REGULATION QUESTIONS

AWARDS (MEDALS & RIBBONS)

QuestionWhere can I find updated information on my awards status?

Answer:  The Awards Branch.  Regulations for wear of ribbons and medals with the uniform may be viewed in Chapter 5 of the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, but awards administration is handled by the Awards Branch.  They may be contacted at (703) 784-9210/9204 (DSN 278-). 

WEARING BAGS IN UNIFORM

Question:  I have been told that we can wear backpacks/computer bags/gym bags... with cammies, as long as they are a camouflage color (like brown, black or green).  I always thought we could not wear them.  I can't find anything that says specifically that we are not allowed to wear them.  I've also seen a new type of backpack that you can get through the Exchange or supply system.  What kinds of backpacks can we wear, if any?

Answer: Marines are not allowed to wear bags while in uniform, except as detailed in paragraph 1004.4 of the Uniform Regs.  You may wear organizationally issued packs (this includes Alice Packs, camera bags and hydration systems).  Personally owned camera bags and hydration systems are not authorized for wear with any uniform.  You may hand carry these bags, though.

BLUE DRESS

BLUE-WHITES FOR SNCOs

Question::  I was told that I need to buy white trousers for my blue dress.  But ALMAR 059/01 says they are optional.  As a SNCO, do I need to buy new trousers or not?

Answer:  Think of the blue white uniform as the officer/SNCO summer dress uniform.  If you are a SNCO and wear the dress uniform in the summer you will wear the blue-white variation.  The entire blue dress uniform is optional for enlisted Marines, and cannot be prescribed (unless issued).  If you choose not to purchase the white trousers, you will not wear the dress uniform during the summer, and instead will wear the service uniform.  SNCOs should use paragraphs 2003.1&2 as guidance on regulations for blue-white dress.  White trousers, slacks or skirts are not worn with blue dress "C" or "D".

BLUE WHITES FOR ENLISTED

Question:  I'm getting married in a few months, but it will be over the Christmas holidays and besides I am not a SNCO.  I would like to wear white trousers with my blues so I will stand out from the rest of the wedding party.  Am I allowed to wear them for this special occasion?

Answer:  Per paragraph 2003.1 of the Uniform Regulations, the blue-white dress uniform is an officer/SNCO uniform.  Sergeants and below are authorized to wear the blue-white dress uniform for official military if the uniform is issued by the command and they are part of a special ceremonial detail (i.e. command color guard, band, funeral detail - being a member of a wedding party does not count).  It is not a liberty uniform for sergeants and below.  So, the answer to your question is that you should not wear the blue-white dress uniform.  

BRACELETS (POW/MIA)

Question:: Are POW/MIA bracelets authorized? I can't find anything in the regulations that specifically addresses them. I've seen Marines for years wearing them, and I am pretty sure they are authorized, but I can't find the reference to back that up.

Answer: POW/MIA bracelets are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy as per SecNav message dated 19 Sep 72: "Wearing of POW/MIA bracelets is authorized for Navy and Marine Corps personnel -- at any time they desire, including while in uniform -- as an expression of concern for their fellow servicemen who are prisoners of war or missing in action. This bracelet shall be of simple design, not more than one-half inch wide and containing rank/rate, name of the POW/MIA and date of capture or date missing"

COVERALLS

Question:  In the past few years I have been seeing Marines slowly implementing coveralls (blue, green, etc) as the uniform of the day.  Some chowhalls have even been allowing Marines to dine in coveralls.  Before I tear out what little hair I have, could you tell me if there is some regulation, order or bulletin that directs the intended use of the garment? 

Answer:  Coveralls are considered organizational clothing.  As explained by paragraph 7000, organizational clothing is prescribed by the commander, so you will have to look to your local regulations for wear.  However, coveralls cannot be prescribed as the uniform of the day.  Organizational clothing is worn "on a temporary basis to accomplish assigned duties."  If a Marine is not actively engaged in those duties, or is not in the work environment where those duties are performed (i.e., flight line, workshop, Motor T, etc), then that Marine will be in the appropriate uniform of the day.

"CAMEL BACK" HYDRATION SYSTEMS

Question::  I am seeing more and more Marines wearing camelbacks around base.  I don't mind when we're in the field, but it seems common sense to me that it should be not worn in garrison.  Is this in writing anywhere?

Answer:  Yes, but you will not see any text that reads "camelbacks."  Like coveralls, camelbacks may be worn if issued as organizational gear.  Commanders that issue camelbacks should make it clear to Marines that they may be worn only for the purpose for which they were issued.  See paragraph 7000 for more information.

GROOMING STANDARDS

MALE SHAVING OF HEADS

Question:   I like to keep my hair shaved down to the scalp.  Recently, I was told that this was not authorized.  Since when were Marines not allowed to shave their heads? 

Answer:  Male Marines are allowed to shave their heads, as authorized in paragraph 1004.5b(3).  A few years ago, a proposal to prohibit Marines from shaving their heads was reviewed by the Commandant.  He disapproved the proposal, thereby reaffirming that male Marines could shave their heads.  After boot camp a Marine cannot be forced to shave his head. 

HATS/HEADGEAR

Question:  I was looking for where I could find regulations on ballcaps, bandanas, or "dew rags" with little luck. Can you help?

Answer:  This issue has gone back and forth several times, but the final guidance on the issue was published via President of the Uniform Board decision memorandum of 29 Jan 04.  Paragraph 1005.2.a now states that while on a military installation civilian headgear will not be worn indoors.

IDENTIFICATION TAGS (DOG TAGS)

Question:  I can't find anything in the uniform regulations that talks about dog tags.  What is the correct way to wear them?

Answer:  Identification tags serve an administrative function, so they are not addressed in the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations.  Marines are required to have one tag suspended from the neck, and the other tag as the commander prescribes.  Many commands dictate that the second tag be worn on the left boot, but check with your chain of command to be sure.  Medical tags must be worn at all times.  Specific regulations for identification tags may be found in Chapter 7 of MCO P1070.12, Individual Records Administration Manual (IRAM).

KILTS (TARTANS)

Question:  I play bagpipes as a hobby, and I am frequently asked to play for Marine functions.  I understand there is a Marine Corps tartan available for wear, but I would like to know the regulations on how it is worn with the uniform.

Answer:  It's not.  The tartan you mention is a corporate tartan and is not officially sanctioned by the Marine Corps.  Kilts are not part of the Marine Corps uniform inventory and may not be worn with any Marine Corps uniform item.  

NAVY PERSONNEL

Question:  I've been away from the green side for a couple of years, but now that I'm back with a Marine platform, I've been corrected for wearing the wrong size rank insignia on my cammies.  Did something change?

Answer:  Yes.  The regulations were changed to be consistent with the Navy regulations.  Now Sailors serving with Marine units wear the larger (1-1/4 inch) black metal CPO insignia of grade.  See MARADMIN 199/01, paragraph 2.c, for the change.

Question:  I know that the regulations have been changed so that Sailors can now wear their warfare insignia, but I've been corrected for wearing mine in their respective primary and secondary positions.  Can we wear them or not?

Answer:  Yes, Sailors can wear their breast insignia (as qualified by Navy regulations).  But they will be worn in the same manner as Marines wear theirs: above the service tape.  See  paragraph 2.d of MARADMIN 200/01.

ORGANIZATIONAL CLOTHING

Question:  I've read on your FAQs page different answers that keep going back to organizational clothing.  But the questions have to do with clothing that are not discussed in the uniform regulations.  If there are no regulations for things like fleece, coveralls, etc, then how do you know when and where they can be worn?

Answer:  Organizational clothing and property is defined in paragraph 7000 as anything on the commander's unit allowance list that they issue to Marines in order to accomplish some specific duty.  Some items of organizational clothing are specifically regulated by provisions of Chapter 7 of the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations; some are not, and it is the responsibility of the commander to provide local regulations.  Either way, there are a few basic rules concerning all organizational clothing.

Organizational clothing is only worn for the purpose it was issued.  As an example, a mechanic that is issued coveralls can wear them when working in a shop, but cannot wear them when making a quick run to the exchange or 7-day store (unless your local area regulations specifically allow it).

Organizational clothing cannot be marked in such a way that the next person issued the item cannot use it.  A ECWCS parka should have name tape stitched to it in a manner that does not damage its integrity.  Many units overcome this by having Marines place name tapes on the pocket flap instead of above the pocket.  This allows the parka to maintain its water-proof integrity when the next Marine gets it.

Organizational clothing may not be worn with civilian attire.  Some items issued by commanders may also be purchased as optional clothing that may be worn with civilian attire.  The ECWCS parka, if purchased by the individual, may be worn in civilian attire (with rank insignia removed).  However, issued ECWCS parkas may not be worn with civilian attire.

The Marine Corps is constantly introducing new items of organizational clothing or equipment, so it is impractical to have regulations for every item.  The following list of organizational items is provided as a list of examples, and is not intended to be all inclusive:  Cold weather clothing (including fleece), Coveralls, Nomex suits, Safety boots, Cellular telephones and pagers.

PHYSICAL TRAINING UNIFORM

GENERAL

Question:   I've seen Marines at the gym wearing a hodge-podge of PT gear, from all civilian-type PT gear to issued gear to a mix of both.  What can Marines wear when they PT?

Answer:  Your question is in two parts, so here are two separate answers:

1)  Wear of all civilian type workout clothing may be allowed by the commander for individual physical training.  Some commands have different policies on what is appropriate for wear during duty hours, so be sure to check with your local regulations.

2)  The Marine Corps PT uniform (standard or cold weather) is worn when participating in unit physical training.  Commanders will prescribe which uniform should be worn.

SWEATSHIRT WITH HOODS

QuestionI've seen about three different sweatshirts worn by Marines - plain, with decal, and with hood.  Which one can we wear?

Answer:   As of 1 OCT 01, the crew neck sweatshirt with emblem is the only authorized sweatshirt for wear by Marines.  Marines receive an annual cash allowance to pay for their uniforms; a part of that allowance is dedicated for the standard sweatshirt.  As such, the crew neck sweat shirt with emblem is the only sweatshirt commanders are allowed to prescribe for formations and unit PT activities.  The sweatshirt with hood has not been approved as an optional uniform item.

WEAR WITH CIVILIAN ATTIRE

Question:   I've seen Marines wearing the new green PT sweatshirt with the Eagle, Globe & Anchor decal when out in town.  Is this authorized?

Answer:   Per paragraph 1005.2.e.1 and 2 of the Uniform Regulations, you may wear the cold weather PT uniform as civilian attire.  It should be worn per the appropriate situation (i.e. wearing the sweatpants to the MC Exchange or to the club would not be appropriate).

UNDERSHIRTS (BROWN vs. GREEN)

Question:  I was informed recently that the decision was made to go back to only GREEN undershirts with the camouflage utility uniform. I have been unsuccessful in locating some kind of reference on this subject. Can you assist? 

Answer: Brown undershirts have been obsolete since September 2001 and cannot be worn with any variation of the utility uniform.

UTILITY ("RIGGER'S") BELTS 

Question: I am contacting you in regards to the new "rigger's belts" which are apparently authorized for wear now with the utility uniform. I have been unable to find any regulations on this belt in any of the orders. 

Answer: Although commonly called the "rigger's belt", the correct term is utility belt.  These belts were allowed for Marines to wear at their option for a period of time, but that authorization was rescinded by the new Martial Arts program.  Now Marines are only allowed to wear the belt for which they have qualified.  For Marines not qualified in the Martial Arts program, only the standard khaki web belt is authorized for wear in utilities.  See MARADMIN 200/01 for details.  Once you have qualified to wear a Martial Arts belt that becomes your utility belt and you may no longer wear the khaki web belt.

PROPOSING A CHANGE TO THE UNIFORM REGULATIONS

Answer:  If you would like to propose a change to MCO P1020.34, Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, submit your recommendation, via your chain of command, in naval letter format to: CMC (MCUB), 2200 Lester St, Quantico, VA 22134.  Make sure you fully describe the rationale behind the proposal; and, if possible, include  a diagram illustrating the change.  Additionally, ensure you provide a good point of contact and phone number, because we will have to contact you at some point in the process.  Any requests received without command endorsement will be returned without action (where appropriate).