Army Mess Dress

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 09:59:20 -0500

I know the AF gets a lot of flack for having so much "bling" on our uniforms, but I went to a Joint Service Dining In recently had have to say, for the Mess Dress, the Army definitely out "blings" the Air Force.

The individual I seen had both lower sleeves cover in stripes, 2 neck medals, a dozen or so regular mini medals, like 4 badges on the lower half of the jacket and 3 badges above the medals.

The Marine Mess Dress was pretty clean. Rank, mini medals, and badges above the medals.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 11:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:47:36 -0500

Hands down the sharpest uniform we wear. But you are right, there is a lot going on.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Dec 21 at 2014 11:24 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 11:24:49 -0500

I'm assuming this individual is a very senior NCO because the amount of awards he has would not be typical of a more junior Soldier. Neck medals are "honor societies" medals and typically only worn at formal occasions and at the discretion of the individual. Badges on the lower part of the jacket were probably drill sgt and recruiter badges mixed in with senior staff badges. Service stripes on dress uniforms tend to be big and exaggerated on dress uniforms.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 21 at 2014 1:16 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 13:16:48 -0500

TSgt Joshua Copeland, although I never had the opportunity to wear either, I thought the Army blue and/or white evening mess uniforms were very sharp. They are essentially the same as the blue and white mess uniforms, but the black tie, black cummerbund and straight collar tuxedo shirt combination is replaced with the white tie, white waistcoat and white winged collar shirt combination. It's the Army equivalent of "white tie and tails". The service cap is now an optional item of wear with mess and evening mess uniforms, but I would want to wear it anyway. The only problem would be finding a white service cap as I don't think they can even be purchased any longer! I know Marlow White doesn't offer them for sale.
I dislike wearing the regimental affiliation insignia on the right lapel. The wear of locally authorized neck ribbons/medals (Order of this or that) has become almost epidemic, and I'm really not crazy about the wear of such items. I would prefer that the Medal of Honor be the only item worn around the neck.
LTC Paul Labrador, here's the discussion we had about the mess uniforms on another thread!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 12:35 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 00:35:52 -0500

I always thought that white version was sharp. I think the blues with the branch colored lapels look like like something out of the 70's though. Out of all the services I think the Navy has it down IMO.

Response by MSgt Jim Pollock made Feb 26 at 2015 3:29 PM

MSgt Jim Pollock — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:29:36 -0500

The main issue I've always had with our Air Force uniforms is that we are so ribbon-centric. Our racks get ridiculous and detract from an otherwise clean look. I think the Army does a better job distributing their bling.

Luckily, our mess dress only includes proper medals, not ribbons. The problem is we have no option to wear full sized medals. That's a shame IMO.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 5:57 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 17:57:31 -0500

Mess dress is for those that have committed to being lifetime Soldiers 100%. They are awesome make me think tho of others being critical of the military stickers on the car. In America our envy gets the best of use. The rest of the world sees bling as a good thing, means some else though you did something. We get hung up on hating success but when we should live like rappers. Exhibit picture from over sea.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 8:32 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 20:32:39 -0500

In general I think the AF blues are pretty sparse. Some special forces and security folks get a lot of ribbons which can look kind of extreme but i like that we don't have a lot of other badges to clutter the uniform.