Changes to Marine Corps Uniform and Grooming Regulations
To the Marines convinced they weren't violating a real reg even while getting chewed out for keeping their hands in their pockets or wearing a cell phone on their belt - listen up.
The Corps released 36 new regulations this month officially banning both practices, as well as many others, in its first revision to grooming standards in more than a decade. Mary Boyt, the Marine Corps Uniform Board's program manager, said the service wanted to provide clear rules instead of leaving certain unofficial standards up to interpretation. The update was needed to stem an onslaught of calls the board has received on topics ranging from female buzz cuts to what bags can be worn while in uniform.
The 36 regulations - which provide guidance on old standards and spell out new ones - went through a nearly yearlong gauntlet of review boards and surveys. Commandant Gen. James Conway signed off on the new regs July 11, making them effective from that date, although they weren't announced until Aug. 1.
Cell phones aren't the only thing Marines can no longer wear on their uniforms. The Corps added "tobacco pouches/canisters, visible barrettes [except in physical training situations], and keychains/lanyards/security badges [except as required by the command in the work environment]" to its list of banned items. That means you can't tuck your can of chewing tobacco between your goggle strap and helmet, or use the watertight pouches often attached on the front of body armor.
However, cell phones can be stored in pockets instead of worn on belts, Boyt said. "This was important because a lot of people go outside to get a signal on their phone," she said.
But walking and talking on your phone is forbidden, according to the new
regs, even if you're using an earpiece. "If it's that important, Marines
will have to stop and talk while standing still," Boyt said. Marines also officially can no longer drink or keep their hands in their pockets while walking in uniform. In the field, Boyt said the rules can change, and if a Marine doesn't have his gloves, he should use common sense and use his pockets. But doing so is not authorized in garrison. The same regulation states Marines may not use electronic devices such as iPods while walking or running in uniform unless the local commander allows
it.
Unlike Army and Air Force policies, the Corps prohibited wearing nonissued bags while in uniform. Marines may carry computer bags or gym bags in their hands but are not authorized to wear them over their shoulders or on their backs, even if they match the color of their uniform, Boyt said.
Hair and jewelry: Several of the new regs deal with what's under your cover. Hairstyles such as the teardrop, horseshoe and Mohawk were officially banned for male Marines. Many Marines already considered haircuts such as the Mohawk forbidden, but senior noncommissioned officers wanted it in writing, Boyt said. Women's hairstyles are also covered. In response to a number of female Marines shaving their heads in Iraq, the board decided to define how short a woman's hair can be, Boyt said.
During the review process, the board received feedback from male officers
who wanted women to maintain feminine hairdos to ensure "they could tell the difference between their male and female Marines," Boyt said. The new
regulation states women must have hair longer than a quarter-inch from the
scalp. Women with long hair also received guidance; hair in buns may not extend more than three inches from the scalp and can be no wider than the woman's head.
"Realistically, everyone needs to put that helmet on and go," Boyt said. The Corps nixed the trend of wearing class rings or "door knockers" alongside a wedding band. Marines may wear only one ring per hand and no rings on their thumbs. However, an engagement ring and wedding band count as one, Boyt said.
The Corps already banned male Marines from wearing earrings in uniform but has now officially forbidden wearing them in civvies. Previously, it was
just assumed the ban in uniform would carry over, but it was never officially addressed, Boyt said. The reg also specifies that female Marines
may wear only one earring per ear in both uniform and civvies. Women's fingernails are now limited to a quarter-inch past the fingertip, though French manicures are allowed. The regs also clarify what nail polish and makeup colors are acceptable.
The board broke up the regulations between the two genders, with an extra
emphasis on ensuring female standards were well-defined, Boyt said. She said she had received multiple complaints from Marines saying the old female regulations were too vague. To bolster this new initiative, the Corps added more women to the review boards.
Civilian attire: The uniform board struggled with how to define what a Marine may wear in his off hours without going back to the days of mandating khakis and a colored shirt, Boyt said. But the new regulations tried to eradicate the "gangsta" look, she added. When wearing trousers with belt loops, Marines must wear a belt, according to the new regs. Trousers are defined as any pants or shorts, including jeans, Boyt said. Any civilian clothing revealing the "midriff," "buttocks" or "excessive
amounts of chest/cleavage" was also banned.
Decorative orthodenture is also covered under the regs. Marines with "platinum grills" or any other platinum or gold dental caps used for "purposes of ornamentation" must be removed. Waivers may be issued by commanders to Marines who received permanent gold or platinum caps before
Oct. 1 of this year, according to the regulation.
Source: Michael Hoffman - Staff writer, MarineCorpsTimes.com
Tuesday Aug 14, 2007 19:02:51 EDT MarineCorpsTimes
referred by Seamus Garahay's "All Hands" email network
