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National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

INSTRUCTION

NUMBER 1400.9

15 November 2012

Update: 16 February 2018

HD

SUBJECT: Dress Code

References: (a) 42 U.S.C. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, P.L. 95-555 as

amended

(b) NGA Manual 1455.1, Disciplinary and Adverse Actions, 19 February 

2015

1. PURPOSE. This Instruction:

a. Establishes the dress code policy at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

(NGA). 

b. Supersedes NGA Instruction, NI 1400.9R2, Appropriate Work Attire, 5 January

2004.

2. APPLICABILITY. This Instruction applies to all civilian NGA personnel and other

government agency personnel permanently assigned to NGA, including personnel 

assigned to NSTs or on a joint duty assignment. Military and contractor personnel will 

be referred to their supervisory officials for appropriate requirements.

3. DEFINITIONS. See Glossary.

4. POLICY. It is NGA policy that its workforce is mission ready, which includes

employees being dressed appropriately for their work environment and when 

representing NGA at official functions. Directorate Heads or Agency Element (AE)

Leads, may establish the dress code based on objective criteria such as workplace 

safety, comfort, and professional image. Site leaders at external locations have the 

authority to prescribe appropriate work attire for employees assigned to their location, 

based on the established allowances in this Instruction. The dress code cannot 

discriminate on the basis of age, national origin, gender, race, religion, disability, or any 

other federally protected status in accordance with (Reference (a).
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5. RESPONSIBILITIES. See Enclosure.

6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Instruction is effective on the date of signature.

Enclosure

Responsibilities

Glossary
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ENCLOSURE

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Directorate Heads/AE Leads:

a. May establish an appropriate dress code for their respective areas based on 

workplace setting, building, safety, and professional image. 

b. Ensure their employees’ work attire conforms to the established dress code for 

their office, if applicable. Directorates or AEs that require uniforms ensure the uniforms 

comply with appropriate dress code guidance. 

2. Human Development Directorate (HD) and Office of General Council (OGC) assist 

Directorates and AEs with resolution or clarification of specific dress code issues.

3. Managers and supervisors:

a. Ensure employees adhere to the dress code established in this Instruction and by 

the Directorates and AEs. Refer to Reference (b) for additional information and 

guidance.

b. When necessary, make exceptions to the dress code based on mission 

requirements and medical reasons and not discriminate on the basis of age, national 

origin, gender, race, religion, disability, or any other federally protected status. 

c. Accommodate religious beliefs unless denying the accommodation can be is 

justified by business necessity.

4. Personnel:

a. Wear work attire that conforms to the dress code established in this Instruction 

and for their respective Directorate/AE, if applicable.

b. Wear business attire when representing NGA to non-Agency employees and 

when briefing at official functions.

c. Wear athletic attire only in workout areas, outside the building, in the atrium, or to 

and from such areas (including checking in or out of their offices).

5. Directorates/AEs collocated in buildings with other external Agencies or Department 

of Defense (DoD) Components (such as the CIA or Pentagon) may establish, based on 

this established Instruction, a standard dress code that is consistent with the work attire 

of the building occupants and enhances the professional appearance of the NGA 

workforce. 

GLOSSARY
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DEFINITIONS

Athletic attire

Traditional Business 

attire

Clothing appropriate for the physical activity in which the 

individual is participating. Appropriate cover-ups (i.e. e.g.

sweatshirt) should be worn over such attire when 

checking in or out of the employee’s office.

Traditional A style of clothing which represents a 

professional image. Examples include suit, pant suit, 

dress, skirt, blouse, dress shirt (with tie for men), 

blazer/sport coat, etc.

Business casual attire A comfortably relaxed version of the more traditional

business attire, with no sacrifice of professionalism. 

Examples include sport coat, blazer, dress, skirt, blouse, 

collared shirt, pants and capris in business suitable 

fabrics, sweater and turtleneck.

Casual attire Casual attire includes an informal style of clothing which is 

appropriate to the business environment and even more 

relaxed. Informal style of clothing includes denim pants, 

jeans, capris, golf or collared shirts, and tennis shoes.

Unauthorized clothing Unauthorized clothing includes clothing with tears, holes, 

or excessive wear. This category also includes overly 

revealing or otherwise inappropriate clothing., such as 

spandex items or similar athletic attire worn in the office 

space, except as provided in this Instruction.