Posted on Oct 16, 2015
What are the thoughts and opinons from the RP membership?
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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.
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.
Posted in these groups: 
Uniforms
Uniforms
Posted 9 y ago
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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.
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.
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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.
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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
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
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LCDR (Join to see)
Back in '96, my father, who is a professional sculptor and Airborne veteran, created the veteran's monument for our home county. At the dedication ceremony, he wore his uniform and introduced the general officer who had been invited as the presiding dignitary. SGT Gillespie still cut a pretty mean pose after more than thirty years :)
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Suspended Profile
US Navy regulations allow veterans to wear their uniforms at veteran and military events...
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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.
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
SSG Warren Swan you can't wear your uniform.
Wish granted.
Not seriously.
Seriously, I think it would be awesome to talk to the Tuskegee Airmen. So much history there. I think it is great to get an old vet who is willing to talk about their experiences. Sadly, my family who served in WWII did not like to talk about it. My uncle who served in Vietnam refused to even acknowledge it. Now they have all passed so I will never hear their stories.
Wish granted.
Not seriously.
Seriously, I think it would be awesome to talk to the Tuskegee Airmen. So much history there. I think it is great to get an old vet who is willing to talk about their experiences. Sadly, my family who served in WWII did not like to talk about it. My uncle who served in Vietnam refused to even acknowledge it. Now they have all passed so I will never hear their stories.
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SSG Warren Swan
PO3 Steven Sherrill - My grandfather and father are both combat vets WWII and Nam, and it wasn't until I came home and things started going wrong for me that my father opened up a little about his time in Nam. He never ever spoke of it, and I never asked. My grandfather also never talked about his war other than he served. Knowing what I know now, I'm not sure if I even want to know anymore, and I know in my fathers case, he can hear through my voice that I know the "fun" and "glamor" I thought was a by product of war isn't there. Damn man you have me thinking and honestly I just don't want to know. I don't want to dredge up bad memories that are "buried", and I don't want to have to face my own memories that I work hard not to let get to me. Ignorance in this ONE instance is bliss.
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LCDR (Join to see)
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.
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.
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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.
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I agree. I think that a veteran who wants to wear the uniform as it was when they served should be allowed to.
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