When participating in a ceremony honoring veterans, should vets wear the dress uniform they wore while serving or the new blue?

SPC Roger F. — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:20:49 -0400

Response by SGT Charles Napierala made Aug 16 at 2017 2:32 PM

SGT Charles Napierala — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:32:04 -0400

Veterans may not be up to date with regulations on new dress uniforms. Also, as a veteran, I find a sense of pride putting on my aged uniform. I'd rather show off my veteran status by wearing a retired uniform than be mistaken for an ate up active duty soldier wearing their dress blues incorrectly.

Response by LTJG Edward Bangor Jr made Aug 16 at 2017 3:14 PM

LTJG Edward Bangor Jr — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 15:14:26 -0400

I've seen plenty of old veterans (i.e. WWII, Korea, Vietnam) at ceremonies wearing the uniform they served in. If anything, I think it's MORE appropriate to wear that than something brand new.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2017 4:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 16:00:35 -0400

I would say the last dress uniform you wore while still in.

From AR 670-1
21–4.
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 3–7
c.
(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.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2017 5:31 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:31:34 -0400

They should wear the last uniform they had while still in. It would make no sense to have them go out and buy a new uniform if they've been out for X number of years unless they just really wanted to spend the money.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 16 at 2017 5:36 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:36:11 -0400

If they felt so inclined and assuming the uniform still fit.

Response by SPC Paul C. made Aug 16 at 2017 6:26 PM

SPC Paul C. — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 18:26:32 -0400

I have been out since 1992 but I do attend parades in uniform. I wear the uniform that represents my time in service. I could not wear the beret on the new uniform because in my time, the black beret meant you were an Army Ranger, which I am not. However, I do wear dress blues with the yellow stripe and service cap. As a SPC you cannot do this with the current regulation, but back in 92 you could.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Aug 16 at 2017 10:57 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:57:21 -0400

I'd say the uniform you served in. Don't know the regs.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 16 at 2017 11:46 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 23:46:36 -0400

You may wear the uniform from the era you served. See chapter 23 of both the DA Pam 670-1 and AR 670-1. In the Pam they talk about wear of the classic green uniform with the retired patch (retirees only wear the patch). 670-1 authorizes you to wear the Army Uniform in 23-4 for former service members. The greens and the ASU have been designated as service uniforms.

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Aug 17 at 2017 1:31 AM

SGT Eric Knutson — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 01:31:16 -0400

Wear what you got, if it fits at least moderatly well. shows off your vet status, as for placement, only someone from your generation would even have a clue if anything was right or wrong, and most likely wont say anything because theirs will probably be off a little as well.

Response by PFC Robert Rice made Sep 28 at 2017 10:47 AM

PFC Robert Rice — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 10:47:33 -0400

I won't wear a uniform I was never authorized to wear. I can't believe they did away with the Class A dress green uniform to begin with.