How do I wear my Green Service Uniform if I am retired?

2015-07-16T01:02:59-04:00

My son graduates Basic Training in a few weeks and I would like to wear my uniform. I retired 3 years ago and didn't get issued the new Blue Service uniform before I got out. I've read the regulation but really am confused on how to wear it. I got 3 different things from the reg,
1. Wear it as I wore it the last year before i retired, meaning the last unit patch and unit insignia, but wear the retired badge on the pocket.
2. No unit patch or unit insignia, but the retired serviceman patch on the left sleeve.
3. No unit patch, no unit insignia, no patch on the left sleeve, but wear the retired serviceman badge on pocket.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 16 at 2015 1:08 AM

2015-07-16T01:08:58-04:00

Always amazed about Army fixation on badges, patches, etc. On the Navy side, it doesn't matter. Honor your son, get a salute, and enjoy the moment.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 16 at 2015 1:28 AM

2015-07-16T01:28:58-04:00

AR 670-1... where as you did when you last wore it...

Chapter 23 Wear of the Army Uniform by Reserve, Retired, Separated, and Civilian Personnel
23–1. Occasions of ceremony
a. As used in this regulation, the phrase “occasions of ceremony” means occasions essentially of a military
character, at which the uniform is more appropriate than civilian clothing. These functions include, but are not limited to: military balls, military parades, weddings, and military funerals; memorial services, meetings, conferences, or similar functions of associations formed for military purposes, of which the membership is composed largely or entirely of current or honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States. Authority to wear the uniform includes wear while traveling to and from the ceremony or function, provided the travel in uniform can be completed on the day of the ceremony or function and must follow guidance included in paragraph 3–7c.
b. 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. For civilian attire, individuals may wear only those awards, decorations, or insignia authorized by this regulation for wear on civilian clothing, in the same manner and approximate location as the equivalent military uniform.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 3:43 AM

2015-07-16T03:43:51-04:00

I have seen this worn before on the Greens. We had a dining out and a retired soldier came back and wore this path. Technically you can't wear your previous unit patch due to no longer being assigned to them. The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia is for you current organization. If you were to wear your old unit patch that would imply that you are in that unit. Besides this you would be bringing a lot of attention to yourself. I am sure you would have just about every NCO come up to you to say that you can't wear that uniform anymore. Once they would see the Retired patch they would realize you are good but if they saw a unit patch it would appear to be a uniform violation.

As per DA Pam 670-1

Retired personnel are authorized to wear the SSI for U.S. Army retirees on the left shoulder of the green service uniform. The insignia consists of a white cloth disc with a blue border, and an inner white disc with a red border, which bears a blue and white adaptation of the coat of arms of the United States. The outer disk that surrounds the coat of arms contains the inscription “UNITED STATES ARMY” in red letters at the top, and the word “RETIRED” in blue letters at the bottom (see fig 23–1). On the blue service and dress uniforms, retired personnel will wear the retired service ID badge (see para 22–17d(12) and fig 22–77).

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 16 at 2015 5:37 AM

2015-07-16T05:37:59-04:00

As retirees, we are not allowed/supposed to wear a SSI of our last units. There is a different patch to wear for retirees. Everything else is the same.

Response by CWO2 Davin Jantzen made Jul 16 at 2015 6:00 AM

2015-07-16T06:00:35-04:00

Go and support your son but remember it's his day. If you don't have your dress uniform wear formal civilian clothes for the occasion. Class B and working uniforms are not proper for that occasion. Congratulations!!!

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Jul 16 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-07-16T18:43:10-04:00

I couldn't agree more, the Marine Corps is the same. I can wear my uniform on any occasion that I would while active, as long as I am in hair and weight regs.

Response by SFC Brian Ewing made Oct 20 at 2015 12:41 PM

2015-10-20T12:41:42-04:00

In my humble opinion while I do agree with Chief Jantzen on the spotlight being afforded to your son for his moment, I do feel though that if you do wear the uniform that it should be worn with pride.

Simply put, wear it to honor our brothers and sisters in Arms by wearing it respectfully and if that means removing all the patches that were associated with your last unit then by all means do so.

Nothing wrong with wanting to show some solidarity with your son but there will be plenty of other occasions for you to both wear the uniform but for now it is his time to shine.

Response by SGT Epifanio Becerra Jr. made Oct 21 at 2015 11:36 AM

2015-10-21T11:36:18-04:00

My son's BCT Graduation, Spet 4th, 2015. This is my son, one of his Drill Sgt's and myself wearing the Green Service Uniform correctly (no unit SSI or Unit Crest on shoulders or beret, Retired SSI on left sleeve.)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 2:04 PM

2016-05-17T14:04:49-04:00

Wear it as you wore it.
And if he's graduating BCT, its "cool" to have his buddies see what inspired him to serve.
And for everyone who says its "his day to shine" and not to overshadow him: Nobody "shined" at BCT graduation....we were just damn happy to be done with that phase, and moving on to AIT, and one step closer to "freedom". We were happy to see our families, and proud that they came out to support us.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Feb 19 at 2019 7:54 AM

2019-02-19T07:54:57-05:00

On a slightly different and humorous perspective, my younger brother was graduating from Infantry BCT at Ft. Benning a number of years ago. I was still in the Army back then and I drove my Mom down for his graduation. I wore my Class A (green service uniform) with my sergeant stripes. My brother was okay with it, but the look of fear or apprehension on his platoon buddies was priceless. Still brings a chuckle to me. Wish I had taken pictures.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2023 11:43 PM

2023-07-29T23:43:44-04:00

Although the original question was posted in 2015, here's what the regulation says today. In a nutshell you can wear either the uniform in effect on the date of your retirement or the current uniform. And the unit patch should be replaced with the retired unit patch. There's two types currently authorized; an old one that says "United States Army Retired" for the Class A greens and a new one that says "Retired" on the top, has the US Army Logo in the center, and "Soldier for Life" on the bottom for the new AGSU. So as I understand it if the old Class A greens were authorized on the date you retired then you can wear that uniform.

AR 670-1, Paragraph 23-3:
23–3. Retired personnel
a. Personnel who will be advanced to a higher grade upon retirement have the option of wearing the insignia of that grade thereafter.
b. Retired personnel on active duty will wear their uniform and insignia in the same manner as prescribed for personnel in the RA of corresponding grade and branch.
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 RA 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.
d. Retired personnel not on active duty are not authorized to wear the Army uniform when they are instructors or responsible for military discipline at an educational institution, unless the educational institution is conducting courses of instruction approved by the Armed Forces.
e. In addition to the occasions for wear listed above, retired personnel are authorized to wear the uniform only on the following occasions:
(1) While attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) Attending parades on national or state holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any Regular or Reserve U.S. military unit is taking part. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the combat uniform and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn. Wearing the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
f. Retirees are authorized to wear the physical fitness uniform under the following provisions:
(1) With civilian attire off the installation.
(2) When wearing the physical fitness uniform as a complete uniform, retirees will—
(a) Wear only authorized accessories corresponding to those worn by personnel of the RA.
(b) Wear the uniform in accordance with the guidance provided to RA Soldiers (see DA Pam 670 – 1).
g. Retirees are authorized to wear the Retired Service Identification Badge (see DA Pam 670 – 1).
h. Retirees are authorized to wear the Retired SSI (see DA Pam 670 – 1).

DA PAM 670-1 Paragraph 23-3:
23 – 3. Retired personnel
a. See AR 670 – 1 for general wear of the Army uniform by retired personnel.
b. Retired personnel not on active duty are not authorized to wear SSI, except as follows:
(1) Retired personnel performing instructor duties at an educational institution conducting courses of instruction approved by the Armed Forces will wear the SSI of the command that is responsible for the course of instruction. Senior and Junior ROTC instructors will wear the U.S. Army Cadet Command SSI on their left shoulder (see AR 145 – 1 and AR 145 – 2 for wear of the uniform by Senior and Junior ROTC instructors, respectively).
(2) Retired personnel are authorized to wear the SSI for U.S. Army retirees on the left shoulder of the AGSU. The insignia consists of a yellow cloth disc with a black border and an inner yellow disc that bears the Army trademark. The outer disk that surrounds the Army logo contains the word “Retired” in yellow letters at the top and the inscription “Soldier For Life” in yellow letters at the bottom (see fig 23 – 1). On the ASU, retired personnel will wear the retired service ID badge (see para 22 – 17 and fig 22 – 84).
(3) Retired personnel may wear the SSI – MOHC on the right shoulder of the AGSU if they were authorized wear of the SSI – MOHC while on active duty (see para 21 – 18). On the ASU, retired personnel may wear the combat service ID badge (see para 22 – 17 and fig 22 – 74) if they were authorized wear of the SSI – MOHC while on active duty.