The U.S. Marines Corps announced that sailors and marines would soon receive updated flame resistant uniforms, making them less susceptible to severe burns.
The Enhanced Fire Resistant Combat Ensemble is the latest upgrade to the Corps’ flame resistant combat ensemble inventory. The update includes a long-sleeve shirt and trousers with a new flame resistant material that allows the uniform to self-extinguish reducing the incidence and severity of burn injuries.
The system upgrade was developed in partnership with the Navy and will be issued to marines and sailors assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and Naval Special Warfare Command as they deploy.
The design on the EFRCE combat shirt was also improved to better fit under the Plate Carrier Generation III body armor. EFRCE’s combat trousers are similar to the current Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform and Navy NWU trousers.
As the lead for development of the EFRCE system, the Marine Corps partnered with Navy Supply Systems Command to field the uniform system to Navy expeditionary forces.
“We have been involved with the purchase of both the FRCE and EFCRE from the beginning, especially since flame resistant capabilities are something that all branches need in certain hostile environments,” said Navy Lt. Chris Hulse , life cycle logistics intern for NAVSUP’s Naval Logistics Integration program.
“Due to economies of scale, working with the Marine Corps decreases the overall cost of acquisition, making it a win-win situation when both services come together,” said Hulse. “Other joint acquisition initiatives between the two services include the Enhanced Combat Helmet and the Inclement Weather Combat Shirt.”
EFRCE is currently in production, with an expected total of 70,000 systems scheduled for issue next year.