UNSC Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform: Difference between revisions

The earliest known iteration of the Marine Corps BDU was in use during the [[Insurrection]]<ref>'''Halo Legends:''' ''Origins''</ref> and continued to see service well into the Human-Covenant War, with some units fielding this model as late as [[2559]] in the [[Second Ark Conflict]] in the Post-War era due to [[cryonics|cryo sleep]].<ref name="HW2">'''[[Halo Wars 2]]'''</ref> Notably, this model was standard issue during the [[Harvest campaign]] and saw extensive use during the early stages of the [[Battle of Earth]].<ref>''Halo Wars''</ref><ref name="Homecoming">'''Halo Legends''', ''Homecoming''</ref><ref>Halo 2 Anniversary</ref> The fatigues have a two-tone greenish gray camouflage,<ref>[[:File:HW_-_Marine_BDU.jpg|Image showing subtle camouflage pattern]]</ref> whereas the armor is issued in both reflective drab and matte forest green.<ref name="H2A">''Halo 2: Anniversary'', [[:File:H2A - Johnson.png|Sergeant Major Johnson's CGI model]]</ref> The cold environment fatigues use the same camouflage pattern with white in place of green; similarly colored armor and a matching helmet are worn with this version.<ref name="Forge"/> The shoulder pauldrons for this model come in at least two designs: the standard version has a broad, concave form that covers the shoulder and most of the upper arm,<ref name="H2A"/><ref>''Halo Wars'', [[:File:HW - Marine BDU.jpg|standard Marine armor]]</ref> while an off-hand variant is thicker and sits higher on the arm, extending well beyond the shoulder.<ref name="Forge">''Halo Wars'', [[:File:Sergeant Forge on Harvest.png|Sergeant Forge's armor]]</ref> Marines issued this variant often wear polarized tactical goggles and balaclavas, even in temperate environments. The chestpiece used with this model is composed of very heavy plating. The forearms, shins, and boots are fully armored. Some users wear tactical thigh rigs or holsters, while some wear armor covering the thighs. Often the left thigh is armored while a holster is attached to the right thigh.

This version of the BDU had entered service by [[2531]],<ref name="Homecoming"/> and was used by Marines during the later stages of the Battle of Earth, as well as on [[Kholo]],<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''The Return'' motion comic</ref> [[Algolis]],<ref>'''Halo Legends''', ''Prototype''</ref> [[Sigma Octanus IV]],<ref>'''Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant'''</ref> and numerous other planets. This model is based around the [[M52B body armor]], which can be outfitted with various accessories such as [[Wikipedia:Personal Load Carrying Equipment|utility webbing]] and ammunition pouches; the armor is supported by a black ballistic vest that extends to the arms. The armor and helmet used in conjunction with this model are almost universally painted olive drab, while the fatigues generally feature a woodland camouflage pattern.

This version of the Battle Dress Uniform is [[UNSC Army Battle Dress Uniform|shared]] with the [[UNSC Army|Army]] and the [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]].<ref name="ENC"/> It features gray fatigues with dust brown or gray-brown armor plating covering the head, torso, shoulders, thighs, and shins. At times Marines wear only their utilities and soft body armor, even forgoing helmets and body armor plating in hazardous combat operations, sometimes substituting their helmets for Boonie covers or bandannas. Some Marines have small medical packs built into their back armor plating. Many helmets worn with this system include a holographic [[tactical eyepiece]].{{Ref/Note|The article describes this version of the BDU as it is seen in ''Halo: Reach'' and ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', as it is a visually updated version of the BDU seen in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.}}

For leg protection wearers often utilize the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/UA|UA/NxRA]] utility armor, which cover both thighs. Wearers often use heavily armored knee guards distinct from those worn by the Army. Some Marines wear heavier shin armor along with GUNGNIR knee guards. Marines who wear the pressurized Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric (A/X)<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/forums/games/f/5/p/7250/70316.aspx#70316 '''Halo Waypoint Forums''': ''The UNSC Army discrepancy in CE can be fixed]''</ref> version of this BDU, such as to mitigate the atmospheric hazards caused by nearby [[glassing]],<ref name="tpoa"/> wear an enclosed [[CH252 helmet#ECH252|ECH252 helmet]] derived from the [[Beta-5 Division]] [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Military Police variant|MP helmet]], as well additional collar armor similar to that worn by Air Force pilots.<ref name="tpoa"/>

During the [[Second Ark Conflict]] in [[2559]], the Marines of the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} employed a heavily armored variant of the UNSC Marine BDU. This model shares similarities with the standard post-war BDU, notably in the helmet design. It features heavy and bulky armor plating covering the entire body and extremities. This BDU model is commonly employed in dark green coloration.<ref name="HW2"/> Variations on this armor are notably employed by the [[Extractor Marines|Extractor]] and [[Armored Marines]].

Marine [[pilot]]s usually wear a modified version of the standard Marine uniform,<ref name="Covenant">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant]]''</ref> though they are known to utilize the BDU without modifications as well. Several helmet models are used by pilots, including one version with a fully covering flip-down visor, which likely provides a heads-up display;<ref name="Halo">'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]''</ref> a similar model, seen in use by Pelican pilots during the early stages of the [[Battle of Mombasa]] features a larger, gold-polarized visor.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref> Other pilots wear more advanced equipment, including fully sealed helmets and an additional control panel on the standard chest armor piece. Each helmet bears a wing symbol, possibly denoting the wearer's MOS, though this may instead indicate unit affiliation.<ref name="Covenant"/>