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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>
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Events
Dress Uniform
Events Dress Uniform
Edited 12 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 142
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It seems harmless to me, so long as he wasn't acting in a manner that discredited the uniform while he was wearing it. I have worn my Dress Greens to my civilian office for veterans day, for example. We don't have a dress code at the job so much as the people there range from T-shirts and Shorts to business casual, but on special days like that, it's not uncommon for my coworkers to go more formal.
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CPT (Join to see) this last New Year's Celebration at Times Square I saw a lot, not one or two but more than 10, Soldiers using their ASU's. That was on National Television, I was surprised because there were all ranks, from PFC's to Officers.
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CPT (Join to see)
I saw it on TV. I though it to be odd a bit. I have since spoke to a friend that was a Marine. They send Marines there to do events in the city. They are told to wear their uniforms. That makes sense. For the Army guys it maybe something similar.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) maybe because of being in a MI Unit, or where I'm stationed but I don't like to use my ACU's off-post. We've been told to not go out wearing our uniforms since we don't know who can be following us and with what intentions. Is a different mind set, I think, like I barely have pictures with me in uniform on my instagram page, neither my wife in her FB page.
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CPT (Join to see)
SGT(P) (Join to see) If you really want to be left alone put on an MP patch. No one wants to be with those guys.
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For service dress uniforms formal events seem appropriate... As long as they are holding the upmost military bearing and not making a fool out of themselves.
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CPT (Join to see)
I agree. My sister asked me to wear my uniform to her wedding. I am glad because it will save me money! But I also like wearing my uniform to formal events. It was common place in days past. It showed pride. I wouldn't wear it downtown to go drinking but a wedding seems fitting.
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CPT (Join to see), during WWII, I think it was law that all service members be in uniform while on pass, even Stateside. As far as military weddings go, I would think that if the groom is in uniform and you go in uniform to honor him, if you have more bling or rank than he does, that's just the way the ball bounces!
Also, there's an AR somewhere that governs with great specificity as to where and when retirees may wear the uniform.
Also, there's an AR somewhere that governs with great specificity as to where and when retirees may wear the uniform.
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CPT (Join to see)
I agree. I think back in WWII many were much more nationalistic. Now a days there is a chance you could start a conflict if you wear your uniform in the wrong place. Look what happened to Nicklaus Cage in ConAir.
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In an area where people do not see many service members wearing the dress uniform might bring lots of attention. If I were to attend a wedding or a funeral in an area where appearance of service members in uniform is rare I will want to avoid wearing my dress uniform so I don't take away attention from someone's special event. I would rather rent a tux or wear something else that's formal like a suit and tie. I take pride in the military service and the discipline I have. I wouldn't want to wear any part of my uniform for personal gain.
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CPT (Join to see)
I recall once when I was talking to another officer. He told me an unofficial run when to wear a uniform. It was that if you were more decorated than the soldier getting married you shouldn't wear it.
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I agree with 1LT Robert Morris and many others here. It is not wearing the uniform, as much as it is the conduct in the uniform.
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CPT (Join to see)
True but at times the soldier draws more attention than needed just by being in uniform.
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1LT (Join to see)
Thank you for your response, 1LT Rosa.
Attention can be good or bad. If the Soldier is behaving him/herself in a respectful manner (which I realize may not be likely for a celebration), then it can be good for the service instead of the other way around. But going back to the original question, wearing a uniform does not have to be necessarily unprofessional or disrespectful.
Attention can be good or bad. If the Soldier is behaving him/herself in a respectful manner (which I realize may not be likely for a celebration), then it can be good for the service instead of the other way around. But going back to the original question, wearing a uniform does not have to be necessarily unprofessional or disrespectful.
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Sir,
As sated before some branches require their members on pass or liberty wear a form of their respective dress uniform. The Marine could have even been a recruiter "working" the crowd for leads. Either way i feel that as long as the service member did nothing to discredit the Military it is a way to bring good press and publicity and see no harm in his actions.
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CPT (Join to see)
I didn't think about that. From what I could see from his awards he had a Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Which would lead me to believe he was in the Marine Reserve.
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LTC Charles Sherman
Reservists are generally permitted to wear their uniforms for appropriate occasions. I would probably look askance at a Reserve soldier that wore his uniform every day, but it's allowed. Again though, such wear of the uniform wouldn't include a fatigue uniform except as directed for a drill weekend or on orders.
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LTC Charles Sherman
Actually, both of those pictures look much more "normal" than would typically be the case. I think the Army puts something in the food that destroys the minimal civilian fashion sense of most soldiers, officer and enlisted alike. And since when does a Reservist wear his hat if his Chain-of-Command isn't watching?
Disclaimer: I was a Reservist/Guardsman for 33 years, of which about 14 years were Active status. I've seen...and laughed at...both sides!
Disclaimer: I was a Reservist/Guardsman for 33 years, of which about 14 years were Active status. I've seen...and laughed at...both sides!
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LT, I have done this for numerous functions during my career and a few times since retiring, this something that primarily depends on the event or who is attending and what is authorized by the command relative to the event itself.
Now for Marines depending on the status of the individual, they are sometimes required to wear their dress uniforms while on pass or liberty from training, this could have been the situation for this Marine based on the time of year, he/she could have been on a pass for the day/night and had to wear the uniform for the time frame this is quite common on the Marine side. I remember just a few years back when I was in TRADOC, all of out AIT Soldiers were required to wear their Greens for their weekend passes or even when they went home on Exodus, and not sure if you have been in long enough from your enlisted days to remember pay day ceremonies where we wore our dress uniform for inspection and for pretty much half the day until we got released for payday activities.
It isn't as active for the Army side anymore, but Marines in training or other certain assignments wear them for practically anything that will take them away from the base.
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SFC Robert Sloan
SFC Class Baber,
TRADOC still does the PAYDAY activities each month, although nowadays it doesn't carry the same meaning as it used to back in the day. Anymore it is just a way for the COC to conduct a monthly inspection, as well as teach the "Warriors" how to properly wear the uniform. To an extent itp teaches some of the newer Soldiers ( most of which are NCO's who were in my opinion promoted way to fast) how to properly conduct not only pre-inspections but, how the uniform should be set up. So many E5's in today's ranks have been promoted so fast that they have not had the opportunity to learn how to be a strong leader and how to handle when a Soldier needs correction and mentorship.
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Suspended Profile
Marines are special cookies.
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I guess my time has passed without my knowing it. When I served, the dress uniform Class A (greens) and Class B (TW or khaki) were worn anytime in public. The work uniform (fatigue) was only worn in public to and from work. Veterans were, and still are encouraged to wear their uniforms at events like Memorial Day, Veterans Day and etc. Also, we had the dress blue uniform for formal wear. Again, while active, it was considered acceptable for any formal occasion. I would think that anyone on active duty should be proud to wear their dress uniform in public.
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PO1 Donald Cimino
Living in New Orleans and belonging to a Military Mardi Gras Krewe the uniform of the day is either full dress or tails, which is required for the ball.
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