Wednesday, July 8, 2009

GI Joe Dress Marine

The Marine Corps dress uniform is the most elaborate of the United States armed forces, worn for formal or ceremonial occasions. Its basic form of a blue jacket with red trim dates back to the 19th century. It is the only US Military uniform that incorporates all three colors (Red, White and Blue) of the US Flag.

The Blue Dress uniform (also "Dress Blues" or simply "Blues") consist of a long-sleeved midnight blue coat (enlisted members have red trim) with a standing collar and belt (white web belt & gold waistplate for enlisted, midnight blue for officers with a gold M-buckle), white barracks cover (peaked cap with USMC insignia), plain white shirt, sky blue trousers, white gloves, black dress shoes and socks.

This is a GI Joe Hall of Fame Gung Ho Dress Marine uniform on a 1996 Hasbro Rhode Island Dress Marine. I had to switch uniforms as the Hasbro Rhode Island release turned out to be a major disappointment because everything looked faded. Gung Ho's uniform, especially the jacket, was black instead of midnight blue but it looks closer to the real thing.



"Semper Fi" is Latin for "Always Faithful" and is best known as the motto of the United States Marine Corps. The United States Marine Corps adopted the motto "Semper Fidelis" in 1883, on the initiative of Colonel Charles McCawley (January 29, 1827 – October 13, 1891), the 8th Commandant of the Marine Corps.





I added the extra badges (airborne and scuba badges on top, expert rifleman's badge and pistol competency badge at the bottom) over the decals as it made him look more impressive



Gung Ho is a Master Sergeant and the marine dress jacket has his rank chevrons on the upper sleeve; the stripes on the lower sleeve are service stripes, one for each four years of service.







White ceremonial M14 rifle



Previous posts: GI Joe US Army West Point Cadet and GI Joe US Navy Annapolis Cadet

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Would you share where you got the Marksmanship Badges you used on your Marine?

alex teo said...

Hi Frank, they were from Cotswold Collectibles - see link: http://www.gijoeelite.com/Elite-Insignia_c_171-5-3.html