Dressed for the Drill

The Show: “Major Dad” (Monday, 8 p.m., CBS)

The Set-Up: Conservative Marine Maj. J.D. (Mac) MacGillis (Gerald McRaney, pictured) adjusts to married life with liberal minded journalist wife, Polly (Shanna Reed) and a family of three daughters (Marissa Ryan, Chelsea Hertford and Nicole Dubuc).

The Look: The major wears regulation attire most of the time. The show’s costumer, Bob James, along with Michael Humm, a military technical adviser, keeps McRaney rather dapper, even in his camouflage fatigues. Part of the appeal, frankly, is Mac’s immaculate, pressed appearance. The man appears to be dust-free. His dress blues are his best outfit. The navy blue, button-front jacket with shiny brass buttons, white pants and the oh, so elegant white gloves are enough to explain why fashion designers are forever converting military classics to ready-to-wear.

The Stores: A huge chart of Marine uniforms hangs in costumer James’ office, and he has a stack of catalogues filled with regulation apparel. But these are mainly for inspiration. Most of what McRaney and colleagues wear is purchased from the Marine base at Camp Pendleton near Oceanside. For most of the women on the show, and the girls, Mall Land and department stores cover the somewhat bland fashion bill. More interesting are the political T-shirts Daddy’s girls wear, which women’s costumer Dorothy Baca collects from organizations such as Greenpeace. “As the show takes off,” she says, “more organizations will be in tune to the fact that we do that.”

The Program: All uniforms are regulation fitted by a Marine base tailor and must pass inspection by the audience of 40 to 50 Marines who come to the studio as observers.

The Payoff: Die-hard viewers (many of them veterans) are sticklers for accuracy. “One time one of Mac’s stars had come off, leaving a glue outline,” says James. That was noticed. Another time a general from a Marine Corps base called in to say he thought the sequence of ribbons was inaccurate. “But we we had it right, we don’t want mistakes,” said James.