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

I bought mine as in E-4 as a re-enlistment present to myself. I was able to wear it when I graduated NCOLS, they were optional if you had one. After that I attended a handful of dinning ins/outs and was glad I made the investment. Not sure there is a right or wrong answer, but I would say if you are more than one enlistment into your military experience and have the extra money then buy one but I wouldn't make it a priority. When I bought mine my wife worked, we had no kids yet and lived in base housing so it was not a financial burden to make the investment.

For an Air Force Officer, it is required to have one (although I know people that have not put it on for so many years, they KNOW it no longer fits). For Enlisted, I would say Sr. NCO, unless required by duty assignment to have one sooner.

I am a TPU Reservist (traditional one weekend a month, two weeks a year). I'm not going to invest in a uniform I will likely NEVER be required to wear, especially since I don't get a clothing allowance.....

I like the mess dress uniform. But I also know it's not inexpensive for younger troops.

It doesn't matter when you buy it. I wouldn't buy it. A lot of people don't even know the proper use of the uniform. They tend to want to use it as an ceremonious uniform. No it's called MESS dress. MESS as in eat! It's for balls not to perform sword arches or change of commands. So if you're planning on going to ball or something of the sort than sure go ahead if other it's a waste of money.

I don't know about the air force, but I would not buy mess dress until I was assigned to a position where I knew that wearing it instead of class A's would be a potential option.

Senior NCO and career military

When my dad made Maj. in 1959 he bought one. We ate a lot of beans and cornbread for two months. When I was in I never saw anything requiring more than dress greens.

I might consider it when I become a field grade. And that is a consider it only. I just don't think it is something that is really required. Now if I am the only one without a set then I may have to weigh my options.

Looks like a butler.