Clothing Monetary Allowances

Start Here If You Are New to CMA

Clothing Monetary Allowances cover the cost of replacing required uniform items for enlisted Marines. The Standard Initial Clothing Allowance is provided in-kind at MCRD recruit training. The Cash Clothing Replacement Allowance is paid annually on your anniversary month for the duration of continuous Active Duty. Basic CCRA covers the first 3 years. Standard CCRA covers years 4 and beyond.

This page walks you through CMA from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• The three categories of clothing allowance (Initial, Replacement, Extra)
• The Marine Corps in-kind issue model for the initial allowance
• The Basic and Standard CCRA progression
• The anniversary month payment trigger
• Officer CMA limitations (civilian clothing allowance OCONUS only)

Every fact on this page comes from DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 29 (March 2024), Title 37 U.S.C.Title 37 U.S.C. sections 418 and 419, and Marine Corps Order P10120.28G.

What CMA Is

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 1.1, the Secretary of Defense prescribes the quantity and kind of clothing furnished to enlisted Marines and the cash allowance paid if the clothing is not furnished. The Commandant of the Marine Corps prescribes the quantities and kinds of items for Marines under the parameters set by the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense - Military Personnel Policy.

Per paragraph 2.0, three categories of clothing allowance exist.

• Initial Clothing Allowance (paragraph 2.1). Enlisted Marines receive this at first enlistment or upon other special qualification.
• Cash Clothing Replacement Allowance (paragraph 2.2). Enlisted Marines receive this annually on the anniversary month after the initial allowance.
• Extra Clothing Allowances (paragraph 2.3). Additional allowances for unusual circumstances.

Standard Initial Clothing Allowance

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 3.1, the standard initial clothing allowance is the in-kind issue every Marine receives at MCRD San Diego or MCRD Parris Island during recruit training. The recruit training command issues the items directly. A cash payment is made for items not furnished in-kind.

Marine Corps Method

Per paragraph 3.1.3, Marine Corps members entitled to a standard initial clothing allowance are furnished the allowance on an item or issue in-kind basis without establishing a monetary credit. Payment of the prescribed cash allowance is made immediately. Shortages of in-kind items are recorded and issued when available.

This means recruits do not see a dollar amount on their LES for the initial allowance. The recruit training command issues items directly.

Special Initial Clothing Allowance Does NOT Apply to Marines

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 3.3 NOTE, the special initial clothing allowance does not apply to the Army or Marine Corps. Marines receive the standard initial clothing allowance only.

Initial Clothing Allowance Entitlement Triggers

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 3.2, an enlisted Marine receives a standard initial clothing allowance under one or more of these circumstances.

• First enlistment in the Marine Corps.
• Reenlistment in the same branch if 3 months have expired from the date of last discharge or release from Active Duty AND the Marine is not reporting from a Reserve component requiring uniform maintenance.
• Enlistment or reenlistment in a Service other than the one from which last discharged.
• Reporting for or recall to Active Duty for more than 6 months after 3 months from last discharge or release.
• Restoration to duty after sentence to confinement and punitive discharge.
• Reenlisting within 3 months of last discharge or release if the Marine did not receive the complete initial allowance.
• Recall to Active Duty after 3 months from the last release. Only one allowance authorized in any period of 4 consecutive years.

Reduced Allowance for Recall

Per paragraph 3.2.3, a Marine reporting for or recalled to Active Duty for more than 6 months after 3 months from last discharge or release with the clothing required for service in a Reserve Component receives a reduced or partial standard initial clothing allowance. The reduction accounts for clothing already in the Marine's possession upon recall.

6-Month Discharge Rule

Per paragraph 3.1.2, if a Marine dies, is discharged, or is released from Active Duty within 6 months of entitlement to an initial allowance, the value of the initial allowance is reduced to the items already supplied or amount credited up to that date.

Cash Clothing Replacement Allowance

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 4.0, enlisted Marines receive cash clothing replacement allowances for replacement of military-unique items based on a normal wear rate.

CCRA Eligibility Exclusions

Enlisted Marines engaged in officer training programs or attending academy preparatory schools are not eligible for cash clothing replacement allowances during that period.

Basic CCRA (First 3 Years)

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 4.2, Basic CCRA covers the first 3 years of active service after receipt of a standard initial clothing allowance.

• Basic CCRA accrues to the Marine beginning the first day of the month following completion of 6 months of Active Duty without regard to time lost.
• The first payment is at the end of the Marine's anniversary month completing 1 year of uninterrupted active military service.
• The first payment is equal to one-half the applicable fiscal year rate.
• Basic CCRA continues for the first 3 years of continuous Active Duty. It is payable for the second and third years at the end of the Marine's anniversary month using the applicable rate then in effect.

Standard CCRA (Year 4 and Beyond)

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 4.3, Standard CCRA covers years 4 and beyond after receipt of a standard initial clothing allowance.

• When used as the follow-on to Basic CCRA, Standard CCRA accrues beginning the first day of the month following the date the Marine completes 36 months of Active Duty without regard to time lost.
• It continues during the remaining period of continuous Active Duty.
• It is payable annually at the end of the Marine's anniversary month using the applicable rate then in effect.

Anniversary Month

The anniversary month is the calendar month containing the date the Marine first reported to MCRD or otherwise entered Active Duty. CCRA is paid at the end of that month each year.

Rate Source

CCRA rates vary by gender (male or female) and by year (Basic vs. Standard). The DFAS Cash Clothing Replacement Allowances tables at https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables/ contain the current fiscal year rates.

Extra Clothing Allowances

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 5.0, extra clothing allowances are additional to initial and replacement allowances and do not reduce, replace, or affect them.

Marine Corps Supplementary Clothing Allowances

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 5.2.2.4, the Marine Corps provides supplementary clothing allowances as a combination of in-kind issues and cash payments. The supplementary allowance is for Marines assigned to duty in a special organization or detail where the nature of the duty requires additional quantities or special items of uniform clothing.

Marine Corps supplementary clothing allowance cash payments are listed in Chapter 29 Tables 29-8A, 29-8B, and 29-8C.

Common Marine Corps supplementary allowance categories include.

• Marine Corps Bands (Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, Marine Band Washington DC) for special dress uniforms.
• Marine Security Guard duty for civilian-equivalent uniform requirements.
• White House and Camp David details.
• Recruiters in plain-clothes details.
• Drill Instructors for the additional Service "A" uniform requirements.

Per paragraph 5.2.1.2, a Marine scheduled to serve in a qualifying assignment for at least 6 additional months may receive a subsequent supplementary clothing allowance on the anniversary of the initial supplementary clothing allowance. A Marine who receives a supplementary allowance is not authorized a subsequent supplementary allowance for the same items upon reassignment if less than 12 months have elapsed since the last payment.

Civilian Clothing Allowance

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 5.3, Marines (officer or enlisted) directed by competent authority to dress in civilian clothing more than half the time when performing official duty as a military requirement are authorized a civilian clothing allowance.

Per Title 37 U.S.C. section 419Title 37 U.S.C. section 419, an officer is authorized a civilian clothing allowance only if the permanent duty station is outside the United States. The OCONUS gate for officers is the key restriction.

The civilian clothing allowance has two parts.

• Initial Civilian Clothing Allowance. Paid only once in any 3-year period. Not paid if the Marine has been out of a qualifying assignment for less than 12 months.
• Replacement Civilian Clothing Allowance. Paid annually at the end of the Marine's anniversary month at the applicable rate.

Common civilian clothing allowance situations for Marines include.

• Marine Security Guard duty at U.S. Embassies (officer or enlisted, OCONUS by definition).
• Marine Corps personnel assigned to recruiting stations in CONUS (enlisted only since the assignment is in CONUS).
• Marine Corps Cryptologic Support Battalion (MCSB) personnel assigned to designated billets.
• Marine Corps personnel assigned to Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) units.

Marine Officers and CMA

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 5.3 and Title 37 U.S.C. section 419Title 37 U.S.C. section 419, Marine officers do NOT receive the standard initial clothing allowance or the cash clothing replacement allowance. Officers purchase their own uniforms and pay for replacement out of pocket.

Marine officers receive a civilian clothing allowance only if assigned to a permanent duty station OCONUS that requires civilian clothing wear. Domestic civilian-clothing assignments do not qualify Marine officers for civilian clothing allowance.

This is a major pay difference between officers and enlisted Marines. Enlisted Marines receive annual CCRA. Officers do not.

Reserve Component Allowances

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 6.1, RC Marines on Active Duty for periods of 6 months or more qualify for the standard initial clothing allowance and CCRA on the same framework as AC Marines (with reductions accounting for clothing already in possession). RC Marines on inactive duty (drill weekends) follow the Marine Corps RC clothing allowance directives.

Lost or Damaged Clothing

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 6.2, a Marine whose clothing is lost or damaged due to circumstances beyond the Marine's control (e.g., shipboard fire, equipment loss in field training) follows the Marine Corps replacement procedures. The replacement is processed through the unit S-4 with the appropriate Statement of Charges or Survey documentation.

Verifying CMA on the LES

A monthly LES check around the anniversary month catches CMA errors fast.

Step 1. Pull Your LES

Through MyPay each payday around the anniversary month.

Step 2. Verify the CMA Line

The LES shows CMA as a line item under Entitlements. Common abbreviation. CCRA or CLOTH ALLOW.

The CMA payment shows in the anniversary month at the Basic CCRA or Standard CCRA rate (depending on years of service). For Marines in years 1-3, expect the Basic CCRA rate. For Marines in year 4 and beyond, expect the Standard CCRA rate.

Step 3. Verify the Rate Against the DFAS Table

Cross-reference the LES amount against the DFAS Cash Clothing Replacement Allowances table for the current fiscal year, by gender (male or female) and by allowance type (Basic or Standard).

Step 4. Resolve Discrepancies

Coordinate with your S-1. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am a PFC at the 18-month point. When does my first CCRA hit my LES?

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 4.2.1, your first CCRA payment is at the end of your anniversary month completing 1 year of uninterrupted active military service. The first payment is one-half the applicable Basic CCRA rate. So at 12 months, you receive the half rate. At 24 months and 36 months, you receive the full Basic CCRA rate. At 48 months and beyond, you receive Standard CCRA.

I am a Marine Drill Instructor. Do I get a supplementary clothing allowance?

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 5.2 and Tables 29-8A through 29-8C, yes. Marines on Drill Instructor duty receive a supplementary clothing allowance through the Marine Corps. The allowance covers the additional Service "A" and special dress uniform items required for the assignment. The allowance is partly in-kind and partly cash per the Marine Corps method.

I am a Marine Security Guard at a U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Do I get a civilian clothing allowance?

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 5.3, yes. The MSG duty at a U.S. Embassy OCONUS qualifies under both the more-than-half-time-in-civilian-clothing trigger and the OCONUS PDS gate. You receive an Initial Civilian Clothing Allowance plus annual Replacement Civilian Clothing Allowance per Tables 29-9A through 29-9C.

I am a Marine Corps officer. Do I get CCRA on the anniversary month like the enlisted Marines?

No. Per Chapter 29 paragraph 5.3 and Title 37 U.S.C. section 419Title 37 U.S.C. section 419, officers do not receive the standard initial clothing allowance or CCRA. Officers purchase uniforms out of pocket. Officers receive a civilian clothing allowance only if at a permanent duty station OCONUS that requires civilian clothing wear.

I am Reserve. Do I get CCRA?

Per Chapter 29 paragraph 6.1, RC Marines on Active Duty for 6 months or more qualify for CCRA on the same framework as AC Marines. RC Marines on inactive duty follow the Marine Corps RC clothing allowance directives. Verify with your I&I S-1 against the controlling Marine Corps RC directive.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• CCRA rate verification. The DFAS Cash Clothing Replacement Allowances table at https://www.dfas.mil/.
• CMA missing from the LES on the anniversary month. Your S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• Marine Corps supplementary clothing allowance for special duty. Coordinate with your S-1 against the Marine Corps Order P10120.28G and Tables 29-8A through 29-8C.
• Civilian clothing allowance for OCONUS or special duty. Coordinate with your S-1 against the Tables 29-9A through 29-9C and the controlling Marine Corps directive.
• Lost or damaged clothing replacement. Your unit S-4 processes the Statement of Charges or Survey documentation.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Pay and Entitlements landing page lists all the pay topics.
• Basic Pay covers the parallel base salary entitlement.
• Special Duty Assignment Pay covers the parallel duty-based special pay (Drill Instructors, Recruiters, MSG, etc.).

Related Roles

• Leaders track Marines' anniversary months and surface CCRA timing during the unit pay review.
• Admin at S-1 processes CMA starts, stops, and corrections through the reporting unit.
• Commanders certify Marine Corps supplementary clothing allowance qualifying assignments.

CMA is the steady annual entitlement every enlisted Marine receives on the anniversary month. The Basic-to-Standard transition at 36 months is the key milestone. Officers do not receive CCRA. Drill Instructors, MSG, and other special-duty Marines receive Marine Corps supplementary allowances through the Tables 29-8A through 29-8C framework.