Posted on Oct 18, 2015
TSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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I was invited to a funeral but asked to wear Navy Dress Blues to Retired Navy Veterans Funeral.
I am currently Air National Guard, but before that I was Active Duty Navy. I still have my Navy Blues, but I was not sure a regulations. They ended up changing the plans and I was unable to attend, but the potential exists that it could happen to me again.

Can I wear my Navy Blues or do I need to state that I am required to wear my AF dress uniform?
Posted in these groups: Afp getty 511269685 Dress UniformFuneral honors1 FuneralRules and regulations Regulation
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COL Vincent Stoneking
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In your situation, I would have worn the Navy Dress Blues. I also am not sure of the regulations, but it was important to the deceased and/or his family, I would take the hit if I was wrong by the regs.
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TSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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COL Vincent Stoneking I can't find any specific regulations guiding this situation. I think should it arise again I will probably wear my Navy Blues.
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SN Greg Wright
SN Greg Wright
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COL Vincent Stoneking It's uncommon to see a senior officer state publicly that s/he'd do the right thing, rather than the 'regs' thing. I salute you, Sir.
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1SG Michael Brooks
1SG Michael Brooks
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As long as you look good and have an error free uniform. I would wear what the family asked. I'd make sure I had a photo for my scrap book tooo
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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Personally I think it strange since you ae currently serving in the Air Force to be requested to wear the Navy uniform. I think it would be disrespectful to both services. When a person retires they are authorized the wear of the uniform of the branch they retired. Now with that said I dont think anyone would question you because most wouldn't know any better. I was a Marine and retired Air Force but would not try to wear the Marine uniform. But that's just me and my thinking. Here is the only thing I found on the net. http://www.lawinfo.com/illegal-wearing-of-uniforms.html
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TSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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It was the family that asked, not someone with a great understanding of uniform regulations. I suspect that someone currently active or recently active would not ask me to represent something I am not.

I really don't think it would be disrespectful to either branch, now against regulations that is a different matter.
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Maj Neal Jackman
Maj Neal Jackman
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I would think if you were authorized to wear the uniform at one time, and you wore it well and respectfully, wear it.
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE NUMBER 1334.1
May 17, 2004

USD(P&R)

SUBJECT: Wearing of the Uniform

References:
(a) DoD Directive 1334.1, "Wearing of the Uniform," August 11, 1969 (hereby canceled)
(b) Executive Order 10450, April 27, 1953, as amended
(c) Section 772 of title 10, United States Code

1. REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE
This Directive reissues reference (a) and continues to prescribe limitations on wearing of the uniform by members of the Armed Forces and continues to establish policy with respect to wearing of the uniform by former members of the Armed Forces.

2. APPLICABILITY
This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as the "DoD Components").

3. POLICY
3.1. The wearing of the uniform by members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of Reserve components) is prohibited under any of the following circumstances:
3.1.1. At any meeting or demonstration that is a function of, or sponsored by an organization, association, movement, group, or combination of persons that the Attorney General of the United States has designated, under E.O. 10450 as amended (reference (b)), as totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive, or as having adopted a policy of advocating or approving the commission of acts of force or violence to deny others their rights under The Constitution of the United States, or as seeking to alter the form of Government of the United States by unconstitutional means.
3.1.2. During or in connection with the furtherance of political activities, private employment or commercial interests, when an inference of official sponsorship for the activity or interest may be drawn.
3.1.3. Except when authorized by competent Service authority, when participating in activities such as public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration (including those pertaining to civil rights), which may imply Service sanction of the cause for which the demonstration or activity is conducted.
3.1.4. When wearing of the uniform would tend to bring discredit upon the Armed Forces.
3.1.5. When specifically prohibited by regulations of the Department concerned.

3.2. Former members of the Armed Forces, unless under another provision of this Directive or under the terms of 10 U.S.C. 772 (reference (c)), who served honorably during a declared or undeclared war and whose most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions may wear the uniform in the highest grade held during such war service only upon the following occasions and in the course of travel incident thereto:
3.2.1. Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals.
3.2.2. Parades on National or State holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a patriotic character in which any Active or Reserve United States military unit is taking part.
3.2.3. Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time or for any other purposes is prohibited.

3.3. Medal of Honor holders may wear the uniform at their pleasure except under the circumstances set forth in paragraph 3.1., above.

4. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Directive is effective immediately.

10 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2011 Edition
Title 10 - ARMED FORCES
Subtitle A - General Military Law
PART II - PERSONNEL
CHAPTER 45 - THE UNIFORM
Sec. 772 - When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
From the U.S. Government Printing Office, http://www.gpo.gov

§772. When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
(a) A member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard may wear the uniform prescribed for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be.
(b) A member of the Naval Militia may wear the uniform prescribed for the Naval Militia.
(c) A retired officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade.
(d) A person who is discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may wear his uniform while going from the place of discharge to his home, within three months after his discharge.
(e) A person not on active duty who served honorably in time of war in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title, and, when authorized by regulations prescribed by the President, wear the uniform, of the highest grade held by him during that war.
(f) While portraying a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, an actor in a theatrical or motion-picture production may wear the uniform of that armed force if the portrayal does not tend to discredit that armed force.
(g) An officer or resident of a veterans’ home administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs may wear such uniform as the Secretary of the military department concerned may prescribe.
(h) While attending a course of military instruction conducted by the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, a civilian may wear the uniform prescribed by that armed force if the wear of such uniform is specifically authorized under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
(i) Under such regulations as the Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe, a citizen of a foreign country who graduates from an Air Force school may wear the appropriate aviation badges of the Air Force.
(j) A person in any of the following categories may wear the uniform prescribed for that category:
(1) Members of the Boy Scouts of America.
(2) Members of any other organization designated by the Secretary of a military department.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 35; Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, §1301(a)(1), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 735; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, §1621(a)(1), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1602; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title V, §551(b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2525.)
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SGM Steve Wettstein
SGM Steve Wettstein
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§772. When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
(a) A member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard may wear the uniform prescribed for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be.

Pretty much covers it right there.
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