Posted on Apr 29, 2015
What are the proper places and times for veterans to wear the uniform?
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What is the proper list of events to which a veteran may where may wear his or her uniform. In some cases, it is clear, I can wear my uniform to a Veteran's Day event. But in other cases it is not so clear. May I wear my uniform to most any civilian semi-formal or formal event, or are the regulations more restrictive than that?
Posted in these groups: 
Dress Uniform
Retired
Dress Uniform Retired
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 29
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I really like the Army's new dress uniform. But it be a lot nicer with a nice saucer To go with it. Instead I haven't some French due to all over your head
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Son insisted I wear mine to his graduation from Parris Island USMC. Have always stayed in shape so it still fits well. I am very active in my community in veterans activities so I participate every year in the Memorial Day Parade, July 4th, Veterans Day ceremonies, Wreaths Across America and several other events. Any or all of them I feel is appropriate to wear the uniform I represented for 22+ years.
Where NOT to wear.... protests and political activities so as not to give the impression your branch of service is supporting said protests or political stand.
Where NOT to wear.... protests and political activities so as not to give the impression your branch of service is supporting said protests or political stand.
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I wore my uniform to present a Navy petty officer his bronze replica of the WWII Filipino Veterans Congressional Gold Medal. Honored to do so.
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If you want to go by standards any honorably discharged Veteran is authorizes to wear class a’s anytime they feel like it. They have the buttons on their dd form 214 authorizing wear of the eagle and branch insignia. I don’t see why anyone would want to wear one all the time but whatever floats their boat. Mine will only go back on me when I’m laying in my casket.
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What are the thoughts for an Elementary School Father & Daughter dance for a retiree? The dress is about 80% suits, 10% business casual, and the remainder being slacks or jeans. There is one N.G. SSG in uniform each year who looks to currently be serving.
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SSG Johnnie Vaughn
I think that would make your daughter very proud. As stated earlier, branch regulations may read differently but all seem to approve of wearing it in places where it would bring honor to the military.
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Marine Corps Uniform Board:
http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/
1. Regulations governing the wear of uniforms by active duty/retired, former Marines and civilians serving with the Corps:
Chapter 11 MCO P1020.3G, Marine Corps Uniform Regulations (Source Document)
Basic guidance (Active Duty/Reservist/Retiree and Former Marines) –
Grooming Standards. Anyone who wears the Marine Corps Uniform must abide by the Marine Corps Grooming standards (paragraph 1004 and 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations). Active duty/Reservists/Retirees and former Marines must also abide by the height and weight standards (paragraph 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations).
Wear of Proper Insignia and Awards. When wearing a Marine Corps uniform you may only wear your current rank, or the rank that you left the service with and may only wear the awards you rate per your personnel records. No deviations of this policy are authorized.
Activities where you may not wear the Uniform. Paragraph 11002 of the Uniform Regulations provides a list of activities that you may not wear the uniform (i.e. to an event that brings discredit to the Corps, to events in support of political interests, private and/or commercial employment…).
Retiree/Reservist Wear of Uniforms. As a Retiree/Reservist you may wear the uniform for basically any event that you wore the uniform while on active duty.
As a former Marine there are some restrictions: You must have served during a time of war (i.e. earned the National Defense Medal during your time in service) and received an honorable discharge to wear the uniform. Events you are restricted to wearing it to:
§ Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals.
§ Parades on national or state holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a patriotic character in which any active or reserve United States military unit are taking part. ‘Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time or for any purpose is prohibited.’
§ Recipients of the Medal of Honor may wear the Marine Corps uniforms at their pleasure except for those specific occasions listed in paragraph 11002 of the Uniform Regulations
http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/
1. Regulations governing the wear of uniforms by active duty/retired, former Marines and civilians serving with the Corps:
Chapter 11 MCO P1020.3G, Marine Corps Uniform Regulations (Source Document)
Basic guidance (Active Duty/Reservist/Retiree and Former Marines) –
Grooming Standards. Anyone who wears the Marine Corps Uniform must abide by the Marine Corps Grooming standards (paragraph 1004 and 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations). Active duty/Reservists/Retirees and former Marines must also abide by the height and weight standards (paragraph 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations).
Wear of Proper Insignia and Awards. When wearing a Marine Corps uniform you may only wear your current rank, or the rank that you left the service with and may only wear the awards you rate per your personnel records. No deviations of this policy are authorized.
Activities where you may not wear the Uniform. Paragraph 11002 of the Uniform Regulations provides a list of activities that you may not wear the uniform (i.e. to an event that brings discredit to the Corps, to events in support of political interests, private and/or commercial employment…).
Retiree/Reservist Wear of Uniforms. As a Retiree/Reservist you may wear the uniform for basically any event that you wore the uniform while on active duty.
As a former Marine there are some restrictions: You must have served during a time of war (i.e. earned the National Defense Medal during your time in service) and received an honorable discharge to wear the uniform. Events you are restricted to wearing it to:
§ Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals.
§ Parades on national or state holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a patriotic character in which any active or reserve United States military unit are taking part. ‘Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time or for any purpose is prohibited.’
§ Recipients of the Medal of Honor may wear the Marine Corps uniforms at their pleasure except for those specific occasions listed in paragraph 11002 of the Uniform Regulations
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LtCol Robert Quinter
I always throw in what I call the common sense factor. Do I want to call attention to myself? If I'm a participant in a specific function, I wear my uniform. If I am invited because of a personal relationship with the primary participants and the majority of the guests will be in civilian attire, I'll probably go in mufti rather than diverting attention away from those for whom the function is given, i.e. unless specifically requested, I'm not going to appear in uniform if a military wedding is for a Sergeant or Lieutenant who has invited me as his friend or relative since the attention should be on them, not on some old 6'2, 230 pound retired LtCol. Again, if a funeral is for a person with whom I served, I will wear my uniform as a sign of respect, if it is for a former military person where honors are going to be extended by a burial detail and my relationship was a civilian friend post or pre-military, unless requested, I will again go in mufti so as not to detract from the Honor Guard. It's not that I consider myself that impressive, but I try not to detract from the central theme. On the other side, I have gone to the funerals of WWII Marines who I did not know where I felt some USMC presence should be there to honor them. When asked why I'm there, I reply the deceased was a Marine and I'm there to bid farewell from their fellow Marines.
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Depends on the "kind" of veteran you are (peace time, retiree, war time) and if you follow the rules still or not.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
I kinda get your drift, I think. I mean, unless I have OIF, BSM, SSM, LOM, FC, NC, VC, MOH, CIB, CAB, or some, or such, why would I want to wear mini-medals on a tux, or wear my uniform.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
MAJ Matthew Arnold, the "rules" are different depending on if you were a peace time vet (not retired), retired, or wartime vet (net retired). I concur with the tux part unless it is specifically requested.
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SSG Johnnie Vaughn
MAJ Matthew Arnold - I'm hoping I am correct in reading a touch of sarcasm in your response, sir. I'm sure that any soldier proudly displaying the awards he earned would meet with approval, despite the lack of any of the high level awards.
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SSG Loran Osborne
SSG Johnnie Vaughn I was thinking the same thing. I myself retired with a few of those above mentioned things, but that by no means entitles me to say that anyone's Honorable Service, Separation or Retirement is of less value or worth less pride than mine.
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