Posted on Jun 30, 2022
Can I wear my OCPs in a July 4th parade while representing the company I work for?
4.6K
11
13
0
0
0
It's a home health agency that is very pro-military and services a lot of veterans. They asked me if I would be willing to and I wanted to double check before I said yes. Unfortunately I don't have a serviceable pair of ASUs right now as I haven't updated them since promoting to E-5 and as a reservist we haven't received the new ones yet.
I've read through AR670-1 and the closest relevant paragraph is as follows:
4–3. Occasions for wear
(2) The combat uniform is not normally considered appropriate for social or official functions off the installation,
such as memorial services, funerals, weddings, inaugurals, patriotic ceremonies, and similar functions
I don't personally consider a parade to be a social or official function equivalent to those that they have listed, but would appreciate any further input to clarify this question.
Thanks!
I've read through AR670-1 and the closest relevant paragraph is as follows:
4–3. Occasions for wear
(2) The combat uniform is not normally considered appropriate for social or official functions off the installation,
such as memorial services, funerals, weddings, inaugurals, patriotic ceremonies, and similar functions
I don't personally consider a parade to be a social or official function equivalent to those that they have listed, but would appreciate any further input to clarify this question.
Thanks!
Posted in these groups: 
OCP
OCP
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
4
4
0
It would be inappropriate for you to wear your OCPs and represent your company. That creates the image that the US Military endorses a specific company and its product. It's not a uniform issue, it's an ethics issue. "What is the image this portrays to the average viewer? Is this image consistent with the image the DOD tries to cultivate, completely neutral in terms of politics, religion, and private business?"
Also, I think that 4th of July parade definitely falls under the "patriotic functions" part of the regulation.
Also, I think that 4th of July parade definitely falls under the "patriotic functions" part of the regulation.
(4)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
I appreciate the post. After reviewing through everybody's responses I elected not to wear it.
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see) It mentions that the combat uniform is not appropriate for social functions such as patriotic ceremonies. You do not consider a 4th of July parade a patriotic ceremony?
(1)
(0)
Sgt (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - "and similar functions" It sounds like you have your mind made up so why ask the question?
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Sgt (Join to see) - Just looking for any precedent. Honestly I'd rather sit on the sidelines of a parade or avoid it entirely than walk in the heat, but my boss has done a lot for me so unless I have precedent or reason not to do it then I am willing to reciprocate for his sake.
Each of those functions listed in AR670-1 is a ceremony type where you would expect a person to wear a suit or the dress uniform, they're basically saying it's in bad taste to wear a combat uniform to a function of that type which absolutely makes sense. A parade isn't something that people typically dress up for however. I'm primarily interested in if it is ok if I can be in a situation where I am representing the company I work for, it's not a question I've ever heard come up. Wearing uniforms while representing political views isn't considered acceptable per my understanding unless you make the express statement of these views not being held by the US Government, and even then it is frowned on due to the military supposed to act politically neutral.
Wearing it as a sign of military support for a private business doesn't seem to be covered there, but that isn't all-encompassing.
So no, my mind is not already made up.
Each of those functions listed in AR670-1 is a ceremony type where you would expect a person to wear a suit or the dress uniform, they're basically saying it's in bad taste to wear a combat uniform to a function of that type which absolutely makes sense. A parade isn't something that people typically dress up for however. I'm primarily interested in if it is ok if I can be in a situation where I am representing the company I work for, it's not a question I've ever heard come up. Wearing uniforms while representing political views isn't considered acceptable per my understanding unless you make the express statement of these views not being held by the US Government, and even then it is frowned on due to the military supposed to act politically neutral.
Wearing it as a sign of military support for a private business doesn't seem to be covered there, but that isn't all-encompassing.
So no, my mind is not already made up.
(0)
(0)
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google