As a honorably discharged veteran going to a military event, do I wear old dress greens or do I need current dress blues?

SGT Steve Oakes — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:34:04 -0500

My son is a contracted ROTC cadet. I want to be in uniform at the Graduation. But which one? The current Dress Uniform or the Dress Greens I wore while in service.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Feb 1 at 2016 10:42 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:42:23 -0500

SGT Steve Oakes I found this regulation.
Section 30-1 Occasions of ceremony
Gender Specific: Both
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, and military funerals; memorial services, meetings and conferences; or functions of associations formed for military purposes, of which the membership is composed largely or entirely of current or honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces or reserve components. 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.
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.

http://ar670.com/chapters/view/30

Army Regulation 670-1 | Wear of the Army Uniform by Reserve, Retired, Separated, and Civilian...

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Feb 1 at 2016 10:49 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:49:38 -0500

You always see WWII veterans wear their old service uniform... obviously you are not up in age with WWII veterans, but I think that point is that you wear the uniform you served in. Congrats on your son's graduation and commissioning!

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Feb 1 at 2016 11:00 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 23:00:59 -0500

SGT Steve Oakes - Call ahead to the ROTC unit. They should be able to tell you the uniform of the day... or, appropriate alternative. Prediction: 100% chance that they will accommodate you. Congratulations, to both you and your son!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 11:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 23:47:31 -0500

To be honest, I would wear a black suit and minis on the lapel mid way down. I see it all the time at balls.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Feb 1 at 2016 11:49 PM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 23:49:46 -0500

Sure there are official regulations on this, but as long as your old uniform is still serviceable, fits you, and you wear it properly, no one is going to say anything. And if they do try to claim "Stolen Valor!!!" you can always punch them in the throat (J/K, just show them your DD-214, LOL).

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 1 at 2016 11:57 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 23:57:30 -0500

You can wear either (your choice). But you must conform to the standard of whichever you choose. So if you wear your old Dress Greens, you stick to that set of regs. If you decide to go with current Dress Blues, you go exclusively with the new regs.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Feb 2 at 2016 2:42 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 02:42:21 -0500

Wear A proper dress uniform, whatever the best one you have. I would just say that if you do wear it make sure it fits properly and is neatly pressed, and you are in the grooming standards.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2016 3:19 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 03:19:03 -0500

You may wear your old uniform, but bit must conform as much as possible with current regulations.
That means a shave and haircut, and busting out the Kiwi.
This is something that happens quite a bit. Congratulations to you both.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2016 6:07 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 06:07:01 -0500

First, congratulations to your son!
I think the suit idea by SFC Private RallyPoint Member is an outstanding recommendation!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2016 7:58 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 07:58:08 -0500

The uniform you wore while you were in service.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2016 12:50 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 00:50:57 -0500

Talk to your 1SG

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Feb 24 at 2016 3:14 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 15:14:04 -0500

One thing that a lot of these discussions fail to address is that when WEARING the uniform, you go BACK in to the military. That means you will be clean shaven, mustache/beard/hair length within spec for your time period, etc. Tatoos, piercings, etc. Oh and...it also means you must salute/render honors, etc. "Good morning sir/maam," etc. No way. Not me. I'm wearing a suit with mini ribbons/badges.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 9:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:51:50 -0400

The regulations allow retired/honorable d/c people to wear either the current uniform or the one that was authorized during the time you were in the service (but cant mix the two) congratulations on your sons commissioning

Response by SFC Preston Sr made Jan 4 at 2018 12:29 PM

SFC Preston Sr — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 12:29:51 -0500

Unless there has been some recent changes, a former service member can wear the actual approved uniform that was in effect at the time of their discharge. Also, unless you're in an approved position (JROTC INSTRUCTOR, temporarily recalled, or other official duty status), you're not allowed to purchase military uniform clothing items from AAFES.
I'm a retired SFC 76Y & a retired JROTC INSTRUCTOR.

Response by SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales made Aug 19 at 2018 11:18 AM

SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 11:18:34 -0400

If you wore Dress greens, you can wear them, if you were around for the change out to Blues, then you can wear those too...

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 19 at 2018 12:27 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 12:27:21 -0400

I wear a nice Cilivian suit with my veterans label pin.