What are the thoughts and opinons from the RP membership?

2015-10-16T10:59:36-04:00

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/06/25/royal_canadian_navy_changes_course_on_vets_wearing_their_old_uniforms.html

This is an older article from across our Northern border; however, with all of the discussions regarding correct and appropriate wear of uniform, this seems to illustrate a trend.

Growing up in the South, I remember many-many times the "old fellas" turned out for Veterans' or Memorial Day in uniform. Seems this has gained a stigma of late-especially with the preponderance of younger vets.

I agree with the Canadian position; that these older, out of service uniforms pose no risk of mis-interpretation.

Royal Canadian Navy changes course on vets wearing their old uniforms | Toronto Star

Clarification issued exempting older dress from order requiring veterans to obtain written permission to wear uniform in public.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 11:01 AM

2015-10-16T11:01:15-04:00

Mine are the best... lol

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 16 at 2015 11:03 AM

2015-10-16T11:03:28-04:00

I don't see anything wrong with vets wearing their old uniforms.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 16 at 2015 11:16 AM

2015-10-16T11:16:26-04:00

With todays generation of "photo-happy" individuals doing everything possible to make vets and active duty look as dumb as possible, I can honestly see this. Don't like it, but the minute someone doesn't understand something on your uniform or it looks out of whack, it's time to "make em famous" on "military" FB pages. I like the idea of vets being able to wear their uniforms and think it's a blessing to the younger generation to see how far we've progressed. I wish someone would tell me that I could not wear my uniform or try to "make me famous" because they don't understand, don't want to try to understand, and with many too damn scared to ask a simple question or make an on the spot correction come at me in a manner that is disrespectful. It's just wrong, and serves no real purpose. I was at Ft. Jackson attending a basic training graduation right after I retired, and there was a SFC is class A's in the food court. There was also a Tuskegee Airman there signing books. The SFC had a bolo badge hanging off his uniform and no one said shit. Mind you there were DS everywhere. By the time I caught up to the SFC the Tuskegee Airman had pulled the SFC to the side, made THE smoothest (and I mean SMOOTH!!) on the spot correction I've EVER seen, and both had smiles on their faces. The Airman embodied what we all should be...ready to assist each other and not be jerks about it with videos and FB rants.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 11:16 AM

2015-10-16T11:16:43-04:00

I agree. I think that a veteran who wants to wear the uniform as it was when they served should be allowed to.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Oct 16 at 2015 11:21 AM

2015-10-16T11:21:05-04:00

Nice.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 16 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-10-16T11:25:18-04:00

US Navy regulations allow veterans to wear their uniforms at veteran and military events...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 11:47 AM

2015-10-16T11:47:45-04:00

This issue came "home" with my wedding. At the time, I wasn't active or reserve component, having been honorably discharged. My wife asked a tall, and potentially "risky" order-Wear my uniform, and oh, yeah-the wedding was "period" themed to the turn of the century.

I did an enormous amount of research, and even wrote up a "white paper" for the benefit of any inquiring parties covering not only current regulations, but those of the historical period.

Everything I found, including Executive Orders and NAVINST, led me to the conclusion that a veteran, honorably discharged, and serving during a time of conflict has every right to wear last prescribed rank and awards at time of discharge.

Had several senior NCOs and officers in attendance...including a current SNCO from the local unit; no complaints or spot corrections given.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Oct 16 at 2015 12:14 PM

2015-10-16T12:14:20-04:00

If I ever get the chance to wear my uniform in public for an event I will, even though it is out of date and no longer in service. Yet it is the one I served in.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 3:07 PM

2015-10-16T15:07:06-04:00

The USA allows vets and retired military to wear their uniforms on occasions of ceremony and military/veterans related events. They can wear their uniform at the time they retired or the current uniform. Im surprised that Canada does not allow even their retired to wear the current uniform. Many military/veterans organizations here encourage people to wear their mess dress on appropriate occasions of ceremony.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Oct 16 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-10-16T15:14:56-04:00

I am a STRONG ADVOCATE of veterans (and of course Retirees) wearing their uniforms and medals. I wear my uniform at the very least on Memorial Day and Veterans Day at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. (I have participated in ACUs with the RETIRED patch during the tombstone flag clean-up*). There’s also been some veteran’s events that I wore my miniature awards. Army Regulation 670-1 prescribes when/where retirees and VETERANS can wear their uniform. The regulation uses verbiage “Declared and Undeclared wars…” and derives its authority from 10 USC § 772 – “When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized”
IMHO – I would just remind those wearing the uniform under authorized situations to adhere to past/current grooming standards!
*The ACU has been deemed appropriate wear for details/fatigue duty such as flag placement.
http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r670_1.pdf
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/772

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Oct 16 at 2015 3:48 PM

2015-10-16T15:48:15-04:00

I wore my mess dress to my wedding, 3 years after I retired, as did my best man (a retired Army Master Sergeant) and my father in law (a retired Army Colonel). Amazingly, all three of us could still fit in our old uniforms. I did have to shave the beard though.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 18 at 2015 2:23 AM

2015-10-18T02:23:01-04:00

Even if it were illegal for our Northern veteran cousins to wear their uniforms, who in their right mind would tell them "Hey, thanks for your service now take off that uniform you POS!!!"?

I also do know that AR 670-1 covers uniform wear for Army veterans and retirees, as do Navy uniform regulations and all other branches as well. Same as above though. It may or may not be illegal, but is it an enforceable law? I doubt it. Let the vets wear their uniforms, they earned them.