United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve
(USMCWR)
. ...III. Uniforms
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-. Insignia
-. Medals and Ribbons
-. Service and Dress Uniform
-. Cold/Wet-Weather Clothing
-. Work Attire
-. Miscellaneous
-. Dress Regulations
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Service and Dress Uniform

The basic wardrobe for the Marine Corps Women's Reserve was chosen in December 1942. Garment color and styling was based on the concept that female attire must reflect the same basic Marine Corps coloration and style to be worn by all Marines.  The first complete uniform regulations, including explanatory sketches, were issued in August 1943.  Numerous minor changes, modifications and additions were posted until revised regulations were reissued in April 1945. These remained virtually unchanged throughout the remainder of the war and immediate postwar period.
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Service uniforms for female personnel were not initially issued to women Marines. One reason was that appreciable quantities of uniforms could not be provided before April 1943.  Therefore, enlisted women received a monetary allowance of $200 and officers $250. With this money, women were expected to purchase two winter uniforms, hats, shoes, summer outfits, a purse, wool-lined raincoat, specific accessories, and undergarments. A system was initially established whereby uniforms, manufactured by various firms, were sold in uniform shops run by the post exchanges at selected Marine Corps installations.  .. Picture Source: Recruitment brochure United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve, MCP 117944, 10-28-43
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Unfortunately, this system of using civilian suppliers proved unsatisfactory. High prices and quality assurance problems resulted from uneven retail practices outside government control. There were constant shortages and general dissatisfaction. For example, some women refused to pay for uniforms having defects of any kind. Therefore, several changes in procurement and distribution were instituted during 1944 and 1945. 
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Picture Source: Recruitment brochure United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve, MCP 117944, 10-28-43 . The Marine Corps terminated all retail agreements and relieved the post-exchange system of responsibility for uniforms. Several women Marine officers were detailed as inspectors to supervise the work of private manufacturers and facilitate satisfactory contractual completion. Nevertheless, many problems continued to adversely affect clothing supply for the Marine Corps Women's Reserve, and were never resolved before the war ended.

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Winter Service Uniform

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In keeping with the basic Marine Corps design premise, the winter service uniform for female personnel incorporated as many features as possible from the male Marine uniform. Traditional Marine forest green was continued as coloration, and this uniform was known as the “greens”. The jackets had the same pointed cuffs, curved back seams and buttons.
Female noncommissioned officers wore the same scarlet chevrons as their male counterparts. 

At the same time, the uniform preserved the attractive tailored feminine appearance popular during the war years. The fitted jacket featured slightly exaggerated shoulders, slash top pockets and welt hip pockets. The six-gore skirt reached to fashionable length just below the kneecap. Serge material or covert fabric was more lightweight than that used for male uniforms. 
The winter service uniform was worn with khaki shirt and khaki tie. 
It was worn with dark brown accessories, such as brown shoes, brown gloves and brown handbag.

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Winter Service Uniform
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Noncommissioned officers wore green chevrons of rank on their shirt whenever the shirt was worn without the jacket. 
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Slacks, Covert
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Slacks were mandated by some job requirements. The slacks were made of the same material as the winter service uniform. They were pleated at the waist, had one side pocket on the right and were zipper-fastened. The front creases of the legs were stitched for a permanently creased appearance that was considered militarily desirable 
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Unlike male Marines, there was little difference in the style and fabric of uniforms worn by female officers and enlisted female personnel. Differences in grade were only recognizable by the actual rank insignia and distinguishing cap device. 

Officer's metallic rank insignia was pinned on epaulets and shirt collar. Noncommissioned officers wore green chevrons on scarlet-colored cloth on both sleeves. For dress occasions, female officers (but not enlisted women) were allowed to wear a white shirt with dark green tie instead of the khaki necktie.

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Summer Service Uniform
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The summer uniform was initially made of green and white striped plisse crepe, but replaced by green and white striped cotton seersucker shortly thereafter. The seersucker material was chosen both for comfort and ease of laundering. 

The summer service uniform had a fitted jacket with short sleeves, notched lapels, epaulets and four pockets with curved flaps. The jacket was closed with five buttons. 

While the early versions had plain white plastic buttons, latter summer service uniforms were equipped with green plastic buttons embossed with the Marine Corps eagle and anchor emblem. 

Initially, the light green cotton fatigue hat (“Daisy Mae” hat) and bronze insignia was worn with the summer service uniform. Later, the fatigue hat was replaced by the visored light green cap. Additionally, a light green garrison cap which was introduced sometime later could be worn. 

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First version with plain white buttons
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Later version with green plastic buttons
.. Brown or white shoes, white gloves and a handbag with light green cover completed the outfit. When worn with white punps, the brass insiginia was used.
 
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Summer Seersucker Uniform worn with the white trimmed light green garrison cap. The sleeve chevrons for noncommissioned officers were green on a white background.

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.... Because it was difficult to recognize officer rank insignia on the striped material, officers added detachable green shoulder tabs to the epaulets.  These were fastened by the shoulder tab button and the rank insignia. 

The Marine Corps cap devices for officers, worn on the service cap and collar, were gold and silver. 

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Summer Dress Uniform
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.. During the summer, a white uniform could be worn on dress occasions. While the white dress uniform was optional for enlisted women, it was a mandatory part of the officers’ wardrobe. 

The white uniform was fashioned exactly like the seersucker service uniform, but fastened with gilt Marine Corps buttons. It was always worn with the visored cap. 

White pumps, white gloves and the handbag with light green cover completed the outfit. 

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Cold/Wet-Weather Clothing
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Utility Coat
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The belted and double breasted utility coat worn over the "greens" (winter service uniform) was made of light green poplin. A removable parka and fleece interlining was incorporated for cold and wet weather. 

A muffler in traditional "Marine scarlet" color (matching the color of the cap cord and the chevrons) completed the outfit. 

When the utility coat was worn in the summer, a white rayon muffler replaced the red one. 

The coat could be closed high for more protection during inclement weather. The hood was designed large enough to fit easily over the service cap.

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Front view with hood
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Back view with detachable parka hood
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Greatcoat
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Women Marine officers were permitted the option of an extra coat for severe cold conditions. It was forest green and patterned after the male version to harmonize Marine uniform appearance. It was double breasted with square shoulders, notched lapels, flap pockets and pointed cuffs. Later in the war, enlisted women were also authorized to wear this type of optional greatcoat.
 
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Back view

 

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continue to:
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Insignia
Medals and Ribbons
Service and Dress Uniform
Work Attire
Miscellaneous
Dress Regulations
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[ I. Development ] [ II. Facts about the USMCWR] [ III. Uniforms ] [ IV. Sources ]
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