RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Google confirmed what I knew from my college literature, the line is from John Milton's On His Blindness.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

My only problem is the assumption that the guy must have served in the Corps to wear a USMC ball cap. Perhaps he picked up on the same thing and fashioned an outrageous answer as a result.

pendennis

There are differences between "ball caps" and Marine field covers. The field covers mostly come in various camo schemes, and they're part of the field uniform. There are non-official makers of these covers, and you can find them online at a number of outlets, and at "surplus" stores.

Until conversion to more modern camo uniforms, Marines wore utilities which were OD in color, and the cover was one that was 100% cotton. It was worn washed, starched, and ironed to get it to the desired shape. There are hat frames for drying the cover, and those drying hats are usually heavily glommed with liquid starch. They're then ironed to crease the crown along the points. Those covers started in WWII and have 8 points. I served in the Seabees in the late 60's, and our work uniforms were the same utilities that Marines wore, including field jackets. Our covers were standard USMC-issue, and we had to remove the EGA from the front of it, replacing it with our rank/rating badge.

My original covers are long gone, but I found a couple in standard OD, and I wear 'em because I like 'em. I still wash, starch, and iron them to get the right look.

pendennis

delete

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Thanks