So there I was, speech class on campus, in uniform. I got 5 points taken off my speech for not having on a "professional" attire. Fair?

SFC(P) (Join to see) I'd talk to the instructor's supervisor. That's BS.

well ... what is the topic? if the topic is remotely related to the "service", that is clear that you had been discriminated. If not ... you are still being discriminated, but just within a teacher's "excuse".

Unfair, assuming your speech was military oriented.

Professional attire in the civilian world is coat & tie... maybe a matching suit. Unless you were directly representing the Army, I'd side with the professor. If "professional attire" wasn't prescribed as a part of the presentation, you might challenge the docking. Otherwise, when in Rome, do as the Romans.

I will defer to the advice from Army professionals who understand current regulations and protocols better than I-Most commenting here seem to agree your instructor was in the wrong.

Personally, I think if the subject matter of the speech concerned the military...it should be appropriate to represent your own expertise in support of your thesis, and your professor should be proud to have you!

That said-I've always understood that the default position for "non-duty" is not to be in uniform. If I were going to speak in my own person, representing the Navy, and regulations permitted the wearing of my uniform, I'd probably select Service Dress. Its the correct parallel for the civilian equivalent of "business attire". That said, I've seen lots of general officers giving press conferences in ACUs.

The critical element here seems to be time...I once had to report to an admiral in "working khaki" while supervising repairs in the yards; Some of his staff wanted my head on a plate-but the Admiral had conveyed to me that time was of the essence, and appreciated the fact that I reported to him immediately, instead of making him wait while I drove back to my housing, changed, and drove back to the NAVSTA. Had we been pier-side, with my SDBs in my locker-I'd have taken the ten minutes to change. Your prof should probably take your duty schedule into account before passing judgement based on his own, limited understanding.

That's a Bit Harsh and I think you look damn sharp in Uniform.

Was it a dress uniform? (Class A or B not ACU?) If you were in ACU, maybe the professor didn't think it was the appropriate uniform choice. If thats the case I would point out that and show documentation that you were in proper duty uniform. The Army is the only service that is permitted to wear their combat/field uniform in the public in many cases. (Many generals speak in public in ACUs.) In my opinion, regardless of uniform, if it is worn properly and there is no campus rule against it (there shouldn't be: I would never attend such a school), you should not be graded down (especially if you didnt have time to change from work) and would protest it with the veterans affairs office and through the college grievance procedure. Many professors are not military-friendly. I did say in another posting the Army should develop a professional-looking class B and encourage wear of it in public and in office-type work.

That's crap! Obviously, your instructor is anti-military or something. I would question this action with the school.