As a veteran, can I wear my Service Greens to a wedding?

2014-07-20T12:03:11-04:00

Hi all. I was recently asked to wear my dress uniform to a wedding for an active duty friend. AR670-1 states this is an approved event for a veteran. However, I got out right as the Army was transitioning to the Blues only and didn't see the point in buying a new uniform since I got out while the Greens were still authorized. Got a few specific questions:

1) Can I wear the Greens to this wedding?
2) I was Airborne qualified and was honorably discharged from an Airborne unit, would I wear jump boots and the maroon beret with the flash and unit insignia from my last active unit, or the standard class A shoes and the black beret? If black beret, what unit insignia?
3) At my time of discharge my unit wore the Presidential Unit Citation and Valorous Unit Award with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. I assume I would remove these as they were awarded prior to my time with the unit. Correct?

Thanks!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2014 1:26 PM

2014-07-20T13:26:29-04:00

If you earned it wear it. There is plenty of people falsely wearing the uniform for personal gain with no repercussions. I wouldn't worry about it your not subject to UCMJ or any legal action for that matter.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 20 at 2014 1:51 PM

2014-07-20T13:51:44-04:00

According to 670-1, Chp23-4, honorably discharged vets are authorized wear of the uniform only if they served during wartime (which I assume you did if you ETS'd during the uniform transition).

1) Greens are no longer authorized as of the end of FY15. However, no one really wears them anymore, so if there are other military at this wedding, they may question it. But, since you are no longer in the army, you really can't get in trouble.

2) Jump boots and maroon beret are organizational wear while assigned in a jump slot. You are no longer authorized to wear them. Since this is a wedding, headgear usually isn't worn anyways unless you were participating in a sword arc. But again refer to #1.

3) Unit awards are worn either temporary or permanent. Temporary wear is only while you are assigned to the unit. Permanent wear is authorized if you were assigned to the unit when the citation was awarded. So if you deployed with a unit and were a member when the PUC or VUA was awarded, it's permanent wear and should reflect on your DD214.

Response by SSG Waldo Yamada made Jul 21 at 2014 9:05 PM

2014-07-21T21:05:00-04:00

I have another question to add to that. AR-670-1 states you can wear it as long as the uniform is worn correctly, but it doesn't state which unit to wear. I was medically retired in the Warrior Transition Battalion and I want to know if I have to wear the MEDCOM patch. When I was in WTB in FT Sam Houston. They said to wear your last unit patch which was an STB patch so I'm confused. I guess just wear the STB Patch?

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jul 21 at 2014 9:26 PM

2014-07-21T21:26:16-04:00

Unless Army is vastly different than Navy, you may wear the Uniform you were authorized to wear at the time you were last discharged. Veterans and Retired personnel are not expected to maintain a uptodate Sea Bag (or whatever the Army calls it). That is assuming it still fits.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2014 12:00 PM

2014-07-23T12:00:41-04:00

Wear them proudly. As long as you are wearing all the ribbons you earned who care which iteration of uniform changes they are in.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jul 29 at 2014 2:14 AM

2014-07-29T02:14:18-04:00

SGT Andrew Hosford - I believe AR 670-1 authorizes veterans to wear the dress uniform at the time they were HONORABLY discharged. However, that applies only if you served during wartime. I'm guessing you did.

As for the maroon beret and jump boots - nope, sorry. You're only allowed to wear those whilst in an airborne unit and assigned to an airborne billet. Since you're neither, you're out of luck on that one.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 29 at 2014 7:37 PM

2014-07-29T19:37:26-04:00

SGT Andrew Hosford You may consider checking into a store along the lines of Shinbaum's Unfiorms (this is not a paid endorsement) in Montgomery, AL. They rent dress uniforms for Army and Air Force. You provide measurements and they set you up. Not much different than renting a Tux.

I have used that particular shop a few times for formal USAF events (because in the Guard, we almost never wear Mess Dress uniform. Each time it has been very easy. I am sure there is somewhere up there in IL that does it.

By doing it that way (renting) you would get a squared away uniform, compliant with regulations and come out looking like a star.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2014 11:10 PM

2014-07-29T23:10:03-04:00

May I suggest E-bay for ASU. I got a full set for $80 bucks. No tailoring required save for the change of branch.

I believe you will find an abundance of ASUs on the secondary market, particularly among the ranks of E-4 to E-6 and O-3. I expect in the coming year that there will be an ever increasing supply of same...

For about what the fellows are sending on a rental tux, you can upgrade to the ASU. Just be sure to get thorough information on sizing and such.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jan 4 at 2015 9:00 PM

2015-01-04T21:00:45-05:00

#1 Yes, though a set of blues with bow tie may be the more formal option and appropriate for a wedding where tuxedoes are usually called for with the civilian wedding party. I have worn greens (years ago when blues were only formal and not this ASU stuff) and felt like a sore thumb sticking out at a wedding.
#2 I would imagine it is a bow tie event, boots are not worn with white shirt and bow tie even in Airborne / Air Assault units. If it is straight tie, refer to LTC Paul Labrador
#3 Were you in the unit when they earned the unit awards? If not drop them.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 11:18 PM

2015-03-13T23:18:05-04:00

I'd say you'd be expected to wear your last "standard" set of uniforms as it applies to you when you get out. So you'd rock greens if you're putting your uniform on. If for some gods forsaken reason the Marines change our dress blues, I'd wear legacy blues if I ever put my uniform on for an event or occasion.

I'm thinking you'd probably be okay with your Airborne gear as well, given, again, that was your last unit. Marines don't do stuff like that, but I'd theoretically wear H&HS Yuma insignia and III MAW/MCI West insignia. You earned your jump wings and served with pride in an Airborne unit, I can't see cause for issue with that, but I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable on Army regs as Corps/Navy regs.

Response by SPC LeRoy Boardman made Mar 23 at 2015 10:20 PM

2015-03-23T22:20:15-04:00

I was discharged with a general under honorable, however i did go to iraq and severd 2 enlistments with the first being honorable. So can i wear mine to my wedding and if so, do i put on specialist which i served as or private which i got out as? It says former members of the army that served honorably during war time (honorable or general) and wearing the highest grade they served with in war time (e-4 for me). So am i reading this correctly?

Response by SFC Michael Krogmann made May 20 at 2015 7:57 PM

2015-05-20T19:57:42-04:00

I believe you can wear the green uniform as that is what was worn during your active service.

Response by SPC David Rogers made Oct 14 at 2015 8:09 PM

2015-10-14T20:09:42-04:00

I have also been in a quandary about this, as I am a veteran of desert sheild/storm, and Blues were not issued at that time and we had only the Greens. But as I researched I found that veterans who were discharged before the switch can wear the dress uniform they were authorized at the time. And as many of you gentleman have stated its not like they can kick me out anymore..

Response by 1SG Robert V. made Dec 4 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-12-04T14:36:08-05:00

Hello, just wondering if anyone knew for sure if I was authorized to wear my dress uniform to my wife's dining in? 670-1 was kinda vague on that.

Response by SPC Michael Rothe made Feb 17 at 2017 12:18 AM

2017-02-17T00:18:44-05:00

I have a question regarding shoulder patches. Do I remove the one on the left shoulder. As I am no longer assigned to 3ID. Or do I leave both on. I really wish 670-1 clearly stated this info.

Response by SGT Christopher Lachcik made Sep 1 at 2017 1:47 PM

2017-09-01T13:47:48-04:00

You can but honestly, they're tacky. Wear a nice suit and tie :)

Response by LTC Robin Gronovius made Sep 2 at 2017 10:12 PM

2017-09-02T22:12:05-04:00

Yes, you can wear your greens, but wear them in accordance with the AR, i.e. haircut, facial grooming. Wearing greens will let the attending active duty know that you served, but aren't active. There is a unit patch for retirees, but was more recently changed to the metal badge worn where the combat badge is worn on the blues (no shoulder patches any more on blues). The old red, white and blue patch can be worn by retirees on the green class A uniform still. The patch is around $6-7.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/new-revised-army-retired-service-identification-badge

New/Revised Army Retired Service Identification Badge | RallyPoint

The Army has come out with a new/revised Retired Service Identification (ID) badge. The new ID badge includes the latest "Soldier for Life" initiative and changes the colors from Red, White and Blue to Gold and Black. The Retired Service Identification (ID) badge will only be worn by Retired Soldiers when they wear the Army service or dress uniforms. DA Pamphlet 670-1, "Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia", explains...

Response by SSG Leroy Alexander made Sep 10 at 2017 11:41 AM

2017-09-10T11:41:29-04:00

If you are not allowed to wear anything that you dnt have paper work for.You can be proscuted wether your in or out of the service.

Response by SSG Jason Trammell made Sep 19 at 2017 6:09 PM

2017-09-19T18:09:06-04:00

When I retired I wore my Dress greens as I knew it would be the last time I would ever wear it. It does not matter if you served during wartime or not, if you were honorably discharged wear your uniform with honor and integrity. Even though I was retired I still maintained my active duty appearance when I got married as I take great honor in wearing my uniform. My wife couldn't even recognize me because before we were married I had a beard and long hair. Take care.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Sep 19 at 2017 11:03 PM

2017-09-19T23:03:53-04:00

Very good input from LTC Paul Labrador, I will ad to his input that unit crests are unit insignia and are only worn while assigned to that specific unit so you should not wear those old unit crests or any unit crests as you are not assigned them. So none on epaulettes and none on headgear. Exception: Unit Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for former combat service. That you are authorized to wear forever. If you are authorized more than one take your pick of one only. I once saw a guy with three sewed on his greens, don't be that guy. You can access AR 670-1 on line to look this stuff up but it is very time consuming.

Response by CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner made Dec 6 at 2017 1:26 PM

2017-12-06T13:26:54-05:00

When I was on AD, I preached the funerals of many retirees who were buried in their class A's. All of them wore the uniform they retired in. It's the only time I've seen a Soldier in the "Pinks and Greens," apart from the movies!

Response by MSgt Nathan Krawitz made Mar 17 at 2019 5:39 PM

2019-03-17T17:39:47-04:00

Typically, you may wear either the uniform authorized at end of service or the current one, but there are stipulations. Each branch's regulations vary. In no case is anyone permitted to wear a uniform to directly support a political candidate or attend political rallies where certain illegal activities are condoned.

Certain patriotic celebrations allow and encourage various veterans to wear the uniform. Some veterans have a uniform for them which allows you to wear ribbons and badges. Military themed weddings and funerals are events where the uniform may be worn to honor the person involved. Other ceremonies can bring out the uniform. For example, a retired officer might administer a reenlistment or commissioning oath in uniform, but there is no requirement.

If your veteran status involves loss of uniform privileges, you are not allowed to wear it on these occasions. Medal of Honor awardees may wear the uniform any time they want, barring any specific restrictions.