MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- The female dress cover may change soon, more than 11 years after Gen. James T. Conway, the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps, started an initiative to make the change.
For the past few months, female Marines in recruiting units and field bands tested the new proposed female cover. Now that the testing phase has concluded, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos will begin reviewing the results from surveys and data collected during the process.
Female Marines have been the focal point of several recent Corps-wide changes including physical fitness tests with pull-ups, and the initial introduction of females in traditionally all-male ground units.
So far, Marines have responded positively to the proposed cover.
“I like the new cover,” said Staff Sgt. Terri L. Kopetzki, a clarinet instrumentalist with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band. “They fit us, and they look better on us.”
Kopetzki wears her dress cover frequently for performances and other engagements. Because she spends so much time wearing her cover, she notices subtle differences that might not be as noticeable to other Marines.
“The new cover is comfortable,” said Kopeski. She finds it easier to style her hair and place it where she likes it, versus wearing a low bun to accommodate the “V” shape at the bottom of the current “bucket” covers.
After testing the new cover, Kopetzksi said it was a good idea to see what it was like wearing both.
“It allows us to see what they both look like on us and what reactions other Marines in the fleet have when they see us in them,” she said.
Kopetski, who was recently recognized as the Marine Corps’ Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Musician of the Year, said she hopes the new version of the female cover is approved.
