Grooming Standards & Uniform Regulation

• When in uniform, hair will be styled so as not to interfere with the proper wear of uniform headgear (see photos below for guidelines). Hair, which protrudes from beneath properly worn headgear in an unsightly manner, is considered excessive, regardless of length. Medium and long hair may be braided. Multiple braiding (more than two braids) is authorized. When worn, multiple braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. 1/4 inch), show no more than 1/8 of an inch of scalp between the braids and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well-groomed appearance. Foreign material (i.e., beads, decorative items) shall not be braided into the hair. Braids must continue to the end of the hair in one direction, in a straight line, and can be worn loose per medium hair length guidelines or secured to the head in the same manner as described for medium or long length hair styles. Ends shall be secured only with inconspicuous rubber bands. If multiple braids are worn they must encompass the whole head.

• Nail length will be no longer than 1/4 inch from the tip of the finger. When worn in Service/ Dress uniform, fingernail polish must be in shades of red (within the red spectrum, to include pinks and burgundies). Fingernails with multiple colors and decorative ornamentation are prohibited. Colored fingernail polish is not authorized for wear with the utility uniform.

*Male cadets will not wear nail polish, earrings or facial makeup while in uniform or in the MCJROTC classroom. Female cadets will not wear makeup in uniform.*

• Female cadets may wear small, polished earrings, ball or round stud type with all uniforms except camouflage. Earrings must not exceed 1/4 inch in diameter. Only one earring per ear is authorized. Earrings may not be worn while participating in parades, reviews or ceremonies.

• Male cadets are not authorized to wear earrings.

*All other piercings and/or ornamentations to the face and/or body are prohibited for both male and female cadets while in & around the JROTC program*

**Articles of religious apparel are authorized, but will not be visible or apparent when worn with the uniform**

• The MCJROTC program requires that cadets wear their uniform at least one day a week. The Digital Utility Uniform will be worn every Wednesday unless told otherwise.

• The Marine Corps uniform marks the wearer as associated with the long line of men and women who honorably serve today and have served this nation so faithfully in the past as United States Marines. Marine JROTC cadets are different than cadets from other service JROTC programs in that Marine cadets wear the same uniforms as United States Marines. This distinction requires cadets to wear the uniform properly with pride and the utmost respect for what it represents.

-       The prescribed uniform will be worn all day on the designated uniform day. It will be worn ALL DAY. Failure to wear the uniform for the entire day will result in a grade of zero.

-       You are responsible for your uniform, and if you lose the uniform or any part of the uniform, you must pay for it.

-       The uniform will be worn in its entirety. The cover will be worn when outdoors. All coats and shirts will be buttoned in accordance with uniform regulations.

-       Shoes, boots, and brass will be maintained and inspected as part of the uniform.

• Although these uniforms are issued to individual cadets, they remain the property of the United States Marine Corps. All uniforms must be turned in to your Instructor before the cadet checks out of school, moves, drops the course, or otherwise departs the program. If a uniform and all of its parts are not returned in serviceable condition, a fine will be forwarded to the school administration equal to the cost of replacing the uniform at its current value.

• Any time a cadet wears his or her uniform, it should always be worn with pride and care. Cadets must always be on their best behavior when wearing their uniforms. Improper behavior by cadets is not tolerated at any time, and is severely dealt with if in uniform. Your appearance and conduct should be impeccable while in uniform:

-       Wear your entire uniform indoors at all times.

-       Do not chew gum. Do not smoke. Do not walk and eat

-       Do not use a cellphone while walking

-       Earbuds/headphones are not authorized

-       Do not walk or stand around with your hands in your pockets.

-       Wear your cover outdoors at all times and remove it indoors

-       Salute all officers. Greet all cadets and treat everyone with respect

-       Do not use foul language, tease others, or wrestle/play in uniform or engage in public displays of affection

• Digital Camouflage uniforms and cotton T-shirts can be washed in warm or cold water only.

• Khaki shirts, poly-wool green and blue trousers, and dress coats must be dry-cleaned. DO NOT WASH THESE ITEMS!

• Unserviceable uniforms can be exchanged for serviceable uniforms.

• Notify your platoon leaders, and request an appointment with the S-4 to exchange the uniform during lunch or after school hours.

• Replacement of lost, stolen or damaged uniforms is the financial responsibility of the cadet. Keep your uniforms in a safe place.

• CADETS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR UNIFORM!

- Rank insignia, marksmanship badges, and ribbons/medals are provided free of charge at promotion/award ceremonies. Replacement items are available, but the financial responsibility of the cadet.

*DO NOT LEAVE UNIFORMS IN LOCKERS OR CARS*

*DO NOT LEAVE UNIFORMS IN THE CLASSROOM FOR ANY REASON AFTER EVENTS*

*DO NOT LEAVE PT GEAR IN THE CLASSROOM ON PT DAYS*

• Blue Dress “Bravo” - Blue trousers with blue coat, white dress cover, dress shoes with thin black socks, gold ranks, ribbons, and shooting badge.

• Blue Dress “Delta”  -Blue trousers with khaki short sleeve shirt, white dress cover, dress shoes with thin black socks, ranks, ribbons, and *shooting badge.

• Service “Charlie” - Green trousers with khaki short sleeve shirt, green garrison cover, dress shoes with thin black socks, ranks, ribbons, and *shooting badge.

• Utility Uniform - MARPAT Camouflage trousers with blouse and cover, green undershirt, ranks, web belt, boot bands, and combat boots with brown or black socks.

• Physical Training Uniform - Green shirt, green shorts, and go-fasters with white socks.

*If authorized*

Rank insignia, ribbons and badges are an integral part of the MCJROTC cadet’s uniform. Therefore, these items must be worn correctly and placed with great care.

• Gold rank insignia for enlisted cadets will only be worn on the Blue Coat shoulder strap 3/4” of an inch from the edge and centered, with the lantern facing forward.

• Black rank insignia for enlisted cadets will be worn with all other uniforms with the exception of the Physical Training uniform, and Blue coat. When wearing the rank insignia it will be centered near the bottom of the collar and 1/2" from each side, with the lamp facing inboard.

• Cadet Officers will wear their large rank insignia centered on the shoulder strap of their Dress Blue coat. On khaki and utility shirts, the small rank insignia will be worn centered between the top and bottom edges of the collar, one inch from the front edge. Small rank insignia will be worn on the right side of the green service cap opposite to the Eagle, Globe & Anchor.

• Males wear ribbons 1/8” above and centered over the left breast pocket of the khaki shirt or Dress Blues coat. When worn with the marksmanship badge, ribbons will be 1/8” above the badge.  Females will wear their ribbons level with the top visible button on the khaki shirts. When worn with the marksmanship badge, ribbons will be worn 1/8” above the badge. When worn without the badge, ribbons will be worn 1/8” and centered above the highest point of the pocket of the Dress Blues coat. For Dress Blues coats without pockets, ribbons will be worn 2” above the top button, centered on the left side. DO NOT TOUCH THE RIBBONS.

• Males wear authorized badges 1/8” above and centered over the left breast pocket of the Dress Blue coat. Females will wear badges 1/8” and centered above the highest point of the pocket of the Dress Blues coat. For Dress Blues coats without pockets, ribbons will be worn 2” above the top button, centered on the left side.

• Cover - The cover will be worn with the bill straight and centered, parallel above the eyebrows.

• Blouse - The digital coat will be worn outside the trousers with all buttons buttoned with the exception of the top. When the sleeves are up, they will be rolled inside out, forming a “snug to the arm” roll about three inches wide, with the bottom of the rolled (folded) sleeve slightly above, but no more than half the distance between the top of the shoulder and the top of the elbow. (Roll them up before you put your coat on)

• Undershirt - Only the Marine Corps issued green undershirt is authorized with the utility uniform. The green undershirt will be tucked into the trousers.

• Trousers - The trousers will be worn at the waistline and no sagging is allowed. They will be bloused between the second and third eyelets of your boots.

• Web Belt - With buckle start on your left side, counting 7 belt loops around your waist. The web belt buckle and web belt tip should be buffed with a soft cloth. The tip of the belt should be 2 to 4 inches past the buckle. DO NOT CUT THE BELTS! The buckle should be aligned with the fly of the trousers when worn with the uniform.

• Socks – Only brown or black cushion socks will be worn with the boots

• Boots - The boots will be laced with a bridge and left over right as you are looking down at your boots.

*The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform is not authorized for wear outside of school grounds and MCJROTC events. Exceptions are limited to travel to & from school*

• Cover - Dress covers will be worn centered and straight with the tip of the visor in line with the eyebrows. Leather chinstraps and visors will be kept polished. Frame cap crowns (worn by male and female Marines) should fit on the frame and be free of wrinkles.

• Blue Coat - The blue coat is worn in Dress Blue "A," alphas, or "B," bravos. Blue dress coats are formfitting garments and will be fitted and altered accordingly. (Males)The length of all coats will extend about 1 to 2 inches below the individual's crotch. The sleeve cuff bottom will extend to about 1 inch above the second/large joint of the thumb. (Females)The coat should fit smoothly but not tightly across the bust and shoulders with sufficient looseness to permit both arms to move freely. The left and right collar emblems are worn with the wings parallel to the deck with anchors pointed inboard.

• Khaki Shirt - The khaki shirt is worn in Dress Blue "D" or deltas. The khaki shirt must have military creases. Males should have a total of seven creases: 3 creases in the back dividing the shirt into three equal parts, one on each sleeve and 2 down the front of the shirt one on each side and centered. Female shirts have a crease down each sleeve. The khaki shirt will be ironed, and males will wear shirt-stays. Males will wear their shirt flat on the from and the back and use Military Alignment.

• Undershirt - Only the Marine Corps issued white undershirt is authorized with the Dress Blue uniform. The white undershirt collar will be ironed, and the shirt tucked into the trousers.

• Trousers - Blue Trousers will be worn at the waistline and no sagging is allowed. Trousers will be long enough to break slightly over the shoe in front and to the juncture of the welt of the shoe in the rear. A variation of 1/2 inch above the welt is acceptable. The hem on the trousers will be from 2 to 3 inches wide. Trousers will be pressed to present a smooth vertical crease at about the center front and rear of each leg. The crease will extend from the bottom of the hem to about 2 inches above the crotch.

• Web Belt - With buckle start on your left side, counting 7 belt loops around your waist.  The web belt buckle and web belt tip should be buffed with a soft cloth. The tip of the belt should be 2 to 4 inches past the buckle. DO NOT CUT THE BELTS! The buckle should be aligned with the fly of the trousers when worn with the uniform.

• Dress Shoes - The dress shoes should be sprayed with glass cleaner and dried off with a cloth or paper towel. Only black thin socks will be worn.

• Military Alignment - Shirt edge, belt buckle and fly of trousers are all in a straight vertical line.

• Cover - Never worn indoors. School policy prohibits the wearing of any type of hat in the school. Cadets are allowed to wear their cover with the uniform on uniform day. Cadets are allowed to remove their cover when eating and staying in a stationary position.

• PT Gear - PT gear will be worn on designated days. The uniform will consist of the green or array of MCJROTC shirts, green shorts and athletic shoes. (Females) long hair must be secured; pony tails are authorized. When hair-securing devices are worn (i.e. barrettes, small pony tail holders, etc.), they must be consistent with the hair color. Scrunchies, bows, ribbons, and alligator clips are not authorized to secure hair for PT.

• MCJROTC Patches - All coats, blouses and khaki shirts that require patches will have them placed on the left sleeve one- half inch (1/2) below the shoulder seam and centered. The wings of the Eagle must be parallel to the deck.