Female Marines could soon see more changes to their uniforms as service leaders consider modifying the classic A-line skirts they wear with certain looks. The Marine Corps is considering more changes to female dress blues, a little more than two months after the iconic coat was changed — a move supported by a slight majority of female Marines, but fewer than half of female field grade officers and staff NCOs.

Just a couple months after Marine officials switched women's dress coat to a more unisex style, the Corps is now asking for opinions on further changes to female uniforms by way of an online survey scheduled to run through May 27.

Capt. Sarah Burns, a Marine spokeswoman at the Pentagon, said the survey asks Marines whether they prefer A-line, straight or pencil-style skirts with the service and dress uniforms. Female Marines currently wear A-line skirts with those looks.

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The A-line skirts female Marines wear now flare out slightly from the hip. Straight skirts are more fitted than the A-line styles. Pencil skirts are typically higher waisted and are somewhat tapered below the thigh.

Marines can vote on their fit preference for the green service uniform skirt, which will be paired with the existing jacket and khaki blouse.  It will run through May 27. at https://usmcsurveys.natick.army.mil; CAC access is required.A March 28 Facebook post on the Corps’ official page opened the invitation by asking "Do you like the new female dress blue coat?" But officials told Marine Corps Times that this latest survey is all about the skirt.Marines can also vote on the style of the black or white dress skirt they'd prefer to wear with the new unisex-style coat.  Officials did not provide a copy of the survey questions, nor did they answer how the specific uniform proposals were determined, and by whom.

"The survey solicits preferences for skirt types," said Barb Hamby, a SYSCOM spokeswoman at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.  "This is part of the Marine Corps' ongoing efforts to finalize the design of the female blue dress uniform," said Barb Hamby, a spokeswoman for Marine Corps Systems Command in SYSCOM spokeswoman at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

The uniform board is also weighing whether to move the zippers on female Marines' skirts from the back to the side. Marines are also given the option to move the pocket for identification cards from the inside of their skirts to the outside.

Gunnery Sgt. Tawanda Hanible speaks at an event while wearing dress blues. The Marine Corps is asking women whether they'd like to change the style of skirts worn with that uniform.

Photo Credit: Defense Department

Uniform board officials also want to get a sense for what types of alterations women currently make to their skirts. The survey, which will run through May 27, can be completed here with a common access card.

Marines will be able to see prototypes of the different skirts on display during a roadshow to be held in May, according to the Facebook post. Exact dates and locations have not been released. Marines can opt to complete the survey in person at that point. 

A female Marine, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said she was pleased to see the uniform board asking women for input before any changes were finalized. When the new dress coat was adopted, women didn't get much of a say, she said, aside from offering feedback on some cosmetic aspects, like the positioning of certain pockets.

"It was nice to actually be asked about a current uniform ... to have a choice," she said.

The new dress coat was adopted in January after more than two years of tests. It followed the move toward a common dress cover as the female cap was phased out and replaced with one like that that traditionally worn by men. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus was behind the move for push gender-neutral uniforms, which coincided with the Pentagon’s move toward gender-neutral physical standards and job opportunities. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus last summer said his goal is a collection of uniforms that "don’t divide us as male or female, but rather unite us as sailors or Marines."

Data from a uniform survey on the new dress coat showed that while the majority of respondents preferred the new look, it proved less popular with more senior-ranking Marines. Half of female field grade officers and staff noncommissioned officers voted for said the Corps to should keep its existing dress coat the current coat and adopt the prototype as a special assignment item to be issued at unit expense.

 results, and 3,650 Marines total, weighed in on the proposed change in last year’s Uniform Board 216 survey. In comparison, nearly three times that number chimed in on adjustments to seasonal uniform periods; removal of the combat utility uniform from the seasonal uniform policy; a recommendation that would require all Marines wear the service uniform when not in the field, while training or deployed; and the elimination of desert MARPAT combat utility uniform.The majority of respondents (56 percent of 3,650 votes) wanted to replace the current female dress blue coat with the prototype. Though three out of five females wanted the new coat, half of female field grade officers and staff NCOs said the Corps should keep the current coat and adopt the prototype as a special assignment item to be issued at unit expense.

That uniform guidance is included in Marine Administrative Message 011/16.

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