Marines may wear civilian apparel while off-duty, as commanded by responsible authority, or as otherwise permitted by this chapter. Civilian attire will be worn inside the limits of a military post or a DoD site, subject to local rules. When on duty, Marines should wear uniforms. Marines are always expected to dress appropriately and professionally at all times. In general, this means wearing clean clothes with no stains or holes. Shoes must also be clean. If there is any question about whether you should be wearing civilian clothing, then assume you should not (except when instructed otherwise). Marines are generally free to choose their own wardrobe. There are some exceptions: uniform regulations may restrict what you can wear on or off duty; in certain overseas locations, customs restrictions may apply to what you can bring into the country; and some social movements/events may require you to wear specific clothes (e.g., black clothes if you want to attend a funeral). For most other situations, you should be able to decide for yourself what clothes you should be wearing. If you are questioned about why you are not wearing your uniform, tell them that you are not required to do so. It is unlikely that they will have any further questions about it. If they do, simply refer to the first paragraph of this answer.