Marine Corps Uniform Board

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• The black tip pencil attachment is obsolete (since 2001).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

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 4400.201 vol 13 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.