10/24/2025
With Marine Corps Balls just around the corner, here is a tip to help you ensure you're wearing your MCL uniform correctly.
• Variations of the female MCL uniform
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The MCL Casual Dress uniform:
• Blazer, red with authorized MCL buttons will be worn.
• MCL blazer crest/pocket sleeve will be worn.
• Associate members do not wear the MCL blazer crest/pocket sleeve.
• Nametags are not authorized to wear with this uniform.
• Authorized lapel pins may be worn.
• Large medals (DoD or MCL) may be worn.
• No more than three (3) large medals will be worn.
• Ribbons and/or badges are not authorized to wear with this uniform.
• Miniature medals are not authorized to wear with this uniform.
• One (1) MCL Marine of the Year medallion; or, one (1) Chapel of Four Chaplains medallion; or, one (1) MODD collar may be worn.
• Members rating any of these medallions/collars will wear one (1) specific medallion/collar of their choosing.
• Shirt, white, plain, long-sleeve, button-front, standard-collar will be worn, properly tucked.
• MCL/MODD shoulder patches, MCL collar emblems ribbons (DoD or MCL) or badges are not authorized to wear with this uniform.
• Necktab, black will be worn.
• Female members may wear the authorized black necktie in lieu of the black neck-tab; however, the shirt/blouse must be tucked into the trousers; necktie clasp bar, gold (USMC/MCL) will also be worn. The black necktie is not authorized for wear when wearing a skirt.
• Trousers/slacks/skirt, black, dress will be worn.
• Belt, black, dress, leather with authorized buckle will be worn with trousers/slacks with belt loops
• Socks, black (plain) will be worn.
• Applicable color hosiery will be worn (female).
• Shoes, black, oxfords/pumps/flats (highly polished or patent leather) will be worn.
• Therapeutic shoes (black) may be worn.
• MCL garrison cover will be worn.
The MCL Formal Dress uniform:
• Blazer, red with authorized MCL buttons will be worn.
• MCL blazer crest/pocket sleeve is not authorized to wear with this uniform.
• Nametags are not authorized to wear with this uniform.
• Authorized lapel pins may be worn.
• Miniature medals (DoD or MCL) may be worn.
• DoD miniature badges will be worn with DoD miniature medals.
• DoD shooting/marksmanship badges are not authorized for wear with DoD miniature medals.
• Large medals, ribbons, or shooting/marksmanship badges are not authorized for wear with this uniform.
• One (1) MCL Marine of the Year medallion; or, one (1) Chapel of Four Chaplains medallion; or, one (1) MODD collar may be worn.
• Members rating any of these medallions/collars will wear one (1) specific medallion/collar of their choosing.
• Shirt, white, tuxedo-style with pleats, long-sleeve, standard-collar will be worn, properly tucked.
• MCL/MODD shoulder patches MCL collar emblems ribbons (DoD or MCL) or badges are not authorized to wear with this uniform.
• Cuff links, gold, (USMC), and shirt studs, gold will be worn.
• Necktab, black will be worn.
• Vest, gold will be worn. Cummerbund, gold, may be worn in lieu of the gold vest.
• Skirt, black, tuxedo-style, ankle-length with slit on left side; or, black, evening-dress, A-line with slit on the back side. Female members may option to wear trousers, black, tuxedo with satin leg stripe; applicable black leather belt with authorized buckle will also be worn.
• Dress blue trousers are not authorized for wear with this uniform.
• Suspenders are not authorized to wear with this uniform.
• Applicable color hosiery will be worn (female). Socks, black (plain) will be worn when wearing tuxedo trousers/slacks.
• Shoes, black, pumps; or, flats; or, wedges; or heels will be worn (female). Shoes, black, oxfords (highly polished or patent leather) will be worn when wearing tuxedo trousers/slacks.
• Therapeutic shoes (black) may be worn.
• Authorized earrings may be worn (female).
• MCL garrison cover is typically not worn with this uniform.
The MCL Evening Dress uniform is configured with the red, waist-length jacket.
Medals and ribbons are not 'required' to be worn on any MCL uniform.
There is more than just what's stated here - read the MCL National Administrative Procedures Manual - Enclosure 3: MCL Uniform Guidance for details.