Help with dress blues

[devildog4life30]

My wife and I will be attending a Marine Corps Ball this year and does anyone know where I can find uniform regs online for the placement of chevrons and service stripes? Its been years since I was in and I cant remember it all. Do I still rate my ribbons and badges for wear as well? I would appreciate any help.

[Chumley]

devildawgforlife30,

You will always rate your medals and badges. I just learned that you have to have earned a NDSM in order to wear your unifirm as a civilian, even if honorable discharged. NOW, I'm ready for the next board.


http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sit...20Uniforms.asp

http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sit...gs%20Index.asp

SFI
C

[Haffner]

I'm a boot: what's NDSM?

[devildog4life30]

national defense service medal

[ssgtt32]

I just learned that you have to have earned a NDSM in order to wear your unifirm as a civilian, even if honorable discharged.

Did not know that, I was always under the impression that if you received an Honorable Discharge you were able to wear the appropriate uniform for said occasion as long as you were within regulations, i.e., haircut/shave etc....

Maurice

[Chumley]

Same thing here - I ASSUMED that I could choose to wear Blues when appropriate. I don't - never have, and I am ..... er-uh-ummmm ..... not serviceable ( no the uniforms haven't changed ). Nonetheless, I thought honorable discharge was enough to rate....I do have the NDSM. FYI - I can still run 5 miles, I just need to lie down immediately thereafter for a few days.

[sparkie]

Who does not rate a NDSM? Never stood firewatch?

[bucksgted]

Who does not rate a NDSM? Never stood firewatch?

Look at the cutoff dates and you'll see a lot of Not So Cold, Cold War folks are excluded. Go figure!!

[Sgt Leprechaun]

I realize what the regulations say, but I've seen plenty of Marines wearing Dress Blues who do not rate the NDSM. I always understood it to be, unofficially anyway, that you put your "Honorable Discharge" button/pin over your right pocket, centered, and you met height/weight/grooming standards, and you wore what you rated. After I was discharged the first time in 1989, without a NDSM, I attended the birthday ball with my wife who was still AD, and I wore my blues without an issue.

[Chumley]

Like I said, now I'm ready for the next board. This is just one more small trivial info that most of us don't know until you learn it coincidentally. I only saw it as I browsed the link I was providing, making sure it was helpful info to devildog4life30. I almost missed it. I'll bet most of us did not know that fact, and I also bet most uniform police aren't gonna call you on it at the Birthday Ball, even if they do know.

PS - Honorable Discharge pin?

[devildog4life30]

what I need to know are the exact placement of the chevrons and service stripes.

[Chumley]

devildog4life30,

The second link I provided to you has all the answers in depth. Click on the link, then click on Chapter 4, and scroll ALL the way down.
All uniform specs are detailed...even tells you what type of stitch to use to sew them on. If you have further questions after reviewing this info, email me and I will help you find the specific answer.
SFi
C

Here's the link...

http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sit...gs%20Index.asp

[Accord]

Did not know that, I was always under the impression that if you received an Honorable Discharge you were able to wear the appropriate uniform for said occasion as long as you were within regulations, i.e., haircut/shave etc....

Maurice

Regardless of what that dumb regulation says, you most certainly rate to wear the uniform SSgt.

The regulations state that you only rate to wear the uniform for either 60 or 90 days after you EAS, can't remember which and the only exception are those who retire.

It's flat out absurd how a 90 year old Marine who served in WW2 and got out as a Corporal doesn't rate to wear his dress blues. I'm going to be giving god knows how many years of my life to the Corps, and i'll be damned if someone tells me I don't rate the uniform after I get out just because I didn't go a full 20 and retire.

[jgorosco]

dd4life....have you taken your blues or Alphas to a tailor and told them place new chevrons on your new set of blues for you? Just have them measure them. It shouldn't be a problem to get them to do it. You should still have your uniforms from 4 yrs ago

[Hanzo]

Question for you gentlemen. My sister will soon be getting married to a Marine (not sure if that's a curse or a blessing) and there is a good chance he will want the groomsmen in their blues. I am a former Marine and while I was awarded the NDSM, my discharge was 'uncharacterized' due to lack of time in the Corps. I found the following on another Marine's petition for change of discharge:

The Applicant should be aware that, with respect to nonservice-related administrative matters, i.e., VA benefits, educational pursuits, and especially civilian employment, an uncharacterized separation is considered the equivalent of an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge.

I'm just not sure if something like the wearing of blues is considered nonservice-related administrative matters or if it pertains to regulations about former Marines wearing dress blues.

Anyone happen to know?