THE WINTER SERVICE UNIFORM

The winter service uniform was the Marine Corps' standard uniform for wear in garrison, on leave and liberty and for all occasions when the utility uniform was not prescribed. It was worn from September–April in most temperate locations.

This uniform was in the traditional forest green color specific to the Corps, giving it the nickname, "greens." Forest green service uniforms were first adopted by the Marine Corps in 1912. Prior to World War II the service uniform was worn not only in garrison, but also in field training and combat.

Many of the young men who joined the Marine Corps, especially in the early part of the war, assumed that the standard uniform was dress blues. But Headquarters, Marine Corps instructed all units to cease issuance of dress blues on 6 August 1942 for the duration of the war. Marines who already had a set of blues were allowed keep them until worn out. After that date, any Marine who wanted a set of blues had to buy them.

This uniform consisted of a semi-form fitting four-pocket blouse with matching green trousers. The khaki shirt and field scarf were worn under the blouse. The garrison belt, also called "the fair leather belt," was also worn by enlisted Marines with greens. This belt had a heavy brass buckle that sometimes proved useful in bar fights. Officers wore either a green cloth belt with brass buckle, or the Sam Browne belt when wearing their swords.

The Marine in the above photo is wearing the winter service "A" uniform. This was the complete uniform with blouse. Commanders could authorize removal of the blouse for wear on duty. This was called the winter service "B" uniform. "B's" were not supposed to be worn on leave or liberty.

Enlisted Marines received an initial seabag issue of uniforms and equipment when they first shipped into the Corps. For the duration of their service, all reissue and replacement of uniforms and equipment was without cost to them. Officers received a small initial allowance when they first joined the Marine Corps to purchase required uniforms. Thereafter, officers were required to buy uniforms at their own expense.

The enlisted winter service uniform was made of heavyweight kersey wool. Officers were permitted to purchase uniforms in optional fabrics, such as gabardine, and wool serge. All Marines took great pride in their appearance and uniforms were tailored to the individual Marine.

A comparative view of the winter service uniform for officers and enlisted Marines. These photos were taken for a 1941 Life Magazine article on uniforms of the armed forces. The Marine officer at left wears the Sam Browne belt bearing his Mameluke sword. The enlisted Marine at right wears the enlisted service belt, often called by Marines, "the fair leather belt." Although the leather items in these photos appear to be black in color, the actual color of Marine leather was cordovan, which took on a deep, rich color when polished. Life Magazine photos

The winter service uniform was often worn for ceremonies, parades and other activities. Cartridge belts, weapons and sometimes helmets were prescribed as part of the uniform of the day. The Marine at left wears winter service "ables" with cartridge belt, bayonet and rifle for close order drill. He wears the overseas cover with his uniform. At right, a sergeant of the 1st Marine Division under arms wearing winter service "ables." He wears forest green on scarlet rank insignia and one service stripe. USMC Photos

MGySgt Lou Diamond, at left, wearing the khaki shirt with necktie. Of note is the collar clasp behind his tie. This was an issue item in the pre-war Marine Corps. Its was discontinued by a HQMC letter of instruction dated 14 February 1942. After that date, wear of the clasp was at discretion of commanders. The collar clasp was called "the battle pin." Neckties were known in the Corps as "field scarves." SgtMaj Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson, at right, poses with Chesty, the mascot of Montford Point Camp, Camp Lejeune–early 1945. He wears the winter service "B" uniform with barracks cover. USMC Photos

 

(left) MajGen Graves Erskine, USMC Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division. This official portrait was taken after the Iwo Jima campaign. The General wears a fine, officers' quality winter service uniform with overseas cover. Of note is the French Fourragere worn on the left shoulder. As a former member of the 6th Marines in World War I, MajGen Erskine was authorized to wear this award throughout his career. He retired in 1953 as a General. In the right-hand photo, LtGen A. A. Vandegrift, Commanding general, I MAC, and MajGen Julian Smith, Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division, confer in New Zealand in 1943. Vandegrift wears winter service "ables". Of note is the incorrectly attached I MAC insignia on his left shoulder. Smith wears the officer's mackinaw, an optional wear item that fell out of use during the war, and was subsequently deleted from uniform regulations. USMC Photos

	(left) Sgt Thomas "Dixie" Rock, China Marines Living History Group. Sgt Rock wears the winter service uniform with the issue overcoat. In accordance with Marine Corps regulations, he wears the garrison belt on the outside of his overcoat. Courtesy China Marines Living History Group

(above) Marines of the 5th MarDiv waiting for the last bus from Oceanside to Camp Pendleton–1944. The Marine at left wears boondockers with his greens. The other two Marines wear low quarter service shoes. All three wear regulation issue gray wool socks. The Spearhead–Volume 1	(above) A pre-war 81mm mortar squad during live fire. Both Marines wear the winter service uniform with 782 gear. They also wear the French Fourragere, indicating they belong to either the 5th or 6th Marines. USMC Photo

 

"I always got that good feeling when I passed a Marine in town. He had that sharp shine and gait, like he was something special and knew it. Lots of times I felt sick looking at some of the dogfaces. There is a certain dignity, I think, that comes with a uniform and it must be rotten to belong to an outfit that doesn't have enough pride to keep that dignity up. I hated to see a man slouching, cap cocked back, in need of a haircut, shoes unshined...maybe it was because the price of Marine greens came so high to a man that he never let himself get that way." Battle Cry, by Leon Uris

 

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