This is gay first the Tatto policy now this, I think I preferred General Hagee as Commandant....



UNCLAS 171343Z APR 07
CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
TO AL MARADMIN(UC)
MARADMIN 262/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO/

SUBJ/MARINE CORPS POLICY ON THE WEAR AND PURCHASE OF BODY ARMOR AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)//

POC/B. W. TIPPETT/MAJOR/CMC WASHINGTON PPO POG/-/TELSN 222-4290//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/

1. THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS DIRECTS THE FOLLOWING POLICY FOR MARINES AND SAILORS ASSIGNED TO USMC AND JOINT COMMANDS, ON THE WEAR AND PURCHASE OF BODY ARMOR AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE). PPE REFERS TO PROTECTIVE BODY ARMOR, HELMETS, GOGGLES, CLOTHING, AND OTHER GEAR DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE WEARERS BODY FROM BATTLEFIELD INJURIES. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
OUTER TACTICAL VEST, MODULAR TACTICAL VEST, LIGHTWEIGHT HELMET, FULL-SPECTRUM BATTLE EQUIPMENT, MILITARY EYE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
(ESS ICE SPECTACLES / ESS PROFILE NVG GOGGLES), ENHANCED SMALL ARMS PROTECTIVE INSERT PLATES, SIDE SMALL ARMS PROTECTIVE INSERT PLATES,
BALLISTIC PLATE CARRIER, QUAD GUARD, FLAME RESISTANT ORGANIZATIONAL GEAR AND COMBAT ARMS EARPLUGS.

2. MARINES/SAILORS DEPLOYED TO COMBAT ZONES WILL BE ISSUED MARINE CORPS APPROVED PPE, INCLUDING MODULAR BODY ARMOR SETS.

3. MARINE COMPONENT AND/OR FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT/JOINT TASK FORCE(JTF) COMMANDERS WILL PRESCRIBE THE WEAR OF PPE FOR UNITS CONDUCTING
OPERATIONS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE THEATER OF OPERATIONS. PPE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY A FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT COMMANDER THAT ARE MORE INCLUSIVE (I.E. PRESCRIBE ADDITIONAL PPE ITEMS) THAN THOSE SET BY THE ASSOCIATED MARINE COMPONENT COMMANDER WILL BE MET BY MARINES/SAILORS SERVING UNDER THE DESIGNATED COMMAND.

4. SUBORDINATE COMMANDERS WILL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE THEIR MARINES/SAILORS TO WEAR ADDITIONAL LEVELS OF PPE BASED ON THEIR
ESTIMATE OF THE SITUATION, TO INCLUDE ASSESSMENTS OF ENEMY THREAT, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, AND THE TACTICAL MISSIONS ASSIGNED TO THEIR UNITS. SUBORDINATE COMMANDERS WHO DETERMINE THAT A LOWER LEVEL (I.E. FEWER PPE ITEMS) OF PPE IS APPROPRIATE MUST RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE USMC AND/OR FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT/JTF COMMANDER PRIOR TO EXECUTION OF ANY CHANGE.

5. INDIVIDUAL MARINES/SAILORS MAY NOT USE COMMERCIAL PPE IN LIEU OF GOVERNMENT TESTED, APPROVED AND ISSUED PPE. COMMANDERS MAY AUTHORIZE MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMANDS TO USE COMMERCIALLY PURCHASED PPE ITEMS IN ADDITION TO THOSE ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AS LONG AS ADDITIONS DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE FUNCTIONALITY OF APPROVED PPE. INDIVIDUALLY
PURCHASED COMMERCIAL PPE WILL NOT BE REIMBURSABLE BY COMMAND/UNIT (GOVERNMENT) FUNDS.

6. IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT MARINES/SAILORS ARE PROVIDED ONLY THOSE PPE ITEMS THAT HAVE MET GOVERNMENT TEST STANDARDS (MIL-STANDARD),
COMMANDERS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO UTILIZE UNIT (GOVERNMENT) FUNDS TO PURCHASE COMMERCIAL PPE ITEMS THAT HAVE NOT MET GOVERNMENT TEST
STANDARDS AND BEEN APPROVED FOR USE BY THE MARINE CORPS.//

What's wrong with requiring all PPE to meet milspec standards? No commander or leader would in good concience allow a Soldier/Marineuse non-approved PPE.

I can agree with not allowing personal body armor, b/c lack of mil testing. But carriers and vest that carry no ballistics properties only hold the Issued armor is pushing it. But what I get out of this is  carriers ,pouches, etc have to be approved for wear so as long as they arent cheap ebay airsoft junk you should be good to go, I just hope the COC doesnt go overboard with this and not allow any personal gear.

I'm hoping we get the MTV when we go at the end of the year, but I'm not holding my breath.

I see a Spartan II in my future.

Plus, Wiley-X just does not fit me. I'll be wearing the same Home Depot safety glasses I wore last tour.

Does having NSN = approved PPE?

The issued ESS eyepro is ok but I'd much prefer a pair of Oakleys or Wiley-X's...both of which are in the inventory, but just not standard issue.