Dress Uniform
Uniforms
Responses: 16
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Capt (Join to see)
If I did get into uniform I might be arrested for a dangerous weapon. Those buttons flying off might kill someone.
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1st Lt Royal Barnard
Wearing the uniform improperly outside of its intended use and protocol, is simply drawing undue attention to yourself and demonstrates no honor.... unless you seriously deserve it. I would be wary of anyone doing it lightly.
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Events of a military nature.
Holidays including Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.
By invitation of a local commander, such as to a ball or other event.
Holidays including Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.
By invitation of a local commander, such as to a ball or other event.
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1SG (Join to see)
SPC David Willis - The technical answer is that you are not subject to AR 670-1 when no longer in the Army - that's why it is OK for a vet to wear a long since obsolete uniform. However, if it were me or someone I knew, I would recommend trying to conform as much as possible so as not to detract from the event that you are attending.
Just use good taste and common sense, and you should be alright.
Just use good taste and common sense, and you should be alright.
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SGT Clarence Driver
As a old vet, wearing your uniform after service is as noticeable as wearing it when you were in.
You should always be at your best in looks and behavior because you are being noticed and your action will still form and opinion of the uniform branch your wearing.
You should always be at your best in looks and behavior because you are being noticed and your action will still form and opinion of the uniform branch your wearing.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
SPC David Willis Wear the uniform properly and IAC w/ hygienic regs and all will be good!
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SSgt Bob Mobbs
Everyone else has given the proper answers and I'll give you the common sense one. As long as you wear your uniform properly/in a respectful manner, and you're not wearing it to promote violence, politics, etc., nobody in their right mind would say anything (except for maybe these Stolen Valor pricks).
Everyone else has given the proper answers and I'll give you the common sense one. As long as you wear your uniform properly/in a respectful manner, and you're not wearing it to promote violence, politics, etc., nobody in their right mind would say anything (except for maybe these Stolen Valor pricks).
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http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-140814-096.pdf
AFI 36-2903 has the answer for you. Long story short, an honorably discharged vet with wartime service can wear their uniform (blues) wherever it would not tend to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
AFI 36-2903 has the answer for you. Long story short, an honorably discharged vet with wartime service can wear their uniform (blues) wherever it would not tend to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
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The official Army position IAW AR670-1, which also means it complies with all statutes at time of publication.
23–3. Retired personnel
a. Personnel who will be advanced to a higher grade upon retirement have the option of wearing the insignia of that grade thereafter.
b. Retired personnel on active duty will wear their uniform and insignia in the same manner as prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch.
c. Retired personnel not on active duty may wear either the uniform reflecting their grade and branch on the date of their retirement, or the uniform prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch, when appropriate, but may not mix the two uniforms. Personnel will wear the grade as shown on the retired grade of rank line on their retirement order.
d. Retired personnel not on active duty are not authorized to wear the Army uniform when they are instructors or responsible for military discipline at an educational institution, unless the educational institution is conducting courses of instruction approved by the Armed Forces.
e. In addition to the occasions for wear listed above, retired personnel are authorized to wear the uniform only on the following occasions:
(1) While attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) Attending parades on national or State holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve U.S. military unit is taking part. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the combat uniform and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn. Wearing the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
f. Retirees are authorized to wear the physical fitness uniform under the following provisions:
(1) With civilian attire off the installation.
(2) When wearing the physical fitness uniform as a complete uniform, retirees will—
(a) Wear only authorized accessories corresponding to those worn by personnel of the AA.
(b) Wear the uniform in accordance with the guidance provided to AA Soldiers in DA Pam 670–1. g. Retirees are authorized to wear the Retired Service ID Badge (see DA Pam 670–1).
23–4. Former members of the Army
a. Unless qualified under another provision of this regulation, or under the provisions of 10 USC 772, former members of the Army may only wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions. Personnel who qualify under these conditions will wear the Army uniform in the highest grade they held during such war service, in accordance with 10 USC 772.
b. When authorized, the uniform may be worn only for the following ceremonial occasions and when traveling to and from the event and must follow guidance included in paragraph 3–7c.
(1) When attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) When attending parades on national or State holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve U.S. military unit is taking part. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the combat uniform and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn. Wearing the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
23–3. Retired personnel
a. Personnel who will be advanced to a higher grade upon retirement have the option of wearing the insignia of that grade thereafter.
b. Retired personnel on active duty will wear their uniform and insignia in the same manner as prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch.
c. Retired personnel not on active duty may wear either the uniform reflecting their grade and branch on the date of their retirement, or the uniform prescribed for personnel in the AA of corresponding grade and branch, when appropriate, but may not mix the two uniforms. Personnel will wear the grade as shown on the retired grade of rank line on their retirement order.
d. Retired personnel not on active duty are not authorized to wear the Army uniform when they are instructors or responsible for military discipline at an educational institution, unless the educational institution is conducting courses of instruction approved by the Armed Forces.
e. In addition to the occasions for wear listed above, retired personnel are authorized to wear the uniform only on the following occasions:
(1) While attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) Attending parades on national or State holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve U.S. military unit is taking part. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the combat uniform and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn. Wearing the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
f. Retirees are authorized to wear the physical fitness uniform under the following provisions:
(1) With civilian attire off the installation.
(2) When wearing the physical fitness uniform as a complete uniform, retirees will—
(a) Wear only authorized accessories corresponding to those worn by personnel of the AA.
(b) Wear the uniform in accordance with the guidance provided to AA Soldiers in DA Pam 670–1. g. Retirees are authorized to wear the Retired Service ID Badge (see DA Pam 670–1).
23–4. Former members of the Army
a. Unless qualified under another provision of this regulation, or under the provisions of 10 USC 772, former members of the Army may only wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions. Personnel who qualify under these conditions will wear the Army uniform in the highest grade they held during such war service, in accordance with 10 USC 772.
b. When authorized, the uniform may be worn only for the following ceremonial occasions and when traveling to and from the event and must follow guidance included in paragraph 3–7c.
(1) When attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) When attending parades on national or State holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve U.S. military unit is taking part. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the combat uniform and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn. Wearing the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
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LTC Jason Mackay
23–6. Medals on civilian clothes
Retired personnel and former members of the Army (as described above) may wear all categories of medals described in this regulation on appropriate civilian clothing. This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature. Personnel may wear either full-sized or miniature medals. Personnel who wear medalson civilian clothes should place the medals on the clothing in approximately the same location and in the same manner as for the Army uniform, so they look similar to medals worn on the Army uniform.
Retired personnel and former members of the Army (as described above) may wear all categories of medals described in this regulation on appropriate civilian clothing. This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature. Personnel may wear either full-sized or miniature medals. Personnel who wear medalson civilian clothes should place the medals on the clothing in approximately the same location and in the same manner as for the Army uniform, so they look similar to medals worn on the Army uniform.
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LTC Jason Mackay
23–7. Prohibition on uniform wear
Wear of the Army uniform by ARNG, USAR, retired, separated, and civilian personnel is prohibited under the circumstances listed in paragraph 3–7k.
k. Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian employment.
(2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except as authorized by the first O–5 in the chain of command.
(3) When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization. (4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army, as determined by the commander.
(5) When specifically prohibited by Army regulations.
Wear of the Army uniform by ARNG, USAR, retired, separated, and civilian personnel is prohibited under the circumstances listed in paragraph 3–7k.
k. Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian employment.
(2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except as authorized by the first O–5 in the chain of command.
(3) When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization. (4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army, as determined by the commander.
(5) When specifically prohibited by Army regulations.
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Some employer actually encourage it on Veterans Day. Locally Black and Veatch comes to mind. If you can, more power too You. When I retired I weighed 169 lbs. Now 200 Lbs. Can't put my Jumper Top on won't fit over my chest and Forget those 13 Button Pants.
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My son Graduated from Basic at Fort Sill this month. I Retired last February at 22 years, I shaved, got a regulation haircut at Fort Leonard Wood on the way down. Hair and beard will grow back, but I wanted to Honor my Son.
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Each services Uniform Regulation usually has a section specifically applying to wear of uniform by Honorably Discharged Veterans. Both by Occasion (when & when), and specific Regulation (how).
1SG (Join to see) hit the highlights, which are "Military Themed."
1SG (Join to see) hit the highlights, which are "Military Themed."
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Proper military haircut and shave. The same uniform and decorations you would have worn on your last day of service. Remember that you would be representing me also. There are civilian laws against impersonating the active duty military. So only at proper events, like funerals and events celebrating veterans. Different rules apply between retired and discharged. Read the regulations and laws before putting on the uniform. Behaviors like saluting have not been discussed here yet.
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