Posted on Jul 11, 2016
Are military veterans (who have ETS'd or retired) allowed to mix their old military uniform with old unit T-shirt?
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Responses: 24
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The problem with this is that the UCMJ does not apply to civilians. Veterans are technically civilians. So the Army can publish guidance and hope that the intrinsic values you learned while serving would compel you to wear your uniform honorably, but ultimately there's no law that would apply to them. If a retired CSM wants to wear his cap backwards and his tan belt undone with boot laces untucked, wearing his unit PT shirt and no ACU blouse, he's well within his rights to do so--it's just extremely unlikely that he would, given that most veterans take pride in the uniform even after they take it off.
But to the point, are they "allowed" to? Yes. They're "allowed" to do whatever the hell they want. Trying to apply UCMJ to a civilian (veteran retiree or otherwise) is like trying to enforce a no-pooping rule with a baby: it doesn't make sense and you're just gonna end up with a lot of shit on your hands.
But to the point, are they "allowed" to? Yes. They're "allowed" to do whatever the hell they want. Trying to apply UCMJ to a civilian (veteran retiree or otherwise) is like trying to enforce a no-pooping rule with a baby: it doesn't make sense and you're just gonna end up with a lot of shit on your hands.
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SSG Wally Lawver
I am retired, and think I may run around Walmart in my (what ever you can imagine here uniform wise),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,chances of anybody caring, let alone go through the huge stacks of paperwork, to try and call me back to active duty are like a gazillion to 1 .....
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SSG Phil Lockit
Active duty are informed of how to wear a uniform. Retirees are not civilian's. We still serve proudly. We are an Army of One.
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CPT Daniel Cox
The UCMJ is not the ONLY set of laws for military, retirees, and veterans.
Refer to Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations:
Section 771. Unauthorized wearing prohibited
"Except as otherwise provided by law, no person except a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be, may wear—
(1)the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform, of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps; or
(2)a uniform any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 34.)"
Section 772. Disposition on discharge
"(a)Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), when an enlisted member of an armed force is discharged, the exterior articles of uniform in his possession that were issued to him, other than those that he may wear from the place of discharge to his home under section 772(d) of this title, shall be retained for military use.
(b)When an enlisted member of an armed force is discharged for bad conduct, undesirability, unsuitability, inaptitude, or otherwise than honorably—
(1)the exterior articles of uniform in his possession shall be retained for military use;
(2)under such regulations as the Secretary concerned prescribes, a suit of civilian clothing and an overcoat when necessary, both to cost not more than $30, may be issued to him; and
(3)if he would be otherwise without funds to meet his immediate needs, he may be paid an amount, fixed by the Secretary concerned, of not more than $25.
(c)When an enlisted member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard who has been called into Federal service is released from that service, the exterior articles of uniform in his possession shall be accounted for as property issued to the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be, of the State or territory, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia of whose Army National Guard or Air National Guard he is a member, as prescribed in section 708 of title 32.
(Added Pub. L. 90–235, § 8(1)(A), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 763; amended Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XII, § 1234(a)(1), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2059.)"
Refer to Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations:
Section 771. Unauthorized wearing prohibited
"Except as otherwise provided by law, no person except a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be, may wear—
(1)the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform, of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps; or
(2)a uniform any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 34.)"
Section 772. Disposition on discharge
"(a)Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), when an enlisted member of an armed force is discharged, the exterior articles of uniform in his possession that were issued to him, other than those that he may wear from the place of discharge to his home under section 772(d) of this title, shall be retained for military use.
(b)When an enlisted member of an armed force is discharged for bad conduct, undesirability, unsuitability, inaptitude, or otherwise than honorably—
(1)the exterior articles of uniform in his possession shall be retained for military use;
(2)under such regulations as the Secretary concerned prescribes, a suit of civilian clothing and an overcoat when necessary, both to cost not more than $30, may be issued to him; and
(3)if he would be otherwise without funds to meet his immediate needs, he may be paid an amount, fixed by the Secretary concerned, of not more than $25.
(c)When an enlisted member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard who has been called into Federal service is released from that service, the exterior articles of uniform in his possession shall be accounted for as property issued to the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be, of the State or territory, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia of whose Army National Guard or Air National Guard he is a member, as prescribed in section 708 of title 32.
(Added Pub. L. 90–235, § 8(1)(A), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 763; amended Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XII, § 1234(a)(1), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2059.)"
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Ok, I do understand your point and have posted a similar question regarding dress uniform. That said, if the federal law allows non-service members to "dress up" under the guise of their 1st Amendment rights, why alienate someone who actually earned the right to wear the uniform. My best advise would be to communicate in a professional/calm manner the error without being demanding or demeaning based on the "common ground" of love of country and respect for tradition. If that doesn't effect change than just smile, thank them for the service, and walk away. In this day and age, it's not worth the personal aggravation. There are bigger issues in your world/country/state/city/town to be focused on and need your effort!!!
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SFC John Hill
Except as otherwise provided by law, no person except a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be, may wear—(1) the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform, of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps; or (2) a uniform any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps (Title 10 chap 45 U.S. Code § 771 - Unauthorized wearing prohibited).
That being said, this applies to uniforms currently in use by the military. Items that have been phased out/obsoleted (fatigues, BDU, etc) are no longer considered to be a uniform.
In the Army there is a provision in the regulation that allows retired/honorably discharged personnel to wear the dress uniform (Class A’s) under certain conditions.
That being said, this applies to uniforms currently in use by the military. Items that have been phased out/obsoleted (fatigues, BDU, etc) are no longer considered to be a uniform.
In the Army there is a provision in the regulation that allows retired/honorably discharged personnel to wear the dress uniform (Class A’s) under certain conditions.
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Finally found the AR 670-1 on this topic.
Army Veterans. Instructions are listed in paragraph 30-4 of Army Regulation 670-1.
Former members of the Army may wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions (that means an honorable or general discharge). Personnel who qualify under these conditions will wear the Army uniform in the highest grade they held during such war service.
The uniform is authorized for wear only for the following ceremonial occasions, and when traveling to and from the ceremony or function. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the BDU and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn.
(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 United States military unit is taking part.
Former Soldiers who are discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army (even if it's not during wartime service) may wear their uniform while going from the place of discharge to their home of record, within three months after discharge.
Wear of the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
Army Medal of Honor Recipients. Personnel awarded the Medal of Honor may wear the Army uniform at their pleasure, except:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian employment.
(2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except as authorized by competent authority.
(3) When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization.
(4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army.
(5) When specifically prohibited by Army regulations.
Note: Any individual wearing a US Military uniform is expected to reflect the high personal appearance standards and esprit de corps that the US Military in uniform represent. To this end, particular attention will be paid not only to the correct and military wear of uniform components, but also to the individual’s personal and physical appearance. All personnel exercising the privilege of wearing a US Military service or dress uniform will comply fully with their service's grooming and weight control standards.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/uniformwearar.htm
Army Veterans. Instructions are listed in paragraph 30-4 of Army Regulation 670-1.
Former members of the Army may wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions (that means an honorable or general discharge). Personnel who qualify under these conditions will wear the Army uniform in the highest grade they held during such war service.
The uniform is authorized for wear only for the following ceremonial occasions, and when traveling to and from the ceremony or function. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the BDU and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn.
(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 United States military unit is taking part.
Former Soldiers who are discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army (even if it's not during wartime service) may wear their uniform while going from the place of discharge to their home of record, within three months after discharge.
Wear of the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
Army Medal of Honor Recipients. Personnel awarded the Medal of Honor may wear the Army uniform at their pleasure, except:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian employment.
(2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except as authorized by competent authority.
(3) When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization.
(4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army.
(5) When specifically prohibited by Army regulations.
Note: Any individual wearing a US Military uniform is expected to reflect the high personal appearance standards and esprit de corps that the US Military in uniform represent. To this end, particular attention will be paid not only to the correct and military wear of uniform components, but also to the individual’s personal and physical appearance. All personnel exercising the privilege of wearing a US Military service or dress uniform will comply fully with their service's grooming and weight control standards.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/uniformwearar.htm
Wear of the Uniform by Army Retirees and Veterans
Army retirees and certain honorably discharged veterans may wear the US Military uniform on certain occasions.
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SGT Emmanuel Cabahug
SFC John Hill - It usmilitary.about.com. I don't have access to army.mil since I no longer have a CAC card.
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