The Marine Corps prides itself on its rigorous standards, and uniform regulations are a critical component of this discipline. Staying up-to-date with these guidelines is essential for all Marines. This article serves as a comprehensive guide, drawing from official sources to clarify various aspects of the Marine Corps Service A Uniform, ensuring every Marine understands the standards they are expected to uphold. We delve into recent updates and long-standing policies concerning everything from hairstyles and tattoos to specific uniform items and wear guidance.
Hair Regulations: Maintaining Standards
Recent MARADMIN 615/22 provides crucial clarification on hair regulations. For female Marines with medium to long hair, the policy emphasizes that hair must be secured up to maintain a professional appearance, ensuring no loose ends are visible. The only exception to this rule is during non-combat physical training (PT), where unsecured full ponytails or braids are authorized.
Inconspicuous hairpins and bobby pins are permitted to help secure hairstyles. Items like barrettes and combs are also authorized, provided they match the hair color and remain concealed. Ponytail holders should also be consistent with hair color and, while they don’t need to be hidden, should be inconspicuous. It’s important to note that conspicuous hair accessories such as headbands, scrunchies, alligator clips, and bows are prohibited. These clarifications will be officially incorporated into the updated MCO 1030.32H, ensuring these standards are formally documented.
Tattoo Policy: Clarifications on Visibility
Marine Corps Bulletin (MCBul) 1020, last updated on October 29, 2021, remains the definitive guide for the Marine Corps tattoo policy. It’s essential to consult this document before getting any tattoos to ensure compliance with regulations. Notably, a previous restriction on wearing the blue dress “A/B” and blue-white “A/B” uniforms with skirts for Marines with visible leg tattoos has been rescinded. This updated guidance, as detailed in the MCBul, will be integrated into Change 1 of the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations. Marines should always refer to the MCBul for the most current and comprehensive tattoo policy to avoid uniform violations.
Belt Guidance for the Female Dress Blue Coat
MARADMIN 596/18 addressed specific belt guidance for the new Female Dress Blue Coat (FDBC). The uniform regulations, specifically paragraph 3002, were updated to clarify belt wear for all uniforms. Belts are to be worn at the natural waistline, with the buckle’s right edge aligned with the fly or coat front for most uniforms. This applies to male officer and enlisted service coats, as well as male officer dress coats.
However, the FDBC, due to its opposite closure compared to the male coat, requires a different belt orientation. For the FDBC, the left edge of the buckle (wearer’s left) should align with the coat front edge, and the belt end should extend to the wearer’s left. This adjustment ensures uniformity and proper wear of the belt with the FDBC, reflecting the tailored design of this specific uniform item.
Cold Weather Gear: Black Field Gloves, Inserts, and Watchcaps
CMC Decision Memo dated January 10, 2018, and MARADMIN 596/18 outlined mandatory possession dates for cold weather uniform items. Coyote field glove liners (DSCP black liners meet the minimum requirement) became mandatory on October 1, 2019. The coyote watchcap followed on October 1, 2020, and black field gloves became mandatory on October 1, 2021.
DSCP field gloves and liners are authorized for wear in garrison or field environments with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) at the individual Marine’s discretion. Liners can be worn as outerwear, except during formations. The DSCP issued coyote watchcap is authorized with PT uniforms and the MCCUU in both garrison and field settings when weather conditions necessitate it. It’s important to remember that saluting protocols differ depending on the headgear. When wearing the garrison MCCUU cap in non-tactical environments, standard saluting is required. However, saluting is not required when wearing the cold weather watchcap with the PT uniform.
Female Hair Fades and Shaving Regulations
Female Marines with short hairstyles are authorized to have a “zero” fade at the nape of their neck, extending up to a maximum length of one inch. This fade must start at zero and gradually increase, completing the fade within two inches of the hairline at the nape. Zero fades are not permitted on the sides of the head; the shortest authorized length on the sides is 1/4 inch, allowing for a quarter-inch fade.
For female Marines with longer hair, shaving is permitted only for hair on the back of the neck that grows below the natural hairline and cannot be neatly incorporated into a bun. These regulations ensure a neat and professional appearance while providing some flexibility within the uniform standards.
Fourragere: Wear and Obsolete Attachments
The black tip pencil attachment for the French Fourragere is now obsolete. While Marines permanently awarded this attachment before 2001 may continue to wear it, it is no longer authorized for new awards. Currently, only Marines who were personally awarded the French Fourragere for actions during World War II can wear it permanently.
Marines currently serving with the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments are authorized to wear the Fourragere while attached to these units, using the polished brass tip pencil attachment. Paragraph 5302.4 of MCO 1020.34H will be updated to reflect these changes, clarifying the current regulations for the wear of the French Fourragere and its attachments.
Hands in Pockets Policy in Garrison
MCO 1020.34H has implemented an immediate policy regarding hands in pockets while in a garrison environment. Marines are no longer permitted to put their hands in their pockets except momentarily to retrieve an item. This policy aims to maintain a professional and alert military bearing. However, the policy acknowledges the practicalities of field environments, stating that good judgment should guide its application in those contexts, allowing for more flexibility when necessary.
Hose Color in the Blue Dress Uniform: Formal Occasions
The appropriate hose color for the Blue Dress Uniform depends on the formality of the occasion. Smoke/off-black hose are reserved exclusively for formal events. For all other occasions, nude/flesh-tone harmonizing hose are the standard. Determining the formality often aligns with civilian dress codes.
A helpful guideline is the “ball gown rule”: if civilians are expected to wear formal attire like ball gowns and tuxedos, then smoke hose are appropriate. If the civilian dress code is semi-formal or less formal, nude hose should be worn. In situations without civilians present, the formality can be judged by whether officers and SNCOs are wearing evening dress uniforms, indicating a formal event. Despite the Blue Dress Uniform often being associated with formal events like the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, most occasions are semi-formal or less, making nude hose the more frequently worn and default option.
HQMC Uniform of the Day: Service “B”/”C”
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 for official business. The prescribed uniform is the service “B”/”C” uniform, appropriate for the current season. This policy ensures uniformity and professional representation within the Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) environment, maintaining a consistent standard for all personnel working within the Pentagon and surrounding areas.
Male Hair Fades: Regulation Haircut Guidance
Clarification has been provided regarding male hair fades to standardize the “low regulation” haircut. The zero fade must commence at the nape of the neck and extend upwards to at least the top orifice of the ear. This provides a clear guideline for Marines and barbers to ensure haircuts meet regulation standards. Fades must graduate from zero length upwards to the maximum hair length, with the maximum length not being reached before the top of the ear orifice.
This regulation does not prevent Marines from maintaining a zero fade beyond the top of the ear orifice if they choose, for example, transitioning into a high and tight style. Clean-shaven heads remain authorized. The key clarification is that for those opting for a “low regulation” fade, the fade must extend to the top of the ear orifice, eliminating very short fades that quickly graduate to maximum hair length within an inch of the hairline.
Manicures in Utility Uniforms: Natural Nail Mimicry
Policy changes regarding manicures in the MCCUU now permit female Marines to wear manicures that mimic the natural nail. This updated regulation, stemming from Uniform Board 209, acknowledges a more natural aesthetic for utility uniforms. The natural nail typically features a beige-colored tip extending beyond the nail bed.
Therefore, authorized manicure colors in MCCUUs are limited to clear polish or those that replicate the natural nail appearance. This includes French and American manicures, or any manicure style featuring a white, off-white, or beige tip. The portion of the nail above the nail bed must be pale pink, nude, or peach-like. Solid nude, peach, or pink nail polish without the contrasting tip is not authorized in utility uniforms but is permissible with dress and service uniforms.
Marine Corps Birthday Ball Uniform Standards for Officers and SNCOs
ALMAR 042/11 standardizes the Marine Corps Birthday Ball uniform for officers and Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs). The prescribed uniform is the dress blue uniform (with blue trousers, skirt, or slacks) or the evening dress uniform. This policy ensures uniformity in appearance for officers and SNCOs at this significant annual event. It is important to note that this uniform standardization policy does not extend to Sergeants and below, allowing for some variation in uniform choices for junior ranks at the Birthday Ball.
Marine Corps Boot Program: Minimum Requirements and Certified Boots
The Marine Corps Boot Program has minimum requirements: one pair of hot weather boots and one pair of temperate weather boots. Marines can meet this requirement with either the Marine Corps Combat Boot (MCCB) or the Rugged All Terrain (RAT) boot, as both are compliant. Optional boots are permitted, but they MUST be certified and feature the Marine Corps emblem on the heel and a certification approval number tag, usually found inside the boot.
Boots lacking both the emblem and tag are not considered certified uniform items and are not authorized for wear, even if manufactured by an approved vendor. Manufacturers often produce non-certified versions of approved boots for civilian purchase, so Marines must carefully verify both the emblem and tag when buying boots online or elsewhere to ensure they are purchasing certified uniform-compliant footwear.
MARPAT MCCUU Sleeve Rolling Guidance: Summer and Winter Protocols
PMCUB memo 1020, dated March 12, 2014, provides detailed guidance on rolling sleeves for the MARPAT MCCUU, as outlined in paragraph 3038.3 of the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations (MCUR). During summer, MCCUU coat sleeves are rolled inside out, forming a snug roll approximately three inches wide. The bottom of the rolled sleeve should be slightly above to no more than halfway between the shoulder top and elbow top. Local commanders have discretion to authorize sleeves to be rolled down in combat and field environments during summer. During winter, sleeves are worn down. When combat boots are worn, trousers are bloused neatly. For parades, reviews, and ceremonies where utility uniforms are prescribed, helmets with appropriate MARPAT covers may also be mandated, as clarified by MARADMIN 078/14.
Maternity Uniform Development: T-Shirts, Nursing Shirts, and Fit Adjustments
The Marine Corps Systems Command (SysCom) has certified maternity and nursing t-shirts as optional clothing items. Military Corps Clothing Stores (MCCS) is working to make these items available for purchase, both in physical PX stores and through the Marine Corps’ online uniform website.
Additionally, maternity khaki long and short-sleeve shirts, and the maternity tunic, are being enhanced with side tabs to improve fit throughout pregnancy. Production of these updated items is underway. SysCom is also developing blue dress maternity skirts and slacks, with a fielding date to be determined, which will be added to the maternity supplemental clothing allowance, further expanding uniform options for pregnant Marines.
Naval Personnel Wearing Marine Corps Uniforms: Grooming Standards
NAVADMIN 233/18 clarifies grooming standards for Sailors assigned to U.S. Marine Corps units who wear Marine Corps uniforms. Effective immediately, these Sailors are required to adhere to Marine Corps grooming standards, with one exception: male Sailors are not mandated to maintain zero fade hairstyles. This policy ensures that Naval personnel integrated within Marine units maintain a uniform and professional appearance consistent with Marine Corps standards in most aspects of grooming.
New Female Blue Dress Coat (FDBC): Availability and Wear Regulations
The new Female Blue Dress Coat (FDBC) is currently available for purchase and authorized for wear. October 1, 2022, is the mandatory possession date. The older women’s blue dress coat is authorized for wear until September 30, 2022, after which it becomes obsolete. Marines retiring before the obsoletion date may continue wearing the old coat into retirement, and former Marines who exited before this date may also wear it at their discretion, as per chapter 12 of MCO 1020.34H.
Key points regarding the FDBC include: it is gender-specific and distinct from the male dress blue coat (female coats should not have front pockets, which are characteristic of the male coat). Enlisted female Marines will continue to wear their gender-specific chevrons on the FDBC. The white web belt, waistplate, and branch of service insignia are gender-neutral. Female officers will wear a white strip collar and do not wear a male white dress shirt or white cuffs under the FDBC. Both male and female officers wear the white strip collar with standing collar coats, a gender-neutral item. The belt and buckle are included with both the male dress coat and the FDBC.
Ponytails in Marine Corps Uniforms: Limited Authorization
Ponytails are generally not authorized for wear in Marine Corps uniforms for either female Sailors or Marines. The sole exception is during physical training (PT) while actively PTing in PT uniforms. This policy reinforces the professional standards and uniform appearance expected in all other uniform contexts, limiting ponytails to specific PT scenarios only.
Running Suit Wear Guidance: Authorized Combinations and Restrictions
CMC clarification, based on Decision Memorandum 1020 MCUB of November 19, 2009, and a CMC decision on March 11, 2010, provides specific wear guidance for the running suit. Only the running suit jacket and sweatshirt are authorized as outerwear for non-PT leave and liberty. The complete running suit or its individual components can be worn with any part of the PT ensemble (running suit, general purpose trunks, green undershirt) for PT leave and liberty situations only. Mixing the olive green sweat suit with running suit components is prohibited.
Commanders determine the necessity of reflective belts with the running suit based on safety considerations, day or night. Marines are authorized to wear commercial/”rainbow” PT clothing (shirts/shorts not issued PT items) with the running suit, sweats, and green shorts/undershirt for personal PT only. Uniform components can be mixed and matched, except sweatpants cannot be worn with the running suit. Examples of authorized combinations include running suit trousers with a green undershirt (no jacket), sweatpants with a green undershirt, or a green undershirt with black shorts. Critically, the running suit jacket is not authorized for wear with the utility uniform, even with boots and utes. ALMAR 019/08 also prohibits wearing the green undershirt, general purpose trunks, and sweatpants for non-PT leave and liberty.
Uniform of the Day Policy for the National Capital Region (NCR)
ALMAR 54/06 outlines the Uniform of the Day policy for the Washington Metro Area, or National Capital Region (NCR). This is a local regulation, not a Uniform Board policy, but applies to all personnel, both visitors and Marines permanently assigned within the NCR. Marines visiting or stationed in the Washington D.C. area must adhere to these specific uniform guidelines, ensuring consistent professional appearance within the capital region.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Officer/Operator Insignia Authorization
DC Aviation Memo 1000 DCA, dated October 16, 2020, authorizes the wear of the UAS officer and operator insignia for Marine officers with MOS 7318 and enlisted Marines with MOS 7316, respectively. Paragraph 40002 of the Uniform Regulations governs the wear of these insignia. This authorization recognizes the specialized skills and roles of Marines operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems within the Marine Corps aviation community.
Uniform Plates Availability: Combat Utility Uniform Plate XIV
Currently, only Uniform Plate XIV, detailing the Combat Utility Uniform, remains in print and available for order. Its PCN is 100-103-622-00. All other uniform plates are out of print and no longer in circulation. Unless the Historical Division reprints these plates, procuring sets of prints for other uniform types is not possible. This information is crucial for units or individuals seeking visual guides to Marine Corps uniforms, highlighting the limited current availability of printed uniform plates.
Waiver to Mandatory Possession Date for the Female Dress Blue Coat (FDBC)
ALMAR 007/20 provides a waiver concerning the mandatory possession date for the FDBC. Female Marines exiting service between October 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023, may continue to wear their “old” female blue dress uniform until their separation date. However, for all other female Marines, the mandatory possession date of October 1, 2022, for the new FDBC remains in effect. This waiver provides a transition period for those leaving the Marine Corps around the mandatory update date, preventing unnecessary uniform purchase requirements for departing personnel.
White Crew-Neck Undershirts: Optional and Mandatory Wear
MARADMIN 143/16 authorized female Marines the option to wear white crew-neck, V-neck, or no undershirt under khaki service/dress shirts. However, the wear of a crew-neck undershirt became mandatory for all Marines, regardless of gender, who have visible tattoos in the “V” area created by the open collar of the khaki service/dress shirts. This policy balances individual expression with uniform standards, mandating undershirts to cover tattoos in specific uniform combinations to maintain a consistent and professional appearance.
Civilian Clothing Replacement Allowance (CCA) Rates and Procedures
Civilian Clothing Replacement Allowance (CCA) rates fluctuate annually. For FY23, the rate is $391.32; FY22 was $382.68; FY21 was $375.84, and so on, tracing back to FY12 at $318.00. To process CCA requests, a screenshot from MCTFS (3270) is now mandatory. Specifically, a screenshot of the Marine’s D926 page must accompany each request; requests without this screenshot cannot be processed. Further details on the Civilian Clothing Allowance Program are available via the provided link to the HQMC CCA program page. This procedural update streamlines the CCA process and ensures accurate documentation for all requests.
Uniform Board Process and Recommendation Submission
The Uniform Board process begins with a recommendation, which can originate from any source but requires command endorsement if submitted by an individual Marine. Accumulated issues are then presented to the President, Marine Corps Uniform Board (PMCUB). Issues approved by the PMCUB advance to the Working Group, the first formal step.
The Working Group comprises local Marines, subject matter experts, and issue advocates, led by a Working Group Head. They develop formal recommendations for each issue, which are then, when feasible, formatted into surveys and distributed Corps-wide via Marines.mil for voting. This survey is the primary opportunity for individual Marine input in the formal board process and is announced through media channels and the MCUB webpage. Survey results, along with Working Group findings, are forwarded to the formal Uniform Board.
The Uniform Board, appointed by the CMC and including Marines from MCB Quantico schools, provides a final vote and recommendation to the CMC for each issue. Before CMC’s decision, his staff reviews and comments on each issue. Once decisions are rendered by the CMC, results are published via ALMAR, disseminated through HQMC press and social media, and posted on the Uniform Board website. Marines with uniform recommendations are encouraged to contact the provided POC before investing significant time and resources to ensure their request is properly considered and to receive guidance on the submission process.
