DETACHMENT UNIFORMS

Official MCL Uniforms Guide

Marine Corps League Uniforms.pdf
File Size:	4514 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

General
Our basic uniform is the red MCL garrison cover and the red MCL polo shirt.

The only official Marine Corps League uniform is the cover, with cap ornament. All else is optional.

​Since the cover is the only official uniform, the red MCL polo shirt is solely optional, not required.

Because the cover is the only official uniform, it is worn indoors, unlike the cover protocol you were used to.

Sources for these uniform items are below.

Marine Corps League Polo     $36.50
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/polos/products/wa121
 
Detachment Red Cover - Men        $35
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/covers-cap-strips/products/u1
 
Detachment Red Cover - Women        $35
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/covers-cap-strips/products/u3

Cap Ornament, Regular Member  $7.00
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/products/u13
 
Cap Ornament, Associate Member  $7.00
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/products/u13a

NOTE: We encouurage you to get detachment information embroidered on your cover. Here is the proper order:
1st row - Detachment position, either sewn on patch strip or embroidered. Detachment position and other patch strips are available here
1st Row - Job title
2nd row - embroidered
  DETACHMENT 1205
3rd row - embroidered
  LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA
Lettering is in Franklin Medium Gothic Condensed, all capital letters, 3/8th inch high with 1/4 inch spacing between lines.
Please ignore the Devil Dog patch on the example. We don't have a detachment Dog Pound, so no one will have this patch.
For a video about the Marine Corps League Cover, go here.

---

Windbreaker Jacket
This windbreaker is a red nylon coach's jacket with brushed tricot lining. Your first step is to buy it. You can find it from many vendors. The link is here. Price as of 8 Feb 2024 is $20.88. That's reduced from $28.40, so it may have changed since then.
​
For embroidery, see the Embroidery Instructions below.

Bomber Jacket
The Rothco MA-1 Flight Jacket is a heavier duty jacket for temps that windbreaker can't handle. To get one, follow the same drill as used for the windbreaker. Buy your jacket, then follow  the Embroidery Instructions below.
The source of the jacket is below.
Suggestion: They run very true to size...which means there isn't a lot of free room. So if, for instance, an XL feels almost snug on you, order a size up.

Rothco MA-1 Flight Jacket, Red  $53.99 to $55.99, depending on size
https://militaryuniformsupply.com/products/rothco-ma-1-flight-jacket-various-colors?_pos=5&_sid=05ed96b81&_ss=r

Rothco MA-1 Flight Jacket, Red $67.99 to $69.99, depending on size (use this manufacturers site if the one above doesn't have your size or is out of stock).
https://www.rothco.com/product/rothco-ma-1-flight-jacket

Embroidery Instructions:
The detachment embroidery templates are at Infinity Designs in Waynsboro, PA. They can do the jackets and also know the drill for the covers. You'll have to call them at ‭(717) 762-8187‬ to make the arrangements. You'll pay to ship your item to them and they will let you know what the embroidery and shipping charges are and how to make payment. Their email is goinfinitydesigns@gmail.com, and address is 1500 East Main St Waynesboro PA 17268

Components:

• Short sleeve aviator shirt
• Collar ornaments, one on each collar (different for regular and associate members)
• Logo patch on left shoulder (different for regular and associate members)
• ​American flag patch on right shoulder
• Ribbons can be MCL or DOD, but are optional, and if one member of a color guard detail does not have them then none in that event's color guard will wear them
• Trousers can be blue or black, but not mixed in the same color guard event.
• Blue trousers (preferred for our color/honor guard) are either NCO (regular members) or without the red NCO stripe (associate members)
• Khaki belt with brass web belt buckle
• Black trousers must be worn with a black belt with square brass buckle, EGA on it for regular member, plain for associate member
• Shoes are black Corfam Oxfords
• Socks are black
• Undershirt is white
• White dress gloves, white dress belt and buckle, flag carriers are provided by the detachment at each event. You can bring your own if you want, but the white belt cannot be the duty belt with the equipment attachment holes.

For further guidance, such as the proper placement of the collar ornaments and patches on the shirt, please download the National MCL uniform regulations at the top right of this page.

Color Guard
Our Color Guard wears the Marine Corp League authorized Undress Uniform: white short sleeve aviator shirt with appropriate shoulder patches; khaki belt; USMC NCO trousers (non-NCO trousers for Associate Members); Hi-Gloss Black Oxford shoes, red MCL cover. In cool weather, we wear the embroidered red Rawlings Coach's Jacket. In cold weather the Rothco MA-1 Flight Jacket becomes the outerwear. The Undress Uniform is only authorized to be worn while operating as a Color Guard or Honor Guard. MCL or DOD ribbons can be worn with the uniform, but either one or the other, not mixed. For order of precedence of MCL ribbons, scroll to the bottom of this page.
​
Honor Guard
Since the functions of the Honor Guard are solemn, primarily funerals and death watches, the Honor Guard uniform can be more formal than the Color Guard's. In that case the Honor Guard shirt can also be long sleeve and is worn with a black tie. That is the uniform difference from that of the Color Guard. The rest of the uniform is the same. The long sleeve shirt will only be worn if all members of the guard are wearing it.
Other Events
Although many of our earlier website color guard photos show what was worn in years before we began using the prescribed MCL color guard uniform, those red top/khaki bottom uniforms are now  used in situations where we are not acting as as a color guard or honor guard, but at events where we want to have a uniform appearance, such as Toys for Tots fund raisers. It is a uniform of red MCL cover, red polo shirt, white undershirt, khaki trousers, and black footwear.

In cooler weather it is supplemented with a white turtleneck and the Rawlings coach's jacket, or in cold weather with a white turtleneck and the Rothco MA-1 Flight jacket.

The sources and prices for uniform pieces are below. Please note that for Associate Members there are differences in the trouser design (no blood stripe), collar ornaments, and MCL shoulder patch. 

Items for Color/Honor Guard Uniforms

Short Sleeve Aviator Shirt, white, with sewn-in military creases  
If you have PX Exchange privileges (all vets can get these) you can order one for $22.64 at
​ https://www.shopmyexchange.com/dlats-men-s-short-sleeve-asu-shirt/5701817 

Short Sleeve Aviator Shirt, Men's      $22.64
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/products/wa193
 
Long Sleeve Aviator Shirt, Men's  $36
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/products/wa209?variant=29240510644327​

Tie, Black $5.00 (on this link's page are regular, extra long, or clip-on [$5.50]...your choice)
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform​

Short Sleeve Aviator Shirt, Women's   $33.40
https://www.vanguardmil.com/products/civil-air-patrol-female-short-sleeve-dress-shirt-uniform?variant=1153419348​​

Short Sleeve Aviator Shirt, Women's      $31.50
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/aviators​

Long Sleeve Aviator Shirt, Women's      $31.50
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/aviators

​Long Sleeve Aviator Shirt, Women's  $55.00
https://www.amazon.com/Heusen-Womens-Aviator-Pilot-Shirt/dp/B0145OXGJS/ref=sr_1_6?crid=16SMSA6TO0AE8&keywords=aviator+shirt+women&qid=1670985904&sprefix=aviator+shirt%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-6​

Prong-back Collar Ornament, Regular Member  (for shirt collar) $11
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/products/u14
 
​Prong-back Collar Ornament, Associate Member   (for shirt collar)  $14
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/products/u14a

Marine Corps League Logo Patch 3" (for left shoulder), Regular Member  $4.00
        Tol be worn on the left sleeve, one and one-half  inches below the shoulder seam.
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/products/wa13
 
Marine corps League Red Associate Member Patch 3" (for left shoulder)  $7.00
         To be worn on the left sleeve, one and one-half inches below the shoulder seam. 
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/products/wa110

American Flag Patch (for right shoulder)      $4.00
       U.S. flag, forward facing star field,  2" x 3 1/2" on right sleeve 1 1/2" below the shoulder seam
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/uniform/products/wa36
 
Ribbon bar (for DOD or MCL ribbons)  $2.50 - $8.25 Price varies with size
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/collections/medals-ribbons/products/metal-ribbon-bar-holder?variant=31069095690343
For MCL ribbon precedence order scroll to bottom of page.
​
Lightweight Dress Blue Trousers, Male, Regular Members      $99.99
http://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-usmc-nco-dress-blue-pants-14461.aspx

Lightweight Dress Blue Trousers, Female, Regular Members  $99.00
https://marineshop.net/product/blue-dress-trouser-for-female-officer/

Lightweight Enlisted Dress Blue Trousers, Male, Associate Members $94.99 and up, depending on waist size   
http://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-usmc-dress-blue-pants-14462.aspx
 
​Khaki belt with open face 24K Gold Plated buckle and tip   
     From the Marine Shop (if you have no more than a 42 inch waist you'll need the 50" belt
     (sku: 500115...$7.95) and the anodized buckle for web belt (sku: 500123...$13.95)
https://marineshop.net/product/khaki-belt-with-anodized-tip-500115/
https://marineshop.net/product/anodized-buckle-for-trouser-belt-500123/

    From Salute Uniforms (if you have more than a 42 inch waist you'll need the 65" belt),
    $23.99 - $27.59 with buckle depending on size, $8.39 - $9.59 without buckle.
http://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-usmc-khaki-belt-3516.aspx

Rothco Hi-Gloss Oxford Dress Shoe (Male)  $54.58
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LO8BOW/ref=pe_2640190_232748420_pd_te_o_bx_im?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001A1QRQ4&pd_rd_r=0PHTQE7REP9AHJEPY35G&pd_rd_w=Soywk&pd_rd_wg=lvew7&th=1&psc=1

Corfam Hi-Gloss Oxford Dress Shoe (Male)  $124.95
https://marineshop.net/product/altama-male-corfam-shoe/​

Women's Black High Gloss Low Quarter Shoe  $99.50
https://www.marlowwhite.com/women-s-black-high-gloss-low-quarter-shoe?preselectOptions&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9ourBhAVEiwA3L5RFpSmzxSpwFqCTA20CuuLaxQruJB8LS8RWdCAMS_lZQ3RVluVNKe4EBoCCWkQAvD_BwE​

Although the detachment has four white color guard belts for use at events, you may want to order your own. If so, here is a source:

Belt, White color guard (buckle not included)  $9.50 -- $14 (based on size)
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/products/u53-beltwhitecolorguard-70?variant=31053989150823

Buckle for white color guard belt $59
https://the-semper-fi-store.myshopify.com/products/u49?_pos=7&_sid=7581abfbc&_ss=r&variant=10609821764

The detachment also has white gloves for use at events, but you may want to order your own. If so, here is a source:

White Gloves, Leather  $20
https://www.amazon.com/Ergonomic-leather-driving-gloves-Medium/dp/B072QDMZPF/ref=sr_1_24?crid=6LM7T7AX5TD9&keywords=gloves%2Bleather%2Bwhite&qid=1670986619&sprefix=gloves%2Bleather%2Bwhite%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-24&th=1&psc=1​

White Grip Gloves  $7.50
https://www.marlowwhite.com/white-grip-gloves

Items for our 'other events' uniforms

White turtlenecks can be purchased anywhere, but a reliable source is L.L. Bean. However, if you want to avoid the eventual sagging of a cotton turtleneck, try this polyester one.
 Men's casual slim fit turtleneck pullover sweater with twisted pattern   $33.99
​www.amazon.com/dp/B08CDK5C3S?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1&psc=1​
​    
Women's turtleneck  Varied prices based upon model selected
https://www.llbean.com/llb/search/2?csp=a&gnrefine=1*COLOR_FAMILY*White&sort_field=relevance&start=1&viewCount=48&freeText=turtleneck%20women&nav=&newPla=1​

Khaki pants for our irregular color guard uniforms are available many places. A local store that has both men's and women's khaki trousers is Kohl's in Leesburg. You can check their on-line catalog for range of styles and availability. 
   Men's khaki pants $49.99
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2964321/mens-dockers-smart-360-flex-classic-fit-workday-khaki-pants-d3.jsp?prdPV=7​
   Women's khaki pants Varied prices based upon brand selected
https://www.kohls.com/search.jsp?submit-search=web-regular&search=women%27s+khaki+pants&kls_sbp=83050215427994323837095722952799916835​

Ribbons Order of Precedence

MCL Ribbon Precedence Order
File Size:	469 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---