Can I wear my dress uniform in a veteran's day parade and preform?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:13:33 -0400

My band in HS is playing in a veteran's day parade and I want to wear my dress uniform because I completed BCT. My unit said we can wear the uniform on veteran's day and if we are in a parade. Can I still March and play with my HS band in my uniform?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 3:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:20:53 -0400

I wouldn’t. It would come off as an ‘attention grabber’ thing. Not to mention you aren’t in that organization as a Soldier but as a student. But that’s just my opinion.
There are MANY things we ‘can do’ but that doesn’t negate what we SHOULD DO.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 3:40 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:40:08 -0400

PVT Private RallyPoint Member Type "wearing dress uniform to high school" in the Search Bar above, hit enter, and then click on "Answers." You will find several Posts that provide opinions on this subject.

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 31 at 2018 3:43 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:43:41 -0400

you are marching as a member of the high school band, not as a member of a military unit. you technically "can" but you can also technically march in a diaper. the question is "should you". what does your band director say about it?

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Oct 31 at 2018 3:54 PM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:54:19 -0400

Unless you have crystal clear permission from a SNCO or Officer in your chain of command, do not do it.
If not, wear a nice collared shirt or jacket with your branch logo on it.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Oct 31 at 2018 4:00 PM

TSgt David Holman — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 16:00:17 -0400

If you are marching with your HS band, you should wear the same uniform as them, show solidarity. It is refreshing that you are proud of your uniform and accomplishment, but trust me, there will be other, more appropriate times to wear your service uniform.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Oct 31 at 2018 4:48 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 16:48:11 -0400

You are in a band, which has its own colors and uniform. You would look out of place in the parade wearing your dress uniform while they all wore something different. You could but but really should you? It's one thing if there was a military portion of the parade and you were marching alongside other soldiers, airmen, sailors or marines but this is not the case.

Show up, in your school band uniform, march and play.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Oct 31 at 2018 6:27 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 18:27:10 -0400

Hmmm - ethically that's a bad decision because it is a High School band with their own traaditions and uniforms - which you should respect because you JOINED them.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Oct 31 at 2018 6:49 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 18:49:08 -0400

I don’t know current regs but will stand with my fellow RPers whose overwhelming responses is not to wear your dress uniform with a High School band on Veterans Day,Welcome to the Brotherhood.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 31 at 2018 7:46 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 19:46:51 -0400

Please don't be a diva. You haven't earned the whole "look how awesome I am" mentality and there are few things less impressive than a Privates Dress Uniform.

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Oct 31 at 2018 8:02 PM

PO2 Robert Aitchison — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 20:02:55 -0400

Legally I'm pretty sure you can (I am not a lawyer or even a barracks lawyer) but I think it's not advisable.

If you were marching in the parade as part of a group of veterans and service members I think it would be just fine but in your High School band you really ought to wear your band's uniform.

As a discharged veteran I wear my dress uniform once a year, for the memorial service for the 47 men who were lost on 19 April 1989. Of course this is a memorial service on a (former) Navy ship with several other veterans also wearing their dress uniforms out of respect.

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Oct 31 at 2018 11:35 PM

SGM Billy Herrington — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 23:35:35 -0400

Seems like we’ve moved from prom to HS band. Guess we’re moving up in the world.

No. It screams I’m a snowflake and look at me I’m different. The point of a uniform is to be, well, uniform. Your band has one. Wear it.

Ask your band director if you can wear a small American flag lapel pin to symbolize your service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2018 9:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 09:10:47 -0400

Check AR 670-1. It might have the answer.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2018 2:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 02:34:17 -0400

I say ‘go for it’. You earned it. Wear it. It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission. Just surprise everyone.

That said, don’t wear your dress uniform. There are lots of reasons, including very likely, a poorly shaped beret. But all kidding aside, there will be plenty of days in the future where you get to wear your ASUs. And on each of those days, you’ll look think, ‘I really wish I was in ACUs right now”. Take advantage of that now while you can.

Response by LCpl Jeff Moore made Nov 4 at 2018 6:16 PM

LCpl Jeff Moore — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:16:04 -0500

so your still in HS and want to march while in your HS band in uniform? this is a major boot move. wear your high school band uniform and march with them.