Our dress cap for Company-Grade Offices (O-1 to O-3) in the United States Marine Corps shares the same high-gloss visor used on the version of the cap worn by enlisted Marines, but it features a gold-and-scarlet chinstrap instead of a high-gloss leather or synthetic leather strap. It comes mounted with the USMC officer’s branch of service insignia, a silver-and-gold rendering of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (the enlisted version is all gold).
Marine Corps regulations are very specific about when Marines should wear dress caps (and other types of headgear) and when they should remove them. Except under special circumstances, Marines should keep covered when they are outdoors, even during religious-oriented components of military ceremonies such as invocations are taking place and removing headgear seems like appropriate. However, Marines will remove their headgear when attending outdoor religious services that are not part of a military ceremony, or if they have been ordered to uncover. (Chaplains are instructed to adhere to the rules and tenets of their faith.)
The default action for Marines is to remove headgear when indoors, but Marines serving in a duty status and wearing sidearms or a pistol belt stay covered, unless they enter a room or area where a meal is being served or religious services are in progress. In government vehicles, on the other hand, Marines are to keep their headgear on—unless, of course, doing so would be an impediment to safe driving. And in 2005, Marines were freed from the requirement of wearing headgear in privately owned vehicles.
As with all dress caps worn by Marine Corps officers, the crown of this cap is adorned with the Corps' distinct quatrefoil. Legend has it that the quatrefoil was developed during the War of 1812 so that officer boarding ships could be recognized by Marine sharpshooters, but it actually was introduced in uniform regulations in 1859.
More Company-Grade Officer Dress Cap Insignia / Accouterments
Officer Dress Cap Insignia
Officer Dress Cap Crown
Officer Dress Cap Chin Strap
Dress Cap Screw Post Buttons
More USMC Officer Insignia / Accouterments
Officer Service Cap Crown
Officer Service Cap Insignia
Service Cap Chin Strap
Service Cap Buttons
Officer Gold Tie Tack
Officer / NCO Cuff Links