United States Marine Corps Uniform Regulations call for the wear of a service tape inscribed with “U.S. MARINES” centered directly above the left breast pocket on the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU). The fabric and the color of the lettering of the name tape, however, varies depending on the uniform variant on which the tape is worn: Desert Marine Pattern (MARPAT) or Woodland MARPAT. Black block letters ¾” high are embroidered onto Woodland MARPAT fabric, and brown is used for Desert.
Service tapes and nametapes are, relatively speaking, a fairly new addition to the Marines’ battle uniforms: The Corps began phasing them in 1991 and by 1993 they had become mandatory. While it is difficult to ascertain the official reason for the change—particularly in a service like the USMC that prides itself on tradition—one theory that may be valid is that all branches of the military knew there would be a sizable press corps embedded with the U.S. forces, and having the name and branch on the uniforms of all personnel went a long way toward making sure troops were aware they would be accountable for any remarks they might make to the media.