How to Measure for 

Military Uniform 

Special Measurement Orders 

Prepared by DLA Troop Support * Clothing & Textiles 

Technical Support Branch * 2020 
Page 1 
Page 2 

Table of Contents 

Special Measurement Orders 3 

Measuring Basics 4 

Service Member Body Measurements 5 

Height 6 

Weight 7 

Neck 8 

Shoulder Circumference 9 

Back Width 10 

Back Waist Length 11 

Back Coat Length 12 

Back Shirt Length 13 

Sleeve Length 14 

Arm Inseam 15 

Bicep 16 

Chest/Bust 17 

Waist 18 

Abdomen 19 

Hips 20 

Thigh 21 

Leg Outseam 22 

Leg Inseam 23 

Seat 24 

Shoulders 25 

Posture 26 

Feedback Form 27 

 
Page 3 

Special Measurement Orders

Military uniforms are manufactured in a full range of sizes designed to fit most people. 

For the occasion where a standard size garment cannot be used, DLA Troop Support provides 

Special Measurement garments made to fit the customer's individual body shape. 

Before opting for a special measurement order, first have the Service member try on 

several standard sizes to determine if a standard size garment can be used. If a special 

measurement order is determined to be necessary, indicate the closest-fitting standard size on 

the request form, AND describe clearly how it is not fitting properly when worn. The request 

form for a special size garment can be found by the following steps: 

1. Log in to DoD FedMall, https://www.fedmall.mil/ 

2. Search for your garment and add it to the cart. 

3. Enter your cart and click on the link that says to “Enter Special Measurement Details” 

To ensure that you are not logged out of the system because of measuring delays, please 

use the space provided on the page entitled Service Member Body Measurements to note the 

measurements until you can get to the computer to input them into the request form and 

submit. 

Optional, but very helpful: Take a picture of the service member in the closest fitting 

standard size garment and email to the Special Measurement/CAD office, TrpSptC&TPatterns@dla.mil. Service members do not need to show faces in these pictures if they choose 

not to. Please indicate the Control Number found on the submitted Special Measurement 

Request Form in the subject line of your email. Also, please provide a phone number of the 

actual service personnel that is in need of the garment. This will allow faster processing of 

the request and ability to fix any errors found. 

For quality monitoring and process improvement, the Special Measurement/CAD office 

would appreciate a photograph of the special size garment on the service member once it is 

received, along with any feedback on the process, sent to the Special Measurement/CAD 

office, TrpSptC&T-Patterns@dla.mil. Please use feedback form included at the back this 

booklet. 

 An electronic version of this booklet can be found at the below web address: 

http://www.dla.mil/TroopSupport/ClothingandTextiles/CTCustomers/Specialmeasurements/
Page 4 

Measuring Basics 

When taking measurements for a special size garment, it is important to take into 

account the following: 

Posture: 

 Stand tall with muscles relaxed and feet hip width apart (approximately 6”). 

Clothing: 

 Baggy or thick clothing interfere with accurate measuring. Ensure service 

member is wearing light, close fitting clothing. Similarly, chest measurements for 

women will be most accurate when wearing a well-fitting, unpadded bra (not a 

sports bra). 

Tools: 

 Use a flexible metal measuring tape, as a cloth tape might stretch. Fiberglass or 

nylon tapes are good alternatives. 

Technique: 

 All measurements, except weight which is measured in pounds, should be taken 

in inches and SPECIFIED TO THE NEAREST 1⁄4 INCH. 

 When taking horizontal measurements, such as chest, waist, hips, etc., be sure to 

keep the tape parallel to the floor. 

 When measuring, apply constant pressure to the tape (so it doesn't sag) without 

pinching the skin. Because the body is made of soft tissue, it can be a bit difficult 

to know exactly how tight to pull the tape around the body. The tape should be a 

bit snug, but not tight - it should not "dig in" or make an indentation in the 

body. It should not be loose, either. Just wrap the tape around the area of the 

body being measured and hold it in place. A finger should be able to be placed 

behind the tape, but no more than that. 

Any questions on properly measuring for a specific garment should be directed to 

the Special Measurement/CAD office: 

TrpSptC&T-Patterns@dla.mil 
Page 5 

Service Member Body Measurements 

Only measurements that are needed for the requested garment will appear in DoD 

FedMall. Please provide measurements for all fields requested. 

Name: Date: 

Item: 

Best fitting standard size: 

What fits poorly when wearing this size: 

Height (inches): Bicep: 

Weight (pounds): Chest/Bust: 

Neck: Waist: 

Shoulder Circumference: Abdomen: 

Back Width: Hips: 

Back Waist Length: Thigh: 

Back Coat Length: Leg Outseam: 

Back Shirt Length: Leg Inseam: 

Sleeve Length Left: Seat: 

Sleeve Length Right: Shoulders: 

Arm Inseam Left: Posture: 

Arm Inseam Right: 

Notes: 
Page 6 

Height 

Measure the distance from the very top of the head to the bottom of the feet while 

standing tall with shoulders back. 
Page 7 

Weight 

Measure weight by using an accurate scale. Evenly distribute weight 

on the scale and hold still while measurement is taken. 

Ensure clothing is light and no shoes are worn. 
Page 8 

Neck 

Measure the circumference around the center of the neck. 
Page 9 

Shoulder Circumference 

Measure the circumference around shoulders at their widest point. 
Page 10 

Back Width 

From behind, measure the distance from the very top most part of 

the armpit, across the back, to the other armpit. 

 
Page 11 

Back Waist Length 

Measure from the base of the neck (in the center, not the side), 

to the center of the waistline. 

 
Page 12 

Back Coat Length 

Measure from the base of the neck (in the center, not the side), to the center of 

where the desired length of coat should fall, per the design of the coat. For dress 

coats, this is just near the break at the bottom of the seat or about midway on the 

fingers where one would cup them. For all-weather coats, the coat must be long 

enough to reach the bottom of the kneecap for males, and 1 inch below for 

females. It must not extend below the mid-calf. 

 
Page 13 

Back Shirt Length 

Measure from the base of the neck (in the center, not the side), to the center of 

where the desired length of shirt should fall, per the design of the shirt. For tuckin shirts, this is near the break at the bottom of the seat or about midway on the 

fingers where one would cup them. For over blouses, this is about 2.5 to 4 inches 

above the break at the bottom of the seat or about where the wrist falls when arms 

are placed next to the body. 
Page 14 

Sleeve Length 

Slightly bend the elbow (elbow should not be bent more than a 90-degree angle). 

Measure from behind. Start at the middle of the base of the neck to the shoulder, 

down the back of the arm to the back of the elbow, and then on to the wrist. If 

measuring for short sleeves, start at the middle of the base of the neck to the 

shoulder, down the back of the arm to the center of the bicep. 
Page 15 

Arm Inseam 

With arm down at the side, measure the distance from the uppermost inside of the 

armpit, down the inside of the arm, to the wrist. 

 
Page 16 

Bicep 

Measure the circumference of the upper arm. Wrap the tape measure around the 

widest part of the upper arm from front to back 

and around to the start point. 

 
Page 17 

Chest/Bust 

Measure the circumference around the chest at its widest point. For most men this 

will be at the armpits, for most women this will be at the fullest part of the bust. 

Place one end of the tape measure at the fullest part, wrap it around (under the 

armpits, around the shoulder blades, and back to the front) to get the 

measurement. This measurement is referred to as Bust for females and Chest for 

Males. 
Page 18 

Waist 

Measure the circumference of the waist. Use the tape measure to circle the waist 

(like a belt would) at the narrowest part of the natural waistline, which is located 

above the naval and below the rib cage. When bending to the side, the crease that 

forms is the natural waistline. Don’t suck in stomach, as this would result in a 

false measurement. This measurement is best taken mid-breath. 
Page 19 

Abdomen 

Measure the circumference of abdomen. Use the tape measure to circle the 

abdomen like a belt would. The abdomen is located below the naval and above 

the hips, which is where men usually wear the top of their pants. Don’t suck in 

stomach, as this would result in a false measurement. This measurement is best 

taken mid-breath.
Page 20 

Hips 

Measure the circumference around hips at the widest point. This will usually be 

roughly just above the crotch line. Start at one hip and wrap the tape measure 

around the seat, around the other hip, and back to start. Make sure the tape is over 

the largest part of the seat. 
Page 21 

Thigh 

Measure the circumference of the fullest part of the thigh. This may not be the 

very center of thigh. Wrap the tape measure around the thigh from front to back 

and then around to the front. 
Page 22 

Leg Outseam 

Measure the distance from the waist, along the outside of the leg, to the desired 

length of the pant at the bottom of the ankle.
Page 23 

Leg Inseam 

Measure the distance from the uppermost inner part of the thigh, along the inside 

of the leg, to the desired length of the pant at the bottom of the ankle. 
Page 24 

Seat 

 Normal Full Flat 
Page 25 

Shoulders 

 

 Sloping (Long Neck) Regular (Regular Neck) 

 

 Square (Medium Neck) High (Short Neck) 
Page 26 

Posture 

 

 

Normal Erect Forward/Stooped 

 

 Half-Stout Stout Corpulent 
Page 27 

DLA Troop Support Special Measurement office 

would love your feedback! 

Please use this form to let us know about how the special order garments fit 

and your experience in ordering. If possible, include a photograph of the 

service member wearing their new custom fitted uniform. 

Name: 

Order Number: 

Comments: 

Send to: 

DLA Troop Support 

700 Robbins Street 

Bldg. 3, Room 6314 

Philadelphia, PA 19111 

Or e-mail us at: TrpSptC&T-Patterns@dla.mil