Is there a regulation that governs the wear of Dress Blues by Veterans? AR 670-1?
Former members of the Army may wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions (that means an honorable or general discharge). Personnel who qualify under these conditions will wear the Army uniform in the highest grade they held during such war service.
The uniform is authorized for wear only for the following ceremonial occasions, and when traveling to and from the ceremony or function. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the BDU and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn.
(1) When attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) When attending parades on national or state holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve United States military unit is taking part.
Former Soldiers who are discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army (even if it's not during wartime service) may wear their uniform while going from the place of discharge to their home of record, within three months after discharge.
Wear of the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
Hope this helps!
I reiterate, any soldier retired or not, AR 670-1 is the bible for wearing your uniform. If you talk special days and you can still fit in your uniform, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day. Other holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, one would need to get ahold of the powers to be to get answers to that. Talk to the CSM at the recruiting station, he or she can get those answers.
The wear of the uniform; when is it illegal? (updated)
Ladies and Gentlemen,I've seen many comments and questions on the issue of active-duty or former military members wearing the uniform to events, rallies, etc, so thought a diary may be needed....
Federal law (10 USC, 772)
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/772
10 U.S. Code § 772 - When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
June 3, 1916, ch. 134, §12 (words before 4th semicolon, and words after 7th semicolon, of 1st proviso of 1st par.; and last proviso of last par.), 39 Stat. 216; July 9, 1918, ch. 143, subch. XVII, §10 (last proviso), 40 Stat. 892; June 4, 1920, ch. 228, §8, 41 Stat. 836; June 6, 1942, ch. 382, 56 Stat. 328; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §15(b) (last proviso), 63 Stat. 91; July 6, 1953, ch. 180, §1, 67 Stat. 140.
The Dress Greens did and there was a patch for retirees, but I don't know about the current Dress Blues
Found in Section 30.3 Page 314
Applies to Gender Both
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 Active Army 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 for personnel in the Active Army of corresponding grade and branch, when appropriate, but may not intermix the two uniforms. Personnel will wear the grade as shown on the retired grade of rank line on the retirement order.
d. Retired personnel not on active duty are not authorized to wear shoulder sleeve insignia, except as follows:
(1) Personnel performing instructor duties at an educational institution conducting courses of instruction approved by the Armed Forces will wear the shoulder sleeve insignia of the command that is responsible for the course of instruction. Senior and junior ROTC instructors will wear the Cadet Command shoulder sleeve insignia on their left shoulder (see AR 145–1 and 145–2 for wear of the uniform by senior and junior ROTC instructors, respectively).
(2) Retired personnel are authorized to wear the shoulder sleeve insignia for U.S. Army Retirees on the left shoulder. 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 30–1).
(3) Retired personnel may wear the shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service (SSI–FWTS) on the right shoulder if they were authorized wear of the SSI–FWTS while on active duty.
e. 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.
f. In addition to the occasions for wear listed above, retired personnel are authorized to wear the uniform only on the following occasions. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the BDU and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn.
(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 active or reserve United States military unit is taking part. Wear of the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above is prohibited.
g. Retirees are authorized to wear the physical fitness uniform (PFU) or the improved physical fitness uniform (IPFU) under the following provisions:
(1) May wear the PFU or the IPFU with civilian attire off the installation.
(2) When wearing the PFU or the IPFU as a complete uniform, retirees will—
(a) Wear only authorized accessories corresponding to those worn by personnel of the Active Army.
(b) Keep the sleeves down on the sweatshirt or jacket, the legs down on the pants, and the t-shirt tucked inside the trunks.
(c) Not roll or push up the sleeves of the IPFU sweatshirt or the PFU/IPFU jacket.
(d) Wear the sleeves of the IPFU sweatshirt cuffed or uncuffed; may not cuff the IPFU jacket sleeves.
(e) Wear the black knit cap pulled down snugly on the head, with the bottom edge of the cap folded up; will not roll the edge of the cap. A similar, commercially designed black knit cap is authorized for wear. h. Pregnant retirees are authorized to wear the t-shirt/sweatshirt outside the trunks/sweatpants.