I got out of the Army in 2010. Am I still authorized to wear military uniform, specifically my Class As?

PVT Dominique Stewart — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 18:47:25 -0400

I got kicked out with a discharge of General (Under Honorable Conditions).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2019 6:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 18:48:10 -0400

Are you talking about for funerals or parades?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2019 7:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 19:15:20 -0400

You're a civilian, you can wear anything you want. UCMJ doesn't apply to you and neither do uniform regulations.

Response by SSG Dale London made Apr 22 at 2019 8:15 PM

SSG Dale London — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 20:15:04 -0400

There are a couple of things to bear in mind if you want to wear your class A's.
1 - if you do so in an attempt to gain rights, privileges or other benefits to which you are not entitled, you are perptrating a fraud and may be prosecuted.
2 - if you wear rank, awards and/or decorations to which you are not entitled your are committing the federal crime of "Stolen Valor" and, again, you may be prosecuted.
Other than that, you're pretty much good to go -- there are some laws on the books that say you cannot but they have been so hamstrung by trial precedent that they are virtually unenforceable. If you are proud of your service -- notwithstanding the character of your discharge -- and wish to display your sense of kinship with other soldiers - go for it. Just be aware that there will be some who do not welcome your fellowship and their rejection may include some physicality.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2019 10:16 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 22:16:11 -0400

Why would you want to wear your class A’s after getting kicked out of the army?

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Apr 22 at 2019 11:16 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 23:16:22 -0400

Go for it, who's going to tell you that you can't? This is America, and as long as you aren't benefiting from things that you didn't earn, you can wear whatever you want, whenever you want. They can't kick you out of the Army twice.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 23 at 2019 10:18 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 10:18:03 -0400

Federal law by way of AR 670-1:
21–4. Former members of the Army
a. Unless qualified under another provision of this regulation, or under the provisions of 10 USC 772, former members of the Army may only wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions. Personnel who qualify under these conditions will wear the Army uniform in the highest grade they held during such war service, in accordance with 10 USC 772.
b. When authorized, the uniform may be worn only for the following ceremonial occasions and when traveling to and from the event and must follow guidance included in paragraph 3–7c.
(1) When attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) When attending parades on national or state holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any Ac- tive or Reserve U.S. military unit is taking part. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uni- forms; the combat uniform and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn. Wearing the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.

How worn:
21–1. 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, military funerals, memorial services, meetings, conferences, or similar functions of as- sociations 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.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 23 at 2019 10:31 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 10:31:51 -0400

Let me chime in on this one.

First off, what is the reason for wanting to wear your ASU?

Second, is your uniform up to date with your DD214?

I would be very careful about wearing your uniform. It will invite a spotlight to be shined on you that you probably don't want on you. Way too many questions, way too many options from people, way too much explaining on your end.

So that is why the reason you want to wear your uniform is so important. Is that reason worth all that?

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Apr 23 at 2019 1:23 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 13:23:40 -0400

No you are not. But also, the Army has zero control over what you do. You can wear whatever items of clothing you want.