Posted on Nov 7, 2016
Can a retired Senior NCO wear his utility uniform to his son's Ranger School graduation?
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Retiree Uniform Authorized
Posted in these groups: 
Uniforms
Uniforms
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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AR and DA PAM 670-1 address this issue and others with regard to wearing the uniform and awards on civilian clothes. Frankly, being a veteran, he should not get any feedback for being proud of his service, but I will take a look at it.
Wear of the Army Uniform by Reserve, Retired, Separated, and Civilian Personnel
23–1. Occasions of ceremony
a. As used in this regulation, the phrase “occasions of ceremony” means occasions essentially of a military character, at which the uniform is more appropriate than civilian clothing. These functions include, but are not limited to: military balls, military parades, weddings, and military funerals; memorial services, meetings, conferences, or similar functions of associations formed for military purposes, of which the membership is composed largely or entirely of current or honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States. Authority to wear the uniform includes wear while traveling to and from the ceremony or function, provided the travel in uniform can be completed on the day of the ceremony or function.
b. All persons wearing the Army uniform will wear awards, decorations, and insignia in the same manner as prescribed in this regulation for active duty Soldiers. For civilian attire, individuals may wear only those awards, decorations, or insignia authorized by this regulation for wear on civilian clothing, in the same manner and approximate location as the equivalent military uniform.
23–3. Retired personnel
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.
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.
(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.
Wear of the Army Uniform by Reserve, Retired, Separated, and Civilian Personnel
23–1. Occasions of ceremony
a. As used in this regulation, the phrase “occasions of ceremony” means occasions essentially of a military character, at which the uniform is more appropriate than civilian clothing. These functions include, but are not limited to: military balls, military parades, weddings, and military funerals; memorial services, meetings, conferences, or similar functions of associations formed for military purposes, of which the membership is composed largely or entirely of current or honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States. Authority to wear the uniform includes wear while traveling to and from the ceremony or function, provided the travel in uniform can be completed on the day of the ceremony or function.
b. All persons wearing the Army uniform will wear awards, decorations, and insignia in the same manner as prescribed in this regulation for active duty Soldiers. For civilian attire, individuals may wear only those awards, decorations, or insignia authorized by this regulation for wear on civilian clothing, in the same manner and approximate location as the equivalent military uniform.
23–3. Retired personnel
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.
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.
(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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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I was going to comment but You already covered the subject so well, there is nothing else I could add.
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LTC Stephen C.
MSG Chad Smith, as far as wearing a "utility" uniform, I think the answer is NO. CW5 Sam R. Baker, has provided the entire paragraph of AR 670-1, and I've extracted the portion that specifically addresses your question and capitalized the wording that is germane, as follows:
"23–3. Retired personnel
e. In addition to the occasions for wear listed above, retired personnel are authorized to wear the uniform only on the following occasions:
(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."
When you use the word utility, I'm assuming that you mean something other than a service or dress uniform and akin to BDUs, ACUs, etc. 1SG (Join to see) SFC George Smith SMSgt Thor Merich SSG(P) Ryan R
"23–3. Retired personnel
e. In addition to the occasions for wear listed above, retired personnel are authorized to wear the uniform only on the following occasions:
(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."
When you use the word utility, I'm assuming that you mean something other than a service or dress uniform and akin to BDUs, ACUs, etc. 1SG (Join to see) SFC George Smith SMSgt Thor Merich SSG(P) Ryan R
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My recommendation - Wear appropriate uniform as stated in the regulation and pamphlet or civilian attire.
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BLUF: As long as the service was honorable and the event military in nature, retirees and prior service can wear it. Must follow standards as if all on duty, some events such as parades will not allow combat unit uniforms though
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