By Jennifer Barnhill · October 30, 2023
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The Department of Defense knows the cost of uniforms, medals, awards, boots and other uniform items adds up quickly. So, military members receive a military clothing allowance to defray these costs.
This guide covers the 2024 military clothing allowance rates. These rates are updated each fiscal year.
Military clothing allowances are paid out in four categories:
Clothing allowances differ for officers and enlisted members.
In general, officers in the Armed Forces are paid a cash uniform allowance upon entry into active duty. It is generally their responsibility to purchase their initial set of uniforms, name tapes and alterations from this clothing allowance. Depending on their duties, they may not receive future clothing allowances.
Enlisted members generally receive either an initial set of uniforms, including required name tapes and alterations, or an initial clothing issue during basic military training.
The “Value of the Standard Initial Clothing Allowance” column represents the value of the set of uniforms that were issued.
The “Cash Payment Portion” column represents cash paid to the new recruits. This is used for the purchase of special clothing and uniform items, which may include items such as handbags, PT gear and related uniform items.
The replacement clothing allowance is generally only provided to enlisted members. Most officers are required to purchase their uniforms out of their base military pay.
There are several types of replacement clothing allowances:
This is also referred to as the extra clothing allowance. Some military duties may require military members to purchase special clothing, which may include professional civilian attire.
These requirements are irregular and typically only occur when members are assigned to special details or duties. An example could be Defense Courier Service couriers or certain embassy duties.
The extra clothing allowance is in addition to the other military clothing allowances and does not impact them in any way.
This allowance is paid to members of the Coast Guard. Members receive the basic clothing maintenance allowance during their first three years of service and the standard rate for each year of service afterward.
Source: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/mas/cma/
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The Navy and the Air Force provide a special initial clothing allowance for certain members making certain career changes, such as being accepted into a commissioning program, achieving the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, or other situations requiring the purchase of new uniforms.
Supplementary Clothing Allowances are authorized for certain enlisted members when assigned to special duties, organizations, or details that require additional quantities or special clothing items not normally required by most enlisted members of their branch of service. These duty assignments are generally high-visibility roles.
Except for maternity uniforms, Supplementary Clothing Allowances may not exceed 30 percent of the current value of the Standard Initial Clothing Allowance.
Supplementary clothing allowances are authorized for certain enlisted members when assigned to special duties, organizations, or details requiring additional quantities or special clothing items that are not normally required by most enlisted members of their branch of service. These duty assignments are generally high-visibility roles.
Except for maternity uniforms, supplementary clothing allowances may not exceed 30% of the current value of the standard initial clothing allowance.
Please refer to the DoD pay allowances for full details on what is covered under uniform allowances.
In addition to being the Editorial Content Manager for TheMilitaryWallet.com, Jennifer Barnhill is a freelance writer with a focus on military family advocacy, a Navy spouse, and a mother of three.
Jennifer has a BA in Professional Writing/Journalism and is currently studying at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in pursuit of her Master of Public Administration, with a concentration in non-profit management.
Featured In:: Jennifer’s writing and reporting have been featured in Military.com, Military Families Magazine, Military Spouse Magazine, Stars and Stripes, We Are the Mighty, The War Horse, and many other publications.
Posted In: Allowances Military Life Military Pay News
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There appears to be that typical “pink tax” in the military as well. Some men’s uniforms listed even have no cost, while women for the most part seem to pay much more for their uniforms. In a country where we still are trying to get gender equality, even our own military falls short here.
After a recruit graduates boot camp who pays for marine uniform and cover? Who pays for combat fatigues? Who pays for regular cleaning and pressing?
Hi Sharon, these are the responsibility of the military member. However, enlisted military members do receive a uniform allowance each year which helps to cover the cost of new uniform items. Best wishes.
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