Training and Education Command

MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Infantry Combat Equipment team from Marine Corps Systems Command was aboard the Depot March 11 to show off improvements and replacements currently being made to the Corps' combat gear.

While bulletproof vests and bug repellant utilities may seem like gear from a James Bond movie, Lt. Col. Gabe Patricio, project manager, ICE, said these and other improvements are already being used to help bring Marines home alive.

"The new gear has improved functionality and user friendliness," said Patricio. " Some of the new gear has already been tested in combat and the results speak for themselves."

One such testimony was sent to the Commandant of the Marine Corps from Lt. Gen. Earl B. Hailston, former Commanding General, Marine Forces Central, in a letter after a combat operation in Iraq:

"Dear Commandant, the armor plates were just paid for in full. They just saved the life of Sgt. Michael Simmons."

While many of the new improvements are directly reflected in the Corps' combat readiness, others are less visible. The women's dress blue uniforms are being improved, as are staff non-commissioned officer evening mess dress uniforms. A new multi-faith chaplain kit will allow chaplains to conduct worship services in most faiths using only the gear in the kit. Field messmen will also receive new mobile kitchens, a considerable upgrade from the gear currently in use.

Combat equipment being upgraded will begin making its way to the Depot over the next few years, said Patricio. Much of the technology is already in use, and will replace older, obsolete gear.

SAPI Plates

The Small Arms Protective Inserts are an upgrade to the current flak jackets, said Patricio. While the new jackets are slightly heavier, the removable plate inserts that are inserted into pouches in the front and rear of the vest can stop 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds. Flaks only protected against shrapnel.

"The jackets are heavy at first," said Capt. Jon Riggs, field training platoon commander, WFTBn., who used the SAPI plates and vest while deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. "After you live in them and train in them all day, every day, you get used to it. After a while you don't notice any more."

The small inconvenience is worth the added protection, said Riggs.

"The new gear is definitely better," he said. "The piece of mind knowing your vest can stop a round is nice."

While the SAPI plates won't make it to the recruit depots, look for the vests to begin being issued in three to six months, said Patricio.

The current supply of SAPI plates will be reserved for Marines forward deployed in combat zones, said Patricio. Current Marine Corps Central Command policy states that all Marines north of Kuwait will have a new vest and SAPI plates for the front and back.

Multi-purpose Bayonet

Gone are the days of carrying the M7 bayonet and sheath on the same load-bearing vest as the popular K-Bar fighting knife. MarCorSysCom has combined the two blades into the new Multi-purpose Bayonet.

While the new knife more closely resembles the commercially- manufactured K-Bar, the militarization is clear.

"The knife will attach to the end of the M16 like the old M7," said Gerald Williams, Equipment Specialist, ICE. "The major difference is that the knife was also designed to be used for [Marine Corps Martial Arts Program]."

Williams, a former Marine infantryman, said overall gear improvements will cut down on Marines spending their money on better gear.

"There's no reason why Marines should have to spend their own money to buy better gear than what they're issued," said Williams. "These new gear items should reduce that significantly."

Parris Island is scheduled to receive 8,000 new knives, although the date they will arrive at the Depot is yet to be determined.

Ligtweight Helmet

"Not only is the helmet half a pound lighter, it protects better, too," said Patricio.

The new helmet, which looks nearly identical to the Kevlar helmet currently in use, is capable of stopping 9mm ammunition, said Patricio.

"The old helmets just protected against shrapnel," he said. "Any time a piece of gear can be made more effective and more comfortable is a big plus."

The biggest improvement to the helmets is in the suspension system, said Patricio.

"Every Marine currently has to stuff a rag in the helmet or buy a better suspension system to make them more comfortable," said Patricio. "The new helmet has the Cadillac of suspension systems. It should reduce headaches drastically."

Another improvement to the helmets is a reversible helmet cover with the jungle Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform pattern on one side and a desert pattern on the reverse side. Both the helmets and covers are already being used and will arrive at Parris Island soon, said Patricio.

Improved load-bearing gear

MarCorSysCom continued to use commercial technology to improve their military gear issue by searching the market for a pack to replace the much-debated MOLLE system.

The new pack bears striking resemblance to those available at outdoor gear shops such as Recreational Equipment, Inc. Just like backpacks sold by REI, the new Marine pack will break down into three separate packs to accommodate varying loads required on specific missions.

"The approach pack is used for carrying all the gear at one time," said Patricio. "The day pack is smaller, and carries enough gear for a shorter trip. It can also carry the hydration system, so Marines will always have their water with them."

The smallest piece of the pack will replace the current butt pack. It attaches to the top of the approach and day packs to allow easier access, said Patricio.

Currently, recruits aboard the Depot still train with ALICE packs, because the MOLLE system had so many problems it was scraped before it made it to Depot supply, said Patricio.

"The new packs will make it here in the next three to five years," said Patricio. "Our priority right now is outfitting the Schools of Infantry and fleet Marines."

A pack comparable to the new system would cost approximately $360 at REI.

Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

While the overall design for the uniforms won't change, an upgrade made to the material will surely be welcome for Depot Marines. Uniforms will soon be treated with Permethrin, an insecticide made from chrysanthemum flowers. Sand fleas and other pests will die immediately after coming in contact with the material. The material is safe to humans, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Florida.

While the technology will be a welcome relief to Depot Marines, those deployed in bug-infested areas will benefit more.

"We had 160 Marines deployed to Liberia," said Patricio. " Approximately 60 came down with Malaria. That's like having 60 casualties- the Marines couldn't do their jobs any more. The [new material] will help eliminate that."

New Gore-tex is also on the way, said Patricio.

"The new rain gear is lighter and more comfortable," said Patricio.

Out with the old

With the influx of new gear, older equipment is being phased out. Some of the gear currently being used to train recruits is outdated, said Patricio.

"It makes no sense to issue and train with shelter halves," said Patricio. "Nobody in the fleet uses them any more. Most units haven't used them for four or five years."

While the new tents aren't scheduled to be sent to the Depot in the immediate future, recruits will begin training with them after logistical problems are worked out, said Patricio.

"With the current tents, it's simple- one recruit takes one half on the tent and one recruit takes the other. With the new system it's a bit more complicated. The tent is in one piece and has poles," said Patricio. "Once the learning curve is overcome, the end result will be recruits training on the gear they'll realistically use in the fleet."

For more information about the new uniforms and gear, visit the MarCorSysCom Web site at www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil.