Posted on Mar 20, 2014
Should I wear a marksmanship badge when separated/retired from the Army?
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I recently had an occasion to wear my ASU despite being separated from the Army, and a thought occurred to me while doing my PCC. I knew when I separated that I needed to strip my uniform of shoulder DUI, unit awards not on my DD214, and the fourragere but my question was does the sterilizing extend to the marksmanship badge as well?
The following is what I've been able to determine through a bit of research. AR 670-1 para 30-1.b states that "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." AR 600-8-22 para 8-44.a gives no time requirement/expiration on marksmanship badges, and only states to wear the "qualification last attained."
Considering these two regs, am I correct in my thinking that I should essentially consider my last active duty qualification as a permanent award and continue to wear the marksmanship badge on my ASU?
Edit: Fixed broken formatting
The following is what I've been able to determine through a bit of research. AR 670-1 para 30-1.b states that "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." AR 600-8-22 para 8-44.a gives no time requirement/expiration on marksmanship badges, and only states to wear the "qualification last attained."
Considering these two regs, am I correct in my thinking that I should essentially consider my last active duty qualification as a permanent award and continue to wear the marksmanship badge on my ASU?
Edit: Fixed broken formatting
Posted in these groups: 
Marksmanship
Badges
Marksmanship Badges
Edited 6 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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Civilians can wear their uniform, but if it's not right along with a proper haircut, you do the military no favor. You also can be dismissed from a official military function (asked to leave) if your appearance brings bring discredit to the service.
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What does your DD214 say? Mine lists my marksmanship badges with my other awards. So I would say it is kosher to wear them.
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Let me preface by saying I'm not a big fan of civilians wearing the uniform (I've been a civilian for 20+ years and can count on one hand the number of times I've put mine on).
That said, as a civilian I don't consider myself bound by UCMJ anymore (maybe the "Once a Marine always a Marine" folks do, but I do not).
So, if you're going to wear it, I'd say you're splitting hairs about what you want to put on it. I wouldn't recommend adding Colonel rank and a CMH though. Mainly because "Stolen Valor" pisses a lot of people off, me included and it's just a matter of time before someone knocks out their front teeth.
That said, as a civilian I don't consider myself bound by UCMJ anymore (maybe the "Once a Marine always a Marine" folks do, but I do not).
So, if you're going to wear it, I'd say you're splitting hairs about what you want to put on it. I wouldn't recommend adding Colonel rank and a CMH though. Mainly because "Stolen Valor" pisses a lot of people off, me included and it's just a matter of time before someone knocks out their front teeth.
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SGT (Join to see)
The circumstance that lead to the creation of this topic 9 months ago was that I was preparing to attend the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier that I had deployed with. I too agree that once separated from the military wearing your uniform becomes an exceedingly rare occurrence, but it was justified.
Also, you're right that veterans are not bound by UCMJ. That does not does not mean that if I'm going to wear my ASU that I'm going to disgrace the uniform, myself, and my service, by wearing it inappropriately. I may not be punishable under 670-1 anymore, but if I'm going to wear the uniform I'll be damned if I don't do my best to follow the reg to the letter, just like when I was on active duty.
Also, you're right that veterans are not bound by UCMJ. That does not does not mean that if I'm going to wear my ASU that I'm going to disgrace the uniform, myself, and my service, by wearing it inappropriately. I may not be punishable under 670-1 anymore, but if I'm going to wear the uniform I'll be damned if I don't do my best to follow the reg to the letter, just like when I was on active duty.
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SSgt James Connolly
You earned it you can wear it everyday if you Want.
If you don't think your covered under UCMJ just piss someone off real bad who is higher up and they can activate you in a heart beat.
If you don't think your covered under UCMJ just piss someone off real bad who is higher up and they can activate you in a heart beat.
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SGT Nate Whitehead
What? Unless you’re retired, you can’t be “activated”. When that eight year basic service obligation is up, and you separate WITHOUT retiring, you are off-limits, 100%.
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For some reason I'm having a hard time copying and pasting at the moment but if you look in AR 670-1 paragraph 30-3 and 30-4 it may be able to help you understand a little better.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you sergeant for your input. When doing my research I did read AR 670-1 para 30-3 and 4, and did not find any information relevant to my question.
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Absolutely authorized! Wear with pride. Qualification badges are listed or supposed to be listed on the DD214
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I'm retired US Army also and that's how I see it, so the qualifications badges stay on! SGM to SGM tell me why I'm wrong?
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Well, you’re retired so who going to frig with you? Just tell them you’ll take into advisement and extract yourself from that a.o. SGT.
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SGT (Join to see)
At the end, where it's supposed to be. Any particular reason you're so grumpy?
"Considering these two regs, am I correct in my thinking that I should essentially consider my last active duty qualification as a permanent award and continue to wear the marksmanship badge on my ASU?"
"Considering these two regs, am I correct in my thinking that I should essentially consider my last active duty qualification as a permanent award and continue to wear the marksmanship badge on my ASU?"
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If it was awarded and there is nothing prohibiting it, wear it you earned it.
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I do wear My service ribbons on my American Legion Uniform as shown in this picture on ceremonies I participate in within the Legion including formal l post meetings, funeral's of Veteran', Memorial day and Veteran's day ceremonies. Other than that I don't wear them at all. My Air Force issue uniform, although it still fits fine the last time I wore it was the day I retired from the USAF where I wore it for 22 years. Currently My Military uniform hangs in a closet and is in good condition I will not even consider wearing the Air Force uniform unless I meet ALL the standards or wear down to the finest detail. The same applies to My old Civil Air Patrol, USAF Auxiliary uniform which I wore for 40 years which also still hangs in a closet, still fits and is in good condition. The large hanging medals, I wore only the day the were issued, they re still in the boxes they were either presented to Me with or issued depending on the medal. They sit in those original boxes and when I pass on I'll leave them to My oldest son who is the family member that will take care of them and appreciate them.
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