Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton -- With the winter months' cold climate approaching, Marines in garrison across the world will officially change from desert to green woodland utility uniforms, Nov. 7.
According to All Marine Message 035/07, during the summer season, when the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform is the prescribed uniform of the day, the desert utilities will be worn with sleeves rolled up; in the winter season the woodland utilities will be worn with sleeves down.
"As Marines, our uniforms and military appearance are an important part of our identity and have traditionally marked us as the nation's most distinctive military service," said former Commandant of the Marine Corps General James T. Conway in an ALMAR issued July 2007. "As such, uniformity and an outward pride in our appearance have been constants for every Marine - from private to general."
The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniforms, often referred to by Marines as “cammies,” is not just for uniformity in garrison; they provide an effective concealment in a variety of environments by mimicking the complex textures and coarse boundaries found in natural settings.
The pattern is formed by a number of small rectangular pixels of color due to how the human eye interacts with pixilated images. In theory, it is a far more effective camouflage than standard and previous uniform patterns.
The seasonal uniform guidelines do not apply to deployed units or units in a tactical environment. Commanders will dictate the appropriate uniform based on the field situation.