Posted: 6/6/2010 5:41:12 PM EDT
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Got a question , maybe someone here could answer.
Its been a LONG time since I served and don't remember exactly. Is it OK to wear service metals on civilian clothes? We have a local politician that wears his on his civilian clothes, every opportunity he has to be in public. I thought this was a big no, no, or looked down on? |
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Aren't the miniature reproductions of medals and awards (not the mess dress minis) okay to wear on civilian clothes?
I have seen lots of guys wearing mini jump wings, vietnam service ribbons or puple hearts on business suits FROM AR 670-1 Final answer 30-6. Wear of medals on civilian clothes Retired personnel and former members of the Army (as described above) may wear all categories of medals described in this regulation on appropriate civilian clothing. This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature. Personnel may wear either full-size or miniature medals. Personnel who wear medals on civilian clothes should place the medals on the clothing in approximately the same location and in the same manner as for the Army uniform, so they look similar to medals worn on the Army uniform. and b. Lapel buttons. Lapel buttons are miniature enameled replicas of an award that are worn only on civilian clothing. Males wear the buttons on the left lapel of civilian clothing; females wear the buttons in a similar location on their civilian attire. |
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I think it's supposed to be ok now (not for sure, but I think Congress authorized it). However like anything else it should be done appropriately. Wearing them everyday I think is in poor taste. On special occasions (Memorial day, military funeral, etc) would be fine. Just an add-on: It's authorized now for former and retired military members to render the hand salute while in civilian clothing. Just thought I'd share that. |
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Quoted: It should be of sufficient merit. IE http://leatherneckm31.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c009153ef0133ec8dcf24970b-800wi I ain't telling them I disapprove. |
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Quoted:
It should be of sufficient merit. IE http://leatherneckm31.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c009153ef0133ec8dcf24970b-800wi  
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Quoted: It should be of sufficient merit. IE http://leatherneckm31.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c009153ef0133ec8dcf24970b-800wi QFT Just an opinion but maybe the wearing of ribbons in civies should be for medals of valor. Just because someone got the Good Conduct Medal (USAF, every 3yrs for keeping your nose clean) doesn't mean it should be worn |
If he earned it, I ain't gonna say anything to him. It can be a bit weird though. I used to have a regular customer when I tended bar who was a Korean war vet. He wore a miniature CIB(not a lapel pin) on his chest, I mean if he was wearing a shirt, suit jacket, and an overcoat, he had a CIB pinned to each layer, I always wanted to ask him if he'd had it tattooed on his chest too. 
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From AR 670-1:
1-10j. Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian employment. (2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except as authorized by competent authority. (3) When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization. (4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army. (5) When specifically prohibited by Army regulations. 30–6. Wear of medals on civilian clothes
Retired personnel and former members of the Army (as described above) may wear all categories of medals described in this regulation on appropriate civilian clothing. This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature. Personnel may wear either full-size or miniature medals. Personnel who wear medals on civilian clothes should place the medals on the clothing in approximately the same location and in the same manner as for the Army uniform, so they look similar to medals worn on the Army uniform. 30–5. Wear of the uniform by Medal of Honor recipients. Personnel awarded the Medal of Honor may wear the Army uniform at their pleasure, except under the circumstances in paragraph 1–10j.
Chapter 30 pretty much defines who can wear the uniform and when, other than personnel on active duty. This includes USAR and USARNG personnel that are not ordered to active duty, ie reservists and guardsmen who are just doing their annual one weekend a month and two weeks drill duties. Previous sections of Chapter 30 state that uniform items should only be worn by personnel no longer serving for events that are "essentially military in character", such as funerals, ceremonies, parades, weddings, events held by organizations formed for military purposes and made up of mostly former servicemembers (VFW, American Legion, etc) etc... Another section talks about wearing the full uniform. If you have served during wartime but are not a retiree you may wear the full uniform for these events, if you did not serve during war time and are not a retiree you may not. Retirees are allowed to wear their full uniform, or the current uniform, regardless if they served during war time or not. Also of note, chapter 30 allows the state defense forces to wear the service uniform and BDUs with some stipulations. |