Marine Corps Uniform Board

To balance the individual Marine's need for 'best value' clothing in terms of practicality, quality and cost within realistic supply support and fiscal constraints to ensure that the Marine Corps maintains functional, traditional and distinctive uniforms.

UNIFORM AND GROOMING STANDARDS FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS > United States Marine Corps Flagship > Messages Display
UNIFORM AND GROOMING STANDARDS FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS - MARADMIN 124/25

Uniform Board 221

Pending CMC decision.  Issues being considered in this board include:

• Positioning of devices on ribbons and medals. 
• Marine Corps Recruiting Command recruiter supplemental allowance.
• Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Barstow supplemental uniform allowance. 
• Boatcloaks for female Marines. 
• Pumps for the evening dress uniform. 
• All-weather coat (AWC) and tanker jacket. 

Uniform Board 220

The formal board meeting was held in October 2021.  The majority of the issues considered by this Board involved grooming standard revisions. The issues approved by CMC with the corresponding text changes are published via MARADMIN 134/22 and 615/22. See "Clarification and Resources" below for a visual depiction of the latest changes captured in MARADMIN 615/22.

Uniform Board 219

The formal board meeting was held in June 2021. Issues approved by CMC are published via MARADMIN 134/22.

MCO 1020.34H

Marine Corps Order 1020.34H Marine Corps Uniform Regulations

(Marine Corps Publications website version)

**It is recommended that the draft version of the Uniform Regs found directly above be used in lieu of this order (there have been many changes since its initial publication). The draft version will be the most up to date version and will be updated as new decisions and changes are made.**

Text Changes to the MCO can be found here.

Changes to figures/graphics due to administrative error/MARADMIN/ALMAR/PMCUB approval.  To see all graphic/figure changes, click here.
A summation of the existing changes is detailed below.

Figure 1-3.  Female hair length.  Due to an administrative error, this figure has been updated.  The line indicating the bottom edge of the collar was pointing to the wrong spot (the collar point instead of the bottom edge), and has been fixed.

Figure 4-3.  Placement of Branch of Service and officer grade insignia.  Change made based off MARADMIN 596/18.

Figure 4-8.  Placement of enlisted grade insignia and service stripes (women).  Change made based off MARADMIN 596/18.

Figure 5-5.  Placement of medals/ribbons on women's dress coats and khaki shirts.  Change made based off MARADMIN 596/18.

MCO 4400.201 Volume 13

Management of Property in Possession of the Marine Corps

Management of Property in Possession of the Marine Corps (replaced MCO P10120.28G).  There is a change to this order that was published via Naval Message.  You may view the message at the bottom of the civilian clothing allowance program information page attached here.

MCBUL 10120

Marine Corps Bulletin 10120

CURRENT FY Individual Clothing Allowances, click here (This link brings you to the Marine Corps publications website, where you will have to do a key word search for “MCBul 10120”).  Remember this is a fiscal year document.

Female Hair Standards (Per MARADMIN 615/22 and MCO 1020.34H):

• Long hair must be secured up—no loose ends or hair hanging naturally—except during non-combat physical training (PT).

• Medium and long hair may be worn in a loose ponytail or braid only during non-combat PT.

Authorized Hair Accessories:

• Inconspicuous hairpins and bobby pins are allowed.

• Barrettes, combs, etc. are allowed if they match hair color and are hidden by the hair.

• Ponytail holders must match hair color, but do not need to be hidden—just inconspicuous.

Not Authorized:

• Conspicuous hair accessories, including:

  • Headbands

  • Scrunchies

  • Alligator clips

  • Bows

These clarifications will be included in the publication of the updated MCO 1030.32H.

Belt Guidance for the Female Dress Blue Coat

Per MARADMIN 596/18, the belt must be worn at the natural waist.

• For the new female officer blue dress coat, the left edge of the buckle (wearer’s left) aligns with the left edge of the coat front, and the belt end extends to the left.

Why: The female blue dress coat closes in the opposite direction of the male coat, so the belt is worn in reverse to match.

Watchcaps

• The DSCP-issued coyote watchcap may be worn with PT gear or the MCCUU in garrison or the field when weather-appropriate.

Saluting requirements:

• When wearing the watchcap with the MCCUU, maintain normal saluting standards as if wearing the garrison cap.

• Do not salute when wearing the watchcap with PT gear.

Female marine haircut standards - fades and neck grooming

• Short hair:

  • A zero fade is allowed only at the nape of the neck.

  • The fade must start at skin (zero) and blend up to no more than 1 inch in length.

  • The fade must be complete within 2 inches of the bottom hairline.

  • Zero fades are not authorized on the sides of the head.

  • The shortest length on the sides is 1/4 inch (you may do a 1/4 inch fade on the sides).

• Long hair:

  • You may shave the hair on the back of your neck if it grows below the natural hairline and can’t be pulled into a bun.

French Fourragere wear guidance

• The black tip pencil attachment is obsolete (since 2001).

  • If you were permanently awarded the French Fourragere with a black tip, you may continue to wear it.

• Only Marines personally awarded the French Fourragere for actions in WWII may wear it as a permanent part of the uniform.

• Marines currently assigned to 5th or 6th Marines may wear the French Fourragere, using the polished brass tip pencil attachment.

Hands in Your Pockets policy (per mco 1020.34h)

• In garrison, you may not put your hands in your pockets unless you are retrieving something.

• In the field, use good judgment when applying this policy based on the situation.

Male marine haircut standards amplification

• zero fade must start at the nape of the neck and continue up to at least the top of the ear opening (top orifice of the ear).

• The fade must gradually increase in length up to your maximum hair length, which cannot be reached before the top of the ear.

• You can continue the zero fade above the ear before fading up to a high and tight—but at some point, it must blend into the hair on top.

  • Mohawks are not authorized.

• A clean-shaven head is also authorized.

• Not allowed: Fades that start at zero but jump to max length too quickly (e.g., within an inch of the hairline). The fade must be gradual and extend at least to the top of the ear.

Fingernails in uniform

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

Boot Requirements:

• You must own at least one pair of hot weather boots and one pair of temperate weather boots.

• Approved styles include the Marine Corps Combat Boot (MCCB) or the Rugged All Terrain (RAT) boot—either will meet the minimum requirement.

Optional Boots:

• If wearing an optional certified boot, it must have both:

  1. The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem on the heel

  2. A certification approval number tag (usually inside the upper boot)

• Boots without both the emblem and the tag are not authorized, even if made by an approved manufacturer.

• Be cautious when buying online—some companies sell non-certified versions of approved boots for civilian use. Always check for both required markings.

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.

White Crew-Neck Undershirts (maradmin 143/16)

• Marines may optionally wear a white crew-neck, V-neck, or no undershirt with khaki service or dress shirts.

• However, if you have visible tattoos in the “V” area of the open collar, you are required to wear a white crew-neck undershirt to keep them covered.

• Commander discretion for uniformity purposes when required.

Civilian Clothing Replacement Allowance (CCA) Program Process 

The Civilian Clothing Allowance (CCA) program provides financial reimbursement for Marines who are required to wear civilian attire as their uniform of the day. The program is outlined in MCO P10120.28 and includes three types of allowances.

Initial Permanent Duty CCA (IPDCCA)

Issued to Marines who are required to wear civilian attire as their uniform of the day for at least 180 days per year.

• Marines may only receive an IPDCCA once every three years, and only if they have had at least a one-year break from qualifying duty.

• Requires submission to the Marine Corps Uniform Board (MCUB) for approval.

Temporary Duty CCA (TDCCA)

Issued to Marines on TAD who are required to wear civilian attire full time.

• Requires a minimum of 15 qualifying TAD days, which do not need to be consecutive.

• If a Marine accumulates 30 or more qualifying days within a three-year period, they may rate the higher payment tier.

• The effective date for TDCCA is the first day of the first qualifying TAD assignment.

• Must be submitted to MCUB for approval.

How to Request a cCA 

Requests may be submitted via Administrative Action (AA) Form or Naval Letter addressed to:

President, Marine Corps Uniform Board
Via: Chain of Command

Each request must include the following information:

• Full name and rank

• EDIPI and EAS

• Type of allowance requested (IPDCCA, CCRA, TDCCA)

• Effective date of assignment or TAD dates

• Justification (e.g., "Marine is required to wear civilian attire for more than six months out of the year while performing duties as a ___")

• D926 screenshot from 3270 (Miscellaneous Payment History Page)

Additional Guidance for Units

• CCRA requests are tied to the original IPDCCA and can be submitted every year on the anniversary date as long as the Marine remains in qualifying duty.

• For multiple Marines, units may compile a table with all required information and submit a list letter.

• Do not forget to attach D926 screenshots for each Marine.

Civilian Clothing Replacement Allowance Rates

FY25 - $410.04
FY24 - $401.04
FY23 - $391.32
FY22 - $382.68    
FY21 - $375.84    
FY20 - $368.28    
FY19 - $360.72    
FY18 - $354.24    
FY17 - $347.04
FY16 - $340.80    
FY15 - $335.40    
FY14 - $329.76    
FY13 - $323.52    
FY12 - $318.00    

From now on, all CCA requests must include a screenshot from MCTFS (3270).  Please send a screenshot of the Marines D926 page with each request.  Requests cannot be processed without that screenshot.  

Uniform Board Process and Recommendation Submission

The Uniform Board process starts with a recommendation.  The recommendation can come from anywhere, but if it's coming from an individual Marine, it needs a command endorsement.  Once enough issues are compiled for a formal Board meeting, the issues are briefed to the President, Marine Corps Uniform Board (PMCUB).  The issues approved by the PMCUB are then sent to the first formal step of the process, the Working Group.

The Working Group is comprised of Marines from the local area, as well as subject duty experts, and when feasible, advocates for the issues, and is presided over by the Working Group Head.  The Working Group is tasked with developing a formal recommendation for each issue for the Board.  The Working Group results are then put in survey format (when feasible) and sent to the Corps for votes via Marines.mil.  This is the one step in the formal board process where individual Marines get a chance to vote.  In addition to a strong media push announcing the survey, all active Uniform Board surveys are announced on the MCUB webpage.  After the survey results are reviewed, they are forwarded, along with the Working Group results, to the formal Uniform Board.

The Uniform Board (membership is appointed by CMC and includes Marines from the local schools at MCB Quantico) is tasked with providing a final vote and recommendation to CMC for each issue.  Before forwarding the survey results and Board recommendations to CMC for decision, CMC's staff is offered an opportunity to review and provide comments on each issue.  Once CMC renders his decisions, the Board results are published via ALMAR, a coordinated press/social media push is facilitated by HQMC, and are posted on this website..

If you have an idea, and would like to submit a recommendation, please send an email (or call) to the POC detailed at this bottom of this page before you dedicate a lot of resources and time.  You will be contacted directly with what is needed for your request to receive consideration.