Pregnant Marine Corps officers stationed in the National Capitol Region are now benefiting from a significant initiative: the Defense Logistics Agency Maternity Uniform Pilot Program. Launched this month at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, this program provides access to essential maternity uniforms at no personal expense to the officers. This marks a noteworthy change, particularly for officers, who traditionally bear the full financial responsibility for their uniform needs.
The necessity for this program arose from the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which formally acknowledged the considerable financial burden maternity uniforms placed on individual service members. In response to this recognition, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), in collaboration with Service Secretaries, was tasked with creating a pilot program. The aim was to temporarily issue maternity uniforms to pregnant service members without any cost to them. Previously, while enlisted Marines received a one-time uniform issue, officers were required to purchase their maternity uniforms out-of-pocket, incurring an average expense of around $500. This new pilot program seeks to alleviate this financial strain for Marine Corps officers by issuing and recovering specific maternity uniform items free of charge.
The program encompasses a range of uniform articles critical for Marine Corps officers. These include the Maternity Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) in green tunic, short and long-sleeve service blouses, service maternity skirts, service slacks, and associated service tapes. The inclusion of blue dress skirts and slacks is anticipated in fiscal year 2023, further expanding the program’s offerings. Emily Madden, a clothing designer from the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, who is integrated with Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC), highlighted the careful considerations involved in selecting these items. The choices were driven by logistical factors, service standards, and maximizing benefits for pregnant Marines. Madden explained, “The products we identified to go through this program were what would be the most beneficial to pregnant Marines. On the internal side of the Marine Corps, we considered servicing the items in regards to alterations, ribbons and cleaning. We also chose items that we were producing currently in the enlisted package for their 604 form.”
A crucial aspect of the program’s logistical framework is the utilization of the NAVMC 604/604B form. This form, traditionally used for approving and tracking individual clothing requests, now serves to maintain a centralized record of all maternity uniforms issued under the pilot program. By leveraging items already included on this form for enlisted personnel, program managers gained a practical starting point for estimating uniform needs. Unlike the enlisted system, however, this pilot program requires the uniforms to be returned to the issuing facility after use. Upon return, each uniform item undergoes a thorough inspection, adhering to established serviceability standards, similar to other gear returned by Marines. Madden elaborated, “Much like many other items that go in and out of the hands of Marines, we have a serviceability standard. It can be unserviceable in regards to stains, over wear and tear, the thinness of fabric, normal criteria that we use to evaluate other gear that goes in and out through the CSP [Consolidated Storage Program]. If it doesn’t meet the specification when it’s turned in, then it will become [retired]. And it still is at no cost to the Marine.”
Participation in the program necessitates written authorization from the officer’s commanding officer. Eligible female officers can then schedule an appointment at the Individual Issue Facility (IIF) at Marine Corps Base Quantico to receive their uniforms. Recognizing the unique nature of pregnancy and individual body changes, the program emphasizes personalized sizing. Madden pointed out that while pre-pregnancy clothing sizes offer a useful starting point, the IIF staff will assist each officer in finding the optimal fit for every uniform piece. This sizing information and user feedback are invaluable for the program’s ongoing assessment and refinement. “Say I wear medium regular combat trouser in non-maternity, a same size will be a medium maternity combat trousers,” Madden illustrated. “The issue facility will discuss this with them and pull that size set of all equivalent items together at once. When the Marine officer comes in, she can try them on quickly and say, ‘Hey, I need to go up or down,’ and work with the facility to determine the right sizes. Then we’re gathering that feedback from the folks at the IIF and recording it.” Furthermore, the program acknowledges the dynamic nature of pregnancy and allows for size adjustments throughout. Officers requiring different sizes during their pregnancy can contact the program office to arrange for exchanges.
Currently, the pilot program is focused on officers within the National Capitol Region and those stationed within a 100-mile radius of MCB Quantico. Officers attending courses within this region during the program period are also eligible to participate. The NCR was strategically chosen as the initial test area due to the high concentration of officers stationed there or attending advanced service schools. This provides a robust test pool, particularly for service dress uniforms, which are frequently worn in this region. Madden noted, “I think that’s been one of our biggest complaints. Getting your service uniform ready for an event or for a meeting, whatever you need it for, and having it in the condition to wear. I think we will get a good read in this area.”
It is important to note that while the uniforms themselves are provided at no cost, officers are responsible for alteration expenses to ensure compliance with uniform regulations. The program suggests utilizing tailor shops in the MCB Quantico area or those familiar with the TM 1020-15-1B Technical Manual for Uniform Fitting and Alteration. Participants are required to return the uniforms within six months after pregnancy. Officers receiving new orders during their pregnancy can coordinate with their local command’s mail facility for uniform return. Crucially, officers will not incur any costs even if a uniform item becomes unserviceable during its 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 all Marine Corps personnel who utilize maternity uniforms to provide feedback regarding fit, durability, and availability to the program office. For further details about the Pilot Program for Issue of Maternity Uniform, officers are encouraged to visit https://www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil/maternity-uniform-pilot-program/.
