2012 Military Clothing Allowance

Military Enlisted members are provided monetary allowances to pay for uniform replacement and maintenance. These allowances are based on the cost of specific uniform items, and on an estimated “wear out” date for each specific item. The clothing allowance typically is paid on the anniversary of the day members entered the military. People with fewer than three years of service receive a basic clothing allowance to begin replacing items from their initial issue as they wear out. Also, at the end of the first year of active duty, enlisted troops receive only half of the yearly allowance because it is assumed they do not need to replace any clothing in their first six months. After enlisted troops complete three years on active duty, they begin receiving the standard clothing allowance, which is higher than the basic allowance. Below are the uniform replacement/maintenance allowances for each of the military service. The FY 2011 rates are effective from October 1, and the changes through fiscal 2011.

Types of Allowances

A. Initial Clothing Allowance is how much an entire set of uniforms would   cost. In most cases, uniforms are issued to new recruits, but some recruits   (such as prior service) may be given the allowance instead and instructed to   purchase their own uniforms from the Military Clothing Sales store.

2012 Standard Initial Clothing (Uniform) Allowances (Enlisted Only)
Army		Navy		Air Force		Marine Corps		Coast Guard
Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
1438.78	1662.46	1697.30	1921.22	1428.29	1643.36	1733.55	1788.80	1371.22	1406.01

B. Cash Clothing Replacement Allowances are provided to enlisted members upon the anniversary month each successive year following the provision of an initial clothing allowance. Cash clothing replacement allowances are for replacement of required uniform items based on a normal wear rate. Those with less than three years of service receive the basic rate (on the assumption   that their uniforms are still fairly new and don’t need to be replaced as much).    Additionally, their first annual payment will be only 1/2 of the basic rate   (on the assumption that little would have to be replaced during their year of   service).

2012 Cash Clothing Replacement Allowances
Type	Army		Navy		Air Force		Marine Corps		Coast Guard
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Basic	309.60	345.60	338.4	338.4	230.4	262.8	410.4	414	343.99	351.53
Standard	440.86	493.76	482.4	482.4	331.20	374.40	583.4	604.8	491.42	502.18
Special	0	0	716.4	763.2	0	0	0	0	0	0

• After three years of service, members receive the standard rate each year. The standard allowance provides for continued replacement and maintenance of unique military items that would normally require replacement after completion of 3 years of active duty.
• This allowance is not taxable.
• The amounts following payment amounts may differ from service to service.

C. Civilian Clothing Allowances for Officer and Enlisted Members –
Effective October 1, 2011

2012 Civilian Clothing Allowances for Officers and Enlisted Members
When an officer or enlisted member is entitled to a Civilian Clothing Allowance for	Amount
permanent duty initial payment	$954.00
permanent duty annual replacement payment	$318.00
temporary duty of at least 15 days in a 30-day period (Note 3)	$318.00
temporary duty of at least 30 days in a 36-month period	$636.00

NOTES:
1. By law, an officer is authorized a civilian clothing allowance only if the officer’s permanent duty station is
outside the United States.
2. Unless 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.
3. The 15-day qualification requirement does not apply to explosive Ordnance Disposal and Explosive Detector
Dog personnel on United States 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.

For more information about military enlisted clothing (uniform) allowances,  see Department of Defense (DOD) Pay Regulation, Volume 7A (Active Duty &    Reserve Pay), Chapter   29—Clothing Monetary Allowances.