Table of Contents
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.
FY 2024 Military Uniform Allowances
Military clothing allowances are paid out in four categories:
- Initial – only paid out once, with some exceptions
- Replacement – paid out annually on their anniversary month
- Maintenance – paid out every three years of active duty (Enlisted Coast Guard members only)
- Extra – Also referred to as the Civilian Clothing Allowance. This is in addition to the items listed above and is for unusual assignments that require specialized clothing.
2024 Standard Initial Clothing Allowances
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.
| Service Branch | Value of the Standard Initial Clothing Allowance | Cash Payment Portion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | Male | $1,895.33 | $0 |
| Female | $2,269.60 | $406.60 | |
| Navy | Male | $2,190.74 | $129.23 |
| Female | $2,299.46 | $336.22 | |
| Air Force | Male | $1,954.43 | $0 |
| Female | $2,325.59 | $505.94 | |
| Marine Corps | Male | $2,690.06 | $0 |
| Female | $2,656.64 | $175.00 |
Replacement Clothing Allowance
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:
- Basic: Paid after six months of active duty, then annually for the next two years.
- Standard: Paid annually during service member’s anniversary month, starting during year three of service.
- Special: Paid to Navy members in the ranks of E-7 through E-9. Navy chiefs receive a special clothing allowance upon promotion to E-7.
| Service | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Army - Basic | $381.07 | $388.86 |
| Army - Standard | $544.38 | $555.52 |
| Navy - Basic | $374.80 | $370.80 |
| Navy - Standard | $536.40 | $529.20 |
| Navy - Special | $712.80 | $698.40 |
| Air Force - Basic | $346.68 | $351.12 |
| Air Force - Standard | $495.24 | $501.60 |
| Marine Corps - Basic | $571.56 | $562.80 |
| Marine Corps - Standard | $816.48 | $803.52 |
Civilian Clothing Allowance for Officers and Enlisted
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.
| When an officer or enlisted member is entitled to a civilian clothing allowance for: | Then the amount of payment is: |
|---|---|
| Permanent duty initial payment | $1,200.24 |
| Permanent duty annual replacement payment | $401.04 |
| Temporary duty of at least 15 days in a 30-day period | $401.04 |
| Temporary duty of at least 30 days in a 36-month period | $800.28 |
Notes:
- By law, an officer is authorized a civilian clothing allowance only if the officer’s permanent duty station is outside the United States.
- Unless an exception is given, the maximum amount payable for all temporary duty performed in any 36-month period will not exceed the maximum prescribed for duty of at least 30 days.
- The 15-day qualification requirement does not apply to explosive ordnance disposal and explosive detector dog personnel on U.S. Secret Service support duty, Defense Courier Service couriers or Defense Threat Reduction Agency military personnel. These personnel may be authorized up to the maximum temporary duty civilian clothing allowance for 30 days upon their initial temporary–duty travel requirement.
Coast Guard Enlisted Clothing Maintenance Allowances
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.
| When an enlisted member is entitled to: | And is in pay grade E-1 to E-9: | The amount payable is: |
|---|---|---|
| Active Duty Basic Maintenance Allowance | Male | $38.05 per month |
| Female | $38.33 per month | |
| Active Duty Standard Maintenance Allowance (SMA) | Male | $54.36 per month |
| Female | $54.76 per month | |
| Reserve Basic Maintenance Allowance (RBMA) | Male | $6.31 per paid drill |
| Female | $6.35 per paid drill | |
| Reserve Standard Maintenance Allowance (RSMA) | Male | $9.01 per paid drill |
| Female | $9.07 per paid drill |
Source: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/mas/cma/
- See the Coast Guard Pay Manual, COMDTINST M7220.29 (series), “Rules for the Basic and Standard Maintenance Clothing Allowance Entitlements.”
- The RBMA and RSMA only are payable to a Selected Reserve (SELRES) member in training pay category “A” or “B.” The authorized number of paid IDT periods for a member of the SELRES is 48 drills per fiscal year.
Special Initial Clothing Allowances:
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.
Navy Special Initial Clothing Allowances
| When an entitled enlisted member is: | And is: | Then the total value of the Special Initial Clothing Allowance is: | And the prescribed cash payment portion to be paid is: | And the Partial Initial Clothing Allowance for a member of the Reserves or Guard called to active duty is: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In pay grade E-6 or below and assigned to the U.S. Navy Band, Washington, DC, or the U.S. Naval Academy Band, or selected for appointment as a Limited Duty Officer in the Navy | Male | $1,280.38 | $1,280.38 | $0 |
| Female | $1,239.46 | $1,239.46 | $1,239.46 | |
| Eligible to wear the uniform of a chief petty officer (E7-E9) | Male | $1,280.38 | $1,280.38 | $1,280.38 |
| Female | $1,239.46 | $1,239.46 | $1,239.46 | |
| Selected for officer training in the Navy and enters Officer Candidate School, the Enlisted Commissioning Program, or the Seaman to Admiral Program | Male | $2,140.35 | $2,140.35 | $0 |
| Female | $2,305.26 | $2,305.26 | $0 |
Notes:
- Navy Reserve personnel advanced to chief petty officer on or after Oct. 1, 2009, are entitled to the full special initial clothing allowance. Chief petty officers in the Navy Reserve who were advanced before Oct. 1, 2009, were only paid a partial special initial clothing allowance and are entitled to a partial initial clothing allowance when called to active duty for six months or more.
Air Force Special Initial Clothing Allowances
| When an entitled enlisted member is: | And is: | Then the total value of the Special Initial Clothing Allowance is: | And the prescribed cash payment portion to be paid is: |
|---|---|---|---|
| A direct civilian accession student to the Air Force Officer Training School (AFOTS): | Male | $1,047.10 | $1,047.10 |
| Female | $1,355.62 | $1,355.62 | |
| An enlisted accession student to the AFOTS: | Male | $438.85 | $438.85 |
| Female | $438.85 | $438.85 | |
| Assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School: | Male | $1,151.41 | $1,151.41 |
| Female | $1,151.41 | $1,151.41 |
Supplemental Clothing Allowances:
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.
Navy Supplemental Clothing Allowances
| When a Navy enlisted member is assigned to: | Then the Supplementary Clothing Allowance to be paid in cash is: | And the frequency of payment is: |
|---|---|---|
| Duty as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy or a Master Chief Petty Officer of a Fleet or Force | $225.28 | Annual |
| Duty as a recruit company commander at Naval training centers or Naval Air Reserve training unit (Memphis) and meets eligibility requirements (Note 2) | $225.28 | |
| Duty as a recruit drill instructor at naval training centers and meets eligibility requirements (Note 2) | $225.28 | |
| Duty as a midshipmen company advisor in pay grade E7 – E9 at the U.S. Naval Academy | $225.28 | |
| Duty as a musician with a Fleet/Area Band, U.S. Navy Band, Washington, DC or Naval Academy Band | $225.28 | |
| Assigned to a recruiting billet or a recruiting support billet (Note 3) | $225.28 | |
| The USS CONSTITUTION | $225.28 | Only upon assignment |
| The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard | $225.28 | |
| Duty with Naval Administrative Unit, Washington, DC | $128.04 | |
| The Ceremonial Guard Unit, Naval Air Facility, Washington DC | $122.88 | |
| A unit of the Armed Forces police or permanent shore patrol | $51.20 | |
| Duty in the executive part of the Department of the Navy located at the seat of government (field activities excluded) | $15.36 | |
| Duty in the Office of the SecDef including the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff | $15.36 | |
| Active duty or Selected Reserve duty and the individual’s condition requires the wearing of a maternity uniform | $435.88 | Once in three years |
Notes:
- The supplementary clothing allowances listed are, unless otherwise noted, payable upon initial assignment to a normal tour of the duties described at the frequency specified in this table. Annual allowances will be paid upon assignment and upon each subsequent anniversary date of the initial assignment or entitlement, provided the member is projected to remain in the assignment for at least six additional months. Allowances to be paid as once in 3-year allowances, will be paid after 36 months from the date of any prior payment provided the individual’s condition/duties continue to require the supplementary allowance, and they are projected to remain in the assignment for at least 6 additional months. Members will be paid allowances only when first assigned to specified duty. A supplementary allowance may not be paid more frequently than once per year for similar duty, even if at different locations or commands or for subsequent recalls to active duty within 1-year, except by special authority of the Service Secretary or designee.
- Eligibility requires completion of Recruit Company Commander or Recruit Drill Instructor School.
- Recruiting or recruiting support duty means active duty assignment to: Navy recruiting areas, Navy recruiting districts, Navy recruiting “A” stations, Navy recruiting stations, Military Entrance Processing Stations, or to Naval Reserve activities. It also includes Naval aviation cadet procurement teams at Naval Air Reserve activities. It is payable to recruiters after reporting to the enlisted Navy Recruiter Orientation Course or upon completion of the Veteran Recruiter Orientation. It is payable to recruiting support personnel upon receipt of orders to such duty. It is payable to members in BUPERS controlled recruiting billets or a recruit support billet upon initial assignment, when specialized training is not required prior to the recruiting assignment.
Air Force/Space Force Supplemental Clothing Allowances
| When an Air Force enlisted member is assigned to: | Then the Supplementary Clothing Allowance to be paid in cash is: | And the frequency of payment is: |
|---|---|---|
| A recruiting group or squadron | $295.44 | Annual. |
| Duty as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force | $295.44 | |
| Duty as a Military Training Leader (Technical Training Schools) | $295.44 | |
| Duty as a professional military education instructor | $295.44 | |
| Duty as a basic military training instructor or manager | $295.44 | |
| Duty as an in-flight passenger service steward | $230.24 | |
| Detachment 1, 4950th Test Wing | $230.24 | |
| 89th Air Wing Presidential Aircrew | $230.24 | |
| Duty as a cadet military training advisor at the U.S. Air Force Academy | $230.24 | |
| Duty as a basic military training instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School | $230.24 | |
| A military entrance processing station | $191.03 | |
| USAF Honor Guard (Air Force Specialty Code 8G000) Effective November 1, 2021 | $181.61 | |
| 89th Air Wing as a member of the security police | $156.30 | |
| Duty as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Staff | $295.44 | Only upon assignment. |
| Represent the Air Force as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year | $295.44 | |
| Hammer Ace | $230.29 | |
| Headquarters U.S. Air Force/Chief of Staff as member of the security police | $156.30 | |
| Duty at a Major Command as a member of the security police Elite Guard | $156.30 | |
| Duty as a member of the security police Elite Gate Guards | $156.30 | |
| Duty as a student at the Security Forces Specialist Course (Law Enforcement & Security Specialist Students) | $126.00 | |
| Active duty and the individual’s condition requires the wearing of a maternity uniform (Note 2) | $421.44 | Once in three years. |
| The U.S. Air Force Band, the Air Force Band of the Rockies, or a numbered Air Force Band | $230.29 | |
| Duty as a U.S. Air Force Academy radio maintenance work center technician | $191.17 | |
| Active duty and the individual’s condition requires the wearing of a maternity uniform when the individual is provided, as government issue, maternity working uniforms (e.g., hospital workers, Note 2) | $152.06 |
Notes:
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.
Marine Corps Supplemental Clothing Allowances
| When a Marine Corps enlisted member is assigned to: | Then the Supplementary Clothing Allowance to be paid in cash is: | And the frequency of payment is: |
|---|---|---|
| Male Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) White Trousers (note 2) | $61.99 | Only upon assignment. |
| Female SNCO White Skirt (note 2) | $73.99 | |
| Female SNCO White Slacks (note 2) | $65.99 | |
| Duty as a male student at the Naval Academy Preparatory School | $1,457.28 | |
| Duty as a female student at the Naval Academy Preparatory School | $1,482.23 | |
| Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps | $280.90 | |
| Recruiter (Vinyl Cover) | $148.00 | Note 3 |
| Female Marina (Pumps) Allowance | $50.00 | Note 4 |
Notes:
- The supplementary clothing allowances listed are, unless otherwise noted, payable upon initial assignment to a normal tour of the duties described and at the frequency specified in this table. Annual allowances will be paid upon assignment and upon each subsequent anniversary date of the initial assignment or entitlement, provided the member is projected to remain in the assignment for at least six additional months. Allowances to be paid as once in three-year allowances will be paid after 36 months from the date of any prior payment provided the individual’s condition/duties continue to require the supplementary allowance, and they are projected to remain in the assignment for at least six additional months. Members will be paid allowances only when first assigned to specified duty. A supplementary allowance may not be paid more frequently than once per year for similar duty, even if at different locations or commands or for subsequent recalls to active duty within one year, except by special authority of the service secretary or designee.
- Required for all SNCO whose approved duty assignment requires the white trousers, white slacks and white skirt.
- The Recruiter Commercial Vinyl Cover Allowance is for the commercial vinyl cap that recruiters are required to wear with their uniforms. A replacement is authorized once every 3 years for those who previously received a one-time automatic payment of this allowance and who are currently assigned to a specific recruiter billet military occupational specialty.
- Female Marines are authorized a replacement, once every 3 years to purchase commercial black pump dress shoes. For Active Duty, commercial black pump shoe allowance will be added to the Clothing Replacement Allowance monthly amount. For Reservists, the replacement in-kind allowance will need to be reported by the units admin sections once every 3 years.
Please refer to the DoD pay allowances for full details on what is covered under uniform allowances.
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Ian says
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.
Sharon Forslund says
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?
Ryan Guina says
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.