Do Marines have 30 days after promotion to have new chevrons sewn onto their uniforms?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:17:35 -0400

Marines, as I'm sure many are aware, the general consensus in our enlisted corps is that a Marine has a 30 day Grace period immediately following promotion, to have their new rank insignia sewn onto their uniforms. Is this written anywhere? My colleagues and I have scoured MCO P1020.34g, and several supporting documents to no avail.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 3:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:20:30 -0400

Why would someone want to wait 30 days before getting their new chevrons and/or rockers sewn on their uniforms?

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Apr 27 at 2017 3:27 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:27:46 -0400

I expected my people to have their new rank insignia on any uniform they wore. For junk on the bunk or other formal inspections, they had until after their next payday.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Apr 27 at 2017 3:27 PM

MSgt Stephen Council — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:27:50 -0400

I always held the standard for myself and all of my subordinates that you had the rank on your uniform the day you were promoted. Otherwise, as I have pointed out to more than one young enlisted troop, I would do my best to make their paycheck match the rank they chose to display. But I cannot speak for the Marines, I was on an enlisted man in the Air Force!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 3:37 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:37:06 -0400

I have never seen it or known anyone to have either. I have heard about it though. Marines usually know when they are getting promoted, so to have a uniform squared away prior to being pinned isn't difficult to do.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 3:45 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:45:22 -0400

I always had my uniforms ready the day of promotion. I actually took pictures for a commissioning package in my Chiefs uniform a month before the promotion ceremony.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 4:02 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:02:11 -0400

I can't understand that anyone would not want their new rank on the uniform they are wearing the day that a promotion is effective.

I am not sure what a reasonable time would be for all uniforms displayed to ahve the new rank.

If a uniform is not worn nor displayed why would we care?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 4:05 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:05:06 -0400

For the dress uniform, 30 days seems excessive. I'm a Soldier, not a Marine, but if I got promoted, the very next day my uniform would be in the Alterations shop.

For the utility uniform, since my civilian job is on MCB Quantico, I see Marines every day with pin-on rank. What's the issue?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 4:25 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:25:39 -0400

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member I have also looked at MCO P1020.34g, and could not find any mention of a grace period. Have you asked the 1st Sergeant?

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made Apr 27 at 2017 4:49 PM

LCpl Shane Couch — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:49:22 -0400

I believe the 30-day grace period is for those that have been frocked.
As far as I remember, you should have 5 sets of your service uniform. So having a few of them ready for your promotion shouldn't be an issue. And even if you are involved in a locker inspection, whom ever is performing the inspection should know that you are about to gain rank and I doubt would have issue with the eagerness of you having the proper rank the moment you are pinned.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 4:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:58:56 -0400

I guess I don't understand. Pin the rank on your duty uniform and put the other ones in the Taylor ASAP.

And before people comment about the cost of getting stuff sewed, I see too many troops spending money on expensive coffee, energy drinks, and nights at the bar. No reason not to budget for uniforms, especially if you know ahead of time that a promotion is coming.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 27 at 2017 5:35 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 17:35:09 -0400

I think what you will find is it is an informal norm that will ebb and flow based on the leaders in that specific unit.
It may be tolerated in one unit and that same Marine transfers to another, gets promoted and chewed out when he comes back from post promotion lunch not wearing the sewed on "current" rank

Response by MSgt George Cater made Apr 27 at 2017 6:01 PM

MSgt George Cater — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 18:01:27 -0400

Hell, until I made Staff Sergeant, each time I got promoted, I got a set of the next rank sewn on a Charlie shirt to see every day and keep me motivated. (Musta worked a little bit.)

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Apr 27 at 2017 7:36 PM

PO2 Robert Aitchison — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 19:36:17 -0400

Funny related story. As an Engineer stationed aboard a ship for most of my time in the Navy I didn't have much cause for wearing my dress or "working" (not utility) uniforms. Well just a couple years ago I decided to get my working blues (AKA "Johnny Cash") uniform ready for wearing for special events on the Iowa. I had to have a 2nd Class (E-5) crow sewn on because when I pulled the uniform shirt out of my seabag it still had Fireman Apprentice (E-2) stripes on the sleeve. I also got a set of dress whites ready that had a 3rd Class (E-4) crow on it.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Apr 27 at 2017 10:40 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 22:40:31 -0400

Take as long as you want. Pay and new duties won't start until you are in the proper uniform.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Apr 27 at 2017 11:37 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 23:37:19 -0400

It is 30 days to have ALL your stripes sewn on your dress and service uniforms. However, don't show up in your service charlies with your prior rank on it.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 27 at 2017 11:38 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 23:38:21 -0400

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member OK, I am not and never have been a Marine... But, why would you wait?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 12:24 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:24:28 -0400

Why would any Marine procrastinate that long!?!

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Apr 28 at 2017 12:56 PM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:56:20 -0400

Not sure about the other services, but that's why we were issued a sewing kit.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 3:08 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:08:31 -0400

Please let me clear up any confusion, I am not searching for this "rule" to hide behind it myself. I am just trying to make sure that it isn't a real rule, before I write up all my procrastinators because I am sick of it. I too, knowing my promotion date at least two weeks beforehand, always have uniforms ready to go the day of my promotion, and expect that same pride a new rank to manifest itself in my Marines and drive them to do the same.

Response by Sgt David Hesser made Apr 30 at 2017 1:08 PM

Sgt David Hesser — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 13:08:39 -0400

I went thru rank pretty fast, then one day top told me that I might have to get inspected along with my troops, ( now understand I am a 3rd echelon Mechanic we never wore uniforms) we did everything in utilities, so as I am gathering every thing up to make my locker inspection ready I hear this laughter right behind me it was the gunner that wanted to know something about 5 ton engines he asked me how long I have been a Sgt and I said about a year sir then he said dont you think it is about time you removed those PFC stripes and put on SGT stripes.

Response by Cpl Joseph Roberts made Apr 30 at 2017 4:23 PM

Cpl Joseph Roberts — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 16:23:40 -0400

Being that there is no written official rule, it is whatever timeframe is within reason according to the individual's superior, who has enough authority to do what is needed in the case of non-conformance for improperly wearing the uniform . Any military member should be treated as the rank they wear. This is also why there are rules and laws governing the propper wearing of a uniform and its against UCMJ to impersonate, etc, etc. I would address said individuals for the rank they are wearing. If they don't like it, they'll get it fixed.

Response by Sgt Lowell Tackett made Apr 30 at 2017 6:13 PM

Sgt Lowell Tackett — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 18:13:20 -0400

I was promoted to Sergeant (E-5) on June 1st, but did not modify any of my uniforms until February of the following year. Of course... I was in 'Nam on June 1st of 1966, and didn't arrive back stateside until the following February. Then - I RUSHED to have the new rank installed while on leave. I was darned proud of my new status!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2017 6:13 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 18:13:24 -0400

WHAT? Your kidding me that is a thing? Even when I have seen special promotions, someone has made sure that individual had a duty uniform to wear. I have never heard of anyone not having their new rank on the day of promotion. I can't see it happening in any branch. My shirt would have been, "if your not ready to wear it, we can make sure you don't have to."

Response by John Ruggiers made Apr 25 at 2018 5:48 PM

John Ruggiers — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 17:48:48 -0400

where do you get the new ranks applied? How does the promotion process work?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 25 at 2018 7:14 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 19:14:02 -0400

I sugeest that if you are so lazy to wait 30 days, you might as well give it back. Seriously the next time we had a class A formation and my lil darlings didn't have their new rank on- they and their NCO chain would be in my office for awhile.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2018 8:21 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 20:21:15 -0400

You are expected to wear your rank from the time a CO pins it on and your promo warrant is read. As to sewing stripes on, when I was in you either displayed the proper uniform for a wall locker/ JOB (junk on the bunk) inspection or a laundry receipt showing they were turned in for stripes to be sewn on. It was best to ensure you could wear the inspection uniform with the proper rank. Since you know a few days after making the cutting score or being selected on a Meritorious board, the first thing you did was turn in one uniform on a rush order and the rest to follow. The 1st Sgt usually had stripes in his wall locker and replenished them from Bn Supply. Good luck finding that in any MCO. It's just one of those things "Such as Regiments Hand Down Forever". There are many things that are just passed on, such as the junior enlisted eating first and no seconds until everyone has eaten. I'm sure you can think of many more. Congrats on your promotion.

Response by SGT Zak Baker made Apr 26 at 2018 8:44 AM

SGT Zak Baker — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 08:44:28 -0400

I actually have a funny story to add to this discussion, so I had my Class A jacket at Boomerangs off of honeycut at Bragg to have the rank changed from PFC to SPC, the shop discovered that during the last switch from PV2 to PFC, someone had cut a hole in my sleeve, which could be covered by the PFC rank but not the SPC. Now, my dumbass private self had taken it to the on post alterations shop the first time, they of course gave me the good o'le middle finger and said tough luck. So needless to say, I went out and bought a used jacket, which is the one I currently use. But the hole can be covered by SGT rank, so I went ahead and had it sewn on overtop the hole nearly two years in advance of when I would pick up. It's been chillin in my closet ever since, hopefully I'll be able to wear it here in a month or so.