Reply #47: Apparently, all Marines can wear the tanker jacket

[jmowreader]

From the Marine uniform reg:

3014. JACKET, TANKER
1. The tanker jacket, authorized for individual optional purchase and wear, is made of a pewter gray polyester/wool gabardine material that has been treated to be water-repellent/resistant.

2. The jacket may be worn with the Dress "C"/"D" uniforms, the Service "B"/"C" uniforms and service or blue dress uniform with sweater. When worn the jacket will be zipped at least to the top (i.e., the highest point) of the external slash pockets. When worn with the sweater, the sleeves and the waistband of the sweater will be rolled up or under to ensure they do not extend below the jacket's sleeves/waistband.

3. Officers will wear their insignia of grade on the shoulder straps in the same manner as worn on the all-weather coat. Enlisted Marines will wear metal/plastic insignia of grade on the shoulder straps, single point inboard, and placed in the same manner as field/company grade officer's insignia.

4. The jacket will not be worn with the all-weather coat, nor will it be worn with the utility uniform. It will not be worn for inspections, ceremonial formations, or parades. It may be worn for leave/liberty. The jacket is authorized for wear, without insignia, with civilian clothing.

The Marines seem to use this as their equivalent of the Army Windbreaker--a short overcoat to wear with your semi-formal uniforms.

What this looks like: someone in Camp Pendleton's command group thought it would be really neat if Bush had a special souvenir, so they got a tanker jacket from Clothing Sales, sewed a Marine Corps seal patch on one side, and had "George W. Bush, Commander In Chief" embroidered on the other. Then they gave it to Little Georgie, who thought it was wonderful and put it right on.

This doesn't forgive Bush for strutting around like Mussolini.