What are my options as a veteran who wants to wear my ACU (tan/grey) uniform? Can I sew certain patches and badges?

I put all of my badges, medals, and all in a shadow box. I've heard horror stories of one's uniform being stored long enough where the cloth and medals get ruined.
https://imgur.com/WDZrO0g

Nicely done, SPC Brian Mason! It looks great! I too have a shadow box for all my “stuff” as do many other RP members.
You did well during your time in the Army, and your awards, decorations, promotions, etc., should be on display for all to see. Thank you for your service to our nation.

I did not seek recognition while I was in nor do I now. Praise for a job well done, sure. This was something I NEVER.....thought I'd do and in a medical sense. Few have seen it, but all who do ask tons of questions which I like.
I could have worn it, however, I felt without care but the Army changed me and that's not what I was taught. Integrity I think? The Army cap will suffice. Thanks for the input!

I see George in that shadow box.

SPC Brian Mason - Whether or not other veterans are doing it does not change my answer. The only cover I've ever worn and been satisfied with is a starched blocked jungle fatigue weight Marine Corps field cap. I limp along with one of the blue and white striped railroad engineer caps, starched and blocked. I haven't put uniform Eagle Globe and Anchor uniform emblems on my vest. If it is an issue uniform item its in my shadow box or hanging in my closet, never on my body.

The Marine Corps doesn't do patches, maybe soldiers would feel differently about putting them on some civilian gear, but I wouldn't.

I never retired but if I wore any military uniform I would make sure I meet AR 670-1 so as not to disgrace the uniform. My Class A's still hang in my closet with all my decorations on it. My cousin retired after 20 years and I have more on my uniform than he did when he retired. Of course, I served in combat from Desert Storm to Iraq while he never served in combat. I may wear a BDU cap with my rank but that is about it. I thought about wearing a gortex jacket during the winter but then I was told I would look like a homeless guy. I may have to start a discussion on that.

SSG Charlie Carlson - I like what you said about your "Class A's still hang in my closet with all my decorations on it." When I ETSd in 1970 (after a 3 year ENLISTMENT) with all the negative attention veterans faced from the public at large I just stuffed my stripped down uniform into my footlocker (which we used to be able to ship home in our hold baggage) to be forgotten. A few years ago I opened that footlocker and was greatly disappointed to find it all moth-eaten and totally destroyed. I don't have a clue where any of the few ribbons and medals I had along with all other uniform items have all gone. Makes me sad that I was not proud enough of my service than that. I guess I was afraid to admit to being a Vietnam(Korea) veteran when I got back to the world. After a few years passed that all changed and I was proud of my service and grateful that I went to the Army in 1968 and would do it all again. But the fact that my uniform and all is gone is something I can do nothing about. Most of all my photos are also gone, fortunately, I have a few left. Makes me sad, very sad that I was not a better steward of my own personal history. I am 70 years old and it is really too late to do much about it. So, sadly I say to you GOOD FOR YOU Brother for keeping your uniform. I have a good friend who was Green Beret during Desert Storm years - he still has his greens with everything still set-up, looks like it is ready to wear just as it is. I admire that foresight on his part.

Yep mentioned to my counselor at the VET CTR last week, Veteran in cameo and rat tat ball cap gave me the Finger while driving. I am now a gray lady. Shameful... told her I know he was a veteran. Shameful enough for a person / man dressed in civilian clothes to do that to an elder lady. Let alone someone who is looking for honor in uniform NOT ACTIVE even to do that. Maybe I am getting old. Don't think that is right

What is meant by "Service Uniform?"

SPC Mark Brown - the current Army Service Uniform, before that the Class A Green Uniform. It is meant to differentiate between utility/combat uniform and a dress uniform. See LTC Stephen C. response above.

LTC Jason Mackay - My Greens don't fit. I was smaller and less muscled when I went in and even had inspection in them. I guess a regular camouflage jacket with no labels or patches and my own Army cap will have to do.

If the little Asian guy start something they won't have to call me. There's a recruiter office 2 miles from me. While I have physical issues (Thanks Army) I can teach and still work in a hospital or something among other things.

SPC Brian Mason - I didn't know Lady Gaga was a veteran - what wonderful news - and such an extraordinary example of a vet success for our younger generation. Where did she serve, what rank, and in what capacity? While I am proud of my service and occasionally wear my Army Nurse Corps branch device as a decorative pin on a suit lapel - I would never wear rank or other uniform components suggesting I'm active duty. More commonly, I wear a small presidential staff pin pin and cuff links that were gifts from POTUS in a rose garden ceremony many years ago - very good and kind man who long since passed away together with his wife. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

I hope you understand and are returning my sarcasm. To my knowledge she's never served.
The only personal award I got was the Combat Medic Badge. My unit did get a Presidential award but that's for the unit. As a Medic, cherish keeping my guys and gals as healthy as they could and bring them home while I was deployed.

SPC Brian Mason - So sorry - sleeping in late in hotel room - not fully awake yet - my partner called afraid someone was in the house - turns out it was a substitute driver who came in for some coffee while waiting to drive me - unaware I was already in another town across the country.

My response about Lady Gaga was most certainly unintended sarcasm - a creative semi sleeping dreaming mind run amuck - while still sleeping and fantasizing about serving together with such a talented if not always politically correct attractive young woman.

As for the Combat Medic Badge - a miniature version is available that could be worn as a lapel pin without being mistaken for active service. Maybe this would meet your needs.

Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

https://www.usamilitarymedals.com/products/miniature-combat-medical-badge?variant=849974379

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been looking for one of these.

I agree.
The last time I wore it was for a Marine's funeral outside of the capital city in my state. That crazy family church that hates soldiers and gays came to protest his funeral. I wasn't the only Veteran in ACU's that day; along with over 3000 Patriot Guard riders, Active, NG, and Reserve.
We shut them down real quick.

SPC Mason-With respect, I would suggest that the main thing "wrong" here is the choice of a utility uniform instead of a service uniform. The purpose of allowing veterans to wear the correct uniform at such instances, is to honor the fallen, and the service. I may be wrong, but I assume the ACU uniform was/is (is it still even authorized?) equivalent to our "working uniforms" such as DCUs, working khaki, jumpsuits, flightsuits, etc. If yes, then there's no way in a million years and across a million universes that I'd wear my DCU uniform to a military funeral, wedding, memorial service, etc. Going even further...I'd NEVER wear portions of any uniform with civilian attire in such a public way.

Speaking as a veteran, and one involved heavily with veterans' groups...I also have mixed emotions regarding the "show of force" approach you're describing here. In one sense, I understand and appreciate how "we" can leverage our numbers to protect families from the disgraces of opposition groups. On the other, I know that when it comes my time to go, the very LAST thing I want is anything that promotes the ongoing disunity within our civil population.

Our uniforms are not our "own" individual expressions, but rather, a symbol of the greater whole that we represent while wearing them. If as veterans, we opt to show up en masse to defend a comrade's last honors, then I feel we have only two choices...show up in the correct uniform, to the correct standards, as authorized and requested by the family...or show up in appropriate civil attire. A line of brave men in black suits can be as powerful a statement to cowards as anything else.

I see where some wear the top or jacket with the patches and awards they were given in service. It seems that the few have screwed it up for the rest of us who do follow regs.

I am not sure where your from how ever I can tell you here in Idaho if you were to do this you would face wrath you are not ready for go buy a black Leather Vest from your local motor cycle shop and put your patches on it like every one else does. Life is easy life is good.