Preview: DID 1/6 United States Marine Corps Dress Blues / Ceremonial Guard 12-inch figure

The Uniforms of the United States Marine Corps serve to distinguish Marines from members of other services. Among current uniforms in the United States Armed Forces, the Marines' uniforms have been in service the longest. The Marine Dress Blue uniform has, with few changes, been worn in essentially its current form since the 19th century.

The Marine Corps dress blue uniform is the most formal of a Marine's uniforms, and is often referred to as "Dress Blues", due to the color (as distinguished from the green and khaki service uniforms). It is also the most recognizable uniform of the Marine Corps, often seen in recruiting advertisements. It is often called "Dress Blues" or simply "Blues". It is equivalent in composition and use to civilian black tie.

DID will be releasing this 1/6th scale US Marine Corps Dress Blues / Ceremonial Guard "Tony" 12-inch military figure which will come with: 1/6th scale "Tony" head sculpt with New All Era 12-inch figure body, White Barracks Cover, Khaki Long Sleeve Button Up Shirt, Khaki Tie, Tie Clip, White Belt with Gold Buckle, Sky Blue Trousers with "Blood Stripe", White Trousers, Dress Blue Greatcoat, Midnight Blue Coat, Two Sets of Insignia, Ceremonial Bayonet & Scabbard, Sword (metal) with Highly Detailed Engraving, Sword Scabbard, M1 Garand Rifle (Wood and Metal), New Style Shoes

I'm sure glad I didn't get the Caltek 12-inch Dress Marine figure that was released earlier because I like this DID 1/6 scale USMC Dress Blues / Ceremonial Guard a whole lot more :) DID always seems to be able to up the ante and produce better quality figures (besides Soldier Story of course). The M1 Garand Rifle looks very well made and a lot much nicer then previous versions.

Prior to 1998, the "Blue-White" dress uniform was authorized to be worn for the ceremonial units at Marine Barracks, 8th & I in Washington, D.C. (most famously the Silent Drill Platoon and Color guard). Since then, it has become the authorized summer dress uniform for all officers (it replaced, in 2000, an all-white uniform, similar in appearance to that of the Naval Officer / CPO white dress uniform), SNCOs (unless they are in formation with NCOs and junior enlisted personnel who are not authorized to wear the uniform), and by NCOs and junior enlisted personnel for ceremonies and social events only, if authorized and provided by the command structure.

Regarding the 1/6th scale "Tony" head sculpt, I see a strong resemblance to Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV). Others see Dennis Leary and also Tom Berenger from the film "Born on the Fourth of July" as Gunnery Sergeant Hayes

It seems the EGAs (Eagle Globe and Anchor) on the collar are backwards. And the ribbons and badges on this figure are (in order from top to bottom): Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Services Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one star for second deployment.

A Mameluke Sword may be worn by officers. Staff non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) are authorized to wear the NCO Sword which is shown here.

That it is not the Star of David engraved on the sword. It is the Star of Damascus, the symbol of world renowned steel and sword craftsmen. These craftsmen used two triangles joined together as a sign of their sword making guild which became know as the Star of Damascus. This symbol means the sword was fashioned with Damascus steel and over 1,000 years of craftsmanship.

As mentioned above, this DID 1/6th scale US Marine Corps Dress Blues / Ceremonial Guard "Tony" 12-inch military figure even comes with the Dress Blue Greatcoat.

Blue Dress "C" (Charlie) consists of a khaki long sleeve button-up shirt and tie which replaces the outer midnight blue coat and white gloves. Ribbons and badges are normally worn on the shirt.

Sky blue trousers / pants (midnight blue for general officers) with "blood stripe", high gloss black dress shoes and socks are worn with all versions of dress blues.

"Blue-White" dress uniform. Like the Blue Dress uniform, the Blue-White Dress consists of an "A" and "B" uniform, and is worn in the same manner as that of the Blue Dress uniform, except for the trousers, skirt, or slacks being white instead of blue. Unlike the Dress Blues, the Blue-White Dress uniforms do not feature the "blood stripe".

Dress Blue Alphas have long sleeve choker-collar midnight blue (black) outer blouse/tunic, white cover, with all medals and ribbons. Dress Blue Bravos are the same as the Alphas but ribbons and Marksmenship Badges, are worn instead of medals.

Officer blouses do not have the red piping that the enlisted blouses do. Officers also wear a white inner collar, in addition to a while shirt under their blouse. Additionally officers wear metal ranks insignia on their shoulders. Enlisted Marines wear their rank chevron patches on their upper arms.

Enlisted ranks wear a white belt, and different buckles depending on rank. Non-NCOs have a plain brass buckle, NCOs wear a brass buckle with an Eagle Globe and Anchor (EGA), and SNCOs wear a brass buckle with an EGA and leaves. Officer belts are the same color as the blouse. No large buckle is worn.

Estimated Arrival Date: November 2012