Ash Wednesday: Wearing ashes while in uniform?

For me, my religion is my business. I'm proud of it but I have never been the type to flaunt it or felt a need to advertise it. Going to church and receiving the blessing and ashes is part of my religion and important tor me. However, I feel in public, the ashes single me out and make me more than a Marine or a Soldier. When I wore Marine uniform or when I my Army uniform I was not interested in being more than I am. I would not leave the ashes on while in uniform. We're all green, and we are all one faith.God knows I am a Catholic Christian, I know I'm a Catholic Christian and that is all I care about.

BUT, I would like to see everyone in the service follow the same philosophy and make their religion their own business while in uniform and in public. I believe it's disrespectful to the uniform you are wearing to wear ashes, or wear a Yamaka or burn incense or using a prayer blanket.

I haven't seen anything in the regulations or AFIs stating otherwise. So, I don't see how wearing ashes on your forehead is violating any regulations. If anything it encourages religious tolerance, even if the nice old ladies at the hospital track you down and tell you have dirt on your forehead :).

Just curious is this just a casual question or was there an issue brought up?

hahahaha you know what???? in my 49 year life....I never thought of the concept. Thx Capt

If it is, I wouldn't call you on it.

There where allowed when I was in ma'am.

Yes. but as stated above it is at the Commanders discretion. As to some of the other responses though, I did want to say one thing. It doesnt have to be ON the uniform to cause one to be out of uniform. Walking around with a Bluetooth device in your ear causes you to be out of uniform (or having cellphone plastered to your ear). You are only to be using it while in the car. Wearing head phones while in PT uniform anywhere else OTHER than inside the gym or on a track makes you out of uniform (and no you arent allowed to wear them during an APFT regardless of where you run NOR are you to wear them while running in civilian clothes while running on the streets on base like I see a lot of soldiers doing. They always give me a dumb ass look when corrected. This isnt new people). The point is, being out of uniform is more than just what is or isnt on the uniform itself but also what you are wearing with or neglecting to wear with it. I used to have a field day with the livestrong bracelets everyone wanted to wear not long ago.

MAJ Monique Salinas It seems that 1LT Scott D. provided you with the right guidance followed by a lot of other people who have done it. I have only been in uniform during one ASH Wednesday, and that was while deployed. We wore the ashes then, and no one said a thing. I think that you're good.

If you choose to wear them, no one may notice. If someone corrects you be humble. My gut, it should be allowed but i can't give you a cite.

no