The Marine Corps uniform is steeped in tradition and precision, reflecting the high standards and discipline of the Corps. Staying informed about the latest regulations and updates is crucial for all Marines to maintain uniformity and present a sharp appearance. This guide consolidates key clarifications and policies concerning Marine Corps Uniform Orders, ensuring you have the most current information at your fingertips. We draw upon official Marine Corps publications to bring you clear, concise details on various uniform aspects.
Image alt text: Marine Corps Uniform Board Displaying Updated Hair Regulations for Female Marines, Illustrating Acceptable Ponytail and Braid Styles During Non-Combat Physical Training.
Hair Regulations Clarified
Recent MARADMIN 615/22 provides essential clarification regarding hair regulations, reinforcing existing policies in MCO 1020.34H. For female Marines, long hair must be secured up at all times, ensuring no loose ends or naturally falling portions, except when authorized during non-combat physical training (PT).
Unsecured Hairstyles During Non-Combat PT:
During non-combat physical training, medium and long-length hair can be worn in an unsecured full ponytail or braid. This provides flexibility during workouts while maintaining professionalism.
Authorized Hair Accessories:
- Hairpins and Bobby Pins: Inconspicuous hairpins and bobby pins are authorized to secure hairstyles neatly.
- Barrettes and Combs: Barrettes and combs are permitted if they match the hair color and are concealed within the hair.
- Ponytail Holders: Ponytail holders should be consistent with hair color and, while they don’t need to be concealed, should remain inconspicuous.
Prohibited Hair Accessories:
Conspicuous hair securing devices such as headbands, scrunchies, alligator clips, and bows are not authorized, ensuring a uniform and professional appearance.
These clarifications will be officially integrated into the updated MCO 1030.32H, providing a definitive reference for all hair-related uniform orders.
Tattoo Policy Amplification
For the most up-to-date guidance on tattoos, refer to MCBul 1020, dated 29 Oct 2021, extended until 29 Oct 2023. A significant update is the rescission of the prohibition on wearing the blue dress “A/B” and blue-white “A/B” uniforms with a skirt if visible leg tattoos are present. This updated guidance will be incorporated into Change 1 of the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations.
Important Note for New Tattoos:
If you are considering getting a tattoo, it is imperative to read MCBul 1020 beforehand to ensure compliance with all current regulations.
Belt Guidance for the Female Dress Blue Coat
MARADMIN 596/18 clarifies belt wear for the new Female Dress Blue Coat (FDBC). Paragraph 3002 of the Uniform Regulations has been updated to specify belt placement for all uniforms at the natural waistline.
Belt Buckle Alignment:
- Male Uniforms: For male officer dress and service coats, and enlisted male service coats, the right edge of the belt buckle aligns with the edge of the fly or coat front.
- Female Dress Blue Coat: Due to the FDBC closing opposite to the male coat, the left edge of the buckle (wearer’s left) should align with the edge of the coat front. The end of the belt will extend to the wearer’s left.
This adjustment ensures proper uniform wear, accounting for the design differences between male and female dress coats.
Black Field Gloves, Inserts, and Watchcaps
CMC Decision Memo dated 10 Jan 18, as published in MARADMIN 596/18, outlines mandatory possession dates and wear guidance for black field gloves, coyote field glove liners, and coyote watchcaps.
Mandatory Possession Dates:
- Coyote Field Glove Liners (DSCP black liners acceptable): Mandatory possession date was 1 Oct 2019.
- Coyote Watchcap: Mandatory possession date was 1 Oct 2020.
- Black Field Gloves: Mandatory possession date was 1 Oct 2021.
Wear Regulations:
- Field Gloves and Liners: DSCP field gloves and liners can be worn in garrison or field environments with the MCCUU at the individual’s discretion. Liners can be worn as outerwear, except in formations.
- Coyote Watchcap: The DSCP issued coyote watchcap is authorized with physical training uniforms and the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) in garrison and field settings when weather appropriate. Saluting is required in non-tactical garrison environments while wearing the watchcap, but not with the physical training uniform.
Female Fades Haircut
Female Marines with short hair are authorized to have a “zero” fade at the hairline at the nape of the neck, up to a maximum length of one inch. The fade must begin at zero and graduate upwards, completing within 2 inches of the hairline at the nape.
Side Fade Restrictions:
Zero fades on the sides of the head are not authorized. The shortest permissible length on the sides is 1/4 inch, allowing for a quarter-inch fade.
Neck Hair Shaving for Long Hair:
Female Marines with long hair may shave hair on the back of their neck that falls below the hairline and cannot be incorporated into a bun.
Fourragere Wear Policy
The black tip pencil attachment for the French Fourragere is now obsolete. While those permanently awarded the black tip (prior to 2001) may continue to wear it, the current standard, as per updated paragraph 5302.4 of MCO 1020.34H, involves the polished brass tip pencil attachment.
Permanent vs. Temporary Wear:
- Permanent Award: Only Marines personally awarded the French Fourragere for WWII actions are authorized to wear it permanently.
- Unit Attachment: Marines currently serving with the 5th and 6th Marines wear the Fourragere with the polished brass tip pencil attachment during their attachment.
Hands in Pockets Policy
MCO 1020.34H, effective immediately, dictates that in garrison environments, Marines may not place their hands in their pockets except briefly to retrieve items. Good judgment should be applied in field environments regarding this policy.
Hose Color for the Blue Dress Uniform
The appropriate hose color for the Blue Dress Uniform depends on the formality of the occasion.
Hose Color Guidelines:
- Smoke/Off-Black Hose: Reserved for formal occasions, analogous to “ball gown” civilian dress code events. Often applicable for events where officers and SNCOs wear evening dress uniforms, such as the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
- Nude/Flesh Tone Harmonizing Hose: The default hose color for the Blue Dress Uniform for semi-formal or less formal occasions.
Contrary to common assumptions, nude/skin tone harmonizing hose is the standard unless the event specifically requires formal attire.
HQMC Uniform of the Day
ALMAR 13/20 specifies the uniform of the day for all Marines and Sailors serving with the Marine Corps at the Pentagon Reservation or visiting on temporary duty. The prescribed uniform is the service “B”/”C” uniform, appropriate for the season.
Male Fades Haircut Regulation
Clarification on male fades specifies that a zero fade at the nape of the neck must extend upwards to the top orifice of the ear. Fades should graduate from zero to the maximum hair length, ensuring that maximum length is not reached before the top of the ear orifice.
Low Regulation Haircut Guidance:
This provides concrete guidance for those preferring a “low regulation” haircut. While clean-shaven heads are permissible, low regulation fades must adhere to the specified fade height and graduation. Mohawks remain unauthorized.
Manicures in Utility Uniforms
Uniform Board 209 has modified the policy on manicures in MCCUUs, allowing female Marines to wear manicures that mimic the natural nail.
Authorized Manicure Types:
- Clear Polish: Permitted.
- Natural Nail Mimicking Manicures: Includes French/American manicures and others with a white, off-white, or beige tip representing the natural nail’s free edge. The nail bed portion should be pale pink, nude, or peach-like.
Unauthorized Manicures:
Nails fully painted in nude, peach, or pink without the natural-nail-tip appearance are not authorized for MCCUUs. These are suitable for dress and service uniforms instead.
Marine Corps Birthday Ball Uniform Standardization
ALMAR 042/11 standardizes the Marine Corps Birthday Ball uniform for officers and SNCOs as either the dress blue uniform (with blue trousers/skirt/slacks) or the evening dress uniform. This policy does not extend to Sergeants and below.
Marine Corps Boot Program Requirements
The minimum boot requirement includes one pair of hot weather and one pair of temperate weather boots. Marines can wear either Marine Corps Combat Boots (MCCBs) or Rugged All Terrain (RAT) boots to meet this requirement.
Certified Optional Boots:
Optional boots must be certified and feature the Marine Corps emblem on the heel and a certification approval number tag, typically inside the boot. Boots lacking both are not authorized for uniform wear, even if from approved manufacturers. Exercise caution when purchasing online to ensure both emblem and tag are present.
Marine Corps Uniform Board 217 (MARADMIN 596/18)
MARADMIN 596/18, stemming from Uniform Board 217, provides wear regulations for the Female Blue Dress Coat (FBDC), the “watchcap,” and lists authorized boot manufacturers.
MARPAT MCCUU Sleeve Rolling Guidance
PMCUB memo 1020, dated 12 Mar 2014, clarifies MCCUU sleeve rolling guidance (MCUR para 3038.3).
Sleeve Rolling Procedures:
- Summer Season: Sleeves are rolled inside out, forming a snug roll approximately three inches wide. The bottom of the roll should be slightly above to no more than halfway between the shoulder top and elbow top. Commanders may authorize sleeves down in combat and field environments.
- Winter Season: Sleeves are worn down.
- Trouser Blousing: Trousers are bloused neatly when combat boots are worn.
- Parades and Ceremonies: Helmets with appropriate MARPAT covers may be prescribed when utility uniforms are worn for parades, reviews, and ceremonies, as per MARADMIN 078/14.
Maternity Uniform Development
Maternity and nursing t-shirts are now certified optional clothing items, expected to be available for purchase via Marine Corps Clothing Stores (MCCS), including online, starting April 2021.
Maternity Uniform Enhancements:
Side tabs are being added to maternity khaki long and short-sleeve shirts and tunics for improved fit throughout pregnancy. Production is underway. Blue dress maternity skirts and slacks are also under development, with fielding dates to be determined, and will be added to the maternity supplemental clothing allowance.
Naval Personnel Wearing Marine Corps Uniforms
NAVADMIN 233/18 states that Sailors assigned to Marine Corps units and wearing Marine Corps uniforms must adhere to Marine Corps grooming standards, except male Sailors are not required to maintain zero fade hairstyles.
New Female Blue Dress Coat (FBDC) Details
The FBDC is available for purchase and authorized for wear with a mandatory possession date of 1 Oct 2022. The older women’s blue dress coat is authorized until 30 September 2022, after which it becomes obsolete (with exceptions for retirees and former Marines as per MCO 1020.34H, chapter 12).
Key FBDC Regulations:
- Gender-Specific Design: The FBDC is distinct from the male dress blue coat; female Marines should not purchase coats with front pockets (male design).
- Enlisted Chevrons: Enlisted female Marines continue to wear gender-specific chevrons on the FBDC. Web belts, waistplates, and branch of service insignia remain gender-neutral.
- Officer Uniform Components: Female officers do not wear the male white dress shirt or white cuffs under the FBDC. Both male and female officers wear the white strip collar with standing collar coats; this is a gender-neutral item. Belts and buckles are included with both male dress coats and the FBDC.
Ordering the 8th & I Blue Overcoat
Neptune Garment Company is accepting orders for the 8th & I blue overcoat again. Units requiring ceremonial blue overcoats (command-funded) can contact 1-800-320-3980 or [email protected].
Ponytails Restrictions in Marine Corps Uniforms
Ponytails are not authorized in Marine Corps uniforms for female Sailors or Marines, except during PT while wearing PT uniforms.
Running Suit Wear Guidance
The running suit is not designed to be form-fitting. CMC clarifications from 2009 and 2010 provide specific wear guidance.
Running Suit Wear Rules:
- Outerwear (Non-PT Leave/Liberty): Only the running suit jacket and sweatshirt may be worn as outerwear.
- PT Leave/Liberty: The full running suit or its components can be worn with any part of the PT ensemble (running suit, general purpose trunks, green undershirt).
- Sweats Prohibition: Olive green sweat suits should never be worn with running suit components.
- Reflective Belt: Commanders determine the necessity of reflective belts with running suits for safety.
- Commercial Clothing (Personal PT): Marines may wear commercial/”rainbow” clothing with running suits, sweats, and green shorts/undershirts for personal PT.
- Component Combinations: Various combinations of uniform components are allowed (e.g., running suit trousers with green undershirt, sweatpants with green undershirt, green undershirt with black shorts), except sweats with running suit components.
- Utility Uniform Restriction: The running suit jacket is not authorized with the utility uniform.
- Prohibited Items (Non-PT Leave/Liberty): Green undershirts, general purpose trunks, and sweatpants are prohibited for non-PT leave and liberty wear, as per ALMAR 019/08.
Uniform of the Day Policy in the National Capital Region
ALMAR 54/06 outlines a local regulation for the Washington Metro Area concerning the uniform of the day. This policy applies to all Marines, both visitors and those permanently assigned to the region.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Officer/Operator Insignia
DC Aviation Memo 1000 DCA, dated 16 Oct 2020, authorizes UAS officer and operator insignia for Marine officers (MOS 7318) and enlisted Marines (MOS 7316), respectively, as per paragraph 40002 of the Uniform Regulations.
Uniform Plates Availability
Currently, only plate XIV (Combat Utility Uniform) is in print and orderable (PCN 100-103-622-00). All other uniform plates are out of print and circulation unless the Historical Division reprints them.
Uniform Board ALMARs and MARADMINs:
- UNIFORM BOARD NO. 218 ALMAR 28/19
- UNIFORM BOARD NO. 217 MARADMIN 596/18
- UNIFORM BOARD NO. 216 MARADMIN 011/16
- UNIFORM BOARD NO. 214 & 215 MARADMIN 622/15
Waiver for Female Dress Blue Coat Mandatory Possession Date
ALMAR 007/20 provides a waiver for female Marines exiting service between 1 Oct 2022 and 1 Jan 2023. These Marines may continue wearing their “old” female blue dress uniform until their exit date. For all other female Marines, the mandatory possession date for the new FBDC remains 1 October 2022.
White Crew-Neck Undershirts Policy
MARADMIN 143/16 authorizes female Marines to optionally wear white crew-neck, V-neck, or no undershirt under khaki service/dress shirts. Crew-neck undershirts become mandatory for all Marines with visible tattoos in the “V” area created by the open collar of khaki service/dress shirts.
Civilian Clothing Replacement Allowance Rates
Civilian Clothing Allowance (CCA) rates are updated annually.
FY23 CCA Rate: $391.32
Historical CCA Rates (FY12-FY22): Listed for reference.
CCA Request Requirements:
All CCA requests must now include a screenshot from MCTFS (3270) of the Marine’s D926 page. Requests without this screenshot cannot be processed. Further information on the Civilian Clothing Allowance Program is available here.
Uniform Board Process and Recommendation Submission
The Uniform Board process begins with a recommendation, which can originate from any Marine but requires command endorsement if from an individual. Compiled issues are briefed to the President, Marine Corps Uniform Board (PMCUB). Approved issues proceed to the Working Group phase.
Working Group and Survey:
The Working Group, composed of local Marines, subject matter experts, and issue advocates, develops formal recommendations. These are then put into survey format and distributed Corps-wide via Marines.mil for voting. Active Uniform Board surveys are announced on the MCUB webpage.
Uniform Board and CMC Decision:
Survey results and Working Group findings are forwarded to the formal Uniform Board (appointed by CMC). The Board provides final recommendations to the CMC for decision. CMC staff reviews and comments on each issue before CMC renders decisions. Board results are then published via ALMAR, press releases, social media, and the MCUB website.
Submitting Uniform Recommendations:
For uniform policy recommendations, contact the POC detailed at the bottom of the MCUB webpage before dedicating significant resources. You will receive guidance on the necessary steps for your request to be considered.
