Belt Guidance for the New Female Dress Blue Coat
Per MARADMIN 596/18, paragraph 3002 of the Uniform Regs was changed to read:
"1. Belts for all uniforms will be worn at the natural waistline with the right edge of the buckle (wearer's right) on line with the edge of the fly or coat front. For male officer dress and service coats, and enlisted male service coats, the right edge of the buckle (wearer’s right) will be on line with the edge of the coat front. For the new female officer blue dress coat, the left edge of the buckle (wearer’s left) will be worn on line with edge of the coat front, and the end of the belt will extend out to the wearers left." Translation - because the FDBC closes opposite of the male coat, the female belt is worn opposite of the male coat.
Black Field Gloves, Inserts and Watchcaps
Per CMC Decision Memo dtd 10 Jan 18, and as published in MARADMIN 596/18 , the coyote field glove liners' (DSCP black liners will meet the minimum requirement) mandatory possession date is 1 Oct 2019; the coyote watchcap's mandatory possession date is 1 Oct 2020; and the black field gloves' mandatory possession date is 1 Oct 2021. The DSCP field gloves and liners may be worn in garrison or in the field with the MCCUU at the individual's discretion (the liners may be worn as an outergarment except in formation). The DSCP issued coyote watchcap may be worn with the physical training uniforms and the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) in garrison and in the field when weather appropriate. When in a non-tactical or garrison environment Marines will maintain the same saluting requirements as if wearing the garrison MCCUU caps. Marines will not salute when wearing the cold weather watchcap with the physical training uniform.
Female Fades
Female Marines with short hair are authorized to do a "zero" fade at the hairline at the nape of the neck to a maximum length of one inch (the fade must start at zero and graduate up, finishing the fade within 2 inches of the hairline at the nape of the neck). You are not authorized to do a zero fade on the sides of your head, the shortest you can go on the side is 1/4 inch (you can do a quarter inch fade). Female Marines with long hair can shave the hair on the back of their neck that grows below the hairline and cannot be pulled up into the bun.
Fourragere
The wear black tip pencil attachment for the French Fourragere is obsolete. If you were awarded (as a permanent award) the black tip pencil attachment you may continue to wear it (it has been obsolete since 2001). Only Marines personally awarded the French Fourragere for their actions during WWII are authorized to wear the award as a permanent part of the uniform. Marines currently attached to 5th and 6th Marines wear the award while attached to that unit, and will wear the polished brass tip pencil attachment. Paragraph 5302.4 of MCO 1020.34H will be updated to reflect this change.
Hands in Your Pockets
Per MCO 1020.34H, effective immediately, in a garrison environment you may not put your hands in your pockets other than to retrieve something from said pockets, at any time. However, good judgment will govern the application of this policy in the field environment.
HQMC Uniform of the Day
The uniform of the day, per ALMAR 13/20, for all Marines and Sailors serving with the Marine Corps whose permanent duty station is the Pentagon Reservation or who are visiting (TAD, to conduct business...), is the service "B"/"C" uniform (season appropriate).
Male Fades
The zero fade starts at the nape and must continue up to the top orifice of the ear (this finally provides concrete guidance for those that like to wear the low regulation haircut). Remember, fades start at zero and graduate up to your maximum hair length (maximum hair length cannot be reached before the top orifice of the ear). This does not prohibit you from starting at zero at the nape and continuing at zero beyond the top orifice of the ear, then fade up to a high and tight (at some point you will have to fade it to the patch of hair on top, remember - mohawks are not authorized). If a Marine wants to do a clean-shaven head, that is fine too. But if you are going to go "low regulation," you have to fade until at least the top orifice of the ear. No more zero fades with a quick graduation (within an inch or less of the hairline) to the maximum hair length.
Manicures in Utilities
There is some confusion about nail polish in the MCCUUs. Uniform Board 209 changed the policy and allowed female Marines to wear manicures that mimic the natural nail in MCCUUs. The natural nail, unless you chew your nail down to the quick, has a beige colored tip (the portion that extends beyond the nail bed). If you are going to wear nail polish in the MCCUUs you are restricted to clear or manicures that mimic the natural nail. The Board approved French/American and any other manicure that mimics the natural nail. So, you must have that white, off white, or beige tip. The nail on top of the nail bed must be pale pink, nude or peach like in color. A nail that is fully painted nude, peach or pink (with no white, off white or beige tip) is not authorized in utilities. Save that for your dress and service uniforms.
Marine Corps Birthday Ball Uniform Standardization for Officers and SNCOs
Per ALMAR 042/11, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball uniform for officers and SNCOs is the dress blue uniform (with blue trousers/skirt/slacks) or the evening dress uniform. This policy does not apply to Sgts and below.
Marine Corps Boot Program
The minimum requirement is one pair of hot weather and one pair of temperate weather boots. You may wear either the Marine Corps Combat Boot (MCCBs) or the Rugged All Terrain (RAT) boot, both will meet the minimum requirement. If you are wearing a certified optional boot, it MUST have the Marine Corps emblem on the heel of the boot, as well as a certification approval number tag (usually found on the inside upper portion of one of the boots). If the boot does not have both the tag and the emblem, it is not a certified uniform item and cannot be worn, even if it is from an approved manufacturer. Often manufactures offer a non-certified version of the approved boot for civilian wear. So be careful when shopping on line to look for both the emblem and the tag.
Naval Personnel Wearing Marine Corps Uniforms
Effective immediately, Sailors assigned to U.S. Marine Corps units who wear Marine Corps uniforms will abide by Marine Corps grooming standards, except male Sailors are not required to maintain zero fade hairstyles (NAVADMIN 233/18).
Ponytails in Marine Corps Uniforms
Ponytails are not authorized for wear in Marine Corps uniforms, except PT uniforms while PTing, for either female Sailors or Marines.
Uniform of the Day Policy for the National Capital Region
If you are visiting the Washington Metro Area, please review ALMAR 54/06. This is a local regulation, not a Uniform Board policy, but is applicable to all (visitors and Marines assigned permanently to the area).
White Crew-Neck Undershirts
MARADMIN 143/16 authorized female Marines to optionally wear white crew-neck, V-neck or no undershirt under the khaki service/dress shirts. The wear of the crew-neck undershirt is mandatory for all Marines with visible tattoos in the "V" area created by the open collar of the khaki service/dress shirts.