The Marine Corps is making strides to support its officers in the National Capitol Region (NCR) with the launch of a groundbreaking pilot program this month. Pregnant Marine Corps officers within the NCR can now access maternity uniforms at no cost, thanks to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Maternity Uniform Pilot Program. This initiative addresses a significant financial burden previously faced by expectant officers, ensuring they have the appropriate attire throughout their pregnancy without personal expense.
The necessity for this program stems from the National Defense Authorization Act of October 2020, which recognized the considerable costs associated with maternity uniforms for service members. Prior to this, while enlisted Marines received a one-time uniform issue, officers were required to purchase their maternity uniforms out-of-pocket, incurring an average cost of $500. This new pilot program, developed by the Defense Logistics Agency in collaboration with Service Secretaries, aims to alleviate this financial strain by temporarily issuing essential maternity uniform items to Marine officers at no charge. The program facilitates the issue and subsequent recovery of these specialized uniform items, marking a significant improvement in support for pregnant officers.
The range of uniform items available through the pilot program is comprehensive, designed to cover various duty requirements and occasions. Participating officers can obtain the Maternity Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) in green tunic, short and long-sleeve service blouses, service maternity skirts, service maternity slacks, and service tapes. Looking ahead to fiscal year 2023, the program plans to expand its offerings to include the blue dress skirt and slacks, further broadening the uniform options for officers. Emily Madden, a clothing designer from the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, who is fully integrated with Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC), highlighted the program’s focus on practical needs. She explained that the selected items were deemed most beneficial to pregnant Marines, carefully considering both clothing logistics and service standards.
Madden further elaborated on the internal considerations within the Marine Corps that shaped the program’s scope. Factors such as the servicing of uniform items—including alterations, ribbon attachments, and cleaning—were meticulously evaluated. The team also prioritized items already included in the enlisted package’s 604 form, streamlining the program’s implementation. The NAVMC 604/604B form, used for approving and tracking individual clothing requests, provided a valuable baseline for estimating uniform needs. However, unlike the enlisted package, this pilot program mandates the return of uniforms to the issuing facility after use. Upon return, each uniform piece undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure it meets serviceability standards, similar to other gear returned by Marines.
“Much like many other items that go in and out of the hands of Marines, we have a serviceability standard,” Madden stated. This standard encompasses criteria such as stains, excessive wear and tear, and fabric thinness, aligning with the usual evaluation process for gear managed through the Consolidated Storage Program (CSP). Uniform items failing to meet these specifications upon return will be retired, all without incurring any cost to the Marine officer. Participation in the program requires written authorization from the officer’s commanding officer. Eligible female officers can schedule appointments at the Individual Issue Facility (IIF) at Marine Corps Base Quantico to receive their uniforms.
A crucial aspect of the program is its recognition of the diverse nature of pregnancy and individual sizing needs. Madden emphasized that pregnancy is not a “one-size-fits-all” experience, varying not only between individuals but also across different clothing items. As a starting point for sizing, officers are advised to consider their pre-pregnancy clothing sizes. The IIF staff are trained to assist each officer in finding the correct fit for every uniform piece. This sizing data and feedback collected at the IIF is invaluable for the program office, contributing to a more refined understanding of maternity uniform sizing.
Madden provided a practical sizing example: “Say I wear medium regular combat trouser in non-maternity, a same size will be a medium maternity combat trousers.” The issuance facility is equipped to guide officers through trying on uniform sets and determining necessary size adjustments. This hands-on approach ensures a better fit and allows for immediate feedback collection. Recognizing the dynamic changes in body size during pregnancy, the program also allows for size adjustments throughout the term. Officers requiring a different size for any uniform component can contact the program office to arrange for exchanges, ensuring continued comfort and proper fit.
Currently, the pilot program is focused on officers stationed within the NCR and those based within 100 miles of MCB Quantico. Eligibility also extends to officers attending courses within the region during the program period. Madden explained that the NCR was strategically chosen as the test region due to the high concentration of officers stationed or attending advanced service schools in the area. This broadens the test pool and provides ample opportunities to assess the program’s impact, particularly concerning the service dress uniform.
“I think that’s been one of our biggest complaints,” Madden noted, referring to the challenges officers face in maintaining their service uniforms, especially the service dress uniform, in wearable condition for events and meetings. The pilot program aims to address this by ensuring readily available and properly fitting maternity service uniforms. Participants are responsible only for alteration costs, which must adhere to regulations outlined in the TM 1020-15-1B Technical Manual for Uniform Fitting and Alteration. The program recommends tailor shops in the MCB Quantico area or those familiar with this technical manual.
Officers participating in the pilot program are required to return the issued uniforms within six months after giving birth. For officers receiving new orders during their pregnancy, arrangements can be made with their local command’s mail facility to ship the uniforms back. Importantly, officers are not financially liable for uniform pieces that become unserviceable during their use. This pilot program is scheduled to run through fiscal year 2025, with findings and conclusions expected to be reported in Spring 2026. Madden encourages all program participants and Marines who utilize maternity uniforms to provide feedback to the program office regarding fit, durability, and availability.
For more detailed information about the Pilot Program for Issue of Maternity Uniform, officers are encouraged to visit: https://www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil/maternity-uniform-pilot-program/
