Editing UNSC Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform

{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
[[File:Marine Evolution.jpg|thumb|300px|Various iterations of the Marine BDU]]
'''Battle Dress Uniform''' ('''BDU''') is a broad term describing any of several standard-issue combat uniforms worn by members of the [[UNSC Marine Corps]].

==Overview==
Unlike the [[UNSC Marine Corps Dress Uniform|Marine Corps Dress Uniform]], which is worn at parades and functions, the BDU is intended for use in combat situations. Though the Marine Corps fields a great variety of BDU types, all models comprise armor plating over [[camouflage]]d [[Fatigues|combat utilities]], as well as a [[CH252 helmet]] and combat boots. Ammunition pockets, holsters, and [[rucksack]]s are commonly used in conjunction with the BDU.

Unlike the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] worn by the [[SPARTAN programs|Spartan supersoldiers]], the Marine BDU does not include a recharging [[Energy shielding|energy shield]], providing inferior protection against [[Directed energy weapon|directed energy]] and projectile weapons.

[[Ushuaia Armory]] performed a substantial amount of work on at least one version of the BDU.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'''</ref>

==Components==
===Fatigues===
[[File:MarineFatiguesUniform.jpg|thumb|right|Fatigues with a soft armor vest]]
{{Main|Fatigues}}
Camouflaged combat utilities are worn under the armor plating. Woodland, desert, and urban camouflage are the most common color patterns for Marine fatigues.

===Combat boots===
Combat boots such as the [[VZG7 armored boots]] are worn with the uniform. They are sometimes equipped with different types of additional armor to provide greater protection to the lower leg.

===Armor===
The Marine BDU is equipped with one of various models of ballistic armor at multiple points, including the torso, the shoulders, and the shins. Some versions incorporate armor for the forearms, thighs, and groin as well. The armor is resilient against traditional ballistic weaponry though it is easily damaged by [[plasma weaponry]]. While different iterations of the BDU feature different armor models, all possess roughly equivalent durability. Lighter body armor, such as the [[ballistic assault vest]], is used in lieu of standard-issue gear during some operations.

===Headgear===
{{Main|CH252 helmet}}
All iterations of the BDU feature one of several versions of the standard-issue CH252 helmet, which is painted to match the corresponding body armor. The helmet may be mounted with various accessories, such as a [[Holography|holographic]] [[UNSC tactical eyepiece|tactical eyepiece]], a [[helmet recorder]], a boom microphone, polarized tactical goggles, a flashlight, or a [[night vision device]]. Marines sometimes wear balaclavas with their helmets, both in frigid and temperate climates. In hazardous situations, gas masks such as the [[S90 gas mask]] are worn.

Marines on field operations in more humid locales sometimes choose to wear Boonie covers. Marine [[non-commissioned officer]]s are easily recognized by the cover that they wear, which features the UNSC insignia, although they often substitute this soft cover for a more protective helmet.

==Primary models==
Several versions of the Battle Dress Uniform are in service, one of which is shared with the [[UNSC Army|Army]] and the [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]].<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''' (2011), ''pages 56 and 57''</ref> The issue of any given model depends on environmental conditions, combat type, and the wearer's role.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Library (feature)|Library]]'' - ''UNSC Marine and UNSC Armored Marine''</ref>

===Insurrection era model===
[[File:HW - Marine BDU.jpg|thumb|left|175px|The standard ensemble with ballistic goggles and balaclava]]
[[File:UNSC marine BDU (Halo 2 A) 6.png|thumbnail|right|The Insurrection-Era BDU as seen during the early stages of the [[Battle of Earth]].]]
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 and the post-war era, with some units fielding this model as late as [[2559]].<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>''Halo Wars'', [[:File:HW - Marine BDU.jpg|standard Marine armor]]</ref><ref name="H2A"/> 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.
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===BDU with M52B body armor===
[[File:M52Bmarinearmor.png|thumb|left|A Marine wearing the BDU with an M52B chestpiece.]]
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 BDU lacks the prominent shin armor used with other models, with only the upper shin being armored. This version also lacks thigh armor, though some Marines wear lightly armored holsters on their thighs. The BDU has black knee and elbow pads, although they are only lightly armored. The uniform also includes armored pauldrons. The V7G7 boots worn with the system are covered in light armor plating. Marines often wear fingerless gloves with this model.

The armor used in training officer cadets at the [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] in [[2526]] appeared to be a smaller, lighter version of the standard M52B armor and bore the Academy's emblem on the chest plate. It shared the shoulder pauldrons of the full-sized model.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca3Y8Ws3plI '''Youtube''' ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Official Full-length Trailer'']</ref>
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===Cross-branch BDU===
[[File:HaloAnniversaryMarine.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A Marine wearing the cross-branch BDU.]]
[[File:Reach UNSC Marine.png|thumb|right|200px|The A/X version of the cross-branch BDU]]
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 group="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''.</ref>

This version's armor protects the front and back of the torso as well as the groin. The vest incorporates separate upper-arm components with clips which allow the attachment of various types of pauldrons. Marines equipped for combat in a normal atmosphere are typically equipped with a [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V (G)|GUNGNIR]] pauldron on the left shoulder and a larger universal pauldron on the right one; the pauldron displays the UNSC logo and lettering and sometimes displays a diagonally crossed hexagon, which is also present on the Army BDU.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'''</ref> Meanwhile, space-ready Marines use a configuration of a single universal pauldron on the left shoulder and a smaller [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/UA|UA/Base Security]] shoulder armor on the right shoulder, which displays the Marine's blood type under UNSC lettering.<ref name="tpoa">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]''</ref>

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"/>

===Post-war BDU===
[[File:H4-UNSCMarineVariants.jpg|thumb|250px|Some variants of the postwar BDU]]
A new version of the BDU entered widespread use after the end of the Covenant War, seemingly based on similar model which saw service as early as [[2526]] with the cadets and Marine garrison of the [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]]. This model shared many features with the postwar BDU, namely a similar ballistic vest, and two-color motif in the trousers, with the insides being either black or khaki brown.<ref name="fud">'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'''</ref> While the general arrangement of the postwar BDU's armor sections remains largely similar to the prior variations, a new, more prominent ballistic vest has been adopted as an additional defensive measure beneath the plating. Elements of previous BDUs are also incorporated, including what appear to be several updated models of the CH252 helmet, as well as a new variation of the VZG7 armored boots.

As with the other generations of the BDU, there are several configurations of armor worn over the BDU, which consist of several configurations for infantry, officers, and Corpsmen. A variation worn by almost all Marines on-duty aboard the ''Infinity'' - possibly a designated security or shipboard configuration - includes a larger, bulkier helmet worn with the basic ballistic vest, armored boots and shoulder pieces. This variant is also seen in either completely red or blue colors in War Games simulations.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', Warzone multiplayer mode</ref><ref>'''Halo 4''', ''Spartan Ops''</ref> The standard-issue version worn by Marines engaged in ground operations - designated 'Infantry' - varies slightly, and includes one of two models of helmet - one of which bears similarity to a wartime variant of the CH252 worn with the cross-branch BDU, the other of which is referred to as an 'off-world helmet' -  with either an array of tactical pouches or an armor piece on the chest.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'''</ref> A variant designated 'Heavy Infantry' has notably up-armored chest plating and a full-face helmet, with a white face-mask and green-tinted visor. This variation shares many traits with the armor worn by NCOs in the field, which combines the up-armored chest plate with an armored collar on the left side of the neck, similar to that worn by postwar Naval officers, and an insignia-bearing cap. Like the cap alone in previous models, it is likely that this variation is often forgone in order to draw less attention. The armor donned by Corpsmen is fully white, with red detailing and a considerable amount of tactical pouches to contain medical supplies. Marine communications specialists wear their comms units on their backs with the standard 'Infantry' BDU. The postwar BDU also has a considerable number of accessories to be worn with it - these include wrist-mounted displays, tactical goggles, thigh and shoulder plates, combat knife sheaths, and helmet attachments. 

The fatigues worn beneath the ballistic vest and armor are characterized by their twin-tone coloration; in addition to the primary color, the uniform has reddish-brown sections on the inner portion of the legs, the neck, the upper part of the sleeves, and the sides of the torso. The primary color of the uniform is most commonly olive drab, although gray variants are also widely seen, notably on Corpsmen. The armor and helmet itself is either olive drab, khaki, or white, depending on the user's requirements. [[Combat engineer|Combat technicians]] are known to wear a variant with black fatigues, orange ballistic vest, and a yellow helmet.<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', campaign level ''[[Mission 15: Superstructure Stand-off|Superstructure Stand-off]]''</ref> 
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==Variants==
===Pilot variant===
[[File:Halo 3 Pilot helmet.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A variant worn by Marine Hornet and Pelican pilots.]]
[[File:TML_Corpsman_BDU.png|150px|thumb|right|The Corpsman variant of the BDU]]
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"/>

===Corpsman variant===
While many [[UNSC Navy|Navy]] [[Hospital Corpsman|Corpsmen]] wear the standard BDU with a medical insignia on the shoulder pieces, some use a suit with charcoal fatigues and padding with white armor featuring red shoulder straps and caduceus symbols on the shoulder pauldrons for easy identification.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', ''The Mona Lisa'' motion comic</ref>
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==Other suits==
While the standard BDU is most commonly seen in the field, there are multiple specialized combat suits worn by different branches of the UNSC Marine Corps. The [[ODST armor|armor system]] utilized by the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] is the most notable example, being a sealed full-body combat suit instead of a more conventional armored uniform. During operations in vacuum, Marines wear [[vacuum suit]]s, often equipped with armor plating. One example of a vacuum-enabled suit is the [[black body suit]], which is a lightweight, form-fitting suit of polymer body armor. Other task-specific suits exists, such as the fire-resistant full-body combat suit worn by the [[Hellbringers]]. Heavier armored variants of the standard BDU were worn on counterinsurgency operations by [[2524]], including a suit with charcoal fatigues and matte-black [[heavy impact plating]] covering most of the body and a helmet that fully encases the head.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 9''</ref>
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==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of UNSC Marines}}
The Battle Dress Uniform as seen in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' was heavily inspired by the armor worn by the Colonial Marines in the film ''[[Wikipedia:Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'', which [[List of references to Aliens in Halo|greatly influenced the game]].

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:MarineArmoredUniform.jpg|The uniform in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''
File:HCE-MarineAtArms.png|A Marine standing at arms in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:Marine halo 2.png|The BDU in ''Halo 2'' 
File:25BO_Box.png|25BO Box in ''Halo 2''
File:Halo3-MarineConcept.png|Concept art of the armor for ''Halo 3''
File:Halo 3 Marine.jpg|A Marine wearing a BDU with an M52B chestpiece.
File:Halo3-Marine.png|A Marine radio operator wearing the same BDU version.
File:HW-MarinesBR.jpg|Marines in the cold environment variant of the Insurrection-era BDU in ''Halo Wars''
File:ReachBDU.png|A render of the BDU in ''Halo: Reach''
File:HaloReach - MarineUniform.jpg|Marines wearing the A/X variant of the cross-branch BDU.
File:Reach UNSC Marine - shin guards.png|Another view of the A/X cross-branch BDU
File:Bumblebee pilot - CEA.jpg|A [[Class-3 Enclosed Heavy Lifeboat|Bumblebee]] pilot wearing the M52B armor with a specialized helmet in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:H4heads3.jpg|Models of the BDU helmet in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-UNSCMarine-Detail.png|A Marine wearing the version of the post-war BDU mostly used on the UNSC ''Infinity''.
File:H4-UNSCMarineVariants.jpg|BDU variants of other UNSC Marine classes ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-UNSCMarine-ScanRender.png|An example of a configuration of the standard 'Infantry' model of the postwar BDU.
File:H4-Concept-Marines.jpg|Concept art of several variations of the post-war BDU - note differences in the final coloring and helmet design.
File:UNSC_marine_BDU_(Halo_2_A)_6.png|The BDU in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' 
File:HSS-Cinematic-Holdouts.jpg|UNSC Marines in ''Halo: Spartan Strike''.
File:Marinehalowars2.png|BDU in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' concept art.
File:HW2-Marine.jpg|In-game models of the Marine BDU for ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2 - Spartan and Marines.jpg|Marines with Jerome-092 on Installation 09.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Breaking Quarantine]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
**''[[Halo: Arms Race]]''
**''[[Halo: Combat]]''
**''[[Halo: Last One Standing]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Homecoming]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
**[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian|''Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian'' motion comic]]
**''[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**[[The Return|''The Return'' motion comic]]
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
{{Col-end}}

==Notes==
<references group="note"/>

==Sources==
<references/>

{{Armor}}
[[Category:UNSC armor]]
[[Category:UNSC uniforms]]