Comfortable clothes that are presentableThe Army’s wording for MEPS. The Navy’s booklet puts it in two words: dress appropriately.
T-shirt or shirt with sleevesSleeveless T-shirts and tank tops are both on the processing command’s unauthorized list.
Pants, or shorts that reach mid-thighShorts count as a lower garment in the dress table; the handout asks for mid-thigh at least.
Closed shoes with socksFootwear is mandatory and socks must be worn, the command’s regulation says.
Clean underwear, which is mandatoryListed as mandatory attire in the command’s regulation, for men and for women.
Sweatshirt or sweater for a cool buildingThe Navy’s booklet warns that the air conditioning often keeps MEPS buildings cool.
Glasses in place of contact lensesThe command’s handout asks applicants who need lenses to report in glasses when possible.
All 50 things to wear
The short answer 7
Clean underwear, which is mandatoryListed as mandatory attire in the command’s regulation, for men and for women.
Closed shoes with socksFootwear is mandatory and socks must be worn, the command’s regulation says.
Comfortable clothes that are presentableThe Army’s wording for MEPS. The Navy’s booklet puts it in two words: dress appropriately.
Glasses in place of contact lensesThe command’s handout asks applicants who need lenses to report in glasses when possible.
Pants, or shorts that reach mid-thighShorts count as a lower garment in the dress table; the handout asks for mid-thigh at least.
Sweatshirt or sweater for a cool buildingThe Navy’s booklet warns that the air conditioning often keeps MEPS buildings cool.
T-shirt or shirt with sleevesSleeveless T-shirts and tank tops are both on the processing command’s unauthorized list.
What the dress table requires 5
Dress or skirtNamed as lower garments in the command’s dress table, beside pants and shorts.
Freshly washed clothesThe regulation: shower first if you can, and try hard to arrive in clean clothing.
One change of clothes, if you stay overnightWith an overnight kit it is all you should need, the command’s handout says.
Pants that sit high enough to hide underwearPants lead the table’s lower garments; trousers that show underwear are unauthorized.
Shirt or blouseThe dress table’s two examples of the upper garment it requires.
Underwear, for women and for men 5
Bra or sports bra, for womenThe regulation names both, with underpants, as a woman’s mandatory undergarments.
Briefs or boxers, for menThe two kinds the regulation names as a man’s mandatory undergarments.
Conservative underwearA 2019 command outline for recruiters advises it: one exam is done in undergarments, in single-sex groups.
Drape or gown, provided for a woman’s examThe Army says a female recruit is examined privately, with a female attendant present.
Underpants that are not a thongThong or similar underwear is unauthorized; the handout’s wording is thong or bikini-type.
What may stay on 5
Clothing your religion or ethnicity calls forExempt from the dress table, along with grooming styles, by the regulation’s own note.
Contact lenses, with the case and solutionIf you do bring lenses, the command’s handout says, bring the case and solution too.
Head covering your religion calls forHeadwear dictated by religion or ethnicity is exempt; you may be asked to remove it for the exam.
Watch on your wristThe other exception to the jewelry ban. The handout still advises against bringing valuables.
Wedding or engagement ringOne of the two exceptions to the jewelry ban in the command’s dress table.
Leave at home: shoes, hats and jewelry 11
No backless shoesThe regulation’s word is open heeled. The handout’s older wording is heeled.
No bandana or duragBoth are named as headwear in the dress table. Religious headwear is exempt.
No body piercings or gaugesNamed on the dress table’s jewelry line; the Army says every piercing should come out.
No chains or necklacesOn the same line of the command’s dress table as earrings.
No colored lensesNot acceptable for the color vision test, the command’s handout notes.
No earringsJewelry is unauthorized, earrings by name. A wedding or engagement ring and a watch are excepted.
No expensive sunglassesOn the handout’s list of valuables not to bring: the MEPS has no locked storage for belongings.
No hat or capHeadwear is unauthorized in the dress table, and the Army’s page says not to wear a hat.
No headbandNamed among the dress table’s examples of headwear, after hats.
No headphones on your headThe command’s handout does not allow them to be worn inside the MEPS.
No sandals, no open toesFirst on the regulation’s list of unauthorized attire.
Leave at home: clothes 17
No bathing suitNamed with leggings in the handout’s line on tight clothing.
No boxers worn as shortsThe dress table’s other example of an undergarment worn on the outside.
No clothing for a party, a candidate or a causeThe handout bars clothing that backs a political party, an issue, a candidate or an office holder.
No dress or shorts shorter than mid-thighThe handout’s rule for excessively short clothing. The regulation’s table has no such line.
No gang-related clothingRuled out in the Navy’s applicant booklet.
No leggings, spandex or compression shortsThe handout’s examples of excessively tight. The regulation’s 2024 table does not list them.
No midriff or halter topBoth are on the dress table’s unauthorized list, which applies to every applicant.
No military uniform itemsComplete or incomplete, the command’s dress table says.
No net or mesh shirtUnauthorized by name in the command’s regulation.
No obscene words, gestures or graphics on clothesObjectionable or obscene, the table says. The Army’s page: no offensive wording or pictures.
No plain white undershirt worn as a shirtThe dress table’s first example of underwear worn as an outer garment.
No shirt with a low-cut necklineThe last item on the dress table’s line about tops.
No shorts or trousers that show your underwearUnauthorized in the regulation’s dress table.
No sleeveless T-shirtThe dress table’s wording. It shares a line with tank tops and mesh shirts.
No suggestive clothing or offensive logosThe Navy’s applicant booklet lists both under dressing appropriately.
No tank topUnauthorized in the dress table, and named again in the command’s video about a day at MEPS.
No transparent clothingUnauthorized in the regulation. The handout adds excessively tight clothing to the same line.
How it works
What should I wear to MEPS? Presentable clothes with sleeves, closed shoes with socks, and underwear. These 50 rows follow the processing command’s dress table, the Army and the Navy. Unofficial: not affiliated with the command or any armed service.
Read the full guide
Two official lists, and they differ
The processing command’s Regulation 601-23, effective 26 February 2024, prints the dress table, and says a station may not hold an applicant for a standard outside it. The command’s handout for applicants, the Pre-Arrival Fact Sheet that stood on its site in May 2024, is longer: it adds heeled shoes, shorts or dresses above mid-thigh, leggings and other tight clothing, bathing suits and political clothing. A row that rests on the handout alone says so.
Your recruiter’s briefing comes first: the regulation makes each service responsible for telling its applicants the standard.
Questions and answers
What should I wear to MEPS as a female?
A shirt or blouse with pants, shorts, a dress or a skirt, closed shoes and socks, over a bra or sports bra and underpants: the command’s regulation names each. Its 2019 outline for recruiters advises conservative underwear: one exam, it says, is done in undergarments.
What should I wear to MEPS as a male?
A sleeved shirt with pants or shorts that hide your underwear, closed shoes and socks, over briefs or boxers. A plain white undershirt worn as the shirt, a tank top and a hat are all on the command’s unauthorized list.
Can I wear shorts or leggings to MEPS?
Shorts are a lower garment in the dress table. The handout wants them mid-thigh or longer and lists leggings, spandex and compression shorts as excessively tight; the regulation’s table, effective February 2024, has neither line. Ask your recruiter which your station applies.
What happens if I wear the wrong thing to MEPS?
The regulation says an applicant who does not meet the dress and hygiene standards is placed in an administrative hold, recorded as a clothing violation, and returned to the service’s liaison or guidance counselor until it is resolved.