Can someone being direct commissioned into the Army wear a uniform for the oath of office?

MAJ Peter Way — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:32:12 -0400

My daughter is being commissioned and I will administer her oath. I will be in uniform and want her to be as well. Recruiter says she can’t because she isn’t in the army yet. My understanding is she wears the dress uniform with no rank and then pins on after her oath. Can someone give me the ref or guidance for this? She is direct commission as a dentist. Thanks!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 8:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 20:07:18 -0400

There is no regulation to my knowledge. However, I was a SGT in the USAR and my recruiter said most current service members don’t wear uniforms. Do what I did sir, let her swear in with the recruiter and then pose with good lighting and a good backdrop afterwards. No one will be the wiser. Congrats to you and your daughter!

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2018 12:23 AM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 00:23:42 -0400

I am a direct commissioned officer as a chaplain. I swore two oaths. The first was administratively as a reserve officer, which I think you are referencing. The second is upon arrival at BOLC as an active duty officer. At my CHBOLC we had to earn the right to wear any uniform. So we were in civvies for a whole week while in-processing before earning the right to wear PT uniforms for another whole week. Finally, after 2 weeks, we were allowed to don a duty uniform. Blues were well after the CIMT phase.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2018 9:16 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 09:16:23 -0400

I say put her in a uniform, who is going to say anything, if we have too all of us at RP can petition the president for a pardon. I can see him supporting this because it is dumb for our military to spend time worrying about such an irrelevant issue. Pass on my congratulations on her commission and thank her for her service.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 14 at 2018 9:48 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 09:48:47 -0400

I have no direct knowledge for your specific question.. That said...before she takes the oath of office she is a civilian, and as much as it pains a few folks, the uniform to a non military civilian is just clothes.. And she, that civilian is free to wear what ever manner of dress she feels like putting on that day.

Second, in the ROTC world, every commissioning cadet I every saluted post pinning or watched otherwise perform the commissioning ceremony was in full military uniform as the oath was administered ...leading one down the path that seconds before that they were NOT military and wearing a uniform as a requirement of the US Military.

Lastly as mentioned already,,, take this off your shoulders, make an office call (or voice call if not close) to her future commander ..it really should be that person decision I feel... As a last resort, if the commander feels a uniform would be inappropriate... you could do an Administrative oath of office in a privet setting and a public one done in full uniform after.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Mar 14 at 2018 9:57 AM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 09:57:44 -0400

MAJ Peter Way Good question. Great comments.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2018 10:26 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 10:26:29 -0400

I was a directly commissioned officer (from enlisted status). My last working day as an enlisted man was a Friday. I was "discharged" as an enlisted man as of Saturday. Monday morning, I wore my new uniform for the commissioning exercise. I don't believe the Navy spells that out and suspect the Army really doesn't either.

Response by MAJ Peter Way made Mar 28 at 2018 11:03 PM

MAJ Peter Way — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 23:03:54 -0400

Just a follow up. Based on your feedback I spoke with her recruiter and we did a private ceremony in the recruiters office for my daughters oath of office with her in civvies. Then an hour later we did a public version in uniform for friends and family so she was legal to put on the uniform. Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 5 at 2018 9:31 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 21:31:30 -0400

All those I have attended, have been in a sterile uniform (no rank, collar brass, etc. )

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Apr 30 at 2018 12:19 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 00:19:02 -0400

I think the uniform is after the oath of enlistment or officer oath, but you can alwas host 2 ceremony, one in civilan clothing and one in uniform.