Posted on Apr 3, 2018
As a retired soldier, what uniform can I wear to a military graduation ceremony (OSUT)?
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In the past I have been told I can wear one my issued dress uniforms, Greens/Dress Blues as long as I wear them correctly and don’t look like a soup sandwich. Part of that seems correct because I have seen veterans wear WWI and WWII dress uniforms at ceremonies and even Dress Greens. While that may be so, other than the retired patch on my greens it doesn’t cover headgear. I am hoping I am not going to have to buy that new abomination ASU then spend a month figuring out what has changed in the wear and appearance categories. The Reg’s AR-670-1 are about as clear as mud and a most Army regulations leave grey areas the size of Texas.
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Dress Uniform
Dress Uniform
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The new 670-1 says you can wear the dress uniform you wore on retirement or the new one as worn by the Active Army. You just can' mix them. Hope this is helpful. I wear the new style blues.
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 associations 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
21–3. Retired personnel a. Personnel who will be advanced to a higher grade upon retirement have the option of wearing the insignia of that grade thereafter. b. Retired personnel on active duty will wear their uniform and insignia in the same manner as prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch. c. Retired personnel not on active duty may wear either the uniform reflecting their grade and branch on the date of their retirement, or the uniform prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch, when appropriate, but may not mix the two uniforms. Personnel will wear the grade as shown on the retired grade of rank line on their retirement order.
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 associations 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
21–3. Retired personnel a. Personnel who will be advanced to a higher grade upon retirement have the option of wearing the insignia of that grade thereafter. b. Retired personnel on active duty will wear their uniform and insignia in the same manner as prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch. c. Retired personnel not on active duty may wear either the uniform reflecting their grade and branch on the date of their retirement, or the uniform prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch, when appropriate, but may not mix the two uniforms. Personnel will wear the grade as shown on the retired grade of rank line on their retirement order.
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1SG Dennis Hicks
Roger CSM. I am thinking either Greens with retired patch black beret no unit crest and everything properly placed or Dress blues Buss driver cap less sewing to do and is ready right now as I wore it to a military wedding. I have mess Blues but I think that is not the correct one for the occasion. I am glad we were and are able to stop with ten Service stripes or my rank would be at the top of the sleeve :)
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SGT Thomas Neal
I was in three times....72-75....85-89....03-05. Plus NG and Res time in between. Which uniform am I allowed to wear to my grandsons military graduation this Oct? Also am I only allowed to wear the ribbons authorized to that time or to my final tour? Also which unit patch? I know which combat patch I will be allowed??? Thank you for your help and time...
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CSM Richard StCyr
SGT Thomas Neal - 670-1 says you wear the uniform you wore at the end of your service. You can pull up a PDF copy online. Also since you have a mix of Active, Guard and Reserve time you will have to look at AR 600-8-22 , section VI, para 1-41 through 1-44 and AR 670-1, Para 22-5 to figure what ribbons , medals and what order you wear them in.
Your awards and decorations should have carried through for all your active periods of service and should show up on your final DD214 the confusing ones will be what Guard and Reserve ribbons or those from other branches if you have mixed time carry over and throughout your service, as some do and some don't. Again You'd have to pull up a PDF copy of 600-8-22 and 670-1 to figure those out.
As far as the unit patch go's : "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."
Your combat patch if authorized would be whatever one, of ones you are authorized Para 19-17 of AR 670-1.
Long answer but with multiple periods of service there isn't an easy answer to your question.
Your awards and decorations should have carried through for all your active periods of service and should show up on your final DD214 the confusing ones will be what Guard and Reserve ribbons or those from other branches if you have mixed time carry over and throughout your service, as some do and some don't. Again You'd have to pull up a PDF copy of 600-8-22 and 670-1 to figure those out.
As far as the unit patch go's : "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."
Your combat patch if authorized would be whatever one, of ones you are authorized Para 19-17 of AR 670-1.
Long answer but with multiple periods of service there isn't an easy answer to your question.
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SPC James Dierickx
It also says that you can wear highest rank that you wore in your wartime service even if not that high aftwards too.
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Wear the uniform as per respective regulations. No need to provide explanations other than stand up and look good and damed proud of it!
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I second the new AR 670-1 reference above. Wear the uniform IAW regulatory requirements and you'll never go wrong. The big thing to remember is the occasion or event. Once again the AR covers when a retired Soldier is authorized to wear their uniform. Just remember to wear it correctly and know that at a OSUT graduation everyone is watching. Set the best example possible since young new Soldiers will be watching .
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