The USMC Has Finally Allowed Marines To Carry Something Most People Can't Leave The House Without
Matthew Russell
Whether on land or at sea, no matter the weather the United States Marines can respond to any threat anywhere in the world within minutes. Now, they won't have to stand in the rain.
Along with their dress or service uniforms, all Marines are now allowed to carry black umbrellas.
According to NPR's Tom Bowman, "the Marine Corps Uniform Board started looking into this back in the spring, took comments from Marines, approved it.
Top Marine officer General Dave Berger signed off on the change, which brings the Corps up to the same uniform standards the Navy, Army and Air Force have permitted for years.
“Marines can carry an all-black, plain, standard or collapsible umbrella at their option during inclement weather with the service and dress uniforms,” stated a public statement signed by Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger.
Source: United States Marine CorpsMarines can now carry umbrellas with their dress and service uniforms.
The umbrellas are not permitted for use with the Marines' camouflage uniforms.
Female Marines were previously allowed to carry umbrellas during inclement weather. This measure, approved by the Marine Corps Uniform Board, requires the umbrellas to be held in the left hand so as not tin interfere with the right hand salute.
Source: United States Marine CorpsUmbrellas are not permitted to ear with camouflage uniforms.
According to Stripes, umbrellas have previously been employed by uniformed male Marines while attending to a press conference for President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2013.
The incident was “extremely rare,” Capt. Greg Wolf told CNN, and only allowed to shield the presidents from heavy rain.
[media height="270" width="480" provider="youtube" type="iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tSAKcKMncfY?feature=oembed" ad="true"]
Along with the umbrella rule change, the Marine Corps has relaxed its regulations on women's uniforms.
Source: United States Marine CorpsWomen Marines can now wear half pony tails during organizes physical training.
"Female Marines with medium-length may now wear half ponytails with physical training uniforms," Stripes reports. "They may also wear ponytails or braids during some organized physical training."
