Posted on Jul 29, 2014
Should I wear my uniform at my sons boot camp graduation if I am retired?
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Uniforms
Boot Camp
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Here is my thought on this. Whose day is it? If I were to come to my sons graduation fully decked in blues with medals and ribbons I would think that I would be upstaging my son in his moment at his time. I would go in a nice suit, with my service lapels pins in place and perhaps some small dress ribbons if I had high awards, but I would be cognizant that this day was for him not me. Unless of course my son requested that I show up in my old, ill-fitting dress uniform, then I would have to consider but would probably still side with my earlier statement that I would not want to upstage my son.
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SGT (Join to see)
I agree with Cpl (Join to see). When I graduated from basic at FT Sill, I requested that my father ret. GySgt, dressed up in his blues. My Battery was graduating in our Class A's, and even a couple weeks before my BN CO wanted to know who had family or friends attending the graduation who were SNCOs, Warrants or Commissioned officers attending. Particularly those who were E-8 or 9, CW-5, or O-6 or higher.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Cpl (Join to see) you and I posted almost word for word, and I didn't read yours before posting...just letting you know, great minds think alike. SF. My daughter graduated from USN bootcamp 2 years ago Thanksgiving...so I was in MSgt Keith Hebert spot...and all I can say is I would of felt like I was up staging her, even though many folks disagree with our opinion...Ultimately it is up to his son. Is his son really going to tell his Dad NOT to wear his uniform? Probably not ...
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I absolutely would. I am disappointed by the concerns of upstaging by so many. Your son's service is a legacy and a testament to his character. I would have a local recruiter or honor guard double check your uniform, but be proud. Less than 1% serve, and far fewer pass the torch. Your honor is rare, do not diminish it by the comfort of khakis or indulging the naysayers.
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1SG (Join to see)
The only opinion you need to be concerned with is ...your Son! If any doubt, just ask him! Problem solved!
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SPC John Hernandez
I agree with your comment, I have been asked the same thing since I run a facebook page for BCT/AIT units. I had one parent post that their son requested his grandfather wear their dress blues to his graduation.
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Time for an update
Uniform still fits reasonably well just waiting on son to find out what he wants and if he leaves it up to me I will wear it
Uniform still fits reasonably well just waiting on son to find out what he wants and if he leaves it up to me I will wear it
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MSG Wade Huffman
Be sure to pass on the congratulations of all of us here to your son (and make sure he gets a RP account! LOL!). Enjoy your visit and congratulation on still fitting into your uniform! Cpl (Join to see) , You're still doing better than I, my cover doesn't even fit anymore since I now have hair! LOL!!
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Cpl (Join to see)
MSG Wade Huffman I correct myself, my cover no longer fits LOL. At least my pride still fits.
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I don't know what USAF uniform regs say about retired wear of the uniform, but Army regs allow honorably discharged/retired personnel to wear the uniform (that was in use at the time of separation) at military functions.
I would ask him what he prefers as well.
When I graduated Basic Training, I left the decision up to my dad, as I was proud of his service as well.
This is what it looked like:
I would ask him what he prefers as well.
When I graduated Basic Training, I left the decision up to my dad, as I was proud of his service as well.
This is what it looked like:
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Sgt (Join to see)
Technically federal law states otherwise. Officers can wear the uniform if they retire, enlisted can only wear it for one month after honorable separation. Few wavers (like stage production) but nothing I saw about military functions. This law, however, will never be upheld on a veteran in fear of committing political suicide. It barely (usually just places where military enjoys high renown) gets used against stolen valor people (stolen valor repealed, wearing uniform still illegal, so you can claim service, as long as you don't try to wear a uniform)
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COL Randall C.
Sgt (Join to see), you are correct that USC only authorizes retired officers to wear the uniform, but it also authorizes anyone who served honorably in a time of war (legal clarifications have upheld it as declared or undeclared) can wear it as well. Back in the 50s, the Service departments were delegated the authority to regulate the wear of the uniform in those instances, so the specifics about when/where/what are in the Service's uniform regulations.
Considering that it's unlikely we still have any veterans out there that served in one before WWII, that means anyone who served during WWII (41-45), Korean War (50-53), Vietnam War (59-75), Desert Storm (90-91), or Afghanistan (2001-now) falls into this category.
I agree with your second part though. While illegal, the only time the law is ever enforced is when their is other egregious activity connected to it (i.e., the bonehead who wears the uniform for the attention vs the bonehead that wears it and gains $$ through fraud).
Considering that it's unlikely we still have any veterans out there that served in one before WWII, that means anyone who served during WWII (41-45), Korean War (50-53), Vietnam War (59-75), Desert Storm (90-91), or Afghanistan (2001-now) falls into this category.
I agree with your second part though. While illegal, the only time the law is ever enforced is when their is other egregious activity connected to it (i.e., the bonehead who wears the uniform for the attention vs the bonehead that wears it and gains $$ through fraud).
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As a fairly soon to be retired guy I can offer my .02 since you are asking. And I do tend to agree with Cpl (Join to see) in that I would not want to upstage my son. His day.
I also agree with SPC David S. in that I would want to check with my son to make sure that he was good with it. Again because it is his day.
If he agrees with it, and if you are going to do it, make sure that you are perfect. I cannot imagine the letdown if you were to look anything other than outstanding in your uniform that you were wearing to another service's graduation. You know that folks will be eyeballing you.
I also agree with SPC David S. in that I would want to check with my son to make sure that he was good with it. Again because it is his day.
If he agrees with it, and if you are going to do it, make sure that you are perfect. I cannot imagine the letdown if you were to look anything other than outstanding in your uniform that you were wearing to another service's graduation. You know that folks will be eyeballing you.
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I dressed down when my son graduated. At least I've lost most of that extra weight I was carrying around.
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Cpl (Join to see)
LOL! MSgt Keith Hebert Yeah, I put on 60 lbs since I left the Marine Corps in '93, but I'm down 22 as of this morning. Here's my Cpl promotion in the Gulf.
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Wear it, chances are your son is just as proud of your service as you are his
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The military is steeped in tradition. Nothing can express this more than a son following in his father's footsteps. My grandfathers and father both served. I remember my father telling me that part of my uniform was my last name and not to bring any dishonor to it. By all means if it's OK with your son bust out your class A's as long as they are squared away.
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What I'm going to answer with may not come across favorable to everyone, but here it goes: Would your allow your wife to wear white to your daughter wedding? Same idea, this is his moment, let him enjoy it. What you could do, however, is wear your mini medals or ribbons on the lapel of a nice suit...this is by far the best advice I can give your as a Active veteran that attended my daughter's military graduation at Great Lakes. Let them be proud, they may feel like they can never be better than you...but for one day, they probably will feel like an equal. My opinion, and that is all it is...I'm sure either way your son will just be happy to have your there. I've posted two examples that are permitted, and I'm sure your display is quite impressive. I would also consider giving him a military coin, coin him - a sign of pride and choose a good one.
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1LT (Join to see)
My friend gave his daughter a service veteran coin on graduation from AIT. He her, you are now on your first day of active duty, other than for training and are now a veteran. She still has the coin on her everyday (well at least when she visits him).
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