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I will be getting married in November and will be wearing my ASUs. I have ordered the full size medals as well as the ceremonial belt. My commander from when I was a 1SG will be my best man and will be wearing the same. In looking at pictures I have found, I notice that most people are not wearing the SSI-FWTS on their uniform but some are. It seems that the ones that are not were wearing the old blues uniform, and the ones that are have on the ASUs. So here is my proposed uniform for us both and I want to make sure that I am within regs
ASUs
Service cap
Ceremonial Belt
Full Size medals
Bow tie
Order of St Maurice medallions
I understand that marksmanship badges and drivers badges are not worn with full size medals, just want to be sure with the FWTS badge.
ASUs
Service cap
Ceremonial Belt
Full Size medals
Bow tie
Order of St Maurice medallions
I understand that marksmanship badges and drivers badges are not worn with full size medals, just want to be sure with the FWTS badge.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
There are other uniform experts here that can probably answer this better, but...
Your uniform sounds correct. Of course the authority is AR 670-1, but as long as you are within those regs you should be good to go. As I understand it the SSI-FWTS hubcap is always optional, but can be worn with the full-size medals. You may want to look at the uniform with and without it, to see if it looks weird or if it seems out of place. As always in matters matrimonial, ask your bride what she thinks. Your hubcap may clash with her flowers or somesuch, or she may worry about it hooking on the lace in her dress. These things can be random, but should be treated as regulatory guidance second to only the actual AR!
For those in the know, the stripes on your sleeve will tell them that you've "been there, done that". But the hubcap can be a good conversation starter. I've discovered a LOT of people have served with the BRO or 4ID over the years, and they LOVE to find someone who served 'with' them.
The bow tie is considered formal wear, and equivalent to a civilian tuxedo. I believe that, while normally reserved for after retreat, there is an exception for the bow tie in the regulation for exactly this circumstance. My recollection is that it covers both the groom and the guests, since this would be considered an appropriate occasion for wear of a civilian tuxedo. You may want to check the reg again.
And congratulations!
Your uniform sounds correct. Of course the authority is AR 670-1, but as long as you are within those regs you should be good to go. As I understand it the SSI-FWTS hubcap is always optional, but can be worn with the full-size medals. You may want to look at the uniform with and without it, to see if it looks weird or if it seems out of place. As always in matters matrimonial, ask your bride what she thinks. Your hubcap may clash with her flowers or somesuch, or she may worry about it hooking on the lace in her dress. These things can be random, but should be treated as regulatory guidance second to only the actual AR!
For those in the know, the stripes on your sleeve will tell them that you've "been there, done that". But the hubcap can be a good conversation starter. I've discovered a LOT of people have served with the BRO or 4ID over the years, and they LOVE to find someone who served 'with' them.
The bow tie is considered formal wear, and equivalent to a civilian tuxedo. I believe that, while normally reserved for after retreat, there is an exception for the bow tie in the regulation for exactly this circumstance. My recollection is that it covers both the groom and the guests, since this would be considered an appropriate occasion for wear of a civilian tuxedo. You may want to check the reg again.
And congratulations!
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1SG (Join to see)
Thanks for the feedback Sir. The one thing she is set on is the bow tie so I will verify the guidance that you have offered on that. I will be wearing the 1ID "hubcap" as you put it. Also since the guidance has changed on regimental affiliation I am also in the process of getting my affiliation changed to the 26th Infantry regiment.
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Congratulations SFC!!
I see my parents wedding every day as the background on my phone. Hope yours is great!
I see my parents wedding every day as the background on my phone. Hope yours is great!
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LTC Charles Sherman
The only improvement on the dress blues is the dress mess. That is a seriously sexy uniform (or so I've been told several times), but not everyone has one.
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CMSgt James Nolan
LTC Charles Sherman 1SG (Join to see) You may want to look into renting Mess Dress. I know that in Montgomery, AL there is a shop called Shinbaum's Uniforms, right off of Maxwell AFB that rents both Air Force and Army Mess Dress. I do it about every 2 years. Send them the measurements and requirements and rank and BOOM. He will Fed Ex them and you send them back.
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LTC Charles Sherman
1stSgt, courtesy of a mission to Korea, I have mine! My wife (and a few others) has informed me that they make me look GOOD!
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I wore my ASU for my wedding and was already retired at the time. We didn't have the time or money for a real wedding back in '94 when I was getting ready to PCS from Korea. We married in Seoul city hall and the American Embassy. All just paper work and no real ceremony. It was 15 years later that we went back to Korea, flew my parents out, and had the wedding at the Dragon Hill Lodge on Yongsan. They catered the whole thing for us and the ceremony was in the gardens there. I was able to get her Korean family and friends on base as well for the event. We had the pictures done off base in Seoul. They do a much better job than any wedding photographer I had ever seen. Besides my ASU the pictures were done in several other changes of suits, tuxes and dresses for her. The pictures took ssssooooo long all day but it was worth it.
I am not familiar with the ceremonial belt so I didn't have it. You don't wear weapons qualifications.
I am not familiar with the ceremonial belt so I didn't have it. You don't wear weapons qualifications.
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How did the wedding go 1SG (Join to see) ? Did I miss the photos??? I am about to make the leap 14 FEB and am doing it in uniform as well.
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1SG (Join to see)
I see you found the other thread with pics. Congrats to you Sir and I wish you all the best. Our wedding went great and still have photos trickling in. Our photographer is a girl that we went to high school with and she has two children and a deployed husband so she is very busy, we have gotten many more pics but still not all of them.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
CPT Richard LaFlame, How was it? Best wishes for a caring sharing marriage.
Did you happen to receive a copy of 1LT Sandy Annala's "Treatise on Marriage". Enlightning to say the least! None of life is easy, marriage is hard work that a spouse wants to do. You can never be over-considerate of anything that might please your new bride.
Did you happen to receive a copy of 1LT Sandy Annala's "Treatise on Marriage". Enlightning to say the least! None of life is easy, marriage is hard work that a spouse wants to do. You can never be over-considerate of anything that might please your new bride.
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LTC (Join to see)
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 I didn't!!! Where's my handout 1LT Sandy Annala ?
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Congratulations and I prefer the Dress Mess also, did the second marriage and had all others in ASU/Dress Blues. it is the male equal to the brides maids and others not upstaging the bride! Don't be surprised if your best man has a surprise for the new Mrs. Gilley upon departure to thy chariot!
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LTC Charles Sherman
*bride* Fixed that for you...groom preferences are invalid. Only bride (and bride's mother) preferences are important in wedding matters. Groom preferences must be approved by the bride before they will be considered.
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I believe you are right on point with your distinction of the old style dress blue uniform (of my era) vs. the current ASU.
Since the wedding will be before 1700 the only question I would have would be the bow tie vs. four in hand tie. Take this comment with a gain of salt however, since I've been retired since 2006!
BTW, the ceremonial belt looks GREAT as long as you don't have a "fuel tank". Take it from an old "Old Guard" soldier. If you have any belly fat at all, a man girdle would be in order! LOL!!!
Since the wedding will be before 1700 the only question I would have would be the bow tie vs. four in hand tie. Take this comment with a gain of salt however, since I've been retired since 2006!
BTW, the ceremonial belt looks GREAT as long as you don't have a "fuel tank". Take it from an old "Old Guard" soldier. If you have any belly fat at all, a man girdle would be in order! LOL!!!
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LTC Paul Labrador
Honestly, the "Dress Blue" and ASU to me, for all intents and purposes are the same uniform. I know there was some piping changes for the enlisted, but really that was about it.
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OK, according to DA Pam 670-1 dated March, 2014, the black bow tie is only worn after retreat (para 13-10, b, 3). I can't find anything saying you can't wear the SSI-FWTS with full sized medals or with the bow tie.
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LTC Paul Labrador
It's a wedding. I don't think anyone is going to give him grief for wearing the bow tie.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
I would be more afraid of an unhappy bride in her wedding day than default on AR 670-1. On that day whatever she say is the rule; and perhaps from there on after!
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What time of day is the wedding? If it is after 1700, or Retreat, I don't think you have to wear the service cap. As far as the SSI-FWTS, I am fairly certain that is authorized with the uniform you describe. I have no idea what the ceremonial belt even looks like. I am going to have to research that one.
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1SG (Join to see)
Yeah the wedding will be before 1700 but the reception will be after, so we will shed the service caps then. Just didn't want to have to wear the beret! I hate that thing.
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LTC Charles Sherman
Service cap would be the only headgear appropriate for wear with the bow tie, IIRC.
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