R 170916Z JUN 26
MARADMIN 279/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG TECOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/CHAPLAIN STAFF CORPS DEVICES ON MCCUUS APECS//
REF/A/DOC/MCO/1 MAY 2018//
REF/B/DOC/SECWAR/6 JUN 2026//
REF/C/DOC/SECWAR/24 MAR 2026//
NARR/ REF A IS MCO 1020.34H, MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS. REF B
IS SECWAR MEMORANDUM, SUBJECT: CHAPLAIN CORPS UNIFORM REFORM
IMPLEMENTATION. REF C IS SECWAR ACTION MEMORANDUM, SUBJECT: CHAPLAIN
CORPS UNIFORM REFORM.//
POC//GS13 MARY BOYT /MCUB/TEL: 703-432-5569/EMAIL:
MARY.BOYT@USMCU.EDU//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Chaplain Staff Corps Devices on the Marine
Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) and All Purpose Environ-
mental Clothing System (APECS) Guidance. Effective 22 June 2026,
Changes to uniform wear for chaplains serving with USMC units are
as follows:
a. MCCUU: Chaplains will wear Chaplain Staff Corps devices on both
sides of the MCCUU coat collar (centered vertically on a line
bisecting the angle of the collar point).
b. APECS: Chaplains will wear one Chaplain Staff Corps device
centered on the APECS parka zipper flap rank tab.
c. Tactical Environments: Subdued Chaplain Staff Corps devices will
be worn on the MCCUU and APECS per commander's guidance.
d. Service/Dress Uniforms: No changes to current wear guidance.
2. Paragraph 4005.3.e of reference (a) is changed to include the
following text: “Navy Chaplains serving with USMC units will wear
a Chaplain Staff Corps device centered on the APECS parka zipper
flap rank tab. When worn in a tactical / combat environment, a
subdued Chaplain Staff Corps device will be worn per the
commander’s guidance.”
3. Paragraph 8001.3.c(1) of reference (a) is changed to read:
“Navy collar grade insignia will be worn on khaki shirts and MCCUU
coats as prescribed in paragraph 4005. Staff Corps and Warrant
Officers will wear a gold staff corps device on the left collar in
lieu of the grade insignia, in the same general manner as prescribed
in subparagraph 4005 on their MCCUU coat collar. Chaplains will wear
their Chaplain Staff Corps device centered vertically on each side
of the MCCUU coat collar with the center of the device on a
line bisecting the angle of the point of the collar, as illustrated
in figure 8-1. When worn in a tactical / combat environment, subdued
Chaplain Staff Corps devices will be worn per the commander’s
guidance.”
4. Chaplains retain their rank and status as commissioned officers.
Standard protocol for rendering military honors and courtesies will
continue to be extended appropriately to Chaplains wearing all
uniforms. The revised policy is a modification of uniform wear and
does not change the Chaplains' authority or position as naval
officers.
5. These changes will be published in the next scheduled change
to reference (a).
6. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Benjamin T. Watson,
Commanding General, Training and Education Command / Deputy
Commandant for Training and Education.//