What's your opinion on personalized military Mess Dress uniform shirts?

2015-04-26T22:14:08-04:00

I just saw some for the first time at an Army Ball this weekend. The Mess Uniform jackets came off during the dancing and the shirts underneath were quite stylish! They looked unique but were the in the regulations? What is your opinion on these? Do you own and wear one? Are there regulations for these personalized uniform shirts ?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Apr 26 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-04-26T22:21:46-04:00

Are these authorized?

Response by LTC J. Lee Mudd made Apr 26 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-04-26T22:23:15-04:00

The Air Force has been wearing these for years; some of the women's versions I've seen are sleeveless and backless. I've admired them, but can't decide what I'd get. Something in branch color?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 26 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-04-26T22:27:28-04:00

CPT William Beaver, I love it! By the time those shirts come out, the brass should be gone and the Joes s/b swilling any wine left over in the carafes on their? table(s)!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 10:38 PM

2015-04-26T22:38:32-04:00

Officers will be officers...

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 26 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-04-26T23:00:36-04:00

I don't like it. I think official military uniforms should be worn for military functions. Unless these shirts are authorized optional items for the Mess Dress Uniform, they should be prohibited.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 26 at 2015 11:02 PM

2015-04-26T23:02:13-04:00

LTC J. Lee Mudd, No graduate from Medary Elementary or North High School would wear one of those shirts?

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 11:10 PM

2015-04-26T23:10:44-04:00

Some of them are quite creative and are obviously not within the letter of the standards, let alone the spirit. That said, by the time they are seen, most people still in attendance really don't care. Usually after the smoking lamp is lit and the band or other entertainment has started.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 11:25 PM

2015-04-26T23:25:25-04:00

There are so many events in the military that inherently take away from fun and esprit de corp these days. I am all in favor of anything that will bring back some fun into the ranks, even if only for a moment. The last military ball I attended, my company commander had a "party shirt" on, an everyone, to include myself liked it. I had never seen one before, but the whole vibe changed in the room once he went out on the dance floor and set the tone. As far as regulations go, I am not so sure it fits the criteria... However, it seems like an issue that could be addressed at higher echelons with relative ease. Maybe, at commander discretion?

Response by SGT Curtis Earl made Apr 27 at 2015 6:39 AM

2015-04-27T06:39:15-04:00

I play a lot of Military Balls and I've seen my share of coolness. The senior NCOs of the Coasties in Mobile Alabama wore kilts. KILTS!!! I want to wear a kilt with my Dress coat!

Response by CW3 Brian Bartee made Apr 27 at 2015 7:13 AM

2015-04-27T07:13:58-04:00

I see no issue with "party shirts" and in fact think it adds to the morale at a military ball, especially if it is mandatory to attend.

Response by SFC Jason Porter made Apr 27 at 2015 7:54 AM

2015-04-27T07:54:02-04:00

In my 20 plus yrs I never saw them! We went by proper dress code AR-670-1. But now by the looks of the picture in this post it is not so anymore. Times are a changing and the military with it. But if it helps morale then why not...

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Apr 27 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-04-27T08:33:11-04:00

Really common in the flying/Ops communities.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 27 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-04-27T09:24:25-04:00

Honestly, it's kind of cool.

It's unseen except "deep into the night." It adds a little bit of fun, without detracting from the uniform in a Public setting (the ball is Private).

Formality is generally "loosened" to a degree at these events, and this seems like an extension of that.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Apr 27 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-04-27T09:51:13-04:00

At a Dining In, maybe... never at a public function or a Dining Out.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-04-27T09:51:12-04:00

Okay... I have to say, "I LOVE it!" and I wish I had one....

Response by SMSgt Bryan Raines made Apr 27 at 2015 2:32 PM

2015-04-27T14:32:11-04:00

I only saw them worn at Dining outs/ins. They were worn for morale purposes and of course the "offenders" had to go to the grog bowl. When worn with the jacket on, the ones I saw could not be distinguished from the regulation shirt unless the wearer wanted the shirt to be noticed. The junior enlisted especially liked them as it showed that the Senior NCO's and Officers were not "uncool". I have been out for about 6 years now so things may have changes some.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 16 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-08-16T13:40:41-04:00

When I was active the pilots wore their own variations on the uniform based on their fighter squadron. While I'm al for being an individual and having fun, the uniform should be off limits. Hence the name "uniform"

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Aug 16 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-08-16T13:46:45-04:00

I just attended a wedding that had about 15 Air Force pilots attending (bride & groom both pilots in the AF). All of them wore the party shirts with their college logos all over them. I thought it was awesome! Anyone know where to have these made?

Response by SGT Sean Graham made Jan 21 at 2017 10:45 PM

2017-01-21T22:45:03-05:00

Check out savagesleeves.com

Response by SGT Sean Graham made Jan 21 at 2017 10:45 PM

2017-01-21T22:45:37-05:00

Check out savagesleeves.com

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 4:47 PM

2018-01-21T16:47:00-05:00

Party shirts are for the culture
No one should have a problem with them.

Response by Cpl Bill Johnson made Jan 21 at 2018 10:42 PM

2018-01-21T22:42:45-05:00

What does the regulation regarding uniforms say? Does it describe that particular uniform shirt As "personalizable" if not... it is inappropriate.

Response by SGT Jack Stevens made Jan 22 at 2018 12:31 AM

2018-01-22T00:31:59-05:00

My last military function was a dining in for my BRT Troop. In the CAV, things are done quite differently. From Red & White Suspenders, to our Stetsons and Spurs. And once the festivities started out came our kerchiefs. And yes back then I had purchessed my own set of Dress Blues as a Specialist. Then once I was a NCO I upgraded to The Dinner Blues.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 8:51 AM

2018-05-23T08:51:39-04:00

Shameful, READ AR670-1 This party shirt is made up crap! The Soldiers wearing this should be corrected, by allowing this you lower the standards across the board.The NCO's AND Officers at these events should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this made up crap! One Standard, One Army! This has NOTHING to do with morale either! #shameful #unprofessiona!

Response by PO1 Dave Bowles made May 31 at 2018 4:07 AM

2018-05-31T04:07:51-04:00

Hell yes!