The United States Marine Corps has officially abandoned its plan to revamp its physical fitness uniform, marking the end of a nearly three-year initiative that failed to yield a new design. The project, initiated in 2020, aimed to redesign the trunks and undershirt components of the Marine Corps warm weather physical training uniform (PTU). This decision comes after the service’s attempt to modernize the PTU faced challenges, with the initial prototype receiving negative feedback from Marines.
In the first prototype of the uniform, the classic green color scheme was retained, featuring knee-length shorts, moisture-wicking fabric, and thick reflective lines on the back of the shirt. However, the design was met with criticism from Marines, prompting the Marine Corps Systems Command, tasked with modernizing the gear, to make a second attempt at creating a more suitable uniform.
Despite efforts to improve the uniform design, the initiative was ultimately deemed “unfunded” for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. In September 2023, Marine Corps Systems Command officially ceased work on the project, redirecting resources to address more urgent defense needs. The spokesperson for the command, Morgan Blackstock, stated, “The Marine Corps is prioritizing programs that better focus on taking care of Marines and USMC modernization.”
Last year, the Marine Corps acknowledged the shortcomings of the initial design, citing feedback that the material was too heavy, the shorts were too long, and the reflective material was too restrictive. In October of the same year, the Marine Corps attempted a second redesign, reducing the inseam length to 5 inches and using a lighter material. However, the outcome of this second effort remains unknown.
Marines will continue to don the existing simple green shirt and shorts during warm weather physical training. Despite the Marine Corps’ attempts to update its physical fitness uniform, the iconic and familiar attire remains unchanged for the time being.
