Do both soldiers wear dress uniforms to a military ball in a dual military couple?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 May 2018 14:06:28 -0400

I'm not part of the Engineers nor am I assigned to an Engineer unit, do I still wear my uniform or should I be looking for a ball gown? I am a 31B and assigned to the Detachment on post. My husband's unit is attending the Engineer Ball in June.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 15 at 2018 2:16 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Tue, 15 May 2018 14:16:20 -0400

As a date - you could do either. I've seen more often than not with military couples that the date wears their dress uniform. Depends on how you feel about either. I'd rather wear a ball gown if I had the option...if it was your unit you'd be wearing the dress uniform. However my last unit I had heard in balls before I got there they gave female soldiers the option of ball gown or dress uniform.

Response by MAJ James Woods made May 15 at 2018 2:33 PM

MAJ James Woods — Tue, 15 May 2018 14:33:32 -0400

It's optional. Typically the male soldier wears his and the female soldier has the option. It's almost implied in our culture that the male soldier always wears his uniform and the female is encouraged to wear civilian formal attire out of old military tradition. But it would be interesting to see if someone's unit leadership prohibit an instance where the woman wore the uniform and her date wore a suit in this hypothetical.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 15 at 2018 2:40 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Tue, 15 May 2018 14:40:16 -0400

The way I see it, it is your significant others unit having the formal - if so - I believe you have a choice. the question you should ask is this - I already have appropriate attire to attend the formal, should I go out and spend $200 - $400 on a gown you will wear maybe 4 times before a new one is needed ( and I say this because everyones body changes over time and what fits today may not fit 3-4 years from now)

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made May 15 at 2018 3:52 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Tue, 15 May 2018 15:52:37 -0400

I believe that your safe with either option, but every unit has a different standard when it comes to their balls. Have your husband ask.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 15 at 2018 4:49 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 15 May 2018 16:49:08 -0400

Yes!

Response by LT Brad McInnis made May 15 at 2018 4:58 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Tue, 15 May 2018 16:58:27 -0400

When I went to wife's event, I was in civilian dress. When she went to mine, she was in civilian dress. We never had a problem...

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 15 at 2018 8:02 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 15 May 2018 20:02:13 -0400

Your option Ma'am

Response by GySgt Jerome Mason made Aug 13 at 2018 4:39 PM

GySgt Jerome Mason — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 16:39:00 -0400

The wife may option out wear and formal attire...unless the commands states otherwise...

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 29 at 2018 9:30 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 09:30:13 -0500

My wife and I were such a couple for about eight years
As others have already stated correctly it’s your choice there is no wrong answer talk to your spouse you guys decide what you’re most comfortable with

My wife and I were young at the time and neither of us really own appropriate civilian attire so we went to each other’s military events in uniform

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2018 8:50 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 20:50:57 -0500

Technically, if you are a guest, you may wear appropriate civilian attire. This will come down to personal preference.
For me, I would wear the uniform, but that's just me. Military event, military attire.
If you do go with a gown, keep it classy. I've seen some pretty crazy stuff on guests.