Der wooly pully

Submitted by Eric Daniel

Back in the 1970s the Marine Corps introduced what was probably the most versatile, indestructible, and functional piece of tactical clothing ever – the wooly pully.  It was brilliant.  It kept you warm, it was well constructed and would stand up to abuse well, and you could hand wash it in the field, or machine-wash it in garrison.  Unfortunately, the only thing you couldn’t do with it, especially if you were in the army, was wear it.  Oh no, it was a veritable death sentence if some officer or staff NCO caught you wearing the dreaded USMC wool-pully; after all, we’re soldiers, and we have our own, albeit awful, tactical sweater, that flimsy 3 button monstrosity that grows when wet and wouldn’t survive a trip to Jellystone, much less a 45 day field problem.  Funny thing though, those same officers and senior NCOs who were death on the wooly-pully seemed to accept just fine the West German commando sweater.  Made in the same style, and to the same toughness as the wooly-pully, but sporting a pair of German flags and a breast pocket, the commando sweater has served me well these last 12 years, and I use it still, instead of the shrink wrap plastic stuff the army issues now.

German commando sweater
Wooly-pully

Comments

[David Hough]

As one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children in the late 70's, I took my Drill Instructors advice to purchase a "Wooly-Pully" after boot camp. My MOS was 4034 (IBM 360 computer operator) and we worked in air-conditioned computer rooms. the WP was very helpful...Although, walking to work on the afternoon shift in Barstow CA (i.e. HIGH desert) to said computer room, others often thought we were crazy!

[Daniel Boatright]

I have found that Under Armor and the Marine Corps new Thermal type clothing works better and is more comfortable. and if you are in the army it might keep you out of trouble ( its brown )

[Albany Rifles]

In 1980 when I found out I was getting statioend in Germany, I bought a ragg wool sweater from LL Bean and dyed it OD. I wore that for several years until it was done in by a diesel fuel spill.

Worked great!

[steve rogers]

I think I purchased mine thru Brigade Quartermaster in '80 or '81 and wore it under my fatigue shirt in the field. Had to as it was not authorized as a uniform but it was a life saver.

[TChan]

We Costies still get issued something similar to these, except in blue.

[Thomas Carney]

The British popularized this sweater... from the times the USMC adopted it, it would be another TEN YEARS before the (Ch)Air Force (Farce?) would wake up and let USAF have a blue version of it.

The Army had a black version in the 1980s, but it was not sewn well and armpits could rip.

[michael mitchell-wolfsen]

great peice of gear.this thing will keep you warm even when soaking wet. it has no climate control so in warmer enviroments when it gets cool you will get hot easily. not reccomended to be used when moving around

[Jason]

I loved the old Army wool long johns. In below freezing weather I would where my dad's size medium he was issued in 1970 in Germany after Vietnam. Then cover that with another pair of XL I picked up at a surplus store. Followed by the issue field pants. I loved those things. I would where my BDU Top over the top of that. If it got wet or windy I put on my rain gear. I was always a lot dryer and warmer than others guys. My mom made me some wood toggles for the M-65 Field Jacket Liner. I would put that on under my BDUs also. FLEXIBILITY. That is what it was all about. The first issue gortex was noisy and stiff. Not good for Infantry operations. Layers were the best.

I had practice with my dad's field gear growing up in Oregon, upstate New York, and Minnesota. I use to sneak out at night all year long when I reached my teens. We always lived some place where I could head into the woods at night. Track deer, try to sneak up on them. I got almost close enough to touch them a few times. A lot of the guys in my unit adopted the same layering system.

[Eric Daniel]

Jason - I still have and use my original issue white wool long johns. As was beat into us at armor school, nylon is bad juju, and I've always held on to mine for those winter drills out on the tanks (even now, when driving around in vehicles, I cringe when I see folk wearing Under Armour or similar polypro stuff; I'm sure the stuff makes you feel good, but for me the safety risks are not worth it.