Mess jackets - questions

[Brock63]

I am going on a cruise in Spring and planning on wearing my USAF Mess Dress on it....here is my question: I am a retired SMSgt....I know I can wear my medals and rank otherwise but is it acceptable with my kilt?

On one hand it is not within Air Force regulations to wear the kilt with the mess dress jacket as it sits now.....but if I demilitarize it by putting civilian buttons on it...removing my chevrons (SMSgt)...and just have a few of my medals....not sure if it is much different than any other retired military person wearing part of uniform or medals with a suit jacket or tuxedo to a VFW or similar formal event.

Thoughts?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I am going on a cruise in Spring and planning on wearing my USAF Mess Dress on it....here is my question: I am a retired SMSgt....I know I can wear my medals and rank otherwise but is it acceptable with my kilt?

On one hand it is not within Air Force regulations to wear the kilt with the mess dress jacket as it sits now.....but if I demilitarize it by putting civilian buttons on it...removing my chevrons (SMSgt)...and just have a few of my medals....not sure if it is much different than any other retired military person wearing part of uniform or medals with a suit jacket or tuxedo to a VFW or similar formal event.

Thoughts?

While there are usually a few formal nights on most cruises, none are really civilian "black tie & medals" affairs. My suggestion would be to either wear your full USAF Mess Dress, complete with medals and insignia of rank, or your kilt, but without medals. If you opt for the kilt, rather than alter your mess jacket, I'd advise you to buy a black Argyll jacket & and three button waistcoat (if you want to forgo the waistcoat you can wear a dirk belt in its place).

Were it me, I'd opt for the Mess Dress uniform-- you'd be surprised at how many new friends you'll meet as a result.

[WolfmanJack]

I am going on a cruise in Spring and planning on wearing my USAF Mess Dress on it....here is my question: I am a retired SMSgt....I know I can wear my medals and rank otherwise but is it acceptable with my kilt?

Brock, If your kilt is made up in one of the several US Air Force tartans, I would think you could wear your full medals and rank with it without concern. As a retired NCO, you wear the uniform that was regulation at the time you completed service.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Brock, If your kilt is made up in one of the several US Air Force tartans, I would think you could wear your full medals and rank with it without concern. As a retired NCO, you wear the uniform that was regulation at the time you completed service.

True enough, but I don't think the kilt has ever been an authorized uniform of the USAF.

[Mickey]

True enough, but I don't think the kilt has ever been an authorized uniform of the USAF.

Quite right. One is allowed to wear the uniform, as it conforms to the order, but the kilt is not part of any military uniform in the US.

Technically, you would be out of uniform, wearing the approved mess dress jacket with all of your stripes. I say this only based on USMC regulations, on the assumption that the USAF is the same. Wearing miniature medals on civilian dress is allowable, and I have done this myself wearing a tuxedo to USMC balls.

Either wear your full uniform, or, wear your jacket and miniature medals with the kilt, with the stripes removed and the buttons changed. Just my .02.