Current Marine Corps Combat Clothing and Equipment Initiatives EVERY MARINE IS A RIFLEMAN Mr. Daniel Fitzgerald Marine Corps Systems Command daniel.fitzgerald@usmc.mil www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/pmice/ 703-432-3334

Our Mission Program Manager Infantry Combat Equipment fields, sustains and assesses clothing and equipment while anticipating the needs of and maintaining contact with the Operating Forces in order to enhance the performance, capability, survivability, mobility and sustainability of Marines.

PM ICE Organization

Current Activities Supporting Needs of Marines Worldwide Mountain and Cold Weather Clothing and Equipment Initiatives Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) Marine Corps Combat Utility Permethrin Treated Uniforms Certification of all Clothing and Optional/Accessory Items Source Selection DLA (DSCP) for Boots (Hot & Temperate Weather) –Field User Evaluation

Doing Business With Marines Certification of all Marine Corps Clothing and Accessory Items Government Solicitations-U.S Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, Natick MA/LOGCOM, Albany, GA/White Sands Missile Range, NM/ U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, MO/MCSC, Quantico, VA DLA Prime Vendor Use of GSA Schedules becoming more and more restrictive

Quality Assurance Certification Program Purpose: Ensures that items manufactured for sale through Marine Corps Exchange, Other Services System, Military Clothing Sales Stores, designated Retail Clothing Outlets, and/or directly to individual Marines as MC uniform items and accessories, conform to MC requirements and standards, and that a program exists to maintain quality control on these items. Emphasis on Optional Dress Clothing items

Quality Assurance Certification Program Certification/Submission Process Manufacturers submit Application for Certification (MAC) form with a minimum of 2 samples. Samples evaluated in-house for specification/standard compliance (Phase I). If samples require additional testing, they are sent to outside laboratories for testing compliance. (Phase II) Samples are approved or rejected based on results of Phase I & II. Identification of approved items are made with issued USMC Certification Approval Number (Sewn Label/Stamp) Re-certification required every three years for uniform items; every five years for accessory items. For Detailed Information on Certification Procedures. Contact Ms. Shakinta Johnston at (703) 432-3313 or via Internet: shakinta.johnston.ctr @usmc.mil

PM ICE Solicitation Process 9 – 12 Month Cycle RFI - Market Survey (Optional) RFP – Proposal Submissions Source Selection Board Review Final Down -Select Limited User Evaluation (Human Factors) Best Value ID/IQ Contract Awards (Up to 4) Exercise Initial Issue Production Options For Winner Product Demonstration Models (PDM) Laboratory Testing - Natick Field User Evaluation Transition to DLA for Sustainment

Recent Procurements – Months to Sustainment SRP Date 8/05 2/07 5/04 1/07 5/06 8/04 2/04 7/06 2/04 4/06 12/03 1/07 3/04 1/06 2/07 3/03 3/03 3/07 Average 31 months *Date Sustained-Date DLA DLA began to fill backorders As of 9-18-06

OTHER SUSTAINMENT ISSUES -Recuit Depots-Marines graduating from boot camp without required uniforms. -3PL providing sustainment for legacy and new ICE due to DLA’s inability to provide. -B/O reach 10,000 for clothing and textile items-Marines are going without. -PM partnerships, developed with industry to acquire and field initial issue quantities of clothing and textile items, breakdown when DLA attempts to sustain the item.

Base Layering for Cold Weather Operations Underwear ( Lightweight and Heavyweight) Combat Utility Uniform Fleece Pullovers (100/300 wt) All – Purpose Environmental Clothing System Combat Desert Jacket Gloves Over-whites

Mountain & Cold Weather Clothing & Equipment Balaclava ·   Flat-lock Seams ·   Thinner material at the ears ·   Single hole for both eyes & separate hole for the mouth ·   Facilitates eating, drinking, communication & breathing Modular Sleep System Improvement . Reduce weight by ¼ - 1/3 . Reduce cube/bulk by ¼ - 1/3

Mountain & Cold Weather Clothing & Equipment Cold Weather Boot . Durable in mountain environments . Water repellent - Quick drying . Provides support for long distance load carrying . Crampon compatible Thermal insulation Compatible with sock layers Combat Desert Jacket . Wind proof, abrasion resistant, breathable . Water repellent - Quick drying . Ant-microbial, anti-odor . Lightweight, IR protection . MARPAT desert design

Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) FROG Protection Level - 1 Base Layer (Dismounted) AVAILABLE TO ISSUE; Meets NAVAIR standard when worn IAW MARADMIN 252/06 Prototypes Improved NOMEX Gloves MCCUU w/Interceptor Long sleeve FR shirt Cotton T-shirt Anti-Flash Hoods Lightweight FR Balaclava/neck gaiter Testing: No head and hand protection Head surface area approximately 6% Hand surface area not included in burn percentages Current MCCUU with PPE: 10% total (2nd and 3rd degree) burn % at 3 second burn Balaclava / neck gaiter design needs integration with LWH and communication gear. NOMEX Gloves Materials solutions being researched include; Nomex Nomex blends FR Cotton Modacrylic (foreign) FR Rayon (foreign) ALL NO MELT/NO DRIP

Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) FROG Protection Level - 2 Outer Wear (Mounted) AVAILABLE TO ISSUE Prototypes FR Utilities Combat Shirt & trousers MCCUU NOMEX flight and CVC suits Outer Clothing Layer Critical FR Properties: self extinguishing thermal protection Base Clothing Layer Critical FR Properties: Non-melt drip Materials solutions being researched include; Nomex Nomex blends Modacrylic (foreign) FR Rayon (foreign) Treatments (wash in/spray on) ALL NO MELT/NO DRIP FROG Level 1 base layers are also worn in Level- 2 Balaclava Gloves Long Sleeve FR t-shirt

Undergarments Tee Shirts, Undershorts, Socks Improvement over current 100% cotton underwear issue items by using various high performance fibers with enhanced properties Anti-odor Anti-microbial Moisture wicking/quick drying Male and Female sizes Blister resistant cold weather and combat /hiking socks that maintain their shape and color

Improved Hot & Temperate Weather Boots Enhanced outsole Increased Durability New leathers Performance based solicitation released by DLA/DSCP Currently undergoing Field User Evaluation

Combat Uniform Product Improvement Insect Bite Protection Permethrin Treated CMC Approved Use Mosquito Netting 2 –Man Combat Tent Combat Uniform Product Improvement

In Summary… We strive to provide the best clothing and equipment possible to our Warfighters !