When is it proper to invest in the Mess Dress Uniform?

Never! If the branch of service you are in didn't issue it to you, then you don't need it.

It's a personal preference but I'd recommend you get it one grade below when it's required. It shows the boss you're prepared to move forward. Little things do get noticed.

If you can afford it and take pride in it go ahead and get one. I had several young airmen buy them for our military balls and they looked great. They had pride and felt like they belonged. I would never discourage a airmen of mine to not buy a mess dress if they wanted and they planned on staying in a while. Yes the SNCO ranks are encouraged to get one. But there is nothing written that says a airmen cannot. Of course the protocol is different service to service but I would never discourage any of my enlisted ranks to not wear any uniform they are authorized to wear just because you may not have one. There are many uniform items in every service we have all bought that were not issued to us but still had to get or need because it looked better or wore better. Build moral not discourage it.

Once you decide to make the military a career you should invest in yourself. When I made SSgt I bought mine. Besides the annual Air Force Ball we have the annual EOD Memorial and Ball so I had occasion to wear mine at least twice a year. You also have folks attending PME. Take the AF, we have ALS, NCOA and if you're lucky the SNCOA. Graduations from leaderships schools are the perfect time to show you take your career and theirs seriously. I think an NCO should show his troops how to be professional and that means looking the part. Buy it sooner than later.

It's personally up to you. As E-4's My wife and I both have mess dress. We enjoy attending the functions such as the AF Ball and ALS graduations. We got them to make statements. We want to look professional in every aspect of our career. So by setting ourselves apart from the norm, we are able to show that.

Ok, I have I pretty good rant about this so I will try to keep it short. I says SrA before you go to ALS if you plan on making the AF a career, but absolutely NLT when you get a line number for MSgt (the "unwritten rule").

Caveats: Check your local dry cleaners, thrift shops, airman's attics, etc. you can often find one pretty cheap or even free.

Yes, the Mess dress is rather expressive for an optional for enlisted (avg $500 with all the do-dads) however. The STAR card is GREAT for getting your Mess Dress, it has a clothing sales section that has an interest free section on it that has a limit of.....you guessed it...$500! You can also buy it a few pieces at a time.

You will not believe the lasting POSITIVE impression if you are a TSgt or below (especially a SSgt or below) rocking a Mess Dress. Folks remember you and are more likely to key some of those by name/by face programs.

On the Air Force side, the unwritten rule is to get one as an E-7. I have seen it so highly encouraged that a CMSgt Select was given a permissive TDY to acquire one before the CMSgt induction ceremony. On the other hand, I have seen A1Cs with them. It all depends on what you desire. If you're asking the question as a SSgt, I would ask why? Are you trying to impress somebody? Do you like how it looks and going to formal events? For me, I purchased mine for my NCOA graduation and my wife thought they looked good. I have worn mine about once a year on average, but have not regretted the purchase.

It's funny that you ask this question because this has been a topic of debate in another Officer forum that I belong to. In my opinion, if I'd stayed enlisted, I would acquired one when I made MSG. As a Warrant Officer, I waited until I got promoted to CW3. I personally think they look really sharp. My wife on the otherhand hates the look.

For officers in the Navy you aren't required to own it until O-4 and very few O-1 to O-3 officers buy it. The exception is those that went to a service academy and already owned it, or those who have primarily academy friends and don't want to look different at a formal event.

I would say probably the same makes sense as enlisted as well. For the Navy the uniform actually changes though for E-7 and up, so E-1s are never expected to own it.

As an enlisted member, this would be a situational decision. Are you finding yourself regularly attending functions that this uniform is worn ate, are you being recognized at these functions, etc? Most enlisted can serve a whole career without this actually being necessary to obtain (is optional). Some people will try to peer pressure you into buying this, but unless it is actually required, this investment can wait till then.