Flame Resistant Organizational Gear
Encyclopedia
Flame Resistant Organizational Gear or FROG is United States Marine Corps
clothing designed to reduce the number of injuries resulting from fire and flash (especially burn
s), due to the increased use of improvised explosive device
s in the wars in Afghanistan
and Iraq.
, while the remainder are colored in either sand
or olive drab.
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.
featured an article addressing the base FROG's lack of durability, citing that the lack of regular laundering in Afghanistan lead 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.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
clothing designed to reduce the number of injuries resulting from fire and flash (especially burn
Burn
A burn is an injury to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction.Burn may also refer to:*Combustion*Burn , type of watercourses so named in Scotland and north-eastern England...
s), due to the increased use of improvised explosive device
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
s in the wars in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
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 MARPATMARPAT
MARPAT is a digital camouflage pattern in use with the United States Marine Corps, introduced with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform , which replaced the Camouflage Utility Uniform. The pattern is formed by a number of small rectangular pixels of color...
, while the remainder are colored in either sand
Desert sand (color)
Desert sand is a color which resembles the color of desert sand.It may be regarded as a deep shade of beige.In 1998, desert sand was made into a Crayola crayon color....
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 helmetHelmetA helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries.Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from...
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 UniformMarine Corps Combat Utility UniformThe Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform is the current battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. It is also worn by Navy personnel assigned to Marine Corps units . Field testing began in 2001, the uniform debuted in 2002, and the changeover was completed in October 2004...
, but the portion covered by the Marine's body armor (such as the Outer Tactical VestInterceptor body armorInterceptor Body Armor is the United States Army's primary bulletproof vest. The Interceptor design replaced the older fragmentation protective Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops body armor system, introduced in the early 1980s...
or Modular Tactical VestModular Tactical VestThe Modular Tactical Vest or is a bulletproof vest originally adopted by the United States Marine Corps in 2006. The MTV was designed as a solution to shortcomings in the current, decade-old interceptor body armor and was selected after a rigorous proposal and examination process by the Marine...
) are not as highly reinforced due to the protective qualities of the vest. There are pockets 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 underdrawersLong underwearLong underwear, also called long johns, Granny pantys, or thermal underwear, is a style of two-piece underwear with long legs and long sleeves that is normally worn during cold weather. It offers an advantage over the one-piece union suit in that the wearer can choose to wear either the top,...
(nicknamed "polypro"), designed by Polartec as a mock turtleneckPolo neckA polo neck or turtle neck or skivvy is a garment—usually a sweater—with a close-fitting, round, and high collar that folds over and covers the neck...
meant to be worn next to skin - The Grid FleecePolar fleecePolar fleece, usually referred to simply as "fleece," is a soft napped insulating synthetic fabric made from Polyethylene terephthalate or other synthetic fibers. One of the first forms was Polar Fleece created in 1979 by Malden Mills, now Polartec LLC., a new, light and strong pile fabric meant...
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.
- silkweight undershirts and underdrawers
Flight and vehicle crewman suits
Flight suit
A flight suit is a full body garment, worn while flying aircraft such as military airplanes, gliders and helicopters. These suits are generally made to keep the wearer warm, as well as being practical , and durable . Its appearance is usually similar to a jumpsuit. A military flight suit may also...
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
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, 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 TimesMarine Corps Times
Marine Corps Times is a weekly newspaper serving active, reserve and retired United States Marine Corps personnel and their families, providing news, information and analysis as well as community and lifestyle features, educational supplements, and resource guides.Marine Corps Times is published...
featured an article addressing the base FROG's lack of durability, citing that the lack of regular laundering in Afghanistan lead 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 CorpsUniforms of the United States Marine CorpsThe 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...
- Marine Corps Combat Utility UniformMarine Corps Combat Utility UniformThe Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform is the current battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. It is also worn by Navy personnel assigned to Marine Corps units . Field testing began in 2001, the uniform debuted in 2002, and the changeover was completed in October 2004...
- Army Combat ShirtArmy Combat ShirtThe Army Combat Shirt, or ACS is a flame-resistant shirt developed for the United States Army as an addition to the Army Combat Uniform. The ACS is a stand-alone shirt designed specifically for use with Improved Outer Tactical Vest armor in warm and hot weather. It is intended to greatly increase...
External links
- Project page on Marine Corps Systems CommandMarine Corps Systems CommandMarine Corps Systems Command is located at MCB Quantico.-Mission:Serve as the Commandant's principal agent for acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment used by the operating forces to accomplish their warfighting mission....
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