"If you put your scabbard on your belt line - you'd be practicing a few inches off, and you'd get nowhere." "The move itself is tricky, and requires precision and a little bit of luck," said Bastian, an infantryman who served at the barracks from late 2014 to mid-2019. The field jacket's rough similarities to the blues coat allow a Marine to place the formal uniform's belt at the right height to practice fixing and unfixing a bayonet to his M1 Garand rifle, which is also a throw-back. Army Center of Military History, Museum Division.ĭesigned for utility, and commonly known as the M65 field jacket, it's also become something of a style icon, available as a designer knock-off for $500 from Polo Ralph Lauren - about five times what it costs from a military surplus store online. Originally produced in olive drab, the cold weather field coat was added to the military inventory in 1966 and became available in the woodland pattern in 1982, according to a 2007 study by David C. But the field jacket is supposed to be worn as-issued, Bastian said. "It can only be worn with service B and C (short and long sleeve) and only during official barracks practices."īarracks Marines use many tricks and unusual modifications to make their outfits look their best for ceremonies at places like Arlington National Cemetery and high-profile events in the capital.
"The Field Jacket is primarily worn to simulate the Dress Blue jacket," said Andre Bastian, a Marine veteran who spent five years at the barracks, also known as 8th & I.