Are Reserve/Guard soldiers allowed to wear Dress Blues for civilian functions?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 23:10:24 -0400

I’m in the reserve and I’m planning to be married. The list of guests include people I had gone through basic, AIT, and people from my current reserve unit. However, the wedding itself is not a military wedding. One of the groomsman went through Basic and AIT with me, and we were talking about wearing out Dress Blues for the occasion.

I read through AR670-1 and it says Reserve and Guard Soldiers can wear their uniforms in a military setting. So I’m inclined to say no and ask everyone to attend the wedding without their Dress Blues... but I’m not sure if there are some etiquettes or unwritten rules I’m breaking. Is there an AR670-1 God here that can definitively say yes or no?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2018 11:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 23:20:54 -0400

There is no clear regulation on wearing your uniform to the wedding. Wear it according to regulation (shave, clean haircut, etc.). You will be fine.

Congrats!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2018 8:23 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 08:23:00 -0400

It is authorized as long as you adhere to the standard.

AR 670-1 allows for the wear of your uniform at other non-military functions as long as it will not discredit the army, or it is for personal game. I’ve had friends who did military weddings where wear of the dress uniform was encouraged so you are not alone in this!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 2 at 2018 4:27 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 16:27:56 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member , I think you need to go all in, or all out.
Chapter 21
Wear of the Army Uniform by Reserve, Retired, Separated, and Civilian Personnel
21–1. Occasions of ceremony
a. As used in this regulation, the phrase “occasions of ceremony” means occasions essentially of a military character, at which the uniform is more appropriate than civilian clothing. These functions include, but are not limited to, military balls, military parades, weddings, military funerals, memorial services, meetings, conferences, or similar functions of as- sociations formed for military purposes, of which the membership is composed largely or entirely of current or honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States. Authority to wear the uniform includes wear while traveling to and from the ceremony or function, provided the travel in uniform can be completed on the day of the ceremony or function and must follow guidance included in paragraph 3–7c.
b. All persons wearing the Army uniform will wear awards, decorations, and insignia in the same manner as prescribed in this regulation for active duty Soldiers. For civilian attire, individuals may wear only those awards, decorations, or insignia authorized by this regulation for wear on civilian clothing, in the same manner and approximate location as the equivalent military uniform.

At the end of the day, people will,show up in what ever they show up. Just make sure you and your groomsmen are squared away. When I got married, the wedding party was in dress blue or black tie (my best man was a civilian).

Response by MAJ Daniel Buchholz made Sep 2 at 2018 9:01 PM

MAJ Daniel Buchholz — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:01:54 -0400

Do it and wear it right. No one is going to ding you. I would recommend changing for the reception. Dress Blues are not as comfortable as a suit and it decreases the chance of messing it up (or messing up while wearing it).

Response by 1LT Peter Duston made Oct 31 at 2018 5:37 PM

1LT Peter Duston — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 17:37:04 -0400

What’s a military wedding?? I have performed a number of weddings with many of the party in the military. If they want to wear uniforms, I borrow a branch flag from the Legion and wear my blues.