Can I choose which of the branch insignias I earned to wear?

CPT Steve Martin — Wed, 09 May 2018 23:41:05 -0400

A little background on me... I enlisted in the ANG while in college as an infantryman and earnd my blue cord. I then joined ROTC and was commissioned in MI with a branch detail to Infantry (my request). I earned my blue cord again as a lieutenant, and eventually served during wartime as both an infantry LT and an MI captain. I was temporarily medically retired, but was eventually severed after improving, but not enough to return to duty.

I know that because I served during wartime I am required to wear the last rank I held (captain). My preference is to wear my infantry branch insignia as I was infantry for 6 of the 9 years I was in and my blue cord is one of my prized possessions (equal to my EIB and MSM). Should I wear my last branch insignia or can I choose?

The reason I’m asking is my (new) wife and I are planning to renew our vows next year and she has never seen me in military uniform except in pictures. I plan to surprise her with my dress blues and I want them to be without a question accurate. She volunteers with veterans regularly and I don’t want my ignorance to offend the many vets that will attend.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2018 11:43 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 May 2018 23:43:45 -0400

You wear what your discharge documents say you are. I was Infantry enlisted, then Aviation, MI, and now Cyber. I would were cyber - not by choice but because that is the branch I hold. You don’t get to pick favorites.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2018 11:45 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 May 2018 23:45:12 -0400

Also- the ANG doesn’t have Infantry.

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 9 at 2018 11:46 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 09 May 2018 23:46:58 -0400

You did not end service as Infantry. The question is a no brainer. I realize you have your preference but you retired as Captain in MI, not INF. You could show her how it was BEFORE you switched to MI, but for the actual ceremony go with how you retired. She will be proud of you more so for it for swallowing vanity.

Response by CPT Steve Martin made May 10 at 2018 12:08 AM

CPT Steve Martin — Thu, 10 May 2018 00:08:04 -0400

Just to be clear, I’m asking because I couldn’t find a reg specifically addressing this. Common sense, and the military can be dubious in this area, would say I have to wear MI. I’m asking because I’ve been out for 1- 1/2 decades and if there’s a chance I could wear my blue cord I’d take it. I’m asking so I don’t offend anyone at the ceremony and adhere to army values.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made May 10 at 2018 5:07 AM

PO3 Phyllis Maynard — Thu, 10 May 2018 05:07:46 -0400

CPT Steve Martin if you want to ensure that you are not only following correct protocol, but that you have options to display your infrantry, contact your Regional DAV office located in the Federal building with the Regional VA in your state. Also contact DAV National Headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio (http://www.dav.org membership office) and ask for clarification. Veterans Service Organizations are excellent resources for just these kind of questions. FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs,PO2 Marc Burgess. Congratulations and much happiness to you.

DAV.org - Disabled American Veterans Charity

We invite everyone, veterans and civilian, men and women, young and old, to join us. Find a DAV Office or Volunteer to Help Veterans and the Disabled American Veterans Charity.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 10 at 2018 5:43 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 10 May 2018 05:43:49 -0400

You should wear the last insignia and grade served. I am sure the pride you will exude would be the same either way. Congrats and thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Benjamin Gentry made May 10 at 2018 8:32 AM

SFC Benjamin Gentry — Thu, 10 May 2018 08:32:10 -0400

Greetings Sir, if I remember well, the Blue disc, and Infantry Cord is to be worn by Enlisted members in that current MOS. However, with you being discharged from the military, please refer to your last branch affiliation.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 10 at 2018 9:20 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 10 May 2018 09:20:51 -0400

Since you are retired- I think the choice is yours, tho folks are going to say go with the last one you were in.

Response by LTC John Griscom made May 10 at 2018 9:57 AM

LTC John Griscom — Thu, 10 May 2018 09:57:57 -0400

You were commissioned MI and detailed Infantry. Unless you have permanent orders for a branch transfer to Infantry, you are MI. What do your orders for medical retirement state your branch is?

Response by SFC Stephen Atchley made May 10 at 2018 10:45 AM

SFC Stephen Atchley — Thu, 10 May 2018 10:45:30 -0400

From the U.S. Army Handbook for Retire Soldiers:
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 Active Army 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.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 11:43 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 May 2018 11:43:56 -0400

I respect that you're trying to do the right thing but at the end of the day, if it were me, I'd wear what I wanted to wear. This isn't a case of stolen valor or anything like that. You earned both, you'll be at a private ceremony, and no one you encounter is going to ask to see your discharge paperwork. When I retire, if I want to put my USMC chevrons on and strut around in them, I will. And all the RP warriors can talk about how wrong I am.

Response by Capt David Bays made May 10 at 2018 1:24 PM

Capt David Bays — Thu, 10 May 2018 13:24:49 -0400

"I plan to surprise her" at the ceremony. You are a brave man, sir, or are certain you married a wonderful woman.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 10 at 2018 1:41 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 10 May 2018 13:41:07 -0400

I haven't investigated it fully, so I too am curious. I first tried AR 670-1 , but wasn't terribly satisfied. I have to imagine concrete guidance exists somewhere if not AR 670-1.

I would suspect however, that if one wants to avoid hassle with people correcting their old uniform--or worse--its best not to "pick & choose", even if you earned everything you could pick & choose from. Go with your last uniform as your LAST uniform.

Besides, the self-appointed Guardians of Stolen Valor have been known to strike down with the power of their mighty cell-phone videos anyone with the smallest uniform detail out of place, regardless of circumstance or how old the person in uniform is (as if the 80 year old Korean War vet is going to be up-to-date on current uniform regs or even remember proper regs from back in their time or that the Guardians even know what was proper way-back-when). Can't be wrong if your last uniform was right.

Response by SSG Dale London made May 10 at 2018 5:24 PM

SSG Dale London — Thu, 10 May 2018 17:24:48 -0400

As you are neither on active duty nor in the reserves, wear whatever branch insignia you want, so long as you were awarded it. You are not constrained by the billet you occupy so go for it and God bless you on your upcoming nuptials.

Response by SPC Thomas Smith made May 10 at 2018 8:21 PM

SPC Thomas Smith — Thu, 10 May 2018 20:21:13 -0400

I was always trained that you wear all honors. So that's only advise I can give

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 10:10 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 May 2018 22:10:45 -0400

Sir, I have to look at it like this. I served in both the Marine Corps. and the Army on active duty. I was a grunt across both branches. I earned my blue cord, CIB, and every award that I have. When you go to put your uniform on, I have to advise you. As long as you wear the uniform according to all standards to how the uniform should be worn. There is nothing anyone can say to you about it. But that is just my professional and personal opinion.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 10:12 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 May 2018 22:12:25 -0400

SFC Atchley nailed it. Rank and branch upon retirement. Besides, you have always been an MI officer. Even when you were in the infantry, you were an MI officer on detail to the infantry. Congrats on the nuptials.

Response by MSG David Johnson made May 10 at 2018 10:15 PM

MSG David Johnson — Thu, 10 May 2018 22:15:32 -0400

You earned it, I say you should be proud to wear it. Tell the “Stolen Valor” police to try and prove it if they want to say anything, but why would they.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 11:25 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 May 2018 23:25:09 -0400

I’m not sure how Officer promotions go in so far as Secondary MOS advancement goes so this may be a bit off. However, I have orders that have concurrently promoted me in my primary and secondary MOS’s. Given that fact I reason that, if the same is true for Officer promotions, you’re entitled to wear what you like. Furthermore, as long as you’re wearing the uniform correctly and only things you’ve earned, then you’re good to go.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 5:08 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 May 2018 05:08:47 -0400

Before I retired I had to re-class, I was 11B Infantry also. Of the choices they offer me I chose 88M Motor Transport Operator. I retired 4 years later with no blue cord, no cross rifle insignia but I still have my EIB and German Schutzenschnur Badge on my uniform. Wear what you got out in and wear it with PRIDE because 99% of the people out there don't know the difference between the insignia's of Infantry and Transportation.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 17 at 2018 1:47 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 13:47:55 -0400

CPT Steve Martin , assuming you are medically retired as the final outcome, here is what AR 670-1 says:
21–3. Retired personnel
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.