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While watching the New Years Celebration at Times Square I saw a Marine PFC in his dress uniform there. I was a little surprised why you would ever do such a thing.<div><br></div><div>There are functions that you can't wear your uniforms to such as political events or to an extremist organization. I will admit that I did get married in my blues. But is there a time and place for it. I recall seeing video from the WWII era where all soldiers would wear their uniforms while on pass. Now we don't do that but some will still wear their dress uniform to events. I often tease my wife that I am going to wear mine to my sisters wedding because I refuse pay to rent a used tux for two hundred dollars. But I will get the tux to keep the wife happy, at the loss of my wallet.</div><div><br></div><div>Where have you seen military members wear their uniforms to in public? Did it seem professional and respectful for the occasion? The last question, how did it reflect on the military?</div><div><br></div><div>Just don't be like the Navy Seal that killed Bin Laden.</div><div><br></div><div>(I have heard that if you are going to military wedding and you out rank the groom or have more decorations than the groom you shouldn't wear the uniform as you don't want the groom to look any less compared to you.)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://t.fod4.com/c/8e464776e6/c480x270_custom_10436fc7852ae75711ac2de0a2594570_30678.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/8e464776e6/the-navy-seal-who-killed-osama-bin-laden">The Navy Seal Who Killed Osama Bin Laden</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">with Rob Riggle, Funny Or Die</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
Posted in these groups: 
Events
Dress Uniform
Events Dress Uniform
Edited 12 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 142
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If I could fit into it. I'd wear it on say Veterans Day but lets see at 6'5" 129 lbs when I joined, 6'4" 169 when I retired. Out 17 years now 6 foot something still I think but 210 lbs it don't fit. I tried to pull my Jumper Top over my chest a while ago. It didn't work. Disgusting. I used to be built like a Cheetah.
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The service uniform is intended to be the default attire both on and off duty. There was a time when wearing civilian clothes was considered a privilege.
This changed I believe mostly due to concerns over security, but we have come to realize those concerns while CONUS were largely unfounded.
This changed I believe mostly due to concerns over security, but we have come to realize those concerns while CONUS were largely unfounded.
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SPC Randall Eichelberger
It also has to do with the modernization of the military. Now a days you will not keep people or even get people if you do not allow them some freedoms. There really is no reason to wear your uniform off post. It has nothing to do with not being proud or anything, but in a place of conformity individuals need a chance to be individuals.
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LTC (Join to see)
During the Vietnam era, going off post in uniform became downright dangerous in some places, so the uniform regs were relaxed for off-post wear. That's changed, for the most part, but there are some places where I'd still be careful.
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SP5 Dennis Loberger
When I returned from my deployment in 1973, we were told not to wear our uniform off post
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I have no problem with military members and retirees wearing their ASUs to public events. There was a time that it was military protocol. I've worn mine to church, on and off post, especially for special services like Christmas. It was drilled into me as a cadet at VMI, where cadet grey was the excepted uniform for any off post events. I recall wearing it on a date in a shopping mall, and on an ASCE event at Columbia Univ, where I was required to wear it to all events, including in downtown New York and the bus ride from Grand Central Station. Class A used to be the required uniform to fly space-A on a MAC flight. I recall sitting on cargo seats in a C141 flying over the Atlantic, my wife freezing next to me while I sat in my Greens. I hate seeing soldiers in public places in ACUs, or worse, PTs. Soldiers in airports or on civilian flights in ACUs--can't stand it. I can recall as a young company commander being very self-conscious in my BDUs at a gas station; authorized, but just didn't feel right. I even hate seeing soldiers in the Pentagon wearing ACUs, or any air conditioned office building, for that matter. The class A and B uniform was, once upon a time, the uniform of the day in garrison, and field uniforms were, get this, worn in the field. I understand why GEN Keane put officers in BDUs in 2003, as most had never been deployed, and had no concept that every day we had soldiers serving in combat zones. It was good to establish that "we're at war mentality" across the garrison force. I also understand and respect why Secretary Gates required all the military on his staff in 2006 to go back to wearing A's or B's; it simply is more professional. In this photograph I was at my sister's niece's wedding. Didn't know her very well, wasn't a military wedding, there was no one else in uniform, and not sure if there was any other service members there. All appreciated that I wore my uniform.
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CPT (Join to see)
To be honest I miss those days. I wouldn't use it to seek attention. I think some do that. I am going to wear mine to my sisters wedding. She asked if I could. It works for me. I get to save some money and knock the dust off of it. It has been a while.
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COL Sam Russell
You ought to be wearing it in your unit at least once a month. Pay day activities in most units involves ASU inspection.
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LTC (Join to see)
COL Sam Russell - Pay Day Activities bring back old memories. I remember when I started in the 70s. I would see "pay day activities' on the training schedule. Now they have their checks direct deposited. I just barely remember the "Class A Agents" who paid the troops. As for ASU inspection, in the reserve components, they did that once a year, but it wasn't done at all in some units I were in. In my last National Guard unit, we had such an inspection just before our annual holiday party.
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In my day we where required to travel in dress uniform. We had our working uniforms. Jeans and shirt but those where not allowed to be worn off base. Dress Blues and Whites or the black pants and white shirt. Whites could only be worn during summer. But as good as they look. Keeping them clean was a royal pain
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SGT Tracey "Tra" Cooper-Harris
When I came in in 1991,we had to wear Class Bs for travel from Basic to AIT, AIT to home for the Christmas /New Years travel, and then Class As going to Germany. Since 1992, travel in Class As or Bs was discouraged. Post 9/11 was a no go, unless on a military flight.
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I see no problem with it, it shows that you have pride in the service. But, I think that it must be worn properly and you should be in regs.
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CPT (Join to see)
I agree but it must be worn with some common sense. Wearing to the mall to pick up chicks may not be a good idea.
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1LT William Clardy
CPT (Join to see), common sense tell me that it works better if you don't try it with mosquito wings on your sleeves. Sergeant stripes work really well if you also look like you're trying to find a gift for somebody's wedding.
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CPT (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) I only muscle shirts to the mall. If I must go in uniform it is only a Combat Shirt. Gotta flex in that $%^@
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<p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Helvetica;">Oh man I've had this debate before and it got heated with my old CSM. It came up after a dining in and a bunch of folks went out after the official party ended. Walking around down town in uniform from place to place. This included some of the 1SG's. Now the CSM said that everyone should have went home (at 2330) changed clothes and then came back. That is retarded. This is straight out of 670-1.</p><p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Helvetica;"> 20–3. Occasions for wear</p>
<p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Times;">The following are appropriate occasions for personnel to wear the Army blue uniform.</p>
<p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Times;">a. On duty, as prescribed by the local commander.</p>
<p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Times;">b. For social functions of a general or official nature, before or after retreat.</p>
<p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Times;">c. On other appropriate occasions, as desired by the individual.</p>
<p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Times;">The following are appropriate occasions for personnel to wear the Army blue uniform.</p>
<p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Times;">a. On duty, as prescribed by the local commander.</p>
<p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Times;">b. For social functions of a general or official nature, before or after retreat.</p>
<p style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Times;">c. On other appropriate occasions, as desired by the individual.</p>
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SFC (Join to see)
Man, we used to go down to the ville after a Dining in or Ball in Korea ALL the time. It was a blast.
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CPT (Join to see)
Just to clarify, I had a DD arranged and was in a building we rented out. So I was the luxury was not really having the ability to get into trouble. I wasn't as bad as some others. A PSG was twerking while sing karaoke. It was sobering. So after taking my CO's ranger tab off his coat he left laying around I called it a night and went to the hotel. I later saw my friend and he said he had a good time and people were buying his drinks left and right. I still don't think any army uniform should be worn for your personal trip into town to drink. If it is an officers call or a ball, that is another story.
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LTC Charles Sherman
I think there is a distinction to be made here with regard to wearing the uniform and what you are doing while wearing the uniform. The dress uniforms were intended to be used for social occasions, as the regulation cited above indicates. Wearing the dress uniforms for social activities is appropriate, and until about 35 years ago it was common. What was never permitted was inappropriate or embarrassing behavior while wearing the uniform. In this case, the issue was whether the conduct of the soldiers in the uniform was appropriate. Which unless one or more was noticeably drunk, or the party moved to the nearest topless bar, it wasn't. As long as all stayed in proper uniform and conducted themselves in a respectable manner, I see no problem.
And the higher-rank-than-the-groom thing sounds silly. In fact, in all cases for me, the bride would have skinned me alive if I hadn't shown up in uniform! That her groom was an LT was utterly immaterial. YMMV, but I would honestly question the vanity of either the bride or the groom that objected to a senior showing up in the appropriate uniform.
And the higher-rank-than-the-groom thing sounds silly. In fact, in all cases for me, the bride would have skinned me alive if I hadn't shown up in uniform! That her groom was an LT was utterly immaterial. YMMV, but I would honestly question the vanity of either the bride or the groom that objected to a senior showing up in the appropriate uniform.
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CDR (Join to see)
Sgt Gus Laskaris - think you missed the point, but you are able to miss the point without going to ( sorry navy term) mast (NJP). Handle you self and your drink and I say wear you best, but go out with the intent of embarrassing yourself and you service I will be less apt to help you when the police arrive. Just my thoughts, and as usual I could be wrong.
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We can wear them to weddings, funerals, parades, and formal functions. That is for us retired
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I don't see any problem as long as the uniform is worn correctly and the proper respect and customs and courtesies are followed. There could be a hundred different reasons why this Marine was in uniform that evening.
I have worn my ASU's to weddings; church services; Memorial Day and Veterans Day events; formal dinners; events were I was a guest speaker (speaking about the Guard or my deployment), a couple of funeral, and to get my photo taken at Christmas.
I have worn my ASU's to weddings; church services; Memorial Day and Veterans Day events; formal dinners; events were I was a guest speaker (speaking about the Guard or my deployment), a couple of funeral, and to get my photo taken at Christmas.
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CPT (Join to see) , this is a great post! I recently did a LOT of research on this very topic and made the decision to wear my blues while being recognized at a Gala- which was incredibly well received by the civilian community! I see both sides of the debate about the ASUs being worn in public.
One of the reasons that I believe it would be good for the military community to wear ASUs more often is it would give another perspective to the civilian community about us. There are a few ways this would happen:
-It would show the polished, "Army" side that during the recent wars the civilian population may not associate as much with our career
-It shows the civilian population the amount of hard work we do- they might not necessarily understand what all the ribbons or medals mean, but they no (even in today's military) those things aren't just 'handed out'
-One can argue that it would be perceived more favorably (think WW2 era, again, and how much the population seemed to revere the sharp, dressy look) by civilians. This would be another way that we could bridge the military/veteran/civilian gap that is becoming more apparent as the wars end
These are just some thoughts I had about the topic. It's a sharp outfit, and really makes us stand out amongst our civilian peers in every aspect. I really like the idea of wearing them more in public!
One of the reasons that I believe it would be good for the military community to wear ASUs more often is it would give another perspective to the civilian community about us. There are a few ways this would happen:
-It would show the polished, "Army" side that during the recent wars the civilian population may not associate as much with our career
-It shows the civilian population the amount of hard work we do- they might not necessarily understand what all the ribbons or medals mean, but they no (even in today's military) those things aren't just 'handed out'
-One can argue that it would be perceived more favorably (think WW2 era, again, and how much the population seemed to revere the sharp, dressy look) by civilians. This would be another way that we could bridge the military/veteran/civilian gap that is becoming more apparent as the wars end
These are just some thoughts I had about the topic. It's a sharp outfit, and really makes us stand out amongst our civilian peers in every aspect. I really like the idea of wearing them more in public!
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I remember back July 2002 we just started our cruise on the USS Abraham Lincoln and we pulled into Hawaii for a port call and the day we pulled in the whole ordnance shop got into our dress whites and went to Arizona Memorial to pay respects and let me tell you what everybody wanted there pictures taken with us and we saw a few old timers there and gave a few hand salutes them.
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