As the seasons change from summer to fall and soon into winter, it is time to dust off and bring out the heavy coats and get them prepared for the best (or worst) Mother Nature can throw at us. Be it the All-Weather Coat, the Reefer, the Over Coat (Bridge Coat), Windbreaker, M-65 Field Jacket, Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS), Operational Dress Uniform (ODU) Parka, Fleece Liner or Utility Jacket, there are numerous methods and additions that can be worn to supplement the basic uniform. All of the outerwear listed above may be worn with the appropriate colored scarf (white for service uniforms and olive drab for the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), black leather gloves and black ear muffs/flaps. BDUs may be worn with U.S. Marine Corps Woolly-Pulley sweater (but not as an outer garment) and thermal undergarments. Thermal undergarments may also we born with the ODU. Most of the jackets/coats, with exception of the Reefer and Bridge Coat, come with an optional liner*. If your jacket/coat did not come with one or is a hand-me-down, liners can usually be obtained from the Navy Exchange (NEX) or the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) for a nominal fee. Jackets, liners or other accoutrements for the BDUs are no longer available from the NEX or AAFES and may be obtained from outside sources. The All-Weather Coat, Reefer, Windbreaker Jacket and Bridge Coat are not authorized with the BDU or ODU**.


A reminder, just because you “saw” another member of a uniformed service wearing something or wearing it differently than the Corps, does not mean that the Corps follows the same manner of wear of that service. Check the Commissioned Corps Issuance System for uniform specifics and manner of wear if you have questions.

Corps officers detailed to another uniformed service, must follow the rules set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement (MOU/A) on uniform wear. Unless specifically spelled out in the MOU/A, Corps officers are not authorized to wear uniforms of the host uniformed service, currently, the only exception is for officers detailed to the U.S. Coast Guard. Unauthorized wear also includes off-duty unofficial wear of another service’s uniform (and yes, this does happen). This also includes the unauthorized wear of flight suits or gear when not actively engaged in a flight or in/on a flying status. However, if an officer is a member of the Civil Air Patrol, US Coast Guard Auxiliary or other similar organization, wear of that uniform while participating in those activities may be authorized. If a Corps officer is wearing another service’s uniform on a military installation or elsewhere without authorization, the officer may be subject to punishment under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and/or Disciplinary Action within the Corps or other Federal laws.

• Q.
• What is the difference between the Pea Coat and the Reefer? Can I wear a Pea Coat from Wal-Mart?
  
• A.
• The key difference in the Pea Coat and the Reefer are the buttons and straps for hard shoulder boards. Junior enlisted members wear the Pea Coat, which is a heavy wool coat, that when properly tailored, comes to mid-thigh in length. The buttons on the Pea Coat are large black plastic buttons with an anchor stamped into the plastic. The Pea Coat does not have shoulder straps for hard boards. Warrant and Commissioned Officers along with senior enlisted personnel in the Navy and Coast Guard, and Commissioned Officers in the Corps and NOAA wear the coat known as the Reefer. The Reefer is worn with six gold colored 35 or 40 line PHS buttons (3 buttons in a vertical line on each side of the opening of the coat). The buttons may either be attached by stitching or metal bodkins, depending on when or who manufactured the coat. Additionally, black cloth tabs/straps are placed on each side of the shoulder for placement of the hard boards. The Reefer must meet the military specifications set forth by Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility and the Defense Supply Center. A “Reefer” made from a modified commercially available Pea Coat is not acceptable for wear as a uniform item (i.e., purchasing a Pea Coat from a local big box store and replacing the buttons with PHS buttons).
  
  
• Q.
• Is there a difference in the male and female Over Coat (Bridge Coat)?
  
• A.
• Yes, as is with the male and female shirts and pants, the openings of the male and female Over Coat and the Reefer are different, and not interchangeable.
  
  
• Q.
• Are male officers allowed to wear a plain long/short sleeved white dress shirt without epaulettes and soft boards while in the Modified Service Dress Blue mode?
• A.
• No, the male officer’s dress shirt, according to Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) CC26.3.4, “Uniforms for Male Officers”, states the shirt must be “made of plain white authorized fabric, with long sleeves and plain buttons, convertible or French cuffs. Must have epaulettes for soft shoulder marks. A single left breast pocket without a pocket flap is required. Collar points measure no more than 3-1/4 inches and have a medium spread. Collar devices, ribbons or name tag shall not be worn with this shirt.” The windbreaker jacket or sweater maybe removed in the officers immediate work space. Officers may not wear the All Weather Coat, Reefer or Bridge Coat with only the white dress shirt.