Marine Corps Uniforms

Marines have long been known for their impressive appearance, military smartness and
distinctive uniforms. What has maintained that reputation has been the unceasing emphasis on the
correct wearing of the uniform, careful supervision and pride of the individual Marine. You must know
all uniform regulations. Some of the basic regulations on wearing uniforms are:

1. Uniforms that can be buttoned or zipped must be worn that way.

2. Always wear your cover outdoors and under arms.
3. Never mixed uniform types
4. Always make sure uniforms are clean and pressed
5. If a uniform item becomes unserviceable, replace it.

Marine corps uniforms are divided into three basic classes. The dress blue uniforms are worn for
special occasions and special duty that require a greater level of formality. The dress blue alpha and
bravo uniform, with its high collar, has become a symbol of Marine perfection. The service uniforms are
worn for general duties while Marines are on shore. The utility uniform, also called cammies, is worn
for field training and as the uniform of the day in many Fleet Marine Force units. The utility uniform
cannot be worn off base in general.
 Marine Corps Uniforms
Types and Components
I. Utility Uniforms – NOTE: Until the end of 2004 the Marine Corps Had two
different utility uniforms. The old style camouflage pattern is not authorized for wear
and Marines must buy the new type before the mandatory possession date. The old
pattern is called the “Camouflage Utility Uniform” or CUU and the new digital pattern
cammies are called the “Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform” or MCCUU. There
are two different “colors” of MCCUU, desert and woodland. It is not allowed to mix
components of either color type for the MCCUU or cloth type for the CUU. Also you
cannot mix components of the CUU and MCCUU except for boots, skivvies, belts
and rank insignia. All new recruits will receive only the MCCUU. Two new boots are
also part of the new uniform. They are coyote brown and “rough side out.” Until 2004
a Marine may wear either black polished boots or the Marine Corps Combat Boot
(MCCB) with either the MCCUU or CUU. There are also two types of MCCB’s:
Temperate Weather (TW), which are like the current infantry combat boot in basic
design, and the Hot Weather (HW), which are like the current jungle boot in design.

A. Summer (Worn April 1 through October 31)*

1. Coyote Brown Boots
2. Green or Black Socks
3. Cammie Trousers
4. Web or Martial Arts belt
5. Boot Bands
6. Green T-Shirt
7. Cammie Blouse (Sleeves Up) with black pin on rank insignia
8. Cammie Cover (Boonie type covers may be worn in the field with the MCCUU)
9. Dog Tags

B. Winter (Worn November 1 through March 31)*

1. Coyote Brown Boots
2. Green or Black Socks
3. Cammie Trousers
4. Web or Martial Arts belt
5. Boot Bands
6. Green T-Shirt
7. Cammie Blouse (Sleeves Up) with black pin on rank insignia
8. Cammie Cover (Boonie type covers may be worn in the field with the MCCUU)
9. Dog Tags

* The actual dates may vary at the discretion of the area commander.
 Utility Uniforms

Samples of the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU)

CUU Desert
 Utility Uniform Guidelines

1. Do not wear the utility uniform in public, except during and emergency. For example,
you may drive from your home, go through a drive through and get food, and go to the
base. You may not get out of your car and sit down in the restaurant and eat.

2. Always wear and use boot bands

3. You MUST press the CUU, but DO NOT apply starch, press heavily or dry-clean the
MCCUU.

4. Always wear the blouse buttoned

5. Make sure you properly place the black rank insignia on the collar. Do NOT wear
chipped or scratched insignia.

6. Do not mix uniform colors, types or fabrics.

7. When sleeves are rolled up, assure a smooth, even roll.

Placement of the Black Rank Insignia Placement of Breast Insignia

8. The length of the web belt is 2”-4” past the left side of the buckle. (This applies to all
uniforms.)

9. If you have earned a martial arts belt, you must wear it with the utility uniform.

10. Wear your cover level on your head, two finger widths above the bridge of your nose.
II. Service Uniforms
A. Service “Charlie” Uniform
1. Black Shoes
2. Black Dress Socks
3. Green Trousers
4. Web Belt
5. White Skivvies
6. Short Sleeve Khaki Shirt
7. Ribbons (Badges optional)
8. Green Barracks or Garrison Cover
9. Dog Tags

B. Service “Bravo” Uniform

1. Black Shoes
2. Black Dress Socks
3. Green Trousers
4. Web Belt
5. White Skivvies
6. Long Sleeve Khaki Shirt with Tie and Tie Clip
7. Ribbons (Badges optional)
8. Green Barracks or Garrison Cover
9. Dog Tags

C. Service “Alpha” Uniform

1. Black Shoes
2. Black Dress Socks
3. Green Trousers
4. Web Belt
5. White Skivvies
6. Long Sleeve Khaki Shirt with Tie and Tie Clip
7. Service Blouse with Belt, Buckle and Hold Down Loop
8. Ribbons and Badges worn on Service Blouse
9. Green Barracks or Garrison Cover
10. Dog Tags

Service Uniform Guidelines

1. Wear only Black Branch of Service Insignia, Posts and Buttons.
2. On the Service Blouse the anchors face inboard – ANCHORS INBOARD!
3. On the Garrison Cover, the anchor faces forward.
4. The length of the web belt is 2”-4” past the left edge of the buckle.
5. The length of the Service Belt is 2 ¾ to 3 ¾ past the left edge of the buckle.
6. Do not forget the Service Belt Hold Down Loop.
7. Do not wear Ribbons or Badges on both the Service Blouse and Shirt.
8. Badges are worn 1/8 of an inch above the left breast pocket if worn.
9. Ribbons are worn 1/8 of and inch above the badge or pocket.
Service Uniforms

Officer Service Uniforms

Enlisted Service Uniforms

III. Dress Blue Uniforms
A. Dress Blue “Delta” Uniform
1. Black Shoes
2. Black Dress Socks
3. Blue Trousers with blood stripe for Corporal or Higher
4. Web Belt
5. White Skivvies
6. Short Sleeve Khaki Shirt
7. Ribbons (Badges optional)
8. White Barracks Cover
9. Dog Tags

B. Dress Blue “Charlie” Uniform

1. Black Shoes
2. Black Dress Socks
3. Blue Trousers with blood stripe for Corporal or Higher
4. Web Belt
5. White Skivvies
6. Long Sleeve Khaki Shirt with Tie and Tie Clip
7. Ribbons and Badges
8. White Barracks Cover
9. Dog Tags

C. Dress Blue “Bravo” Uniform

1. Black Shoes
2. Black Dress Socks
3. Blue Trousers with blood stripe for Corporal or Higher
4. Web Belt
5. White Skivvies
6. Dress Blue Blouse
7. White Belt with Waist Plate
8. Ribbons and Badges
9. White Barracks Cover
10. Dog Tags

D. Dress Blue “Alpha” Uniform

1. Black Shoes
2. Black Dress Socks
3. Blue Trousers with blood stripe for Corporal or Higher
4. Web Belt
5. White Skivvies
6. Dress Blue Blouse
7. White Belt with Waist Plate
8. Medals and Ribbons
9. White Barracks Cover
10. White Gloves
11. Dog Tags
 Dress Blue Uniform Guidelines
1. Wear only GOLD Branch of Service Insignia, Posts and Buttons.
2. On the Dress Blue Blouse the anchors face inboard – ANCHORS INBOARD!
3. Do not wear a khaki shirt under the Dress Blue Blouse, only a white T-Shirt.
4. The length of the web belt is 2”-4” past the left edge of the buckle.
5. The White Belt must be worn with the correct waist plate for your rank.
6. Do not mix anodized and non-anodized brass hardware.
7. Do not medals and badges on the Dress Blue Blouse.
8. Badges are worn 1/8 of an inch above the left breast pocket if worn.
9. Ribbons are worn 1/8 of and inch above the badge.
10. On the Dress Blue Alpha Blouse, Medals are worn centered over the left pocket
with the top of the suspension ribbon half way between the first and second button
holes.
11. Always carry or wear white gloves with the Dress Blue “Alpha” or “Bravo” Uniform.
12. Wear the awards that do not have medals over the right breast pocket on the Dress
Blue “Alpha” Blouse. Senior award remains right most.

Issued or Authorized Uniform Accessories

1. Service Sweater – Green without epaulets
2. Service Sweater – V-Neck with epaulets
3. Dress Blue Sweater with epaulets
4. All-Weather Coat
5. Tanker Jacket
6. Service Scarf
7. Black Gloves
8. Shirt – Sock Suspenders
9. Swords
10. Duty Belts
11. Campaign Cover
12. PT Gear

Civilian Clothing Regulations

The CMC has extended the privilege of wearing civilian clothing to officers and enlisted
Marines on active duty within the limitations of common sense and good taste. Marines will
ensure that their dress and personal appearance are conservative and commensurate with the
high standards traditionally associated with the Marine Corps. No eccentricities of dress will be
permitted. The wearing of earrings by male Marines, under any circumstances, is prohibited.
ONLY the following uniform items may be worn with civilian attire: gold cuff links, studs, tie bar,
mourning band, footwear, socks, gloves, undergarments, black bow-tie, service sweater,
Green wool scarf, general-purpose trunks, and the all-weather coat, tanker jacket or dress blue
sweater without insignia of grade.
 Enlisted Dress Blue Uniforms

The Marine Non-Commissioned Officer Sword

Officer Dress Blue Uniforms

Marine Officer Memaluke Sword

 Officer Uniform Accessories and Devices

The Significance of Uniform Items

1. The Quatrefoil: The white “cross shaped” braid sewn on top of the officer’s white barracks
cover. Tradition claims that Marine Officers placed it on their covers so Marine Sharpshooters
in the rigging of sailing ships could identify them from above (and not shoot them.)

2. Scrambled Eggs: The gold decoration on the visors and cuffs of officer’s dress uniforms.

3. The officer Eagle, Globe and Anchor is more detailed in design. The rope on the anchor is
a separate piece and the Globe is both silver and gold. The key element that is missing from
the officer insignia is the ISLAND OF CUBA. (The enlisted EGA has the Island of Cuba, but the
officer EGA does not.)

4. Blood Stripes: The red stripes worn on the trousers of officer (and NCO) dress uniforms. It
is said that Marines wear them to commemorate the loss of the Officers and NCOs during the
Battle of Chapultapec. General Officer Blood Stripes are 2” wide, other officers are 1½ wide
and NCO stripes are 1 1/8 inches wide.
 Enlisted Uniform Accessories and Devices

Insignia and Device Placement

1. Cloth Rank Insignia Patches are always placed on long sleeve uniform items 4 inches
below the shoulder seam for Gunnery Sergeant and below, and 3 inches from the shoulder
seam for Master Sergeant and Higher. On short sleeve shirts, the insignia are centered left to
right and evenly between the shoulder seam and the lower edge of the sleeve.

2. Service Stripes are awarded to enlisted Marines for each 4 years of service. They are worn
on the Service Blouse ½ inch and centered above the peak of the cuff. On the Dress Blue
Blouse the lower tip touches the red piping on the cuff. On both uniforms the service stripes
slope at a 30-degree angle.

3. All Badges and Ribbons are worn 1/8 of an inch above the left breast pocket edge or the
top edge of the preceding device in this order: Badges, Ribbons, and Breast Insignia. If more
than one row of ribbons is worn, spacing of 0 or 1/8 of an inch between rows is allowed.
Non-Standard and Special Purpose Uniforms

Evening Dress Uniforms

Mess Dress Uniforms – Not in use

 Marine Corps Band Uniforms

Ceremonial Units and Drum and Bugle Corps Uniforms

 Example of Organizational Uniforms

Pilots and Air Crew

Important Uniform Regulations

Boots: Must be kept polished if black, or clean if MCCB. No dirt in the welts or under
the laces.

Shoes: If corfam material they must be dust free. Edge dressing should be used on the
sides of the soles. No dirt in the welts, or dust under the laces.

Trousers: Tailored properly so the pockets do not gap when worn. A belt is always worn.
The hem must fall within ¼ inch above or below the welt of the shoe in the rear,
sloping upward ¾ “-1” in the front to cause a slight break in the front crease. The
hem must be 2½-3 inches in width.

Shirts: Long sleeve shirt sleeves will cover the wrist bone, at a point 2” above the
second joint of the thumb. A tolerance of ½ “ is acceptable. No alterations of the
short sleeve shirt are authorized.

Blouses: The Dress Blue Blouse is form fitting.The Service Blouse is semi-form-fitting. The
sleeve length should be 1” above the second joint of the thumb. The belt must be
between 2 ¾ to 3 ¾ of an inch past the left side of the buckle.

Tie: A fore-in-hand knot is preferred. The tie clip is place centered between the 3rd
4th buttons on the shirt.
THERE ARE MANY MORE UNIFORM REGULATIONS
 Personal Appearance
I. Any items of clothing, adornment, hair style or body modification that is not in
keeping with the traditional standards of good taste and a conservative nature, or
eccentric and faddish, are prohibited.
A. These items may not be worn visibly with any Marine Uniform:
1. Pencils, pens, watch chains, pocket watches, fobs, pins
2. Civilian Backpacks/bags, jewelry of a non-religious nature, ribbons
3. Handkerchiefs, combs, cigarettes, pipes, flowers
4. Non-Issued electronic devices (Cell Phone, PDAs, Pagers)
B. Sunglasses may be worn on leave, liberty, on post and in the field
except when in formation.
1. Sunglasses may not be worn indoors
2. They must be of a conservative design
a. No bright colored frames
b. No mirrored lenses that reflect colors
c. No chains, bands, ribbons or straps except for safety and
conservative in design
d. The same rules apply to Prescription Glasses, but they may
be worn indoors.
C. Subject to temporary revocation due to mission requirements Marines
may wear:
1. Articles of religious apparel which are not visible
2. Visible articles of religious apparel while attending services
3. Visible articles of religious apparel that do not interfere with or
replace requires uniform items.
II. Personal Grooming Standards for Hair
A. Male Marine’s hair will extend from 0” to a maximum of 3” on the top of
the head. There will be no visible abrupt changes in length.
B. Sideburns will not extend past the upper orifice of the ear and will not be
tapered or styled in any way. The hair length of the sideburns will not
exceed 1/8 of an inch.
C. Except for Recruit Training and medical reasons, males Marines are not
required to clip their hair to the scalp. This does not prohibit a Marine
from clipping his hair to the scalp if he desires to do so.
D. The face will be clean-shaven, except if a mustache is desired after
recruit training. (Males only)
E. Male Marines are not required to clip chest hair unless it protrudes in an
unsightly manner above to collar of the long sleeve khaki shirt.
F. Designs may not be cut into the hairstyle.
G. Male Marines will not braid their hair.
H. Unless medically necessary, Male Marines are prohibited from changing
their hair color. Female Marine must have a hair color that complements
their completion.
I. All visible body hair must be the same color.
III. Personal Grooming Standards for Fingernails
A. Male Marines will keep their fingernails close clipped.
B. Male Marines will not wear nail polish.
C. Female Marines will trim their nails no more than ¼ “ from the finger tip.
D. Nail polish will not be worn with the utility uniform.
IV. Personal Grooming Standards for Body Modifications
A. Tattoos
1. Tattoos on the head or neck are prohibited.
2. Tattoos that are prejudicial to good order, discipline, moral, race,
and religion or bring discredit upon the Marine Corps are prohibited.
3. A good guideline for tattoos is that they should not show while
wearing the Service “C” uniform. It is not prohibited, however, for a
tattoo to show while in uniform.
B. Brandings
1. Brandings on the head or neck are prohibited.
2. Branding that are prejudicial to good order, discipline, moral, race,
and religion or bring discredit upon the Marine Corps are prohibited.
3. A good guideline for a Branding is that it should not show while
wearing the Service “C” uniform. It is not prohibited, however, for a
branding to show while in uniform.
C. Piercing
1. Male Marines are prohibited from piercing any part of their body to
include the ears. Male Marines will not wear earrings of any type.
2. Females Marines are permitted to pierce only their ears.
D. Surgical Alterations
1. Unless medically necessary, and approved by the command,
Marines are prohibited from surgical body modification such as:
a. Split Tongues
b. Penis Modification
c. Open Holes in the Skin
d. Ear Alterations
e. Insertion of objects or fluids under the skin to produce
unnatural effects
2. Elective procedures like LASIC, breast enhancement or reduction,
and hair implants are permitted with command approval.
E. Dental Enhancement
1. Unless medically necessary, dental work must be conservative and
as natural as possible.
a. Decorative dental work like gold caps, affixed metals or
jewels, and tooth painting is prohibited.
b. Orthodontics is permitted with command approval.
2. Unnecessary dentures are prohibited.
3. Tooth sharpening is prohibited.
4. Marines must maintain good dental heath.
F. Contact lenses that change the eye’s iris to an unnatural tone or color
are prohibited.
 Male Marine Hair Length

Note: Hair length is irrelevant if the style is eccentric.

 Utility Uniform Inspection
(Transitional Period)

Initial Appearance: O / E / AA / A / US

Cover
Rank & Name of Marine Being
_________ Dirty Inspected:
_________ Unserviceable
_________ Marking
_________ IP’s
_________ Hair
_________ Embroidery / Iron On
Inspecting Officer:
Blouse
_________ Fit
_________ Length
_________ Dirty
_________ Unserviceable Score out of 40 / Grade % :
_________ Marking
_________ T-Shirt ____________________________
_________ Sleeve Rolls
_________ Pressing / Use of Starch
_________ Pockets Buttoned
_________ IP’s
_________ Velcro
_________ Rank Insignia
_________ Embroidery / Iron On / Name Tapes
_________ Dog Tags

Trousers
_________ Fit
_________ Length
_________ Dirty
_________ Unserviceable
_________ Marking
_________ Belt and Brass / Martial Arts Belt
_________ Pressing / Use of Starch / Dry Cleaning
_________ Pockets Buttoned
_________ IP’s
_________ Elastic / Buckles
_________ Leg Ties
_________ Name Tape
_________ Skivvies

Boots
_________ Dirty
_________ Unserviceable
_________ Boot Bands
_________ Polished / Roughed Up
_________ Eyelets / Imprints

Knowledge
_________ BST / EST
_________ MOS