The Marine Corps is preparing to select a maker for the service's new tropical uniform for hot and humid climates.
The Marine Corps Tropical Combat Uniform is a rapid-dry, breathable uniform to be worn for prolonged periods in wet, jungle environments as an alternative to the current Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform and the Marine Corps Combat Boot. This month, Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC), published a request for proposals to industry to manufacture the uniforms, with plans to get them into troops' hands by the final quarter of this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.
"This new tropical uniform allows Marines to be more comfortable and less fatigued while focusing on the mission at hand," Lou Curcio, MCSC's tropical uniform project officer, said in the release.
The tropical uniform effort is a result of the U.S. military's increased emphasis on the Pacific region in an effort to prepare for a potential war with China. The Army finalized the design for its Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform last year.
Related: Army's New Hot Weather Uniforms Are About to Hit Shelves
The trousers and blouse of the new uniform will be made of the same 50/50 cotton-nylon blend as the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform and features the same camouflage pattern, the release states. The fabric will also be treated with permethrin to provide protection from insects.
The difference is in the weave and weight, resulting in a lighter material that dries more quickly, according to the release.
Hundreds of Marines participated in various user evaluations from June to September 2017 to assess the fit and durability of a prototype tropical uniform that's designed to dry faster and keep Marines cooler in warm climates, the release adds.
"Many Marines said the [uniform] feels like pajamas, appreciating how lightweight it is," Curcio in the release. "They also noted how quickly the uniform dries upon getting wet."
The boots, awarded on a separate contract, are also lightweight, with self-cleaning soles to improve mobility in a tropical environment, the release states. They are more than a pound lighter than the current Marine Corps boot.
Marine Corps Systems Command awarded two contracts in August for up to 140,000 total pairs of tropical boots, according to Monique Randolph, spokeswoman for MCSC.
One contract worth up to $11.1 million went to Atlantic Diving Supply Inc., for up to 70,000 pairs of Rocky brand tropical boots, and a contract worth up to $13.7 million went to Provengo LLC for up to 70,000 pairs of Danner brand tropical boots, Randolph said.
The Corps plans to purchase 70,000 sets of the new tropical uniforms to support the fleet training or operating in tropical climates, the release states, adding that the MCSC procured more than 10,000 sets of blouses and trousers under a manufacturing and development effort.
Based on January 2020 market research and responses to a November 2019 request for information, the Marine Corps estimates it should see a potential cost reduction of up to 60% per uniform, the release adds.
"[The tropical uniform] will bring many advantages during training and combat in tropical environments," Curcio said in the release. "For all the sacrifices and challenges they endure, Marines deserve a uniform like this one."
-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
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