There have been some complaints over a new unisex Marine Corps hat, which some have derided as ‘girly.’ One report even suggested that it was proposed by President Obama, but he has nothing to do with Marine uniforms.
The New York Post, which linked the proposal to President Obama, spoke with a senior Marine source who was fuming over the idea. “We don’t even have enough funding to buy bullets, and the DoD [Department of Defense] is pushing to spend $8 million on covers that look like women’s hats!” the source said. “The Marines deserve better. It makes them look ridiculous.”
The new thin hats, also known as ‘covers,’ are made to look good on both men and women. “The Marine Corps is being ‘encouraged’ by DoD to standardize on a unisex/universal dress and service cap,” a memo the Post obtained reads.
The Marines have used the current style hat since 1922. The new covers, dubbed the Dan Daly cap in honor of a World War I hero, are based on a design used from 1904 to 1918. On a Marine Times page, some commenters have suggested that the new design is ‘too French.’
A memo states that the new covers will cost $8,221,958, saving the Marines $284,043 since they will not have to buy the more expensive female covers.
Business Insider’s Paul Szoldra refutes the Post’s claims that Obama had a hand in pushing for the unisex covers. He reports that a group of senior enlisted Marines meet annually to discuss potential uniform changes and the President does not have a say. Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos is the person who would have to approve the change.
“The President in no way, shape, or form directed the Marine Corps to change our uniform cover," Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Maureen Krebs told Business Insider. “We're looking for a new cover for our female Marines for the primary reason that the former manufacturer went out of business. The Marine Corps has zero intention of changing the male cover.”