Posted on Oct 18, 2015
TSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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I was invited to a funeral but asked to wear Navy Dress Blues to Retired Navy Veterans Funeral.
I am currently Air National Guard, but before that I was Active Duty Navy. I still have my Navy Blues, but I was not sure a regulations. They ended up changing the plans and I was unable to attend, but the potential exists that it could happen to me again.

Can I wear my Navy Blues or do I need to state that I am required to wear my AF dress uniform?
Posted in these groups: Afp getty 511269685 Dress UniformFuneral honors1 FuneralRules and regulations Regulation
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COL Vincent Stoneking
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In your situation, I would have worn the Navy Dress Blues. I also am not sure of the regulations, but it was important to the deceased and/or his family, I would take the hit if I was wrong by the regs.
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TSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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COL Vincent Stoneking I can't find any specific regulations guiding this situation. I think should it arise again I will probably wear my Navy Blues.
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SN Greg Wright
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COL Vincent Stoneking It's uncommon to see a senior officer state publicly that s/he'd do the right thing, rather than the 'regs' thing. I salute you, Sir.
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1SG Michael Brooks
1SG Michael Brooks
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As long as you look good and have an error free uniform. I would wear what the family asked. I'd make sure I had a photo for my scrap book tooo
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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Personally I think it strange since you ae currently serving in the Air Force to be requested to wear the Navy uniform. I think it would be disrespectful to both services. When a person retires they are authorized the wear of the uniform of the branch they retired. Now with that said I dont think anyone would question you because most wouldn't know any better. I was a Marine and retired Air Force but would not try to wear the Marine uniform. But that's just me and my thinking. Here is the only thing I found on the net. http://www.lawinfo.com/illegal-wearing-of-uniforms.html
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TSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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It was the family that asked, not someone with a great understanding of uniform regulations. I suspect that someone currently active or recently active would not ask me to represent something I am not.

I really don't think it would be disrespectful to either branch, now against regulations that is a different matter.
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Maj Neal Jackman
Maj Neal Jackman
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I would think if you were authorized to wear the uniform at one time, and you wore it well and respectfully, wear it.
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE NUMBER 1334.1
May 17, 2004

USD(P&R)

SUBJECT: Wearing of the Uniform

References:
(a) DoD Directive 1334.1, "Wearing of the Uniform," August 11, 1969 (hereby canceled)
(b) Executive Order 10450, April 27, 1953, as amended
(c) Section 772 of title 10, United States Code

1. REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE
This Directive reissues reference (a) and continues to prescribe limitations on wearing of the uniform by members of the Armed Forces and continues to establish policy with respect to wearing of the uniform by former members of the Armed Forces.

2. APPLICABILITY
This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as the "DoD Components").

3. POLICY
3.1. The wearing of the uniform by members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of Reserve components) is prohibited under any of the following circumstances:
3.1.1. At any meeting or demonstration that is a function of, or sponsored by an organization, association, movement, group, or combination of persons that the Attorney General of the United States has designated, under E.O. 10450 as amended (reference (b)), as totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive, or as having adopted a policy of advocating or approving the commission of acts of force or violence to deny others their rights under The Constitution of the United States, or as seeking to alter the form of Government of the United States by unconstitutional means.
3.1.2. During or in connection with the furtherance of political activities, private employment or commercial interests, when an inference of official sponsorship for the activity or interest may be drawn.
3.1.3. Except when authorized by competent Service authority, when participating in activities such as public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration (including those pertaining to civil rights), which may imply Service sanction of the cause for which the demonstration or activity is conducted.
3.1.4. When wearing of the uniform would tend to bring discredit upon the Armed Forces.
3.1.5. When specifically prohibited by regulations of the Department concerned.

3.2. Former members of the Armed Forces, unless under another provision of this Directive or under the terms of 10 U.S.C. 772 (reference (c)), who served honorably during a declared or undeclared war and whose most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions may wear the uniform in the highest grade held during such war service only upon the following occasions and in the course of travel incident thereto:
3.2.1. Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals.
3.2.2. Parades on National or State holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a patriotic character in which any Active or Reserve United States military unit is taking part.
3.2.3. Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time or for any other purposes is prohibited.

3.3. Medal of Honor holders may wear the uniform at their pleasure except under the circumstances set forth in paragraph 3.1., above.

4. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Directive is effective immediately.

10 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2011 Edition
Title 10 - ARMED FORCES
Subtitle A - General Military Law
PART II - PERSONNEL
CHAPTER 45 - THE UNIFORM
Sec. 772 - When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
From the U.S. Government Printing Office, http://www.gpo.gov

§772. When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
(a) A member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard may wear the uniform prescribed for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be.
(b) A member of the Naval Militia may wear the uniform prescribed for the Naval Militia.
(c) A retired officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade.
(d) A person who is discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may wear his uniform while going from the place of discharge to his home, within three months after his discharge.
(e) A person not on active duty who served honorably in time of war in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title, and, when authorized by regulations prescribed by the President, wear the uniform, of the highest grade held by him during that war.
(f) While portraying a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, an actor in a theatrical or motion-picture production may wear the uniform of that armed force if the portrayal does not tend to discredit that armed force.
(g) An officer or resident of a veterans’ home administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs may wear such uniform as the Secretary of the military department concerned may prescribe.
(h) While attending a course of military instruction conducted by the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, a civilian may wear the uniform prescribed by that armed force if the wear of such uniform is specifically authorized under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
(i) Under such regulations as the Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe, a citizen of a foreign country who graduates from an Air Force school may wear the appropriate aviation badges of the Air Force.
(j) A person in any of the following categories may wear the uniform prescribed for that category:
(1) Members of the Boy Scouts of America.
(2) Members of any other organization designated by the Secretary of a military department.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 35; Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, §1301(a)(1), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 735; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, §1621(a)(1), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1602; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title V, §551(b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2525.)
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SGM Steve Wettstein
SGM Steve Wettstein
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§772. When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
(a) A member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard may wear the uniform prescribed for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be.

Pretty much covers it right there.
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Asked to wear other branches (been in two) uniform to Funeral. Advice?
PO1 Field Medicine Instructor
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No, you have to wear the uniform of the service you are actively a member of. Its like one of those things if you have to question if it's right or wrong, it's probably wrong lol.
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TSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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I do not disagree with your point also, but this has a little bit more meaning than most of the situations.

I don't think anyone would say anything given I did wear it at one time and earned all the ribbons that are on the rack.
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PO1 Field Medicine Instructor
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TSgt (Join to see) -
I doubt anyone would say anything to you either. Maybe one cause they don't know,or two they don't care. But if you want the doctrine answer you'd be out of uniform seeing how you're no longer a member of the Navy and therefore out of regs.
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PO1 Field Medicine Instructor
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MSG Xavier James - Your services uniform regulations. I doubt you'll find any reference in there on the causal wear of other services uniforms. I know there's not if you look in CH6 of the Navpers 15665I in special uniform circumstances. Check it out. there's a few things about wearing your uniform from the branch you're retired from
But that's it
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PO1 Field Medicine Instructor
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MSG Xavier James - As have I. Being a corpsman we wear the marine corps uniform and IA we wear the army uniform but much different circumstance than what we are talking about and all those circumstances are covered in the instruction.
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SGM Steve Wettstein
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Ask your Chief or Shirt.
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TSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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Have not had a chance to ask that question to them yet.

But I did talk to a friend of mine who is former JAG, his understanding would be it would be up to my chain of command. He told me that the Code was never designed for someone to have been in multiple branches.

He basically said it boils down to intent and respect of the military.
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SGM Steve Wettstein
SGM Steve Wettstein
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TSgt (Join to see) - If you read MSgt (Join to see) reply it pretty much covers what uniform you should wear. Here is the para.

§772. When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
(a) A member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard may wear the uniform prescribed for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be.

It also covers wear of your prior service navy uniform in para (D) but you should go by the president, which is first to last, that Reg says what uniform to wear. I hope this helps you out Brother. I know it is very important to represent the Military at Military funerals. I don't want to give bad advise but go with your gut on what you feel is best to wear. If you choose the AF Dress Uniform I am pretty sure the family will understand after you explain it to them. Sorry for your loss.
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SFC Brian Ewing
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I once encountered a somewhat similar situation when I had a former Marine who wanted to wear his uniform to a Military Ball for the Marine Corps but he was now in the Army.
I told him "no" and that he should be proud of the service he was already in and that he could attend the ball and still recount his days as a Marine.

Personally I understood why he wanted to wear it but professionally I did not feel it was appropriate to portray another branch while serving in another. I have been to Marine Corp events in my Army Blues and received nothing but praise from Marines on how the uniform looked. Pride is a matter from within, not from without.
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
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SFC Brian Ewing Sergeant, A few years ago I attended a Marine Corps Birthday Ball wearing proper dress blues. The host made me welcome. The Marines I reached out didn't seem to care. The majority of the others totally ignored me. General Matthis was the featured speaker, I did not complain!
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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Your question seems to indicate that you were, at one point, Active Duty Navy...I've known lots of friends who were active in one service, then went Guard in another. I believe regs are clear and the "intent" even clearer. You have honorably separated from the Navy, and therefore, have every right to wear the Navy uniform of your prescribed grade/rank/rate at time of separation under circumstances as approved by the instruction. As a Guardsman, you have current status, and the right to that uniform under approved conditions. The only time I would think there "might" be an issue, is if you were commissioned in the active component, and resigned said commission to accept an enlisted billet in the Guard (I believe that is the procedure)...anyone have any specific references for that scenario?

At the end of the day, I think meeting the request of the family covers a lot of ground.
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PO1 John Miller
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I assume you were honorably discharged from the Navy, so there is nothing that says you CAN'T wear a Navy uniform, especially if you were specifically requested to do so. No one is going to chew you out for it and if they do let me know and I'll give them the Retiree Knife Hand.
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TSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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CMSgt James Nolan My preference is and always will be to wear the uniform of the AF at this stage given I am no longer in the Navy. Frankly it would make me uncomfortable. I get freaked out still putting on my AF Blues thinking I missed something.

LTC (Join to see) I do appreciate those thoughts. I was going to ask if anyone was in that position. I thank you for that knowledge!

LTC Jason Mackay There are direct regulations regarding the wear of ones uniform. Unfortunately, they don't normally consider prior service. So you have to go off the letter/intent of rule.

I thank you all for input into this! One of the reasons I really enjoy RP you get a great many positive responses.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CMSgt James Nolan
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TSgt (Join to see) I know that feeling. That means that you will do it right, because you care. It is tough when one switches services, because you did not have that uniform beaten into you. You have to take extra precautions to make sure that you get it right.
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LTC Jason Mackay
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You can not be wrong if you wear your current authorized uniform for the service of which you are a member to an acceptable social event. You don't have an AFI that covers this? The Army uniform regulation (AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1 ) reflects and specifies the federal statute, listing wear occasions, veteran status, and other key variables.
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