Misplaced Pages

Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) is clothing used by the United States Marine Corps to reduce the number of injuries resulting from fire and flash (especially burns), due to the increased use of improvised explosive devices in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Features

The FROG system consists of a long-sleeve shirt, t-shirt, combat shirt, combat trousers, gloves, and a balaclava. The shirts and trousers are camouflaged in MARPAT, while the remainder are colored in either sand or olive drab.

• The balaclava has a hinged face guard that lets the wearer pull down the face guard and expose his or her face without taking off a helmet to remove the whole balaclava.
• The long-sleeve shirt has a mock neck, moisture-wicking, and antimicrobial properties.
• The t-shirt has most of the same properties as the long-sleeve shirt.
• The combat shirt closely resembles the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, but the portion covered by the Marine's body armor (such as the Outer Tactical Vest or Modular Tactical Vest) is not as highly reinforced due to the protective qualities of the vest, and to prevent discomfort. There are pockets only on the upper sleeve.
• The combat trousers also closely resemble the utility uniform, but there is an additional calf-pocket to help distinguish it from non-FROG trousers.
• The gloves are designed to be highly durable.
• Fire-resistant versions of cold-weather clothing are produced and issued as FROG equipment, including:
  • silkweight undershirts and underdrawers (nicknamed "polypro"), designed by Polartec as a mock turtleneck meant to be worn next to skin
  • The Grid Fleece Midweight underwear includes a pullover and pants (in green and coyote brown).
  • The Inclement Weather Combat Shirt is used for protection from rain and snow, since the All Purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS) is not fire-resistant.

Flight and vehicle crewman suits are also re-classified as FROG II uniforms.

The unit commander can dictate how much protection is needed by ordering one of two different FROG levels, which alter how much protective clothing is necessary.

The Corps is acquiring a new cold-weather flame-resistant shirt, specifically for the bitter cold winters of Afghanistan, along with a new fire-resistant glove for increased insulation in cold-weather environments.

History

The FROG program was developed in 2006, and fielding to units began in 2007. In 2009, the shift of focus from Iraq to Afghanistan led to the development of cold-weather clothing. In May 2010, the Marine Corps Times featured an article addressing the base FROG's lack of durability, citing that the lack of regular laundering in Afghanistan leads to clothing failure within weeks, instead of the designed year. When exposed to water or sweat and improperly dried, the fabric would become brittle and seams would fail significantly with little stress. Marine officials have begun issuing additional suits as an interim response until the issue can be addressed.

See also

• Uniforms of the United States Marine Corps
• Army Combat Shirt
• Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble

References

1. "Nothing "Sheepish" About Fire-Safe Fabrics" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
2. "MCSysCom infopacket" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 16, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
3. Underwear, Next-to-skin, Cold Weather Archived August 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
4. Flame Resistant (FR) Silkweight Underwear, Next-to-skin, Cold Weather Archived August 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
5. Grid Fleece Archived August 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
6. Flame Resistant (FR), Grid Fleece Underwear, Mid-Weight, Cold Weather Archived January 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
7. Lamothe, Dan (November 3, 2008). "Flame-resistant shirt tailored to Marines in Afghanistan". Marine Corps Times. Army Times Publishing Company. p. 13.
8. Lamothe, Dan (May 31, 2010). "Utility doesn't fit bill: Corps working 'around the clock' to fix premature wear woes on cammies". Marine Corps Times. p. 16.

• FROG factsheet
• FROG program review

External links

• Project page on Marine Corps Systems Command website

v t e United States Marine Corps
Leadership	Secretary of the Navy Under Secretary of the Navy Commandant of the Marine Corps Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Marine Corps four-star generals Marine Corps three-star generals 1942–1959 2000–2009 2010–present US Congress House Armed Services Committee Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee Senate Armed Services Committee Seapower subcommittee
Major commands	Organization of the Marine Corps Headquarters Marine Corps Marine Forces Command II Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Pacific I Marine Expeditionary Force III Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Reserve Fleet Marine Force Atlantic Pacific Marine Corps Combat Development Command Training & Education Command (TECOM) United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory Marine Corps Systems Command
Auxiliary	Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary
Structure	Marine air–ground task force Bases Battalions Regiments Brigades Divisions MEF/Corps Marine aviation Marine expeditionary unit Marine Security Guard Special Operations Marine Raiders Marine Raider Regiment Recon Force Division
Personnel and training	Personnel Rank insignia MOS Notable Marines Historical Marines Marine Astronauts Criminal Investigation Division Judge Advocate Division Chaplain of the Marine Corps Associated organizations Training Recruit Training School of Infantry Officer Candidates School The Basic School Martial Arts Program
Uniforms and equipment	Uniforms Awards Badges Weapons Vehicles and aircraft Individual equipment
History and traditions	History Culture Acronyms and terms Birthday Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Flag Marine Band Drum and Bugle Corps Horse Marines Marine One Color Guard Silent Drill Platoon White House Sentries Service Numbers Marine Corps War Memorial Marine Detachments "Marines' Hymn" Oorah History Division National Museum Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima Rifleman's Creed Semper Fidelis march History of Hispanics in the USMC History of women in the USMC Women's Reserve Honorary Marine Toys for Tots Gung ho
Category

• United States Marine Corps equipment
• United States military uniforms
• Military equipment introduced in the 2000s