Marine Officer Uniform Regulations 2nd Lt
When commissioning or reporting to your first duty station (PTAD or TBS) you should not stress. Commissioning is a momentous time in your life that you should enjoy thoroughly but recognize for its significance. You are no longer a candidate or midshipman, you are an Officer of Marines and are expected to act as such. Therefore, wholeheartedly embrace your new position with confidence, strength, and humility and seek to better yourself each day. Likewise, reporting to your first duty will mostly consist of a good deal of paperwork, a few briefings with unit personnel, and unpacking. Just ensure you uniform is squared away (follow the tutorial below), haircut is in regulation, and you have copies of your orders, driver’s license, small notepad and a black pen. It also wouldn’t hurt to bring a small snack and a bottle of water as well.
This guide covers both the service alpha and dress blue alpha uniform setup for newly commissioned Marine Corps officers. It lists each uniform component required, along with the corresponding regulation regarding its wear, and the page containing said information within the Marine Corps Order.
HAIRCUT/SHAVE
From: http://www.hidesertstar.com/
-Less than 3 inches in length
-Bulk of hair less than 2 inches
-Faded at hairline from 0 length
-Clean shaven on face and neck (don’t check in with an in-regs mustache)
Hair will be neat and closely trimmed. The hair may be clipped at the edges of the side and back and will be evenly graduated all the way around the head (blended or faded and not edged as an outline) from zero length at the hairline in the lower portion of the head to the upper portion of the head. Hair will not be over 3 inches in length fully extended (an extended hair, not the style, determines proper length) on the upper portion of the head. The bulk of the hair shall not exceed approximately two inches. Bulk is defined as the distance that the mass of hair protrudes from the scalp when styled. The back and sides of the head below the hairline may be shaved to remove body hair. MARADMIN 504/07
Page 1-10 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
SERVICE ALPHA UNIFORM
SERVICE ALPHA COAT
From: https://manlypat.wordpress.com/category/my-personal-journey/
-Service belt extends to wearer’s left
-Service belt covers bottom button of coat
-Service belt’s tapered end extends 2 ¾ to 3 ¾ inch beyond buckle
-Buckle highly polished
The complete upper-half wear of the service alpha uniform. Notice how the belt buckle is aligned with service jacket outside edge (gig line).
Page 3-4 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
-EGA insignias vertical
-EGA insignia’s anchors inboard
-EGA insignia’s wing tips parallel to bottom of coat
Likewise, the Eagle Globe and Anchor collar insignias are positioned vertically in the eyelets provided, anchors inboard, and wing tips parallel to bottom of the coat.
Page 4-9 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
-Ribbons centered on left pocket
-Ribbons positioned 1/8 in above pocket top seam
Ribbon bars will be centered 1/8 inch above and parallel to the top edge of the upper left pocket of dress "B" coats, service coats, and men's khaki shirts. When marksmanship badges are worn, ribbon bars will be centered over the pocket with the bottom edge of the ribbon bar 1/8 inch above the widest holding bar of the marksmanship badge(s).
Page 5-32 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
-Rank insignia at midpoint center of shoulder
-Rank insignia 3/4 inch from outside edge
Rank insignia is placed at the midpoint center of the shoulder-board positioned 3/4 inch from the outer-most edge.
Page 4-23 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
KHAKI LONG SLEEVE SHIRT
-Rank insignia centered between top & bottom edge of collar
-Rank insignia 1 inch from inside edge
-Rank insignia parallel to inside edge
-Always wear shirt-stays with khaki shirts
Collar grade insignia will be worn on both sides of the collar of khaki shirts. When the service "A" uniform is worn by officers, the wear of the collar insignia is required at all times. The insignia will be centered between the top and bottom edge of the collar, with the outer edge of the insignia one inch from the front edge of the collar. When the shirt collar is buttoned up the insignia will be parallel to the collar edge.
Page 4-22, 4-26 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
NECKTIE
-Half Windsor knot
-Tie clasp worn on lower half of tie between 3rd and 4th buttons from top
-Dimple at base of knot preferred
Page 3-21 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
TROUSERS
-Trouser legs have slight break over shoe in front
-Trouser legs reach 1/4 inch above or below shoe welt in rear
-Trouser hems 2-3 inch wide
-Trouser crease at center front and rear of each leg
-Trouser crease extends from bottom of hem to 2 inches above trouser crotch
Not much to explain here as the Marine Shop or TBS Uniform shop already tailor your trousers to conform to the established standards. Just ensure they’re wrinkle free and exhibit the proper crease standards as shown in the above photo and in the order below.
Page 3-32 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
BELT
-Web belt
-Highly polished
-Tip of belt on wearer’s left
-Tip extends 2-4 inches beyond buckle
The tip end of the web belt will pass through the buckle to the wearer's left and will extend from 2 to 4 inches beyond the buckle
Page 3-4 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf )
GARRISON CAP
-Centered squarely on head
-Top slit unbroken
-Base of sweatband 1inch above eyebrows
-Rank insignia bisected by flap
-Rank insignia bisects flap arch
The left service collar insignia will be worn on the left front side of the garrison cap, with the insignia centered vertically in the eyelet provided. Collar grade insignia will be worn on the right side of the garrison cap opposite to the branch of service collar insignia, with the insignia placed at a point midway on the arc of the flap and the flap generally bisecting the insignia.
Page 4-9, 4-26 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
FOOTWEAR/SOCKS
-Standard corfam or shined low quarter shoe
-Black socks
Page 3-11
http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf
DRESS BLUE ALPHA UNIFORM
DRESS BLUE ALPHA COAT
-EGA collar insignias vertical
-EGA collar insignia’s anchors inboard
-EGA collar insignia’s wing tips parallel to bottom of coat
-White collar extending no more than ¼ inch above jacket collar
-Rank insignia at midpoint center of shoulder
-Rank insignia 3/4 inch from outside edge
-Large medals centered above left breast pocket
-Upper edge of medal holding bar on a line midway between the first and second buttons jacket
Rank insignia is placed at the midpoint center of the shoulder-board positioned 3/4 inch from the outer-most edge.The Eagle Globe and Anchor collar insignias are positioned vertically in the eyelets provided, anchors inboard, and wing tips parallel to bottom of the coat.
Page 2-4, 4-9, 4-23
(http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
WHITE LONG SLEEVE SHIRT
-Cuff links used
-Shirt tucked into trousers
-Shirt cuffs extend 1/8 inch below bottoms of coat sleeves
The male white soft-bosom shirt is a plain, neckband-style shirt with French cuffs, five pearl buttons, and a collar stud for top buttonhole. It is worn with the officers' blue dress coat. The shirt cuffs should extend 1/8 inch below the bottoms of the coat sleeves.
Page 3-24
(http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
WHITE OR BLUE TROUSERS
-White trousers (mid-March to October)
-Blue trousers (November to mid-March)
-Suspenders or web belt worn
-Trouser legs have slight break over shoe in front
-Trouser legs reach 1/4 inch above or below shoe welt in rear
-Trouser hems 2-3 inches wide
-Trouser crease at center front and rear of each leg
-Trouser crease extends from bottom of hem to 2 inches above trouser crotch
The Marine Shop or TBS Uniform shop already tailor your trousers to conform to the established standards. Just ensure they’re wrinkle free and exhibit the proper crease standards as shown in the above photo and in the order below.
Page 3-32 (http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
SAM BROWNE BELT
-Worn around natural waist
-Cross strap semi-tight
-Belt buckle covers bottom button of coat
-Shoulder strap fed underneath right shoulder board
-Mameluke sword worn at discretion of commander
The belt is worn over the service or dress coats around the natural waist, shoulder strap over the right shoulder, and tightened with the buckle centered in front. Lastly, notice how the belt buckle is aligned with service jacket outside edge (gig line).
Page 7-10
(http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
DRESS CAP
-Worn centered and straight
-Tip of visor in line with eyebrows when worn
-Visor polished
-EGA ornament wings parallel to deck
-Eagles on side screw pins facing upright
-Cap held in left hand with top of cover facing the ceiling when carried
Page 3-7
http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf
FOOTWEAR/SOCKS
-Standard corfam or shined low quarter shoe
-Black socks
All Marines may purchase and wear approved commercial black leather and synthetic leather shoes in semi-gloss or high gloss (patent) finishes on an optional basis.
Page 3-11
(http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
WHITE GLOVES
-Worn outside
-Removed inside
White gloves may be worn or carried with evening dress, blue-dress, or blue-white dress during summer and winter uniform seasons.
Page 3-11
(http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf)
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