From the National Director- Michael Blum
Fellow Marines and FMF
Corpsmen - there are hundreds of things I would prefer to discuss in my column
in Semper Fi, most of which would not be controversial. However, over the past
few months, the issue of “authorized uniforms” has become such a highly mis-understood
and widely discussed subject, it demands to be addressed.
I will not
embarrass anybody or discuss specific "violations". That is not the purpose
here. What we want to get across is the clear-cut uniform code of the Marine
Corps League and the Federal Laws that specify how, when, where and by whom, any
portion of the U. S. Marine Corps uniform may be worn.
Let me begin by saying,
I am not trying to
"interpret" the MCL uniform code. There really isn’t anything to interpret. It
is very cut and dried.
The only time problems arise is when people try to make the uniform code fit
their individual ideas. Having said that, I will NOT re-print the MCL Uniform
Code here. It is available on this website at
Uniform
Code
on the Main Menu. If you prefer, you can purchase a current set of National
Bylaws and Administrative Procedures by calling National Headquarters.
Suffice it to say that, as you will see later in this column, the United States
Marine Corps and the Department of Defense has total legal control over the wear
of any portion of the Marine Corps uniform. We are grateful that members of the
Marine Corps League have been authorized to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor,
Dress Blue Trousers with or without the NCO Stripe (as appropriate) and under
very specific circumstances, the Khaki Uniform Shirt. In return for that
permission, we agreed to monitor the proper wear of those portions of the Marine
Corps League uniform that we have "borrowed" from the U. S. Marine Corps.
Let me point out the two (2) very specific violations of this agreement that we
most often see: AT NO TIME IS ANY MEMBER OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE AUTHORIZED
TO WEAR THE WHITE BARRACKS COVER AS PART OF ANY MARINE CORPS LEAGUE UNIFORM
(you will see later when, where and by whom the USMC Dress Blue Uniform may be
worn and we recognize the white barracks cover as part of that uniform). The
second violation is the illegal and unauthorized wear of the khaki uniform
shirt. The MCL Uniform Code specifies, "Regular members of Departments, and/or
Detachments having "COLOR GUARDS" may wear the "CEREMONIAL Uniform" ONLY when
participating in those ceremonies (Color Guard Ceremonies, i. e. parades and
color presentations). The "Ceremonial Uniform" is the ONLY authorized MCL
uniform that includes the wear of the khaki shirt. The dictionary defines COLOR
GUARD as: "the persons carrying and escorting the colors (flag) in a parade,
ceremony, etc." Typically, in addition to the flag bearers, who are positioned
in the center of the Color Guard, there are 2 individuals who carry rifles. As
an organization, we have extended this to include Funeral/Burial Honor Guards
when appropriate. THAT’S IT! The khaki shirt is NOT authorized to be worn at
any other time.
Now let’s discuss the wearing of the uniform of the United States Marine Corps.
For brevity, I will paraphrase but I will include those portions of the DoD
directives and USMC Regulations that pertain to our members.
Appropriate Wear of the Uniform and Medals/Ribbons
1.
Regulations governing the wear of uniforms by active duty/retired, former
Marines and civilians serving with the Corps:
Chapter 11 MCO P1020.3G, Marine Corps Uniform Regulations (Source Document)
Basic guidance (Active Duty/Reservist/Retiree and Former Marines) –
11002.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DIRECTIVES PERTAINING TO UNIFORMS
1. Implementing 10 U.S.C. 772, the President, by Executive Order 10554 of 18
August 1954, delegated to the Secretary of Defense the authority to prescribe
regulations under which persons may wear the uniform. The following excerpts
from DoD Directive 1334.1 of 11 August 1969 outline these regulations:
a. Members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of reserve
components). The wearing of the uniform is prohibited under any of the
following circumstances:
(2) During or in connection with the furtherance of political activities,
private employment or commercial interests, when an inference of official
sponsorship for the activity or interest could be drawn.
(3) Except when authorized by competent Service authority, when participating in
activities such as public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies
or any public demonstration (including those pertaining to civil rights), which
may imply Service sanction of the cause for which the demonstration or activity
is conducted.
(4) When wearing of the uniform would tend to bring discredit upon the Armed
Forces.
(5) When specifically prohibited by regulations of the department concerned.
b. Former Members of the Armed Forces. Unless qualified under another provision
of this Order or under the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 772, former members who
served honorably during a declared or undeclared war and whose most recent
service was terminated under honorable conditions may wear the uniform in the
highest grade held during such war service ONLY upon the following occasions and
in the course of travel incident thereto:
(1) Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals. (NOTE:
Military–not civilian)
(2) Parades on national or state holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a
patriotic character in which any active or reserve United States military unit
are taking part. ‘Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time
or for any purpose is prohibited.’
c. Medal of Honor Holders. Persons who have been awarded the Medal of Honor may
wear the uniform at their pleasure except under the circumstances set forth in
Subsection a., above."
2. Pursuant to DoD Instruction 5410.20, unauthorized use of approved Marine
Corps uniform emblems or insignia on civilian attire, or other non-uniform
attire, is prohibited.
11003.
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY POLICY PERTAINING TO UNIFORMS
1. Pursuant to subparagraph
11002.1a (5), the Secretary of the Navy has prescribed that:
a. The exercise of the rights of freedom of speech and assembly does not include
the right to borrow the inherent dignity, prestige, and traditions represented
by uniforms of the naval service to lend weight and significance to privately
held convictions on public issues.
b. Members of the Navy and Marine Corps (including retired members and members
of Reserve components) are prohibited from wearing uniforms of the naval service
while attending or participating in, or continuing to attend or participate in,
a demonstration, assembly, or activity with knowledge that a purpose of such
demonstration, assembly, or activity is the furtherance of personal or partisan
views on political, social, economic, or religious issues except:
(1) In connection with official duties or as otherwise authorized in advance by
competent (military) authority; or
(2) Incident to attendance at or participation in a bona fide religious service
or observance.
11004. LAWS
PERTAINING TO THE UNIFORM
1. Per 10 U.S.C. 771, no
person, unless otherwise authorized by law, may wear the uniform or a
distinctive part of the uniform of which is similar to a distinctive part of the
Marine Corps uniform.
2. According to 18 U.S.C. 702, whoever wears the Marine Corps uniform without
authority, in any place within the jurisdiction of the United States will be
fined not more than $250 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
3. According to 10 U.S.C. 772, the Marine Corps uniform may be worn by
personnel not on active duty under the following conditions:
a. Retired Marine Corps officers may bear the title and wear the uniform of
their retired grade.
b. Former Marines who are discharged honorably or under honorable conditions
from the Marine Corps may wear their uniform while going from the place of
discharge to their home of record, within three months after discharge.
c. Former Marines not on active duty who served honorably in time of war in the
Marine Corps may bear the title, and as authorized by regulations prescribed by
the President, wear the uniform of the highest grade held during that war (ONLY
as prescribed above) (subparagraph 11002.1).
Grooming Standards. Anyone who
wears the Marine Corps Uniform must abide by the Marine Corps Grooming standards
(paragraph 1004 and 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations). Active
duty/Reservists/Retirees and former Marines must also abide by the height and
weight standards (paragraph 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations).
Wear of Proper Insignia and Awards. When wearing a Marine Corps uniform you may
only wear your current rank, or the rank that you left the service with and may
only wear the awards you rate per your personnel records. No deviations of this
policy are authorized.
Activities where you may not wear the Uniform. Paragraph 11002 of the Uniform
Regulations provides a list of activities that you may not wear the uniform
(i.e. to an event that brings discredit to the Corps, to events in support of
political interests, private and/or commercial employment…).
Retiree/Reservist Wear of Uniforms. As a Retiree/Reservist you may wear the
uniform for basically any event that you wore the uniform while on active duty.
1003. RESTRICTIONS ON WEARING UNIFORMS
1. Members of the Marine
Corps and Marine Corps Reserve, including retired Marines, are prohibited from
wearing the Marine Corps uniform while engaged in any of the following
activities, functions or circumstances:
a. Soliciting funds for any purpose from the public outside of a military base
or establishment.
b. Participating in any type of show or event which is commercially sponsored
for advertising purposes, where it could be implied or construed that the Marine
Corps "endorses" the product advertised.
c. "Endorsing" commercial products in such ways as to involve the uniform,
title, grade or rate, or in any way establish or imply their military
affiliation with such products.
d. Appearing or participating in any event in public that would compromise the
dignity of the uniform.
As a former Marine there are some restrictions:
You must have served during a time of war (i.e. earned the National Defense
Medal during your time in service) and received an honorable discharge to wear
the uniform.
Events you are restricted to wearing it to:
Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals.
Parades on national or state holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a
patriotic character in which any active or reserve United States military unit
are taking part. ‘Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time
or for any purpose is prohibited.’
I am not naïve
enough to believe that this article will put all the questions and discussions
to rest. Yesterday, I received an e-mail saying that one Detachment’s Honor
Guard would simply keep wearing their "Dress Blues" and call themselves by
another name. As pointed out above, that is a Federal criminal offense and can
only cause embarrassment and major problems for them, down the road.
As proud members of the Marine Corps League, we should be guided by this
thought:
We are Marines - Marines do the "right thing". Marines wear the
"authorized and prescribed Uniform of the Day". Your First Sergeant never told
you to "wear whatever you want today", and you certainly didn’t wear an
"unauthorized uniform" until someone caught you wearing it. Respect the U. S.
Marine Corps uniform and respect the Marine Corps League uniform. Wear each as
appropriate and prescribed.
Semper Fidelis --
Mike
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Uniform Code Extracts
The Red Overseas Cover is the
minimum item to wear to be considered "In uniform, & under arms."
Click here for a full
description of regulations |
 |
| I. Marine Corps League
Medals and Ribbons
Marine Corps League medals may be worn on any
Marine Corps league uniform except Casual, starting with the most
distinguished medal/ribbon first and others following in sequence. See
enclosure (4) National Award Section for further details. Under no
conditions are Marine Corps Service medals/ribbons to be worn with Marine
Corps League medals/ribbons. It must be one or the other. Marine Corps
Service or Marine Corps League ribbons are to be worn above left shirt
pocket.
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| V. Marine Corps League
Patches
Marine Corps League patches shall be worn on the
left sleeve, one and one-half (1 1/2) inches below the shoulder seam. No
service or Unit patches to be worn on the Marine Corps League Uniform. Devil
Dog Patch will be worn on the right sleeve one and one-half (1 1/2) inches
below the shoulder seam.
U.S. flag 2" x 3 1/2" on right sleeve 1 1/2" below
the shoulder seam, if not member of MODD, and may be worn by Associate
members.
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| VI. Marine Corps
League Covers
All members of the Marine Corps League are
authorized the Red cover. Members elected to National office, or appointed
to National Staff/Committees are authorized to wear Gold covers. The
National Commandant will wear a White cover. Members elected to, or
appointed on the Department (State) level are authorized to wear Red with
Gold crown covers. The Past National Commandants are authorized to wear a
Gold with White crown cover. Past Department Commandant, Past Detachment
Commandant, Past Kennel Chief and Past National Director of Young Marines,
with the years displayed for holding that office, are the only members who
are authorized to wear their respective cover after their tour of duty is
completed. All other personnel will revert back to what they were wearing
before they were elected or appointed to office, removing past office
identification strips. The only insignia authorized to be worn on Marine
Corps League covers is the Marine Corps Emblem on left side. The Devil Dog
patch will be worn up front on the right side of the cover. The
identification strips, i.e., the Department or Detachment strip or
embroidering will be centered on the right side. If the Life strip is worn,
it will be to the rear of the right side. The Life Member strip will be worn
the same as the identification strips are worn. NO Division pins or other
ornaments are authorized to be worn on Marine Corps League covers.
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| VII. Special Uniform
Authorization
At the National Convention it was voted to allow
Khaki shirts for ceremonial teams. Note however, that this uniform will not
be allowed at any Marine Corps League normal function, such as meetings,
Department or National Conventions, etc. The ceremonial uniform will consist
of a khaki shirt, dress blue trousers with red stripe for regular members,
black shoes and socks, and the Marine Corps League red cover. No other
covers or campaign covers will be worn. The uniform will not have any
military ribbons or medals, but Marine Corps League ribbons are acceptable.
The uniform will include the M.C.L. patch on the left shoulder and sunburst
or the M.C.L. collar emblems and the Devil Dog ribbon and patch worn if
appropriate. Otherwise, the American flag can be worn on the right sleeve.
Permission may be granted by the Department Commandant for uniform
variations to cope with unusual weather conditions where applicable. It must
be in written form accompanied by color photographs of the front, rear, and
both sides of the request and sent to the Department for their records, and
the uniform variance can only be worn within that Department.
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| |
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UNIFORM - MALE |
| UNDRESS - (Long
Sleeve)
Standard cover - with Devil Dog patch when
authorized.
Devil Dog collar (optional), Name tag (optional).
Sunburst insignias
Marine Corps League shoulder patch (left sleeve) - Devil Dog patch (right
sleeve) when authorized, or U.S. flag 2" x 3 1/2" if not member of MODD (see
NOTE 2)
Marine Corps League ribbons OR Marine Corps ribbons and Badges (NOT MIXED).
White shirt, military crease (to be Airline pilot style with two (2) pockets
with button down flaps and epaulets)
Tie, black, with Marine Corps or Marine Corps League gold tie bar.
Trousers, Blue dress (with NCO "red" stripe) with belt, Marine Corps.
Web with brass buckle.
Trousers, Black (optional).
Belt, black with Marine Corps emblem on square gold buckle or Belt, black,
dress (optional).
Socks, black.
Shoes, black, plain toe.
|
| UNDRESS - (Short
Sleeve)
Standard cover - with Devil Dog patch when
authorized.
Devil Dog collar (optional), Name tag (optional).
Sunburst insignias.
Marine Corps League shoulder patch (left sleeve) - Devil Dog patch (right
sleeve) when authorized, or U.S. flag 2" x 3 1/2" if not member of MODD (see
Para V).
Marine Corps League ribbons OR Marine Corps ribbons and Badges (NOT MIXED).
White shirt open collar, military crease (to be Airline pilot style with two
(2) pockets with button down flaps and epaulets).
Trousers, Blue dress (with NCO "red" stripe) with Belt, Marine Corps Web
with brass buckle.
Trousers, Black (optional).
Belt, black with Marine Corps emblem on square gold buckle or Belt, black,
dress (optional).
Socks, black.
Shoes, black, plain toe.
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| CASUAL
Standard cover - with Devil Dog patch when
authorized.
Devil Dog Collar (Optional).
Blazer, Red, two (2) Marine Corps League buttons on front and three (3)
Marine Corps League buttons on cuffs. (up to 3 large medals can be worn with this uniform).
White shirt, plain collar (no button down collars or sunburst insignias on
collar).
Black tie with Marine Corps or Marine Corps league gold tie bar.
Marine Corps League Crest of Bullion seal.
Trousers, black.
Belt, black with Marine Corps emblem on square gold buckle or belt, black,
dress (optional).
Socks, black.
Shoes, black, plain toe.
Lapel pin (s) - See note 1 below.
|
| FORMAL DRESS
Standard cover - with Devil Dog patch when
authorized.
Devil Dog Collar or Chapel of Four Chaplains medal, choice of one (1)
(optional).
Military bow tie - black.
White shirt, formal (standard collar), pleated. (NO RUFFLED SHIRTS).
Gold cuff links and gold studs.
Marine Corps League Blazer Crest or Bullion Seal is optional with the Formal
Dress when miniature medals are worn.
Marine Corps League Red Mess Jacket, medium weight gabardine material with
Marine Corps League buttons, gold waist chain and sunbursts in locating
holes in jacket collar (WHEN AVAILABLE).
Red Blazer optional to Red Mess Jacket.
Cummerbund, gold or Gold vest front (only approved design).
Trousers, black tux pants or trousers, black (optional).
Belt, black with Marine Corps emblem on square gold buckle or belt, black,
dress (optional).
Socks, black.
Shoes, black, plain toe.
Miniature medals as prescribed (large medals may be worn on Red Mess
Jacket).
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NOTE 1:
The following lapel pins may be worn, but NOT more than two (2) - your
choice:
The Past National Commandant Pin may be worn inboard with the National
Marine of the Year outboard. Also National Marine of the Year may be worn
inboard with a Past Department or Detachment Commandant Pin (one (1) only).
Kennel Devil Dog of the Year Pin to be worn outboard of National Marine of
the Year. The Chapel of Four Chaplains, Membership or Retired Marine lapel
pins may also be worn, under same limitations. |
