US military insignia

[Carlo]

I have seen guys use rank devices as kilt pins. That said, as previously mentioned, generally doing so is inconsistent with military protocol. I wouldn't do it, personally.

I'm not arguing about military medals and stuff, but I can tell you that rank devices are also used in non military organisations. We do in the civil protection (the one with the blue triangle on a orange square, you might now what I mean) and to be honest we were just told to wear it with our uniform. No word about any restriction.
Anyway just adding that people with different backgrounds wouldn't know about military protocol and could not see how something they can (or at least are not forbidden to) use should cause offence.

[Spartan Tartan]

I can't speak for non U.S. military, but our military regulations specifically state that we are NOT to wear individual cmponents of our uniforms as part of civilian clothing. But, as has been pointed out, no one is going to get arrested for it. However, amongst vets it absolutely would be noticed. As with everything, most won't bother to say anything and would likely commemt as a conversation starter (myself included). However, there are others...

As to an Army kilt with a pin made to represent the units, I would think tjat is fine. f you are having.the pin made, then it is not a piece of the uniform. I think that would be a great idea.

[BBNC]

I can't speak for non U.S. military, but our military regulations specifically state that we are NOT to wear individual cmponents of our uniforms as part of civilian clothing. But, as has been pointed out, no one is going to get arrested for it. However, amongst vets it absolutely would be noticed. As with everything, most won't bother to say anything and would likely commemt as a conversation starter (myself included). However, there are others...

As to an Army kilt with a pin made to represent the units, I would think tjat is fine. f you are having.the pin made, then it is not a piece of the uniform. I think that would be a great idea.

I agree, and will also add that the wearing of any military insignia issued as part of an official uniform is actually prohibited by law, with civilian attire. Having said that, there are items such as non-official baseball caps, unit pins, patches, etc. that the individual command can designate as appropriate uniform wear, while at that command. Any non-official stuff can be worn with civvies.

[Friday]

I agree, and will also add that the wearing of any military insignia issued as part of an official uniform is actually prohibited by law, with civilian attire.

Can you cite the section of the law or post a link to the section that states this?

[BBNC]

Can you cite the section of the law or post a link to the section that states this?

Friday, here is a section of the US Code I found pertaining to the Army. I'm sure it would be pretty much the same for other services. I read an interesting article on Ask.com about someone who was prosecuted, fined, and jailed for impersonating a naval officer with the intent to defraud.

d. In accordance with chapter 45, section 771, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 771), no person except a member of the U.S. Army may wear the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform of the U.S. Army unless otherwise authorized by law. Additionally, no person except a member of the U.S. Army may wear a uniform, any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the U.S. Army uniform. This includes the distinctive uniforms and uniform items listed in paragraph 1–12 of this regulation. Paragraph 1–12 goes on to define "Distinctive uniforms and uniform items:"
a. The following uniform items are distinctive and will not be sold to or worn by unauthorized personnel:

• (1) All Army headgear, when worn with insignia.
• (2) Badges and tabs (identification, marksmanship, combat, and special skill).
• (3) Uniform buttons (U.S. Army or Corps of Engineers).
• (4) Decorations, service medals, service and training ribbons, and other awards and their appurtenances.
• (5) Insignia of any design or color that the Army has adopted.

[Friday]

Friday, here is a section of the US Code I found pertaining to the Army. I'm sure it would be pretty much the same for other services. I read an interesting article on Ask.com about someone who was prosecuted, fined, and jailed for impersonating a naval officer with the intent to defraud.

d. In accordance with chapter 45, section 771, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 771), no person except a member of the U.S. Army may wear the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform of the U.S. Army unless otherwise authorized by law. Additionally, no person except a member of the U.S. Army may wear a uniform, any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the U.S. Army uniform. This includes the distinctive uniforms and uniform items listed in paragraph 1–12 of this regulation. Paragraph 1–12 goes on to define "Distinctive uniforms and uniform items:"
a. The following uniform items are distinctive and will not be sold to or worn by unauthorized personnel:

• (1) All Army headgear, when worn with insignia.
• (2) Badges and tabs (identification, marksmanship, combat, and special skill).
• (3) Uniform buttons (U.S. Army or Corps of Engineers).
• (4) Decorations, service medals, service and training ribbons, and other awards and their appurtenances.
• (5) Insignia of any design or color that the Army has adopted.

What I see and it would be interesting to hear a lawyer argue this, the main hing of this is "unauthorized personnel" and "unless otherwise authorized by law." However, the US Veterans Administration, an arm of the Federal Government has, since 2006, requested/reminded veterans to wear their medals as part of the Veterans Pride Initiative. The Veterans Pride Initiative asks veterans to wear their medals on Independence Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and when attending other patriotic events. The VA "encourages the 24 million living Americans who have served in the armed forces to display their medals on the Fourth of July by pinning them on their civilian clothing over their left breast".

I believe that this is authorization by the United States Federal Government for veterans to wear and display their medals. It is my opinion that above is aimed more toward the stolen valor act and wearing of military medal by those who did not serve or did not earn or be awarded medals they wear.

Edit: The US Military Discharge (DD 214) section 24 lists ( old copy and the wording may not be exact) Commendations, medals, awards . . . awarded or authorized.

[Starhunter451]

For me and probably those that do really care, Sorry for the idiots that have no idea what it is like.

I am an Army vet, but did not serve in combat. Not saying that I am not proud to being those that were training others.

[BBNC]

What I see and it would be interesting to hear a lawyer argue this, the main hing of this is "unauthorized personnel" and "unless otherwise authorized by law." However, the US Veterans Administration, an arm of the Federal Government has, since 2006, requested/reminded veterans to wear their medals as part of the Veterans Pride Initiative. The Veterans Pride Initiative asks veterans to wear their medals on Independence Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and when attending other patriotic events. The VA "encourages the 24 million living Americans who have served in the armed forces to display their medals on the Fourth of July by pinning them on their civilian clothing over their left breast".

I believe that this is authorization by the United States Federal Government for veterans to wear and display their medals. It is my opinion that above is aimed more toward the stolen valor act and wearing of military medal by those who did not serve or did not earn or be awarded medals they wear.

Edit: The US Military Discharge (DD 214) section 24 lists ( old copy and the wording may not be exact) Commendations, medals, awards . . . awarded or authorized.

I wasn't aware of the Veterans Pride Initiative, but apparently it extends "authorized" out further. I think the gist is this: If any government agency has authorized a pin, badge, decoration or patch for civilian wear, then you can wear it with a kilt in an appropriate manner for the occasion. The entire subject is somewhat murky, especially these days. I wore an uncle's Navy white hats when I was a kid. but in the 50's a lot of kids wore them because copies were available as civilian clothing. Mine just happened to be the real thing.

[Woot22]

CMM.jpg

Slightly off topic, but I thought there might be some of you who find it interesting. Last summer I had the opportunity to work with the ADF and we got to talking about how I like the way they court mount their medals. So they took my old ones from when I was in the US Army and sent them off to be court mounted. Now it must be said that I will not be wearing these with a kilt nor any uniform for that matter, but just did it because it looks nice and will make a great display on my wall. Court mounting is of course not allowed by the US Army but again, this is simply a neat and different way to display my medals in a shadow box. Figured some of you may or may not get a kick out of seeing US medals court mounted.

[Friday]

Last summer I had the opportunity to work with the ADF

What is "ADF' did I miss something?