Posted on Feb 12, 2015
Can veterans wear military medals on their civilian dress coats and tuxedos during ceremonial events?
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As a young child, I often saw my great grandfather and grand father wearing their wartime medals on their civilian dress coats at military funerals and ceremonial events. Usually they wore them at their fellow veterans funerals and during Memorial Day events etc. As a wartime veteran myself, I have NEVER worn any of my military decorations or badges on civilian clothes. This week, I met and spoke with a decorated veteran of two wars at our local VA. Like me, he feat it was wrong for years for anyone to wear such decorations on civilian clothes but recently changed his opinion and after a in depth heart to heart about our combat experiences, I am looking at military decorations in a new light on dress coats during ceremonial events. I'm looking into an official regulation and am curious what some of your thoughts and opinions are regarding wearing decorations in a proper professional manner on tuxedo or dress coats during ceremonial events.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 199
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I never used to, but have started to do so in the last few years at Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. This is common practice in Europe, and has been since WWII. In this country, we tend to think of it as bragging. It is not bragging. Our medals and decorations have been earned, not given. In the United States, the size of our military continues to shrink, and with it, the connection to the greater civilian population. It's the out of sight, out of mind condition. In Europe, Veterans wear their medals to patriotic and memorial events. This show of pride in their service reinforces for non-service citizens how many of their fellow countrymen and countrywomen have served on their behalf. It contributes to a national esprit-de-corps.
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SSgt Liam Babington
I wear my medals with formal kilt on special holidays! Both my NG guard medals and my federally earned medals! Hell why not I earned them!!
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Sgt Anthony Piazza
SSgt Liam Babington, I've debated on doing the same, but have been apprehensive about it. I never deployed, never went overseas, or did anything most people consider a real Marine does, so I only received the National Defense, GWOT, and Good Conduct medals. I always look asst wheat others have done, what they've accomplished, and how they've suffered, and have avoided wearing my awards so as to not detract attention from those more deserving, if that makes any sense. Once I get my Prince Charlie jacket properly tailored, I might consider acquiring miniature versions of my [measly] awards to wear on it.
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SGT Juan Gonzales
As long as you earned medals you can wear them anytime to represent your service. Veterans like myself as a wwp alumni peer mentor I wear them during events on veterans day and memorial day
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1LT J Neil Jednoralski
I do not understand why this question keeps coming up. If you have earned them, you can wear them. I have worn awards on a Tux twice, the second time with commemorative metals and a BG looked at them on Ft Riley, KS. There were no problems. I worn miniatures.
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I often have a small set of jump wings that I will wear on the lapel of my suit - sort of like a secret handshake, mostly vets see it and introduce themselves. I had a guy ask when I went to jump school - turned out that he had been assigned to the 77th Special Forces Group in the 1950.
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CPT Quentin von Éfáns-Taráfdar
I have a miniature CIB that I wear on my lapel. Invariably people ask me if it some sort of shooting award. I always reply that in a way it is, then I explain what it is. Since I live in Europe they are always surprised that I am a VN veteran frequently asking me about the war, much more so than Americans ever do. It has even led my giving lectures in both high schools and universities.
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PVT Raymond Lopez
I always tell people who ask me if my Combat Infantry Badge is a shooting badge "Why yes it is. The only one that really counts because the targets are shooting back!"
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The only thing I wear is the mini- CAB lapel pin on suit jackets. I have friends that wear anything from the small lapel pin they issue with the medal and ribbon to mini-medals and even full size medals. It's covered in the regs how they are supposed to be worn, and I think it comes down to personal preference after that. I don't really have any desire to wear all my awards on my sleeve, I wear the mini-CAB lapel pin because it's the only award I feel like I truly earned, and because it ID's me to other veterans without being too crazy, but to each their own.
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SSG (Join to see)
I don't know to many that even look at them let alone wear them. I just plan on framing any i have and display them on the fire mantle
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Yes, and society encourages it. I was a poll worker for the primary election and people saw my flag pin, army pin and poppy...people are curious creatures. Moving in line this couple with proper ID passes through my post, I present their ballots and they are looking past me to the displayed American Flag and my coat. They are new American citizens and voting on US soil. They came a long way and I get that, as they pause. Symbolism in action doesn't get any better than that. We need more veterans out there.
Folks, we are living in a time when America is most vulnerable, yet America is still a beacon of freedom across this globe. There is a positive impact made with symbolism, displaying the American flag and military awards. It gives pause especially to those who observe and pass in review. The couple who came through my post, immigrated from Afghanista...Pakistan and became American citizens, now have the right to vote. We veterans are challenged to lead by example.
Folks, we are living in a time when America is most vulnerable, yet America is still a beacon of freedom across this globe. There is a positive impact made with symbolism, displaying the American flag and military awards. It gives pause especially to those who observe and pass in review. The couple who came through my post, immigrated from Afghanista...Pakistan and became American citizens, now have the right to vote. We veterans are challenged to lead by example.
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If worn properly, why not wear them. Not everyday, but on special occasions. Did anyone see that clown E-7 wearing CPO chocker whites walking with Bitchllary Cunton in New York? He was wearing his medals incorrectly and using the wrong stars on the medals he, I'm guessing, didn't earn.
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I personally don't have a problem with this. As long as the individuals wearing them have earned them. AR 670-1 23-6 pg 46. It is authorized.
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The immediate thought that comes to mind is; we earned them, so you can wear them. Once you leave service the medals, accomplishments, and pride does not stop. Just like vets can salute during the national anthem but civilian put their hands on their hearts.
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I'm just throwing my opinion here. Why is this such a big deal right now? This has been going on in the US for at least 200+ years and the military hasn't fallen apart. They are veterans and DO NOT fall under regulations anymore. If they earned it, they can wear it!
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I think it's kinda cool, I don't know where/how I could get my medals, with so many moves while I was a traveling nurse, they and my class 'a's got lost somewhere between LA and Philly. But I think it's cool for vets to wear them on their 'civvies'. From what I read below, it is authorized.
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Sgt Edward Padget
I believe if you contact OPM (Office Of Personnel Management) they can direct you on how to get a set of all of your ribbons and medals. There is no cost to you. It's not a fast process but you can get your medals replaced for free.
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SFC Jay Spreitzer
Yes I requested online and it was pretty easy and free. Took almost 2 months. http://www.archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals.html
Replace Veterans' Medals, Awards, and Decorations
Replacement Medals, Awards, and Decorations
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Beginning with Veterans Day 2006, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) encourages all military veterans to wear their medals and decorations during Veterans Day (November 11th) and other patriotic holidays (such as Independence Day - July 4th, and Memorial Day - May 30th).
According to the VA, veterans don't need to wear their medals only if they're in a parade. "Wear them when you go play golf. Wear them when you go to the store.
Let America know that you took that oath and served.”
According to the VA, veterans don't need to wear their medals only if they're in a parade. "Wear them when you go play golf. Wear them when you go to the store.
Let America know that you took that oath and served.”
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