Can an Honorably Discharged Veteran, having served in multiple MOS', choose which branch they want to represent on their uniform?

2020-07-07T14:20:00-04:00

So I am attending a fallen soldier's funeral as a veteran (non-retiree) and therefore am authorized to wear my dress uniform. WHat I am unsure of, is if I can choose to wear the Infantry Branch insignia (Secondary MOS on date of discharge) vs Military Intelligence Branch insignia (Primary MOS on date of discharge).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2020 2:24 PM

2020-07-07T14:24:51-04:00

I personally don't see an issue with it. I know most folks will wear what they had when they got out....But I've also known some folks that have served in multiple branches and switch back and forth between their Army/Air Force/Marine uniforms (yea, this one guy I knew served in all four branches).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2020 2:30 PM

2020-07-07T14:30:03-04:00

From what I have seen is that you can wear either, but because infantry is not technically considered an individual branch and you wear the insignia specific to the unit, MI trumps infantry due to being an individual branch and you would wear the MI insignia

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 7 at 2020 2:30 PM

2020-07-07T14:30:07-04:00

SSG James Behnke This is asked more often than you think on RP.

21–4. Former members of the Army
a. Unless qualified under another provision of this regulation, or under the provisions of 10 USC 772, former members of the Army may only wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions. Personnel who qualify under these conditions will wear the Army uniform in the highest grade they held during such war service, in accordance with 10 USC 772.

21-1 Occassions of Ceremony...
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...

So if you wear the uniform at the highest grade and wear all awards, decorations, and insignia in the same manner as prescribed in AR670-1 for Active Duty soldiers, under the authority of 10 USC Sec 772, I'd say you need to wear the rank and branch you had at ETS as indicated on the final DD214.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 7 at 2020 2:47 PM

2020-07-07T14:47:37-04:00

I served straight Army Guard, but I had 4 different MOS's, I prefer to wear the last one I was.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2020 3:10 PM

2020-07-07T15:10:38-04:00

Ask yourself: Is anyone at the funeral going to know what branch you were when you EtSed? and if so, would they care? If the answer to these questions is "no", wear whichever one you choose. I doubt if anyone is going to accuse you of stolen valor over wearing an incorrect branch insignia.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 7 at 2020 5:04 PM

2020-07-07T17:04:28-04:00

You are to wear your primary branch insignia. There are many with secondary’s that never served a day in them.

Response by Sgt Jordan Foster made Jul 7 at 2020 5:11 PM

2020-07-07T17:11:30-04:00

You can wear what ever you want your a veteran. Thank you for your service.

Response by 1SG Leroy Lucero made Jul 7 at 2020 6:01 PM

2020-07-07T18:01:29-04:00

I beleive you will use the branch you were last assigned to.

Response by 1SG John V. made Jul 7 at 2020 7:54 PM

2020-07-07T19:54:11-04:00

Should be the PMOS on date of discharge.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Jul 7 at 2020 7:58 PM

2020-07-07T19:58:20-04:00

You have to have served honorably which makes me wonder about Bowe Bergdahl. Every now and then he's on the news in uniform with all the decorations.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2020 5:04 PM

2020-07-08T17:04:53-04:00

Wear your preference and don’t even think about it. If you earned it, you earned it.

Response by SGM Gerald Fife made Jul 10 at 2020 2:39 PM

2020-07-10T14:39:54-04:00

And who would know if you are wearing a correct Branch Insignia on your uniform, especially at a funeral? As long as the uniform is dress, I believe it would be the last BI you wore on AD. Do I hear any direct answers?

Response by SFC Michael D. made Jul 10 at 2020 2:47 PM

2020-07-10T14:47:48-04:00

I started as MI but got out of there as fast as I could. Listening to Morse code all day just wasn't getting it. Most of my military career was as a Flight Medic so that's the branch I wear.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 11 at 2020 1:00 AM

2020-07-11T01:00:50-04:00

If you're separated, I'd say where what ever branch insignia you want. Looks like you have your CIB so that trumps whatever you do decide to wear. People are going to notice the CIB before they notice any branch insignia you are wearing.

Response by SGM Gerald Fife made Jul 12 at 2020 4:30 AM

2020-07-12T04:30:49-04:00

1 July 1962. The birth day of Military Intelligence. The question was asked about what to wear, on this near birthday. This is a sign. Wear the MI.

Response by CW3 Susan Burkholder made Jul 20 at 2020 10:04 AM

2020-07-20T10:04:51-04:00

I have a feeling you're going to wear what you want to wear. But since you asked, you should wear your primary. If MI was your primary at discharge, then it is what it is....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2020 12:42 PM

2020-07-29T12:42:55-04:00

No, you can only represent the branch insignia you got out as, Per what it states on your DD 214 and ERB.

Response by MSG Clay Hewson made Jul 29 at 2020 10:21 PM

2020-07-29T22:21:12-04:00

You are required to wear the items pertaining to tour Primary MOS. I was infantry, re-enlisted to an admin MOS, therefore, wore an admin brass. I then redesignated back to Infantry as my PMOS and the admin became my SMOS. Sorry.

Response by SP5 Cotton Dickson made Jul 31 at 2020 10:09 AM

2020-07-31T10:09:00-04:00

Sarge, if you earned it, wear it. Not unlike the Marines, the Infantry is the point of the exercise. They are the reason all other MOS' exist. All the intel in the world is useless without the grunts to seize the objective and deny it to the enemy. Carry on!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2020 7:23 AM

2020-08-03T07:23:00-04:00

Wear the branch your most proud if and makes you feel good.

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Aug 3 at 2020 11:10 AM

2020-08-03T11:10:41-04:00

As a non-retiree, you're not subject to the UCMJ or Army Regulations. You earned both, so wear whichever you want.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Aug 3 at 2020 12:21 PM

2020-08-03T12:21:25-04:00

I would say so. As an E-4, three year enlistee I also had two MOSes. I formally trained as a Missile Maggot at Sill and when I got to Permanent Party in Germany I spent several months OJT as a Wiredog before being being given the option to stay as a Wiredog or go to a line battery. So, technically, I could wear flags or cannon on my uniform. I left as a NBC Specialist, lol, but I was not one long enough to qualify for that too. I did qualify in the MOS of sweeping, mopping, and waxing floors, though. Is there insignia for that?

Response by 1LT James Ferguson made Aug 13 at 2020 5:11 PM

2020-08-13T17:11:59-04:00

According to AR670-1, 3FEB2005, 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 approxi- mate location as the equivalent military uniform.
Then when referring to what is prescribed for active duty soldiers:
i. Enlisted personnel. All enlisted personnel will wear the branch insignia of their PMOS, with the following exceptions.
(1) Basic trainees will wear the U.S. insignia on both collars; they will not wear branch insignia (see para 28–4b(2)(c)).
(2) Noncommissioned officers in authorized Inspector General MTOE or TDA positions will wear the Inspector General insignia.
(3) Command sergeants major will wear command sergeant major collar insignia in lieu of branch insignia. (4) The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) will wear SMA insignia in lieu of branch insignia.

So, short answer, per regulation, no you may not. But as many have said, you are a veteran and can make your own decision.

Response by LCpl Richard Lally made Sep 5 at 2020 2:53 PM

2020-09-05T14:53:48-04:00

You worked both MOS', exibit both

Response by MSG Brian Wiscott made Sep 24 at 2020 1:39 PM

2020-09-24T13:39:53-04:00

I've been retired for 14 years now so I'm not sure if the regulations have changed but, the AR used to state that upon leaving an infantry unit or assignment you are required to remove any "Infantry blue" from your uniform.

Response by CPT Carolyn Andrews made Sep 27 at 2020 11:55 AM

2020-09-27T11:55:25-04:00

Wear all of them. You earn them.
Sorry that is a sarcastic remark, just one of those days.

Response by SSG Walter Corretjer made Dec 13 at 2020 2:56 PM

2020-12-13T14:56:02-05:00

Very good question I was questioning myself, as a retired NCO going to a commisioning ceremony.

Response by SGT Jd Cannon made Jan 10 at 2021 7:34 PM

2021-01-10T19:34:19-05:00

Wearing the highest achieved rank makes the most sense too.