Hi,
I'm building the Bronco M114A1 155mm Howitzer (Vietnam) in 1/35th scale & I'm in the process of painting the crew figures at this time (total of seven).
I was wondering if I should show USMC NCO ranks displayed on the arms of the fatigue jacket. Would this be correct & if so, what would be the highest rank present?
How many NCO's would there be in any one crew, what would be their positions in that crew & what would their badges of rank look like; ie: how many chevrons/how many rockers?
Thanks for your help.

Joe.

Howdy Joe, the USMC has not had rank insignia on the sleeves of the field uniform since the late 50s(early 60's?). Enlisted rank for field uniforms are a small metal pin on device consisting of stripes, crossed rifles and rockers depending on rank that go on the collar of the utility jacket or field jacket. Here is a link to wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps_enlisted_rank_insignia
In the one chart there is an example of a Black Metal insignia for a Staff Sergeant(E-6). As far as the gun crew ranks that would not always be according to TO(Table of Organization)especially in a combat situation. Typically you will have a Staff Sergeant(E-6) or Sergeant(E-5) running the gun crew. Throw in another Sergeant and maybe a couple of Corporals(E-4)and the rest filled out by Lance Corporals(E-3), PFCs(E-2) and Pvts(E-1). If your gun bunnies are wearing the old sateen utility uniform they would also have the USMC and Eagle, Globe and Anchor stenciled on the left breast pocket. If they are wearing the green rip stop uniform that was issued in country the pocket could be plain.
Outta here, Mike sends . . .

Hi fellas,
Thanks for getting back to me.
Yeah, I'm doing Khe Sanh January '68 so no early utilities & I guess no rank insignia.
All the figures do have flak jackets on & I'm going to use Mec Models grafitti decals to add slogans on flak jackets & helmets. Hopefully, they'll come out quite good. I'll keep you posted!

Joe.

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Howdy Joe, the USMC has not had rank insignia on the sleeves of the field uniform since the late 50s(early 60's?). Enlisted rank for field uniforms are a small metal pin on device consisting of stripes, crossed rifles and rockers depending on rank that go on the collar of the utility jacket or field jacket. Here is a link to wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps_enlisted_rank_insignia
In the one chart there is an example of a Black Metal insignia for a Staff Sergeant(E-6). As far as the gun crew ranks that would not always be according to TO(Table of Organization)especially in a combat situation. Typically you will have a Staff Sergeant(E-6) or Sergeant(E-5) running the gun crew. Throw in another Sergeant and maybe a couple of Corporals(E-4)and the rest filled out by Lance Corporals(E-3), PFCs(E-2) and Pvts(E-1). If your gun bunnies are wearing the old sateen utility uniform they would also have the USMC and Eagle, Globe and Anchor stenciled on the left breast pocket. If they are wearing the green rip stop uniform that was issued in country the pocket could be plain.
Outta here, Mike sends . . .

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even in late 1967 and early 1968 it was not uncommon to see a guy wearing a shirt cut the way they did in the 1950's. I even saw a few of the cuffless shirts here and there. I don't actually remember when they started issueing jungle fatigues, but even in mid 1968 you saw a lot people wearing state side fatigues, and in the mountains they were held at a premium because they were heavier and warmer at night. Your just liable to see anything.
gary

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Howdy Joe, the USMC has not had rank insignia on the sleeves of the field uniform since the late 50s(early 60's?). Enlisted rank for field uniforms are a small metal pin on device consisting of stripes, crossed rifles and rockers depending on rank that go on the collar of the utility jacket or field jacket. Here is a link to wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps_enlisted_rank_insignia
In the one chart there is an example of a Black Metal insignia for a Staff Sergeant(E-6). As far as the gun crew ranks that would not always be according to TO(Table of Organization)especially in a combat situation. Typically you will have a Staff Sergeant(E-6) or Sergeant(E-5) running the gun crew. Throw in another Sergeant and maybe a couple of Corporals(E-4)and the rest filled out by Lance Corporals(E-3), PFCs(E-2) and Pvts(E-1). If your gun bunnies are wearing the old sateen utility uniform they would also have the USMC and Eagle, Globe and Anchor stenciled on the left breast pocket. If they are wearing the green rip stop uniform that was issued in country the pocket could be plain.
Outta here, Mike sends . . .

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even in late 1967 and early 1968 it was not uncommon to see a guy wearing a shirt cut the way they did in the 1950's. I even saw a few of the cuffless shirts here and there. I don't actually remember when they started issueing jungle fatigues, but even in mid 1968 you saw a lot people wearing state side fatigues, and in the mountains they were held at a premium because they were heavier and warmer at night. Your just liable to see anything.
gary

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My comment was always "What are they gonna do, fire me?"

My "jungle fatigues" faded to a point where they looked a yellowish tan color on the lower legs. Lots of times we wore flak jackets over Tshirts due to the heat, but that was a strict NONO. See above comment.
After a while you wore the utility jacket anyway, because the bugs got to you.

G