Posted on Apr 27, 2017
Do Marines have 30 days after promotion to have new chevrons sewn onto their uniforms?
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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.
Marines
Enlisted
Uniforms
Rules
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
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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.
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MCPO Roger Collins
I had such a short time between E-8 and 9, due to deployment wearing khakis, I never had my E-8 insignia on my dress uniform. Still have E-8 collar devices in the case I bought them. Stuff happens
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MSgt (Join to see)
MCPO Roger Collins - Absolutley there will be special circumstances like that. I believe the question was more toward garrison and if you have a grace period to get your uniforms squared away per an order.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Just bragging, Gunny. Any time I had a chance to show my new stripes, I did so quickly. That was an exception.
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Sgt Lowell Tackett
I was promoted to Sergeant (E-5) on my 22nd birthday, June 8, 1966 on a beach head in Chu Lai, Vietnam. Actually, I was probably more surprised than anyone else around. Never saw it coming...! (Side note - I'd been in the Corps for EXACTLY the statistical time of 4.8 years.) That said, my uniforms were not altered until I got back to the States the following February, but I'll guarantee you I found a tailor as soon as I hit the ground! Why on earth would someone who'd just received a promotion delay for ANY length of time displaying their new status?!
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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?
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?
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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.
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LtCol Robert Quinter
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 - Thought for a moment my vintage mind was slipping; Thanks GySgt Stephen Anderson
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SSgt (Join to see)
Only had to stand 1 JOB for a CGI as a Cpl, most time intensive personnel inspection to prepare for ever.
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LCpl Sam Thomas Jr.
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 - Nope...Field Days were, at least for us, EVERY Thursday, where we had to completely clean the barracks in preparation for the weekly inspection..."Junk on the bunk" was usually the display of field gear for a higher level of inspection, usually battalion level, or all the way to CG inspection.
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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.
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.
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1SG (Join to see)
Capt Tom Brown - I can't speak for the Marines, but I have always been able to go to my supply Sergeant and get the rank devices I need, both dress and utilities
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TSgt (Join to see)
It's most definitely a Reserve/National Guard thing, 1SG (Join to see). I don't know if my ANGB is an exception (though I don't think so), but we're a three-hour round trip to nearest military clothing store.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
USMC 1st Sgts always had cloth chevrons and a few collar ones in their office wall locker. Came with the territory and they replenished from Bn Supply.
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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.
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Cpl Cary Cartter
The level of professionalism one chooses to display should confirm the promotion. As far as procrastination, simple counseling along the lines of "shape up or it will be rescinded" should suffice. A little bit of word of mouth will get the other slackers in line.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Tell your Marines that if they don't want to wear their new rank, it can be arranged. No excuse for not having one uniform ready before promotion (once you find out). The 1st Sgt will provide collar devices at the formation.
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Take as long as you want. Pay and new duties won't start until you are in the proper uniform.
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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.
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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!
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MSgt Stephen Council
Sgt (Join to see) - It was my personal standard that you should be proud enough of your promotion to be ready to wear it. I was okay if an Airmen's rank was sewn on half of their uniforms, as long as they wore only the current rank once promoted. They could certainly catch up the remaining uniforms after payday. I have encountered Airmen, Soldiers, and Marines at USAF training bases actually wearing an outer garment (think field jacket) with improper rank because "it was cold out, and I didn't think to have my rank sewn on my coat" (their words, not mine). I would tell them exactly what I said above: I will ensure your paycheck matches the rank you are currently wearing if you wish, otherwise, remove the offending garment and go fix it.
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MSgt James Mullis
When I made SrA Below the Zone, my uniforms went into the cleaners to have the stripes sewn on that day and the cleaners did one shirt for me to wear home.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Sgt (Join to see) - Typically what I've seen and had done, when an Airman shows up to his promotion ceremony he'd come wearing his old rank. But he would also bring a uniform with his new rank sewn on so when he would be officially promoted, he could change blouses prior to the new stripes being tacked on.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Enlisted DOR in the Air Force tends to be effective on the first of the month. So that promotion ceremony is typically held on the last duty day of the month prior to promotion.
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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.
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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.)
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