MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- As technology advances the Marine Corps changes in order to keep up with the times, this not only includes improved body armor, but also uniform policies.
The recently released MarAdmin 065/08 states all cell phones and other electronic equipment may no longer be exposed while worn with Marine Corps uniforms.
The message has nullified a section of the Marine Corps uniform regulation authorizing Marines to wear command cell phones in visible locations while in uniform.
The commandant of the Marine Corps made the decision to change the policy, explained Mary Boyt, the Uniform Regulation Board program manager, Headquarters Marine Corps.
“The cell phone issue is just an extension of the guidance published in Marine Corps uniform board 209 where we limited the wear of personally owned electronics on uniforms,” said Boyt. “The CMC now wants to prohibit the organizationally issued electronics as well.”
A simple solution to having easy access to a phone without having it visible is to use pockets as they were intended, explained Boyt. Another suggestion involves keeping electronics on the belt or inside the waistband of the utility uniform. However, electronics stored in these locations must be removed if the Marine takes off his blouse, added Boyt.
“I think this change is beneficial to the image of Marines,” said Cpl. Joseph E. Pouzanoff, an avionics technician with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 who uses a cell phone. “This change will continue to maintain our image as an elite group, with a strict set of rules and regulations.”
It was too hard to distinguish between personal and issued phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants) and pagers, explained Boyt. The bottom line is those items shouldn’t be seen.
The change takes effect immediately, explained Boyt.
For other information on uniform regulation changes check the Marine Corps Uniform board Web sitewww.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil.