When do you get dress blues for USMC?

Taylor Ball — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 02:06:00 -0400

So something I’ve been confused on lately is when does a marine get his dress blues? I hear how the honored recruit is presented a pair of dress blues at Graduation but I don’t completely understand that. If they get their dress blues when do the other privates get them?

Response by Cpl Douglas Loven made Sep 30 at 2018 2:14 AM

Cpl Douglas Loven — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 02:14:11 -0400

You have to buy them. The uniform shop will have them.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2018 3:17 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 03:17:45 -0400

Taylor Ball Are you enlisting in the Marine Corps?

Response by GySgt Mike Swisher made Sep 30 at 2018 3:53 AM

GySgt Mike Swisher — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 03:53:17 -0400

Talk to your recruiter. When I graduated in 1967 only the honor recruit received a set of Dress Blues, I had to purchase mine when I got to my command . . may be different now.
If I can offer you some advice, FOCUS entirely on EARNING your Globe & Anchor. That's a huge accomplishment!

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 30 at 2018 7:38 AM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 07:38:50 -0400

Back in my day, Only Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (Staff Sergeant and Above) and Officers were issued Dress Blues. Corporals and Sergeants typically bought their first set out of pocket but were not required to have them in Fleet Marine Force Commands. Privates through Lance Corporals were only issued Blues at specific commands (Sea Duty, Embassy Duty, Barracks Duty, International Commands, etc.) Sometime after I got out, I believe they became standard initial sea bag issue for recruits.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 30 at 2018 7:51 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 07:51:43 -0400

When they pay for them...

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2018 1:11 PM

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 13:11:56 -0400

Dress blues are "seabag" issued. All recruits receive them in boot camp as part of their initial uniform issue, not just the honor graduates. This changed more than a decade ago.

Response by SSgt Kerry Dillon made Sep 30 at 2018 6:36 PM

SSgt Kerry Dillon — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 18:36:44 -0400

They get them in bootcamp now days not sure when it started. I attended a graduation in the middle 2000s and they had them then

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Sep 30 at 2018 11:27 PM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 23:27:43 -0400

I was in the corp from 59-63 the only dress blues I ever seen was when we had our picture taken for the Plt. 332 book we got after graduation. The blue coat was split in the back so we put our arms in the sleeves and put on the white cover had our picture taken took the hat and coat off handed it to the next man. As a cpl. I only made $120 a month I couldn't afford to buy a set of dress blues. I value the EGA more. The girls liked a marine in uniform . It didn't have to be dress blues . Semper Fi.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Oct 1 at 2018 6:50 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 06:50:10 -0400

Back when I went in, only the honor recruit received a pair but that has changed. I graduated in 1981, my son graduated from PI in 2010. When I graduated we received two sets of greens (winter and summer service) and no blues, we had to buy them separately if we wanted them after leaving Parris Island. Now they get fewer sets of greens and a set of dress blues.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Oct 1 at 2018 11:39 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 11:39:49 -0400

Awesome, I'm excited for you that you are enlisting in the Marines. I read the other posts about that. There is nothing wrong with asking questions. Always ask when you don't know or if you can't find the answer on your own. Good luck to you.

Response by LCpl Chad Parson made Oct 4 at 2018 10:48 AM

LCpl Chad Parson — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 10:48:14 -0400

I was in the last company at MCRD San Diego to NOT receive (read “pay for”) them in boot camp. That was December 1989. The only blues I ever wore were the prop blouse and cover we put on for the boot camp photo.

Response by Cpl Tyler Crabb made Oct 10 at 2018 8:05 AM

Cpl Tyler Crabb — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 08:05:03 -0400

You will receive your dress blue and service uniforms in boot camp. They automatically deduct money from your pay to supply them. Can’t remember what week exactly but you will spend plenty of time getting them all ready.

Response by Sgt Jude Eschete made Oct 16 at 2018 3:34 PM

Sgt Jude Eschete — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 15:34:55 -0400

As of 2012 every recruit got them. Only the Honor Grad wore them for graduation though. I believe they are part of initial issue now, of not then you have to buy them at the MCX.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2018 5:04 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 17:04:48 -0500

When I went I graduated last February from Paris Island and we all graduated in dress blues. So I don’t know if that’s still a thing on the west coast.