, haha) our uniforms are’ chick magnets! Got more than a few dates around civilians as I stood out in the crowd.

All said & done I guess I wouldn’t change a thing… damn good memories made and the best of brothers served with!

Sgt Horn, Justin D
USMC 88-96’

Previous article Lineage of the USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor

Comments

Shawn - June 9, 2020

Sorry, I have to disagree about the Dress Blues. It was totally worth getting!! I used them for multiple occasions, Mess night, MC Birthday balls but most importantly on my first date with the girl who turned out to be my wife. Took her to a friends wedding at the chapel, 30 years of marriage, two children and no regrets on those dress blues!

BRENDAN MC CARRON. 1ST MAW DANANG VIETNAM. 1966-1968. - June 9, 2020

ERIC I LIKE YOU NEVER OWNED A SET OF DRESS BLUES. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY AT 72 THEY WERE FOR PREEEETY MARINES ASSIGNED EMPASSY DUTY. AGAIN PRETTY BOY MARINES FOR THE RECRUITER TO SHOW OFF. FORGIVE ME MARINES BUT MY MEMORY OF THE 1965 MARINE CORP WAS NOT DRESS BLUES BUT JUNGLE FATIGUES , SWEAT, DIRT, RAIN, AND TEARS. I KNOW YOU VIETNAM MARINES NEVER WORRIED ABOUT DRESS BLUES JUST LIKE THE POOR SLOBS TODAY IN ANOTHER CHICKEN ASS POLICE ACTION. LEAVE THE DRESS BLUES TO THE MARINES WHO ESCORT OUR DIED TO THEIR GRAVES AND THE ONES WHO GUARD THE GATES TO HEAVEN. SEMPER FI ALL YOU MARINES INCLUDING THE DRESS BLUE ONES. WE ARE ALL MARINES AND KILLING THE ENEMY IS OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE.

Civil War Marine - June 9, 2020

I was putting together a civil war Marine uniform and wore it one time for a children’s story time event and a lot of the adults and youngsters recognized the frock coat, sky blue trousers, white buff leather belt, the gold on red chevrons and when I told them it was President Lincoln’s Marine Corps they were in awe! when I went out in public to get some coffee for the staff I got a lot of questions and thank you for your work from quite a few people. sadly the entire outfit was stolen. all I have left is the kepi(cover) I will have to start over again only this time I will be more alert to getting some items of the same excellent quality for a bit less money. as to the WWII covers I saw one in a store but they would not sell it had the small curl in the center some Marines I met called it a “saddle” and marked the wearer as a veteran. thank for reading, Civil War Marine. semper fi do or die!

Jack Wise - June 9, 2020

I never owned any dress blues. In 1963. You had to buy them back then and I think they they were something like $150 a set? I don’t remember for certain. When we were paid something like $68 a month (Pvt under four), most of us could hardly afford them. I DID however, LOVE the Class A greens. On our barracks covers, if we wore a size 7 1/2 for example, we would go down to (Navy Stores? Ship Stores? On base at Camp Pendleton where you could buy uniforms and accessories?) and buy a 7 3/4 grommet. When the grommet was doubled and snapped into place in the cover, it immediately stretched out very taut and with a slight “sea-going dip”. Just before inspections, of course, we’d put the 7 1/2 grommet back in. A few forgot to do this and the Gunny wracked some young asses over the coals. He’d rant and rave that “THIS AIN’T WORLD WAR II, GAWDDAMMIT! FIX THEM F***IN’ COVERS!” But many of us kept the over-size grommets. This occurred in 1963-1965 and today, I still have the 7 3/4 grommet in my 7 1/2 barracks cover. It is the only uniform piece I have that still fits.

Don Charles - June 9, 2020

Try contacting your local Marine Corp League Detachment. They will being very willing to meet you and I’m sure you appreciate telling and hearing stories from all eras. Guarantee you will find guys you can relate to and do cool stuff to help other Marines and their families. Semper Fi! Don Charles USMC 1968-72 VietNam.

Michael Darby - June 9, 2020

I will be 80 in September & still wear my dress blues to our local memorial Day services, Vets Day dinner & Vets Day ceremony! I’ll always wear them with pride and still get “thanks for your service” comments and compliments on our USMC uniforms! So,I say, Semper Fi, gyrenes!!!

MSG Joe Calvet 75-01 - June 9, 2020

Amen brother

LCpl Richard E Jenkins - June 9, 2020

Went in 1959 and got out 1965 and never owned a set of Dress Blues, also never had an occasion to wear them. Times have changed it seems. There are a lot more occasions to wear them now days. When I went in the only Marines that received them where the Honor Man from each Platoon, also if you went to Sea Duty or Embassy Duty. For the rest of us if you wanted a set it came out of your paycheck. looking back I wished I would have purchased them. The female population loves a Marine Uniform but more panties have been dropped by wearing the Dress Blues. Semper Fi Brothers

Sgt. Eric Tipton - June 9, 2020

I guess the best thing about serving during the height of the Vietnam War was a lot of work but few inspections. My service A uniform spent about as much time in the tailor shop changing chevrons as I did wearing it and never owned a set of Blues. I still managed to meet my share of the ladies.

David Spencer (former SSgt USMC) - June 9, 2020

Quit whining Marines! I did it all for 10 glorious years, 1969-1979 with 1 tour in Vietnam (1971). I never once thought about the cost of upkeep in order to look my best which is an important part of the tradition! Look your best always! Semper Fi Marines! Oorah!

Leave a comment

* Required fields