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The US Navy And USMC Are Focused On Creating Better-Fitting Uniforms

adminSeptember 6, 20264 Mins read1

The US Navy And USMC Are Focused On Creating Better-Fitting Uniforms

Sailors Shape the Future of Navy Uniforms

The current Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU), the battledress of the United States Marine Corps, has been in service since 2022, but the Marines are now evaluating a new “next-generation” combat uniform design. Last month, the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps’ Program Manager for Combat Support Systems announced that it was modernizing individual equipment via the Next-Generation Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, dubbed the NexGen MCCUU, which was described as an “evolution” of the current battledress.

It promises to preserve many of the familiar characteristics of current battledress while providing increased combat and mobility in a variety of environmental conditions.

USMC Feedback Being Gathered

Throughout history, soldiers, sailors and Marines were seldom given the ability to comment on uniform design, and instead had to simply endure what they were issued. Historically, military uniforms were designed by high-ranking officials, procurement bureaus, or civilian tailors, with the frontline soldiers who wore them rarely (if ever) given a voice. Because of this traditional top-down approach, many uniforms prioritized visual conformity, rank identification, or cheap mass production over the comfort and mobility required by the people actually wearing them.

That is why, for centuries, uniforms were itchy, heavy, too hot in the summer, not warm enough in the winter, and universally never that comfortable.

Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps’ (PAE MC) Program Manager for Combat Support Systems (PM CSS) is modernizing individual equipment through the development of the Next-Generation Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (NexGen MCCUU)

(Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps photo by Todd Towles)

The MCCUU was already designed with Marine comfort in mind, and the NexGen MCCUU will take it even further, as it pairs lighter-weight material with an updated fit. According to the PAE MC, the new design includes a crotch gusset that is intended to improve comfort and durability. In addition, there will be updated sizing and two uniform cuts to better accommodate different Marine body types.

This might not seem like a huge change, but the updates are intended to improve mobility and better support Marines during training and operational missions.

“Equipment must evolve continuously to outpace near-peer technological advancements and deliver peak capabilities to the Fleet Marine Force,” said Todd Towles, Clothing and Equipment Team Lead.

“Just like a rifle or an armored vehicle, the combat uniform is a critical piece of tactical gear. Material advantages on the battlefield directly save lives and secure operational success,” Towles added.

The USMC is now in the initial production stage, which will provide the NexGen MCCUUs for wear testing and user evaluation. Feedback will be used to further refine the uniforms before they are adopted across the entire Fleet Marine Force.

“As part of an ongoing Limited User Evaluation (LUE), NexGen MCCUUs were issued on Aug. 4 and 5 to Command Staff, Drill Instructors, and recruits from three platoons in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Participants will continue wear testing and complete evaluations at the conclusion of the LUE,” the USMC explained.

Unlike in the past, when warfighters had little say in the uniforms they wore, the USMC is actively seeking input to develop the literal clothes on their back.

“A Marine who is protected, agile, and unburdened is a faster, more lethal, and more effective kinetic asset. Plain and simple,” explained Towles. “The next step for the team is a near-term fielding to Fleet units for Marine feedback in the different environments and missions our units deploy to. We are also testing articles at Natick Army Lab to ensure we incorporate objective analysis on durability and performance.”

The U.S. Navy Looks To “Shape Up” With Better Fitting Uniforms

It isn’t just the USMC that is seeking to develop better-fitting uniforms, as the United States Navy is now in the process of gathering data. In this case, it is for the uniforms worn by its female service members.

Last month, “scientists, designers, engineers and textile experts from the Navy Exchange Service Command’s Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility worked with nearly 80 female Sailors during a five-day fit evaluation,” the U.S. Navy announced.

The special fitting session was held at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and at NEX Norfolk, Virginia. During the evaluation from August 17 to 21, 2026, the combined research team collected measurement data and used cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to evaluate prototype uniforms for concept of fit, functional design, and accuracy of the size prediction, the sea service explained.

“I feel like I’m drowning when I wear men’s sizes,” said Commander Jennifer Lo, who has served in the Navy for 30 years.

The U.S. Navy acknowledged that for Lo and other female sailors, a well-fitting uniform not only provides the professional appearance that the service expects from its sailors, but it also provides “confidence and functional readiness,” allowing those sailors to do their jobs to the very best of their abilities.

NCTRF scientists, designers, engineers and textile experts collected body measurements and Sailor feedback to evaluate prototype uniforms and help determine future sizing and fit recommendations.

(U.S. Navy photo by Chris Abaya/Released)

During last month’s evaluation, sailors were able to try on several prototypes, and much like the USMC’s tests, the sailors were able to provide immediate feedback as experts conducted their assessment. The input provided by the FitClinic participants will help the U.S. Navy determine the acceptability of new fit types and update its patterns. This will allow the new uniforms to be “built” around the sailors who wear them.

“We learned from our Fit Clinics in 2022 that we needed to expand our current ‘Alpha’ and “Bravo’ modernized fit types to add ‘Charlie’ and ‘Delta’ as well to ensure we captured all body types,” said Dr. Brianna Plummer, Group Leader, Design & Testing Laboratories at NCTRF. “The data collected from the latest fit evaluation will help determine whether the additional fit categories are needed and whether they align with existing body types.”

According to the U.S. Navy, this new modern approach will replace the outdated, restrictive sizing system that has been in place for decades.

The service acknowledged that better-fitting uniforms will provide sailors with added confidence, but it will also reduce costs. By delivering a uniform that is the right size, it will reduce the need for costly alterations. Some of the results are already reaching the fleet, and that has included Service Khaki slacks with back pockets, as well as the Summer and Dress White female overblouses in both short-sleeve and long-sleeve, which are available at select NEX Uniform Shops.

“NCTRF is currently focused on modernizing the size and fit of female uniforms plans to evaluate male uniform sizing in the coming years,” the U.S. Navy added. “The goal is simple: Uniforms should fit the Sailors wearing them and Sailors should have a say in how the Navy gets there.”

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