Posted on May 9, 2018
Can I choose which of the branch insignias I earned to wear?
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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.
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.
Uniforms
Disabled Veterans
Wedding
Posted >1 y ago
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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.
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1SG Nick Baker
I agree, its not stolen valor and your not a poser. It's not an official military event. You would not be the first or the last.
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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.
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CPT Steve Martin
I’m asking for the regs that address that, not opinion. Can you please point me to the right place? P,ease keep in mind I’ve been out of the service for 14 years and don’t have manuals to look through.
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Since you are retired- I think the choice is yours, tho folks are going to say go with the last one you were in.
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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.
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CPT Steve Martin
Thanks, she would never know the difference and I figured your answer was correct. Just asking because I couldn’t find a reg that addressed it.
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"I plan to surprise her" at the ceremony. You are a brave man, sir, or are certain you married a wonderful woman.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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