1. Current Marine Corps Combat Clothing and Equipment Initiatives
EVERY MARINE
IS A RIFLEMAN
Mr. Daniel Fitzgerald
Marine Corps Systems Command

2. Our Mission
Program Manager Infantry Combat Equipment fields, sustains and assesses clothing and equipment while anticipating the needs of and maintaining contact with the Operating Forces in order to enhance the performance, capability, survivability, mobility and sustainability of Marines.

3. PM ICE Organization

4. Current Activities Supporting Needs of Marines Worldwide
Mountain and Cold Weather Clothing and Equipment Initiatives
Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG)
Marine Corps Combat Utility Permethrin Treated Uniforms
Certification of all Clothing and Optional/Accessory Items
Source Selection
DLA (DSCP) for Boots (Hot & Temperate Weather) –Field User Evaluation

5. Doing Business With Marines
Certification of all Marine Corps Clothing and Accessory Items
Government Solicitations-U.S Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, Natick MA/LOGCOM, Albany, GA/White Sands Missile Range, NM/ U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, MO/MCSC, Quantico, VA
DLA Prime Vendor
Use of GSA Schedules becoming more and more restrictive

6. Quality Assurance Certification Program
Purpose: Ensures that items manufactured for sale through Marine Corps Exchange, Other Services System, Military Clothing Sales Stores, designated Retail Clothing Outlets, and/or directly to individual Marines as MC uniform items and accessories, conform to MC requirements and standards, and that a program exists to maintain quality control on these items.
Emphasis on
Optional
Dress Clothing items

7. Quality Assurance Certification Program
Certification/Submission Process
Manufacturers submit Application for Certification (MAC) form with a minimum of 2 samples.
Samples evaluated in-house for specification/standard compliance (Phase I).
If samples require additional testing, they are sent to outside laboratories for testing compliance. (Phase II)
Samples are approved or rejected based on results of Phase I & II.
Identification of approved items are made with issued USMC Certification Approval Number (Sewn Label/Stamp)
Re-certification required every three years for uniform items; every five years for accessory items. For Detailed Information on Certification Procedures. Contact Ms. Shakinta Johnston at (703) or via Internet:

8. PM ICE Solicitation Process
9 – 12 Month Cycle
RFI - Market Survey
(Optional)
RFP – Proposal Submissions
Source Selection Board Review
Final Down -Select
Limited User Evaluation
(Human Factors)
Best Value ID/IQ Contract Awards (Up to 4)
Exercise Initial Issue Production Options For Winner
Product
Demonstration
Models (PDM)
Laboratory Testing - Natick
Field User Evaluation
Transition to DLA for Sustainment

9. Recent Procurements – Months to Sustainment
SRP Date
8/05
2/07
5/04
1/07
5/06
8/04
2/04
7/06
2/04
4/06
12/03
1/07
3/04
1/06
2/07
3/03
3/03
3/07
Average 31 months
*Date Sustained-Date DLA
DLA began to fill backorders
As of

10. OTHER SUSTAINMENT ISSUES
-Recuit Depots-Marines graduating from boot camp without required uniforms.
-3PL providing sustainment for legacy and new ICE due to DLA’s inability to provide.
-B/O reach 10,000 for clothing and textile items-Marines are going without.
-PM partnerships, developed with industry to acquire and field initial issue quantities of clothing and textile items, breakdown when DLA attempts to sustain the item.

11. Base Layering for Cold Weather Operations
Underwear ( Lightweight and Heavyweight)
Combat Utility Uniform
Fleece Pullovers (100/300 wt)
All – Purpose Environmental Clothing System
Combat Desert Jacket
Gloves
Over-whites

12. Mountain & Cold Weather Clothing & Equipment Balaclava
·   Flat-lock Seams
·   Thinner material at the ears
·   Single hole for both eyes & separate hole for the mouth
·   Facilitates eating, drinking, communication & breathing
Modular Sleep System Improvement
. Reduce weight by ¼ - 1/3
. Reduce cube/bulk by ¼ - 1/3

13. Mountain & Cold Weather Clothing & Equipment
Cold Weather Boot
. Durable in mountain environments
. Water repellent - Quick drying
. Provides support for long distance load carrying
. Crampon compatible
Thermal insulation
Compatible with sock layers
Combat Desert Jacket
. Wind proof, abrasion resistant, breathable
. Water repellent - Quick drying
. Ant-microbial, anti-odor
. Lightweight, IR protection
. MARPAT desert design

14. Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG)
FROG Protection Level - 1 Base Layer (Dismounted)
AVAILABLE TO ISSUE;
Meets NAVAIR standard when worn IAW MARADMIN 252/06
Prototypes
Improved NOMEX Gloves
MCCUU w/Interceptor
Long sleeve FR shirt
Cotton T-shirt
Anti-Flash Hoods
Lightweight FR Balaclava/neck gaiter
Testing:
No head and hand protection
Head surface area approximately 6%
Hand surface area not included in burn percentages
Current MCCUU with PPE: 10% total (2nd and 3rd degree) burn % at 3 second burn
Balaclava / neck gaiter design needs integration with LWH and communication gear.
NOMEX Gloves
Materials solutions being researched include;
Nomex
Nomex blends
FR Cotton
Modacrylic (foreign)
FR Rayon (foreign)
ALL NO MELT/NO DRIP

15. Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG)
FROG Protection Level - 2 Outer Wear (Mounted)
AVAILABLE TO ISSUE
Prototypes
FR Utilities
Combat Shirt & trousers
MCCUU
NOMEX flight and CVC suits
Outer Clothing Layer Critical FR Properties:
self extinguishing
thermal protection
Base Clothing Layer Critical FR Properties:
Non-melt drip
Materials solutions being researched include;
Nomex
Nomex blends
Modacrylic (foreign)
FR Rayon (foreign)
Treatments (wash in/spray on)
ALL NO MELT/NO DRIP
FROG Level 1 base layers are also worn in Level- 2
Balaclava
Gloves
Long Sleeve FR t-shirt

16. Undergarments Tee Shirts, Undershorts, Socks
Improvement over current 100% cotton underwear issue items by using various high performance fibers with enhanced properties
Anti-odor
Anti-microbial
Moisture wicking/quick drying
Male and Female sizes
Blister resistant cold weather and combat /hiking socks that maintain their shape and color

17. Improved Hot & Temperate Weather Boots
Enhanced outsole
Increased Durability
New leathers
Performance based solicitation released by DLA/DSCP
Currently undergoing Field User Evaluation

18. Combat Uniform Product Improvement
Insect Bite Protection
Permethrin Treated
CMC Approved Use
Mosquito Netting
2 –Man Combat Tent
Combat Uniform Product Improvement

19. In Summary…
We strive to provide the best clothing and equipment possible to our Warfighters !