USS New York Returns Home

**gunnut** · 03 Nov 09,, 18:38

Originally Posted by Rumrunner

Yeah and they also have the fry-guy hats. I prefer those so much more than the current berets worn by the US Army

Yes, I like those old style hats too. Berets are so...French...

**Dreadnought** · 03 Nov 09,, 19:55

Can someone such as GG or other specify on those uniforms? I have not seen that uniform very often infact not until lately and was just wondering.

Color (Black?)
Material (Naval wool I'm guessing here?)
When appropriate to wear or normally worn?
How new is it to the Marine Corps?
Branch of service (Ships or other)?

Thanks in advance.

**DocHayes** · 03 Nov 09,, 23:04

Those are USMC Service Alphas. Standard issue. And can still turn this Corpsman's head

**omon** · 03 Nov 09,, 23:48

there was entire program on military Chanel dedicated to this ship, they showed it from the stage they laid a keel, to lcats getting out and coming back in (impressive parking job), but never in the program they mentioned anything about wtc steel

**Gun Grape** · 04 Nov 09,, 02:44

Originally Posted by DocHayes

Those are USMC Service Alphas. Standard issue. And can still turn this Corpsman's head

And you can tell by certain device on those Alphas, not worn by all Marines, which Regiment they are from.

Name the device and the Regiment

**Gun Grape** · 04 Nov 09,, 02:55

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

Can someone such as GG or other specify on those uniforms? I have not seen that uniform very often infact not until lately and was just wondering.

Color (Black?)
Material (Naval wool I'm guessing here?)
When appropriate to wear or normally worn?
How new is it to the Marine Corps?
Branch of service (Ships or other)?

Thanks in advance.

As Doc said

Service Alphas.

Color is Marine Green Blouse and Trousers with Khaki shirt

A wool/poly blend.

This changed in the mid 80s. Prior we had a Summer and Winter Alpha. One Poly/wool the other wool. Part of the reduction of the seabag issue Combined into 1 all season Service, then Blues became a issue item.

Comparable to a civilian business suit. Proscribed as the Uniform of the Day for the Marine Corps.

The Service Uniform, as worn today, was introduced between WW1 and WW2

**DocHayes** · 04 Nov 09,, 04:16

Originally Posted by Gun Grape

Name the device and the Regiment

I knew exactly what you were talking about before I went back to look at the photo again, because I didn't pay much attention the first time.

But its the French Fourragere worn on the left arm/shoulder. Its awarded to 5th and 6th Marine Regiments for their actions in France, and the only USMC unit to wear such a decoration.

Marines rarely wear unit identifiers: patches, insignia, etc, so its easy to spot members of 5th or 6th Marines.

**DocHayes** · 04 Nov 09,, 04:18

And I'm guessing since they're in the Atlantic, and not knowing whether they're assigned to a MEU or not.... then I'm guessing these are 6th Marines.

**Gun Grape** · 04 Nov 09,, 22:58

Originally Posted by DocHayes

And I'm guessing since they're in the Atlantic, and not knowing whether they're assigned to a MEU or not.... then I'm guessing these are 6th Marines.

Correct on all counts, Devil Doc

**Gus00** · 06 Nov 09,, 07:27

Originally Posted by eocoolj

On another note, I kind of wish this new USS New York was a more impressive looking ship. Something more along the lines of her predecessor. There's a ship that looks like its out for revenge.

I've thought about that on a few occasions. It seems to me that warships are looking less and less like warships, or at least what we expect warships to look like. They seem to look like any other commercial/industrial vessel on the seas these days. Back in the day even an old workhorse like an LST looked military and stood out among other freighters in a harbor. Other than being gray the New York would blend right in with a fleet of oil platform service ships for instance. Don't assume I'm questioning her ability as a warship. I have no doubt the New York can unleash a world of hurt when needed. It just doesn't look intimidating and any old battleship sailor will tell you how important a menacing image can be.

Originally Posted by Rumrunner

Yeah and they also have the fry-guy hats. I prefer those so much more than the current berets worn by the US Army

You can thank the Army Recruiting Command for the berets. Somewhere along the way someone got the bright idea that if recruits could look like Special Forces as soon as they enlisted they'd get more recruits. I don't know if there are any statistics proving or disproving the idea but I do know that the Rangers were not happy about loosing their beloved black berets. However, I do like the sand colored ones they wear now.
A friend of mine spent eight years in the Marines in the 80s and told me that he wore his dress blues a total of two times. If young Marines are getting more opportunities to wear their blues these days that's great, but I'd bet that making those opportunities is a conscious effort with (like the Army berets) recruiting in mind.

Originally Posted by DocHayes

Those are USMC Service Alphas. Standard issue.

I like'um! Very smart looking for sure.