marine corps uniform regulations - US

MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS 5203
bottom row of the medals will be approximately 1/4 to 1 inch above a
horizontal line tangent to the highest point of the pocket. The holding bars
of the top row of medals will be at least 1/8 of an inch below the collar.
If necessary the medals may be shifted from center towards the armhole seam
between 1/4 and 1/2 inches so that no more than one-third of any medal is
covered by the coat lapel.
3. Wearing Ribbon Bars With Large Medals. When large medals are worn, all
unit citations and other ribbons with no medal authorized will be worn
centered over the right breast pocket, the bottom edge of the lower row 1/8
inch above the top of the pocket. Women will wear these ribbons on the right
side of the coat front in about the same vertical position as worn with dress
"B" and service "A" uniforms. Ribbon bars are normally worn in rows of three
in the order of precedence from the wearer's right to left and from top down
(for example: top row, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation,
Navy Unit Commendation; bottom row, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Korean
Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation). Marines who
have not been awarded large medals, but who are entitled to wear a ribbon(s)
for which no medal is authorized will wear such ribbon(s) over the right
breast pocket as described above.
5203. WEARING MINIATURE MEDALS. (See fig. 5-4)
1. The Medal of Honor and miniature medals will be worn on all evening dress
uniforms. When miniature medals are worn, no ribbons will be worn.
2. On male officers' evening dress jackets, miniature medals will be
centered on the left-front panel of the jacket midway between the inner edge
and the left armhole seam, with the top of the holding bar on line with the
second blind buttonhole.
3. On the male SNCOs evening dress jacket, the miniature medals will be
centered on the left lapel with the top of the holding bar approximately 1
inch below the left lapel notch. If regulation size holding bars will not
fit on the lapel, medals may extend beyond the lapel edge onto the jacket's
left breast.
4. On the women's evening dress jacket, miniature medals will be placed
centered on the left lapel with the top of the holding bar at the lapel's
widest part. If regulation size holding bars will not fit centered on the
lapel, medals may extend beyond the lapel's edge onto the jacket's left
breast.
5. Wear on Civilian Evening Clothes
a. Males. Miniature medals may be worn on the left lapel of the civilian
evening coat on ceremonial occasions, but only when strictly appropriate to
the occasion. On the full dress and tuxedo coats, miniatures will be worn
centered on the wearer's left lapel, placed horizontally and one inch below
the end of the collar gorge. The top edge of the holding bar will completely
cover the buttonhole. If current styles preclude wearing on the lapel,
miniatures will be placed in the same relative position as if there was a
lapel.
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