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Marine Corps Systems Command News

Archive: November, 2018

Marine Corps releases solicitation for new lightweight hard armor plate - The Marine Corps released a request for proposal for a lightweight hard armor plate to lighten the load for Marines and allow commanders to adapt to the mission on the battlefield. Marine Corps Systems Command is seeking industry input for samples of potential lightweight plates to provide sufficient protection for the majority of combat environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William Chockey)

Marine Corps releases solicitation for new lightweight hard armor plate

The Marine Corps has released a request for proposal for a lightweight hard armor plate to lighten the load for Marines and allow commanders to adapt to the environment, mission and level of threat on the battlefield. In August, Marine Corps Systems Command assessed industry’s capability to make a plate that would supplement the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert, or ESAPI plates, and provide sufficient protection for the majority of combat environments. MCSC’s Program Manager Infantry Combat Equipment held Industry Days Oct. 17-18, and met with 12 companies to receive feedback on the draft solicitation documents.

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Historic uniform change for female Marines - Marines with November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion wait in line Nov. 9, 2018 to have their uniforms examined by base fitters at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. The clothing team at Marine Corps Systems Command was tasked to develop the dress blue coat which features a white belt, form-fitted coat and a standing collar. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Tyler Hlavac)

Historic uniform change for female Marines; ‘there will be no doubts that they are U.S. Marines in the dress blue uniform’

A white belt, form-fitted coat and a standing collar are a few features female Marines can expect to see on the new dress blue uniform. Based on a 2014 Marine Corps initiative, Marine Corps Systems Command was tasked to develop a dress blue coat for women that was similar to the male uniform. The goal was to make the Corps look unified while also offering female Marines a more tailored fit. Marines with November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island were the first to don the new uniforms during their graduation ceremony Nov. 16. MCSC’s Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner served as the parade reviewing official.

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Next-gen water purification system hits fleet; Marine Corps, Army team recognized for award-winning design - The Individual Water Purification System II is a handheld, tube-like water purification system that gives individual Marines the ability to quickly obtain drinkable water on the go. Members of Marine Corps Systems Command’s Expeditionary Water Systems Team were presented the Ron Kiss Maritime Technology Transition Award Oct. 16, for the system’s design. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Amber Blanchard)