Īt the second founding of the United States Marine Corps in 1798, the Secretary of War authorized a blue uniform edged in red blue chosen for naval ties, and red with sentiment for Royal Marines and John Paul Jones's Marines tradition of wearing red. Also, Sam Nicholas's hunting club wore green uniforms, hence his recommendation to the committee was for green. More likely, green cloth was simply plentiful in Philadelphia, and it served to distinguish Marines from the red of the British or the blue of the Continental Army and Navy. Though legend attributes the green color to the traditional color of riflemen, Colonial Marines carried muskets. Its memory is preserved by the moniker "Leatherneck", and the high collar on Marine dress uniforms. On 5 September 1776, the Naval Committee purchased the Continental Marines uniform regulations specifying green coats with white facings (lapels, cuffs, and coat lining), with a leather high collar to protect against cutlass slashes and to keep a man's head erect.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) prescribes several types of military uniform to distinguish its service members from other armed services, depending on the situation.Īmong current uniforms in the United States Armed Forces, the dress uniforms of the USMC have been in service the longest the Marine Dress Blue uniform has, with few changes, been worn in essentially its current form since the late 19th century.Īrchibald Henderson in dress uniform, circa 1820 Marine general in an evening dress uniform. Marine officer in a service uniform, and a U.S. Marine in a (full) blue dress uniform, a U.S. Marine in a Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform with full combat load c. ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Īn illustration of U.S. ( February 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. This article possibly contains original research.