Some unprecedented moments happened at the recruit depot aboard Parris Island, South Carolina, in 2018.
Platoon 4040, Papa Company, became the first unit to be issued the new female dress blue coat, which features a mandarin collar.
And November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, was the first to march in boot camp graduation sporting the new coat.
Now that the new female dress blue coat is available, Marines have until Sept. 30, 2022, to get the new uniform. Then it becomes mandatory.
As of right now, female Marines have the option of wearing the old school dress blue uniform, which features a necktab, or wearing the new coat, which resembles the male dress blues.
The Corps’ push to design a new female dress blue coat started in 2013.
This is an excerpt from “19 Things You Need to Know in 2019,” in the 12-31 print edition of Marine Corps Times.
Do you have thoughts on the new female dress blue coat? Email us at letters@marinecorpstimes.com.
