CHAPTER 2: DESIGNATED UNIFORMS AND OCCASIONS
FOR THEIR WEAR

2000. DESIGNATION OF UNIFORMS
1. Authorized uniforms for Marine officers are designated as evening dress, blue dress, white dress (until year 2000), blue-white dress, service, and utility.

2. Authorized uniforms for enlisted Marines are designated as blue dress, blue-white dress, service, and utility. The evening dress uniform is authorized for wear by staff noncommissioned officers as an optional uniform.

3. The uniform of the day should normally be the service uniform. However, after 1 October 1994 all Marines will possess one modified blue uniform thereby allowing commanders to prescribe blue dress "C"/"D" as the uniform of the day on certain occasions. For those commands where a supplementary blue uniform clothing allowance has been authorized the uniform of the day will be the service or blue dress uniform at the discretion of the commander. The service uniforms, blue dress "B," "C," or "D," and blue-white dress "B" and white dress "B" uniforms may be prescribed for leave and liberty within the United States.

2001. EVENING DRESS UNIFORMS

1. The officers' evening dress "A" uniform will be prescribed for official formal evening functions at which civilians would normally wear evening clothes or "white tie" during both winter and summer. The evening dress "A" uniform with white waistcoat for male officers and long skirt for female officers is appropriate for the following "white tie" occasions:

a. State occasions at the White House, or at foreign Embassies/Legations.

b. Inaugural receptions and dinners.

c. Formal dinners.

2. The officers' evening dress "B" uniform with scarlet waistcoat (general officers only) or scarlet cummerbund (all other officers) will be prescribed for official social functions at which civilians would normally wear dinner dress or "black tie" during both winter and summer. Women may wear the long or short skirt, depending on the degree of formality of the function. The evening dress "B" uniform is appropriate for the following "black tie" occasions:

a. Club affairs.

b. Dinner parties.

c. Dinner dances.

d. Evening celebrations in honor of the Marine Corps Birthday.

3. Officers not required and who do not possess evening dress who attend functions at which evening dress is prescribed will wear the blue dress "A" or blue-white dress "A" uniform as appropriate for the occasion/season.

4. SNCO's may optionally wear the SNCO evening dress uniform in lieu of the blue dress uniform for social functions at which civilians would normally wear white or black tie during winter and summer.

2002. MESS DRESS UNIFORMS. The mess dress uniform was declared obsolete on 1 July 1992 and is no longer authorized for wear on any occasion.

2003. BLUE DRESS UNIFORMS

1. The blue dress "A" uniform (or for officers, the blue-white dress "A" uniform when appropriate to the season) may be prescribed for parades, ceremonies and formal or semiformal social functions. The blue or blue-white dress "A" uniform, as appropriate, will be prescribed for the following official military/social occasions:

a. Parades, ceremonies, reviews, solemnities, and entertainments when the commander/senior officer present desires to pay special honors to the occasion.

b. Official visits of, or to, United States civil officials, officers of the United States Armed Forces, and officials/officers of foreign governments, according to chapter 12, U.S. Navy Regulations.

c. Receptions given by, or in honor of, officials/officers listed in chapter 12, U.S. Navy Regulations.

d. At daytime formal or semiformal occasions.

2. The dress "B" uniforms consist of the same items as the corresponding dress "A" uniforms, except that ribbons are worn in lieu of medals. Shooting badges may be prescribed. The blue dress "B" uniform (or for officers, the blue-white dress "B" uniform when appropriate for the season) may be prescribed for parades, ceremonies, informal social functions, and as the uniform of the day. The blue or blue-white dress "B" uniform ,may also be prescribed for parades, ceremonies, reviews, and at other such solemnities or entertainments as determined by the commander (such as official visits and daytime receptions).  (ALMAR 144/95)

3. Blue dress uniforms are designated as follows:

a. The blue dress "A" uniform includes the blue dress coat with large medals. This uniform will not be worn for leave or liberty.

b. The blue dress "B" uniform consists of the same items as blue dress "A" except that ribbons are worn in lieu of medals.

c. The blue dress uniform with long sleeve khaki shirt (without coat), and tie for male Marines and tab for female Marines, is designated as blue dress "C." Commanders may prescribe blue dress "C" as the uniform of the day for specified occasions or duties. Commanders may prescribe this uniform for honors, parades, and ceremonies on and off the military activity. This uniform is authorized for leave and liberty. The blue dress sweater may be worn as part of the blue dress "C" uniform at the option of the individual except on those occasions when the wear of the blue coat would be more appropriate. The sweater may be worn as part of the duty uniform both on and off the military installation and for commuting to and from work. The sweater may be worn as the uniform of the day and on leave and liberty but will not be worn for inspections, ceremonial formations, or parades.

d. The blue dress uniform with short sleeve khaki shirt (without coat) is designated as blue dress "D." Commanders may prescribe blue dress "D" as the uniform of the day for specified occasions or duties. During the winter uniform period, commanders may, at their discretion when the weather requires, authorize blue dress "D" as the uniform of the day. Commanders may prescribe this uniform for honors, parades, and ceremonies where climatic conditions preclude the comfortable wear of the blue dress "A" or "B" uniforms. This uniform is authorized for leave or liberty.

4. Female Marines may wear slacks as part of the blue dress uniforms per paragraph 3026.

5. Individuals may wear either the all-season polyester/wool gabardine uniform or the all-wool blue uniforms on a year-round basis on all occasions for which the blue dress uniforms are prescribed or authorized.

6. Male field grade officers and below may continue to wear blue coats with blue trousers of different fabrics; however, the future purchase/sale of blue dress uniforms with coats and trousers of different fabrics is prohibited. For female Marines, the coat and skirt must be of the same material; however, if the coat is worn with slacks, the coat and slacks may be of different materials.  (ALMAR 144/95)

2004. WHITE DRESS UNIFORM.  As of 1 October 2000, the officer's white dress uniform is no longer authorized for wear.  (ALMAR 144/99)

2005. BLUE-WHITE DRESS UNIFORMS
1. The officer's blue-white dress "A" and "B" uniforms will be prescribed when appropriate to the season for the same types of official military/social occasions for which the equivalent blue dress uniform is prescribed per sub paragraphs 2003.1 and 2003.2. The blue-white dress uniform will not be worn by officers in ceremonies with enlisted Marines who are not authorized white trousers as part of an organizational property issue. On such occasions, officers will wear the uniform prescribed for enlisted personnel.

2. The blue-white dress "A" uniform consists of the same items as the blue dress "A" except the trousers/skirt/slacks will be white. Female officers will wear black pumps, black oxfords, or black dress flats (per the guidance at subparagraph 3010.4), black handbag/purse (when required or desired), skin-tone nylon hose (with coat and skirt) or either dark hose or black socks (with coat and slacks), optional gold or pearl earrings as authorized with the equivalent blue dress uniform (when desired) and white shirt with scarlet necktab (with coat and skirt) or black necktab (with coat and slacks). However, only those female officers in assignments requiring the wear of blue slacks will be required to possess white slacks. Trousers, skirts, and slacks for enlisted Marines or white slacks for female officers will be procured from commercial sources utilizing specifications, patterns, and materials obtained from CG MCLB Albany, per subparagraph 1007.5. This uniform may only be prescribed for official parades, ceremonies, and reviews, and formal/ semiformal social occasions and will not be worn on leave or liberty.  (ALMAR 144/95)

3. The blue-white dress "B" uniform consists of the same items as the blue-white dress "A" uniform, except that ribbons are worn in lieu of medals (shooting badges may be prescribed). This uniform will be worn under the same conditions as the blue dress "B" uniform. This uniform can be worn on leave and liberty.

2006. SERVICE UNIFORMS (See figs. 2-20 through 2-28, 2-31, and 2-32.)
1. The service "A" uniform may be prescribed for parades, ceremonies, social events, and as the uniform of the day. It will normally be worn when reporting for duty, unless otherwise prescribed by the commander. The service "A" uniform will be prescribed for the following official military occasions:

a.When assigned as a member of courts-martial or courts of inquiry.

b. Official visits and calls of, or to, United States civil officials, officers of the United States Armed Forces, and officials/officers of foreign governments per chapter 12, U.S. Navy Regulations.

c. When visiting the White House and the temporary White Houses at all times, except in a tourist capacity or when an individual is specifically invited either on a social or official occasion for which another uniform is indicated on the invitation.

2. Service uniforms are designated as follows:

a. The service "A" uniform includes the service coat. When the service "A" uniform is prescribed as the uniform of the day, it is appropriate to remove the coat in office buildings within the confines of a military activity or establishment. Women may wear either the long or short sleeve khaki shirt and green neck tab with this uniform. The service "A" uniform is authorized for leave and liberty.

b. The service "B" uniform (with long sleeve shirt and tie) is the same as the service "A" uniform except that the service coat is not worn. This uniform may be worn as the uniform of the day and for leave and liberty, unless otherwise prescribed by the commander, and may be prescribed for formations at parades or ceremonies on and off the military activity. This uniform will not be worn for formal or semi-formal social events.

c. The short sleeve khaki shirt with appropriate service trousers or skirt/slacks is designated as the service "C" uniform. During the winter season, commanders may, at their discretion, when the weather requires, authorize the service "C" uniform. This uniform may be worn as a uniform of the day and for leave or liberty, unless otherwise prescribed by the commander, and may be prescribed for formations at parades or ceremonies on and off the military activity. This uniform will not be worn for formal or semiformal social events. The green V-neck service sweater may be worn only as part of the service "B" uniform at the option of the individual. It will not be worn on those occasions when the wear of the service coat would be more appropriate. It may be worn as part of the duty uniform both on and off the military installation, for commuting to and from work, and on leave and liberty. It will not be worn for inspections, ceremonial formations, or parades.

3. The crew-neck service sweater may be worn at the individual's option as a component of the service "B"/"C" uniforms worn as the uniform of the day, unless the commander determines that the service "A" uniform is more appropriate. Commanders may prescribe the service uniform with crew-neck sweater for inspections; however, this uniform will not be worn for ceremonial formations or parades on or off the military installation. The service uniform with crew-neck sweater may be worn on leave or liberty.

4. Female Marines may wear slacks as part of the service "A," "B," or "C" uniforms per paragraph 3026.

5. Individuals may wear either the all-season polyester/wool gabardine service uniform or the phase-out summer weight service uniform on a year-round basis for all formations, inspections, and for duty, leave, or liberty. Individuals electing to wear the phase-out summer weight uniform will replace it with the all-season gabardine service uniform when it becomes unserviceable. Individuals may wear the phase-out winter weight service uniform on leave, liberty, and for duty when uniformity is not required.  (ALMAR 172/94)

2007. CAMOUFLAGE UTILITY UNIFORM (See figs. 2-33 through 2-35.)
1. The camouflage utility uniform is not authorized for wear except when in the field, for field-type exercises, or for those work conditions where it is not practical to wear the service uniform.

2. The utility uniform is a working uniform. Wear of the utility uniform is authorized while commuting to and from work to include all travel aboard DOD-owned/controlled aircraft. The utility uniform may also be worn for brief and appropriate stops off-base during duty hours or while commuting. In addition to emergency/maintenance stops, Marines are allowed to make brief, essential stops off-base during duty hours and while commuting to and from their place of duty, such as:

a. when dropping off/picking up children from daycare centers or school;

b. obtaining gas or other essential driving aids (wiper blades, snow chains, fluids, lights, etc.);

c. picking up/dropping off drycleaning;

d. off-base financial institutions; to include automatic teller machines; (ALMAR 107/96)

e. picking up vehicles at repair shops or gas stations;

f. at drive-thru windows where exiting the vehicle is not required; and,

g. at a convenience store or drug store solely for the purchase of emergency childcare or health products (milk, diapers, medicine, etc.).

3. Marines are prohibited from wearing the utility uniform as a liberty uniform off-base or during inappropriate circumstances such as:

a. at restaurants, pizza parlors, bars, lounges, etc.;

b. when dealing with public officials (police, courthouse, attorneys);

c. while attending classes or activities, or conducting business at education facilities;

d. at commercial airports/bus stations for travel or entering pick/drop off passengers;

e. at retail/rental stores, shopping malls, and shops for shopping or paying bills;

f. at grocery stores/supermarkets'

g. at movie theaters, mini-golf, or other similar entertainment/
recreational or sporting activities.

4. Marines set the example. In any uniform we will maintain the highest standards of appearance -- at all times -- in all places. Exercise good judgment, if there's a doubt -- don't stop.  (ALMAR 6/96)

5. Regulations for wearing utility uniforms are detailed in paragraph 3037.

2008.  COMBAT UTILITY UNIFORM
1. The combat utility uniform consists of utility coat and trousers (per paragraph 3038), appropriate caps (per paragraph 3038) and combat boots (per paragraph 3010.2).  The utility coat may be removed for physical training and work details.

2.  Commanders may prescribe the combat utility uniform as the uniform of the day.  The uniform is authorized for parades, reviews or other ceremonies and social functions.

3.  Regulations for wearing the combat utility uniform are detailed in paragraph 3038.

4.  Paragraph 2007 of these regulations regarding the wear of the camouflage utility uniform off base applies to the combat utlity unfiorm. (ALMAR 015/02)

2009. PHYSICAL TRAINING UNIFORMS
1. The required physical training (PT) uniform consists of the green general purpose trunks and the standard green undershirt.  Commanders may prescribe shirts, olive green or other, with unit distinct logos, colors or other markings, as they deem appropriate, provided such shirts are purchased with unit funds.  Footwear or headgear with PT uniform will be as prescribed by the commander.

2. The required PT uniform will be prescribed for all command PT activities except on those specific occasions when the commander determines that the wear of shirts with unit distinct markings, or that the modified wear of another uniform or other clothing, is more appropriate to the respective unit's physical training objective.  (MARADMIN 199/01)

3. An optional cold weather PT uniform was adopted to foster increased uniformity and prevent the mandated wear of non-standard sweatsuits of other colors (e.g. red or yellow). This uniform is an optional item for purchase and wear. The cold weather PT uniform will be a green sweatsuit, with or without "USMC" lettering and EGA on the front of the shirt, and left pant leg per paragraph 3030. This uniform may be worn at the option of the individual for unit physical training when the weather requires. Although it is not mandatory all Marines are encouraged to purchase a cold weather PT uniform. However, only a green sweatsuit is authorized for wear.  (MARADMIN 399/99)

2010. MATERNITY UNIFORMS. The appropriate maternity uniform will be worn as the uniform of the day by pregnant women per paragraph 3016.

2011. TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF AUTHORIZED UNIFORMS. Table 2-1 summarizes the currently authorized uniform combinations and appropriate occasions for the wear of each uniform. This table is designed and intended for local reproduction, posting and distribution as desired by local commanders. See [table 2-2, table 2-3, table 2-4 and table 2-5] for more detailed information on the types and components of authorized uniforms. In using these tables, it is important to note that wherever a uniform choice or option is indicated, reference paragraphs should be referred to for complete regulations.