Compensation Division (CG-1222)

Allowances

CLOTHING MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE  

Authority: Title 37 U.S. Code Section 418 authorized the President to prescribe the quantity and kind of clothing, or cash allowance in lieu thereof, to be furnished to enlisted members. 

The following are types of clothing allowances authorized within the Coast Guard: 

Clothing-in-Kind Issue to Enlisted Members: An initial or partial initial clothing-in-kind issue will be made to all enlisted members upon reporting for extended active duty. 

Types of Cash Clothing Allowance: The types of clothing monetary allowances authorized for Coast Guard enlisted members are listed below: 

• Civilian Clothing Monetary Allowance: This allowance is authorized for officers and enlisted members when they are assigned to duty which REQUIRES the wearing of civilian clothing. An officer's PDS must be located outside the U.S. to qualify. Members who are merely permitted, rather than required, to wear civilian clothing are not entitled to this allowance. 
  See Figure 1 - Civilian Clothing Monetary Allowance (Effective 1 Oct 2008) 
  Civilian Clothing Allowance Worksheet - scroll down to CG PSC -5150

• Supplementary Clothing Monetary Allowance: This allowance is authorized to enlisted members who are assigned to duty where they are required to have special items or quantities of individual uniform clothing not normally required for the majority of enlisted members. This allowance is in addition to any other clothing monetary allowance. 
  See Figure 2 - Enlisted Supplementary Clothing Allowances (SUPP CMA) (Effective 1 Oct 2008) 

• Clothing Maintenance Allowance (BMA or SMA): This allowance provides active duty and reserve enlisted members a payment for items of personal clothing which would require replacement during the member’s tour of duty. 
  See Figure 3 - Enlisted Clothing Maintenance Allowances, Active Duty (per month) and Reserve (per paid drill) (Effective 1 Oct 2008) 

BMA commences on the day following the date of completion of 6 months active duty.

SMA commences on the day following the date of completion of 36 months active duty.