As a retiree who served as both an officer and enlisted, which uniform should I wear to a military or civilian function?

1SG Steven Malkowski — Wed, 22 May 2024 09:06:24 -0400

I had 30 years of service, active and National Guard, with 20 years enlisted and 10 years commissioned sandwiched in between. I went in the Retired Reserve in 2010 as a First Sergeant, but draw retired pay as a Captain. My question is if I want to wear my uniform to a military or civilian function, do I wear the officer or enlisted? Can I choose either? I prefer the enlisted, as that is the capacity I served the most years and achieved a higher rank than as an officer.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 22 at 2024 9:47 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 22 May 2024 09:47:46 -0400

Not having looked at the regs, I would look at your retirement orders, what do they say. On mine it tells me I am a 11Z. What ever your retirement orders say is what I would go with.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2024 10:01 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 May 2024 10:01:30 -0400

AR 670-1, 21-3c:

"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 AA 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."

But.....you are retired. And since I highly doubt you would be brought back in to face punishment by violating regs for wearing 1SG rank.....

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made May 22 at 2024 1:34 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Wed, 22 May 2024 13:34:29 -0400

First Sergeant, I would say that you could wear either, but you seem to be more proud of being a first sergeant, I guess that is where I would go with it. Either way, you will do it right.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 22 at 2024 3:07 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 22 May 2024 15:07:32 -0400

Whatever is on your retirement paperwork would be the Rank/Title you retired at and it would make most sense for that to be the Uniform you choose.

Response by 1SG Steven Malkowski made May 23 at 2024 12:39 PM

1SG Steven Malkowski — Thu, 23 May 2024 12:39:51 -0400

Well I should have gone to AR 670-1 in the first place. My retirement order says Captain.
Ch 21-3 c.
21–3. 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 AA 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 AA 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

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2024 4:14 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 May 2024 16:14:21 -0400

I was going to say split the difference at CW3 or 4, but that' probably isn't going to fly.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Oct 2 at 2024 10:31 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 22:31:04 -0400

You do not really achieve a "higher rank than as an officer." You may have a more respected rank than a junior officer or, technically a higher position, but no enlisted rank is higher than an officer.