Posted on May 18, 2019
What is the Army's policy on wearing ASUs to non-military events such as their own wedding, graduation, etc?
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Dress Uniform
Customs and Courtesies
ASU
ACU
Posted >1 y ago
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Don’t wear it to draw attention to yourself. Military functions and your wedding I’d say would be all.
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SFC (Join to see)
So enlisted Soldiers attending college as part of a commissioning program should not wear their uniform during graduation? What about ROTC students? Can they were uniforms?
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1SG (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) I feel that would be acceptable if that was what the college dictated was the attire for the event.
The problem here lies with those who wish to wear their uniform when a cap and gown is the dictated attire. You mentioned a very specific example that differs from the traditional ceremony.
There are different positions within the military, which allow for opportunities such as graduate programs paid for by the branch where the university is actually the assigned duty station for that servicemember while attending, and a cap and gown is worn during their commencement also. A specific example of this would be a CID Agent attending George Washington University as part of their forensic science program for the purposes of being a forensic science officer for CID.
The problem here lies with those who wish to wear their uniform when a cap and gown is the dictated attire. You mentioned a very specific example that differs from the traditional ceremony.
There are different positions within the military, which allow for opportunities such as graduate programs paid for by the branch where the university is actually the assigned duty station for that servicemember while attending, and a cap and gown is worn during their commencement also. A specific example of this would be a CID Agent attending George Washington University as part of their forensic science program for the purposes of being a forensic science officer for CID.
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SFC (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) - Just hinting that you provided a definitive answer based on opinion and an incomplete interpretation of the situation... It doesn't seem like you included certain reasonable factors when forming your opinion and providing your personal guidance. Furthermore, you provided your opinion, not Army policy; which is what was asked for.
While attending my wife's MS graduation, I saw a whole section of graduates wearing the Class B ASU. They arrived in Class B wearing their beret, but during the ceremony they donned a cap and gown over their Class B. Later, I assume, they went to dinner with their family and friends in their Class B ASU to celebrate the achievement. I see nothing wrong with that and it is in complete compliance with actual Army policy.
While attending my wife's MS graduation, I saw a whole section of graduates wearing the Class B ASU. They arrived in Class B wearing their beret, but during the ceremony they donned a cap and gown over their Class B. Later, I assume, they went to dinner with their family and friends in their Class B ASU to celebrate the achievement. I see nothing wrong with that and it is in complete compliance with actual Army policy.
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1SG (Join to see)
What you are describing is something that I have not seen, however, if it is as you described, I imagine this was condoned, and potentially preplanned by the university.
This is a topic that has been discussed in detail in the past also and you are correct that I am going by opinion and not exactly the Regs.
We will have to agree to disagree on the appropriateness of wearing a uniform to a graduation.SFC (Join to see)
This is a topic that has been discussed in detail in the past also and you are correct that I am going by opinion and not exactly the Regs.
We will have to agree to disagree on the appropriateness of wearing a uniform to a graduation.SFC (Join to see)
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SFC (Join to see)
I appreciate the manner and apparent professionalism of your reply.
To clarify, the Soldiers donned their cap and gown in the quad before the actual ceremony started, as opposed to "during the ceremony" as my comment might imply. It probably would have been clearer had I said "for the ceremony".
I concur that we may have to agree to disagree. There is a lot of METT-TC in the situation. The uniform represents the Army and all Soldiers. In overly simplified terms, when a Soldier makes the uniform look good, that Soldier makes the Army and all Soldiers look better. In that sense, I think showing the public a well groomed professional Soldier graduating from college is a good thing.
However, I also acknowledge that there are attention hounds and liberty risks that are a complete embarrassment to the service. I too dislike the "me, me, me" behavior of some people. I certainly don't want an overweight soup-sandwich out in public representing Soldiers. I also acknowledge that what might be a stupid joke from a person dressed in civilian attire can easily become a national disgrace if that person is wearing a uniform. The individual Soldier's appearance and conduct while in uniform at that function is the main thing of concern to me, as opposed to their decision to wear the uniform or not.
Army policy says wearing the ASU is okay but, again, I agree there is a lot of METT-TC in the scenario. Any Soldier electing to wear their uniform needs to be aware that they are going to be in the spotlight of public scrutiny - - from the general public, from veterans, from current Soldiers. That uniform represents the Army so that Soldier needs to wear it properly and hold them-self to a higher standard when wearing it. (Yes I have addressed Soldiers I didn't know in public to congratulate, compliment, and/or correct. The uniform invites that scrutiny.)
To clarify, the Soldiers donned their cap and gown in the quad before the actual ceremony started, as opposed to "during the ceremony" as my comment might imply. It probably would have been clearer had I said "for the ceremony".
I concur that we may have to agree to disagree. There is a lot of METT-TC in the situation. The uniform represents the Army and all Soldiers. In overly simplified terms, when a Soldier makes the uniform look good, that Soldier makes the Army and all Soldiers look better. In that sense, I think showing the public a well groomed professional Soldier graduating from college is a good thing.
However, I also acknowledge that there are attention hounds and liberty risks that are a complete embarrassment to the service. I too dislike the "me, me, me" behavior of some people. I certainly don't want an overweight soup-sandwich out in public representing Soldiers. I also acknowledge that what might be a stupid joke from a person dressed in civilian attire can easily become a national disgrace if that person is wearing a uniform. The individual Soldier's appearance and conduct while in uniform at that function is the main thing of concern to me, as opposed to their decision to wear the uniform or not.
Army policy says wearing the ASU is okay but, again, I agree there is a lot of METT-TC in the scenario. Any Soldier electing to wear their uniform needs to be aware that they are going to be in the spotlight of public scrutiny - - from the general public, from veterans, from current Soldiers. That uniform represents the Army so that Soldier needs to wear it properly and hold them-self to a higher standard when wearing it. (Yes I have addressed Soldiers I didn't know in public to congratulate, compliment, and/or correct. The uniform invites that scrutiny.)
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AR 670-1 11-3 (Dtd May 2017)
11–3. Occasions for wear
a. All-purpose wear. The male service/dress uniform is authorized for wear on and off duty, on and off the installation, unless restricted by the commander. The male service/dress uniform is not intended for wear as an all- purpose uniform when other uniforms are more appropriate.
b. Approved wear. The male service/dress uniform is prescribed for year-round wear for all Soldiers, unless otherwise directed by the commander. Soldiers may wear variations of the male service/dress uniform:
(1) On duty when prescribed by the local commander.
(2) At social functions of a private or official nature, either before or after retreat, and while in transit to and from such functions. The male service/dress uniform is normally considered appropriate for social or official functions off the
installation, such as memorial services, funerals, weddings, inaugurals, patriotic ceremonies, and similar functions.
(3) When designated by the host of an event
Unless restricted by your commander or the location serves alcohol, then you can wear ASU's to Weddings, graduations and the like. However while you can, observe whether you should.
11–3. Occasions for wear
a. All-purpose wear. The male service/dress uniform is authorized for wear on and off duty, on and off the installation, unless restricted by the commander. The male service/dress uniform is not intended for wear as an all- purpose uniform when other uniforms are more appropriate.
b. Approved wear. The male service/dress uniform is prescribed for year-round wear for all Soldiers, unless otherwise directed by the commander. Soldiers may wear variations of the male service/dress uniform:
(1) On duty when prescribed by the local commander.
(2) At social functions of a private or official nature, either before or after retreat, and while in transit to and from such functions. The male service/dress uniform is normally considered appropriate for social or official functions off the
installation, such as memorial services, funerals, weddings, inaugurals, patriotic ceremonies, and similar functions.
(3) When designated by the host of an event
Unless restricted by your commander or the location serves alcohol, then you can wear ASU's to Weddings, graduations and the like. However while you can, observe whether you should.
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