Posted on Jul 16, 2015
How do I wear my Green Service Uniform if I am retired?
38.9K
70
30
11
11
0
My son graduates Basic Training in a few weeks and I would like to wear my uniform. I retired 3 years ago and didn't get issued the new Blue Service uniform before I got out. I've read the regulation but really am confused on how to wear it. I got 3 different things from the reg,
1. Wear it as I wore it the last year before i retired, meaning the last unit patch and unit insignia, but wear the retired badge on the pocket.
2. No unit patch or unit insignia, but the retired serviceman patch on the left sleeve.
3. No unit patch, no unit insignia, no patch on the left sleeve, but wear the retired serviceman badge on pocket.
1. Wear it as I wore it the last year before i retired, meaning the last unit patch and unit insignia, but wear the retired badge on the pocket.
2. No unit patch or unit insignia, but the retired serviceman patch on the left sleeve.
3. No unit patch, no unit insignia, no patch on the left sleeve, but wear the retired serviceman badge on pocket.
Posted in these groups: 
Dress Uniform
Retired
Dress Uniform Retired
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
7
7
0
SGT Epifanio Becerra Jr.
AR 670-1... where as you did when you last wore it...
Chapter 23 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 and must follow guidance included in paragraph 3–7c.
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.
AR 670-1... where as you did when you last wore it...
Chapter 23 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 and must follow guidance included in paragraph 3–7c.
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.
(7)
(0)
SGT Epifanio Becerra Jr.
Thank you Col Williams. So far I am getting and reading "wear as I wore it" when I retired and got my DD214 or place the Retired Serviceman patch on. I realy didn't want to go with no insignia on my beret and shoulders, so I think Im going to go with "wear as I wore it." I'll just have a copy of my retiree orders and DD214 in my pocket and maybe a copy of the regs, just kidding on that last one.
(2)
(0)
SP6 Terry Gabrich
I have been retired for a while and I am former Special Forces. Where and how do I wear the retirement patch. Also, my last unit was with company C of the 131st infantry. Do I wear that patch on my right shoulder and the retirement patch on my left shoulder??
SSGT. Terry Gabrich
SSGT. Terry Gabrich
(0)
(0)
7
7
0
Always amazed about Army fixation on badges, patches, etc. On the Navy side, it doesn't matter. Honor your son, get a salute, and enjoy the moment.
(7)
(0)
SGT William Howell
I went to the USO ball in Cincinnati. There as was a Marine Master Gunnery Sargent there in a wheel chair. He was was wearing a unit patch on his shoulder. I was intrigued because Marines had not wore unit patches since around WW2 (not sure exactly when). Turns out he had actually served in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. we talked for a few minutes and I thanked him for his service.
Don't stress the uniform, people will understand.
Don't stress the uniform, people will understand.
(1)
(0)
I have seen this worn before on the Greens. We had a dining out and a retired soldier came back and wore this path. Technically you can't wear your previous unit patch due to no longer being assigned to them. The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia is for you current organization. If you were to wear your old unit patch that would imply that you are in that unit. Besides this you would be bringing a lot of attention to yourself. I am sure you would have just about every NCO come up to you to say that you can't wear that uniform anymore. Once they would see the Retired patch they would realize you are good but if they saw a unit patch it would appear to be a uniform violation.
As per DA Pam 670-1
Retired personnel are authorized to wear the SSI for U.S. Army retirees on the left shoulder of the green service uniform. The insignia consists of a white cloth disc with a blue border, and an inner white disc with a red border, which bears a blue and white adaptation of the coat of arms of the United States. The outer disk that surrounds the coat of arms contains the inscription “UNITED STATES ARMY” in red letters at the top, and the word “RETIRED” in blue letters at the bottom (see fig 23–1). On the blue service and dress uniforms, retired personnel will wear the retired service ID badge (see para 22–17d(12) and fig 22–77).
As per DA Pam 670-1
Retired personnel are authorized to wear the SSI for U.S. Army retirees on the left shoulder of the green service uniform. The insignia consists of a white cloth disc with a blue border, and an inner white disc with a red border, which bears a blue and white adaptation of the coat of arms of the United States. The outer disk that surrounds the coat of arms contains the inscription “UNITED STATES ARMY” in red letters at the top, and the word “RETIRED” in blue letters at the bottom (see fig 23–1). On the blue service and dress uniforms, retired personnel will wear the retired service ID badge (see para 22–17d(12) and fig 22–77).
(6)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google