Uniform Misonception Question

My brother is a Marine, who is currently in Iraq, so he sends myself as well as my family a lot of information about what is like over there, as well as general information about the Marine Corps.

A question he couldn't answer of mine is regarding rank and uniforms. It is to my understanding that if an Enlisted Marine is chosen to move up to Officer, he is eligible to continue to wear all of his enlisted uniforms, yet wear his officer ranks as such. However, are Officers straight out of PLC/OCS/TBS able to wear enlisted uniforms with the Officer rank, or is it a special circumstance for the transition from Enlisted to Officer?

[LCpl Lamm]

Good question Raska. I'll do some research on it and let you know what I find.
Lamm

[USMCRET6391]

Promoted enlisted men can wear certain of their old their old enlisted uniforms with specified modifications....New Officers coming out of the Basic School or OCS are not authorized to wear Enlisted uniforms in any configuration.

[LCpl Lamm]

I may sound dumb, but what's the difference between enlisted and officer uniforms, besides the insignia?
Thanks.
Lamm

There is no red outline stitching around the Jacket, a black belt instead of the white belt, and a different type of hat. That is basically it.

[LCpl Lamm]

Roger that.

[USMCRET6391]

If you are talking about the Dress Blue Uniform, the red stipe on the trousers is wider and the Officers still wear the old "Sam Brown" style black leather belt and shoulder piece. The top of the officers Frame Cap (Barracks Cover) has a design in the top called a "quatrefoi"l on it. The regular officer uniform is made of different material and has some cosmetic differences such as the Pockets on the Green "Alpha" Jacket are not sewn down.

Officers also carry a different sabre and all of their MC emlems are made out of two metals not just brass.

[Bunny]

I would say there are a lot of differences, especially with the blues. Here is a link to some pics of devil dogs in blues, you can notice the difference.

http://www.stevenshiles.com/uniforms.html

[ASUMarine]

My understanding is that if a marine earns his commision he must start wearing is officer uniforms but he can still wear his enlisted ribbons and awards. As for the actual uniforms I believe he must wear the officer blouses, trousers, and covers. Plus the mameluke sword is better than the NCO sword, at least I think so.

[Bunny]

You got it. They wouldn’t strip you of your awards earned as an enlisted Marine. And once again for clarification . . . officers/enlisted have different uniforms that are different due to style/color/wear/accessories/placement of insignia.