Utility cover explained

The utility cover, also known as the utility cap and eight-pointed cover, is the United States Marine Corps cap, worn with their combat 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]} A version is also worn as part of the U.S. Navy's Navy Working Uniform.^[4]

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] and a railroad engineer cap.^[7] World War II Marines nicknamed it the raider cap^[8] from its use by the Marine Raiders. It was made from herringbone twill until 1959, when the material changed to cotton sateen.^{[9] [10]}

See also

• Boonie hat
• Patrol cap the United States Army and United States Air Force equivalent.
• Side cap

Notes and References

1. http://www.marineparents.com/marinecorps/uniforms.asp Uniforms of the Marine Corps from MarineParents.com: A Place to Connect & Share(tm)
2. http://www.usmc.mil/almars/almar2000.nsf/52f4f5d11f10b4c4852569b8006a3e35/2c62f1e9d178aad785256a55005e1473?OpenDocument Marine Corps ALMAR ->MCBUL 1020. MARINE CORPS UNIFORM BOARD MEETING NR 190 AND 191
3. http://www.hqmc.net/index.php?Itemid=29&id=47&option=com_content&task=view Marine For Life – Marine Corps Uniforms
4. http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=22519 New Navy Working Uniform and Service Uniform Concepts Approved
5. Web site: USMC WW II HBT Uniform. www.olive-drab.com. 2016-05-09.
6. Web site: Field Cap. www.olive-drab.com. 2016-05-09.
7. p.26 Rottman, Gordon L. US Marine Corps 1941-45 Osprey Publishing, 1995
8. p.18 Gilbert, Ed US Marine Corps Raider 1942-43 Osprey Publishing, 2006
9. http://www.vietnamgear.com/kit.aspx?kit=72 Marine Corps Utility Cap
10. Book: Vietnam Marines 1965-73. 1992-11-26. Osprey Publishing. 9781855322516. en.