Uniform Regulations
To assure that you are properly wearing the Marine Corps League uniforms, members should familiarize themselves with the
National Bylaws, Enclosure 3. A link is provided below.

If, after reading Enclosure 3 of the National Bylaws, you are still confused or perhaps more confused, the following
interpretation is offered.

In an effort to gain some semblance of uniformity in our appearance, the following is a basic guideline for uniform set up and
wear. All information is taken from Enclosure 3 of the National Bylaws. Pictures and drawings  are used where possible, to help
illustrate the regulations.

In many areas, Enclosure 3 of the National Bylaws is somewhat vague or ambiguous.
In an effort to clear up these ambiguities, the author will offer suggestions in italics.
These are not recognized as part of Enclosure 3 and are the authors suggestions only.

Thanks to Past National Uniform Committee Chairman, Al Kotrla,  for all his help creating this page. Keep in mind, this is a work
in progress, it will be edited and added to as information changes.
The Basic Cover
The minimum Marine Corps League uniform is the Basic Cover. While wearing the Basic Cover, you are considered in uniform
and under arms.

In an opinion given by the National Chaplain, Ora Fultz, "It is worn indoors and out at all times, even in church. The cover is removed only
during prayer. During prayer, remove your cover and place it over your heart."

The Basic Cover is the single most important part of the uniform, without which, no other part is authorized to be worn. The
cover and all attachments are purchased through the Marine Corps League, see your Detachment Paymaster for information on
how to order these items.

All members of the League are authorized to wear the red MCL cover. Members elected or appointed to Department Offices are
authorized to wear the red with gold crown cover. Members elected or appointed to National Staff or Committees are
authorized to wear the gold cover. The National Commandant is authorized to wear the white cover.

The following is part of the recent revision of Enclosure 3, adopted at the National Convention in Cleveland, in August, 2005: The Past
National Commandants are authorized to wear a Gold with White crown cover. Past Department Commandant, Past Pack Leader,
Past Detachment Commandant, Past Chief Devil Dog of the Military Order of the Devil Dogs, Past National Director of Young Marines
and Past National Executive Director, with the years displayed for holding that office, are the only members who are authorized
to wear their respective cover after their tour of duty is completed. All other members will revert back to an appropriate cover
for their current elected or appointed office, removing their prior officer identification strips.

Pins, ornaments, or ribbons are not authorized for wear on the MCL cover.

Nothing goes on the Basic Cover, except the Marine Corps Emblem on the left side and approved identification strips or
embroidering on the right side. The Marine Corps emblem should be the solid gold emblem, not a Marine officer's gold and
silver emblem. Identification strips should be worn to indicate “current” offices only, except as authorized by the Uniform Code
for “Past Commandants". "Past Commandant" may be embroidered as this is a lifetime title. It must be small enough, as to be covered by a
strip denoting any current office held.

If a strip is worn to denote current office, it will be worn above the detachment name and centered.  The "LIFE" strip should be
worn to the rear of the right side. The "LIFE MEMBER" strip should be worn the same as the identification strips are worn. That
is, centered on the right side of the cover. The "LIFE" and "LIFE MEMBER" strips are two different strips.
Tradition is that the "LIFE MEMBER" strip would be worn above other strips, such as a current officer strip.

Although it isn't spelled out in the Uniform Code, the detachment name should be embroidered on the right side, 1/2" to 3/4" up from the
bottom of the cover, centered left to right and abbreviated, if need be.
Contact your Detachment Paymaster about having the detachment name embroidered on your cover.
Marine Corps League Authorized Uniforms
Click on each link for information about that uniform.
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