Utility cover

Utility covers. Clockwise from top left: woodland MARPAT, desert MARPAT, Navy Working Uniform, and M81 Woodland.

The utility cover also known as the utility cap or eight pointed cover is the United States Marine Corps cap, worn with their utility uniform. It is an eight-pointed hat, with a visor similar to a baseball cap.^[1] It is worn "blocked", that is, creased and peaked, for a sharper appearance.^[2][3] It is also worn by the US Navy with the Navy Working Uniform^[4] as well as the Woodland CUU and desert DCU uniform.

History

The utility cover was first issued in World War II, with the Herringbone Twill utility uniform issued in 1943.^[5] It was based on a US Army field cap design.^[6][5] It was made from herringbone twill until 1959, when the material changed to cotton sateen.^[7][8] It is currently issued in desert and woodland Marpat camouflage patterns, though older versions came in M81 woodland, six-color desert, three-color desert camouflage patterns and olive drab. All versions except that worn with the Navy Working Uniform have the Marine Corps' Eagle, Globe, and Anchor insignia on the front above the bill, the NWU version having the wearer's rank insignia instead.

Proper Wear

During recruit training, Marine recruits are instructed in the proper method of wearing the utility cover. The proper manner to wear the utility cover is with the bill facing forward on the wearer's head and with the cover being aligned with the head (not 'leaning' to one side) and worn so as to appear horizontal from the side, not at an angle as a baseball cap is sometimes worn.

See also

• Patrol cap

• Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

References