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Running suits staying green

Green is the new black — at least when it comes to the Corps’ new running suit. Leathernecks spoke out against the dominant black color scheme of the prototype running suits, and officials listened. The new running suit, unveiled Nov. 7, will be green, just like its older cousin — the green sweats.

Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, didn’t even open his prototype version of the running suit, because it had too much black on it.

“I haven’t even worn it because the Marines don’t like it,” Kent said in his Pentagon office, unwrapping the plastic packaging for the first time. “This is the one nobody liked because it was all black and it looked like the Army.”

However, the new running suits won’t arrive at Marine exchanges until summer 2008, extending a drawn-out process that began last November when Commandant Gen. James Conway told Marines the current PT gear was outdated, said 1st Lt. Geraldine Carey, a Marine Corps Systems Command spokeswoman.

The new running suits will include a jacket and matching pant that feature advanced fabric technologies, providing for moisture management, water resistance, reflectivity, antimicrobial characteristics and breathability, according to Systems Command’s Web site.

The running suits will not replace the sweatshirt and sweatpants in the seabag, but instead supplement them. Dan Fitzgerald, program manager for infantry combat equipment at Systems Command, said in an earlier interview the sweat suits would remain useful, especially for mud runs when Marines would want to avoid trashing their running suits.

“Chesty Puller wore cotton PT sweats, and if it was good enough for him, it was good enough for everyone,” Kent said.

Athletic apparel company InSport was awarded the contract to produce the running suits after Systems Command officials chose its prototype — the one without the hood — over the competing design.

“The selected design was chosen based on its superior design and technical performance attributes,” said project officer Portia Blunt via e-mail.

Sgt. Joe Thomas, a Marine selected to test early prototypes, said last summer he preferred the prototype chosen because it fit better, provided more breathability, was lighter and was “a better suit all around.”

Green isn’t the only new color on the final design. “MARINES” will be printed on the back of the jacket and “USMC” will be printed down the right pant leg, both in scarlet and gold. Prior prototypes had the printing in green or white.

The Corps is considering allowing Marines to wear the running suit jacket with their civvies, Kent said. He has received such a positive response about the running suits, the sergeant major said he could foresee it helping with recruiting.

“When you wear it out there, some civilian is going to come up and say, ‘How can I get one of those?’ and you take ’em down to the recruiting office,” Kent said.