Can I wear my honorary rank in my uniform after I retire?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 14:44:01 -0400

can i wear my honorary rank in my uniform after I retire?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 20 at 2018 2:48 PM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 14:48:10 -0400

Honorary rank? As far as I know, there is no such thing. You have a rank or you do not.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Apr 20 at 2018 3:27 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:27:59 -0400

I would stick with the highest rank that you earned while in the service.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2018 3:42 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:42:46 -0400

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member No. You would wear the rank that you retired as. What honorary rank are you talking about?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Apr 20 at 2018 3:59 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:59:48 -0400

Pulled directly from AR 670-1, Chapter 23: Wear of the Army Uniform by Reserve, Retired, Separated, and Civilian Personnel:

Paragraph 23-1: "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."

Paragraph 23-3: "Personnel will wear the grade as shown on the retired grade of rank line on their retirement order.:

So, since you can't wear an honorary rank as an active duty soldier, you shouldn't wear it as a retiree.

Response by SPC Mike Davis made Apr 21 at 2018 7:17 AM

SPC Mike Davis — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 07:17:11 -0400

When or if I wear a uniform. I would wear my rank ON my uniform.......not IN it! Just saying.

Response by SGT Lisa Fields made Apr 24 at 2018 1:17 PM

SGT Lisa Fields — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 13:17:29 -0400

What in the hell is honary rank?

Response by SSG Rodney Richter made Apr 24 at 2018 1:20 PM

SSG Rodney Richter — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 13:20:00 -0400

Never heard of an honorary rank.

Response by MSgt Tony Marlin made Apr 24 at 2018 1:53 PM

MSgt Tony Marlin — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 13:53:04 -0400

Since the UCMK no longer applies, wear it anyway your conscious allows.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2018 2:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 14:05:46 -0400

So, one thing that some people don't know, is you "retire" at the highest rank you held in service - so if you were a CW3, but then went back to enlisted E7, say because your WO MOS was deleted, you will retire as a CW3, but only get paid for retiring at E7, but you could wear the CW3 as your rank on your retirement uniform. That applies only for ranks where you weren't "busted down" for NJP. If you were an "acting" commander, or 1SG, or CSM, while technically you held the position, you do NOT hold the rank, so you might have retired holding that CPT, MAJ, 1SG, or CSM slot, but you are not entitled to wear the rank of the position - only the rank you actually held at retirement - i.e: If you were a CW3, holding a position as the Company Commander (an O3/CPT position), you can not wear the CPT Rank, only your CW3

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2018 9:21 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:21:15 -0400

Is this a trick question? You’re a senior WO in HR. You, as the SME in that field, would know that answer. And, as an SME, you should know better.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Apr 25 at 2018 12:52 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 00:52:43 -0400

What are they going to do to you? Kick you out of the Army?

Response by Capt Bob Soldner made Apr 25 at 2018 6:52 AM

Capt Bob Soldner — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 06:52:34 -0400

Some one tell me what the he** an "Honorary Rank" is please!

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2018 11:52 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 11:52:27 -0400

26.5 years of service and I never knew of anyone with an "honorary rank." You sometimes get advanced before you start getting paid for it. I would think what ever is listed on your DD-214 is what you go with.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2021 8:35 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 May 2021 08:35:04 -0400

Yes you can if it is on your orders.