US military insignia

[OC Richard]

Would it be out of line to have my military pins worn with my kilt?

This topic comes up from time to time, specifically people asking about the protocol for wearing US military items with Highland Dress. Some people might take me to task for saying this, but in my opinion Highland Dress is civilian dress just like any other civilian dress (contemporary or traditional) and the same protocol would apply to wearing US military items with Highland Dress as it would to wearing such items with an ordinary suit, or for that matter Cowboy dress, or a Kimono, or lederhosen, or what have you. (The Kimono and lederhosen are quite accurate parallels, being traditional dress of foreign countries as is Highland dress.)

What I find so strange-looking is when Americans put on their kilt and with it put on a khaki shirt laden with dozens of embroidered badges/patches, metal badges, name badges, various pins, and so forth. Strange-looking to me because I'm used to seeing the way khaki shirts are worn in the Highland regiments, with no such stuff



(he is the Drum Major of The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders)

[Downunder Kilt]

If we go back to the OP and his original question, it was about military pins, which to my way of thinking are not medals, rank insignia, collar devices etc. I know that there are plenty of pins from various units, branches etc. Perhaps the OP can clarify before we start quoting more regs and what those regs mean.

[O'Searcaigh]

The post cited above by Unixken says "There is no federal law which describes the method of wearing military medals and decorations with civilian clothes. However, each of the military services have uniform regulations which cover this." The whole point of the original post is that "the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) encourages all military veterans to wear their medals and decorations during Veterans Day (November 11th) and other patriotic holidays (such as Independence Day - July 4th, and Memorial Day - May 30th)..."

Military regulations (including uniform regulations) are enforceable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice -- a completely different jurisdictional authority than civilian law. Once a person is "separated from service" by discharge (retirees and commissioned officers can be a special case) they are no longer subject to the UCMJ.

There is, however a civilian federal law that might be applicable for at least certain kinds of military insignia: United States Code Title 18, Part I, Chapter 33, § 702 -- "Uniform of armed forces and Public Health Service: Whoever, in any place within the jurisdiction of the United States or in the Canal Zone, without authority, wears the uniform or a distinctive part thereof or anything similar to a distinctive part of the uniform of any of the armed forces of the United States, Public Health Service or any auxiliary of such, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both."

So, does the Department of Veteran's Affairs statement of encouragement cited above provide the requisite "authority" without which one would be in violation of 18 USC I, 33,702? Moreover, do service medals and decorations constitute a "distinctive part of the uniform?" -- Probably not, neither do chevrons, bars, stars, leaves or birds, but the EGA of the Marines certainly does, as does the crossed anchor and caduceus of the U.S. Public Health Service or the cap badges of any of the commissioned officers of the various services. Hmmmm....????

[O'Searcaigh]

Oh my goodness, I just realized that the U.S. Navy's enlisted (dixie cup) white hat is a "distinctive part of the uniform" (unlike those of the U.K. which most of the rest of the navies of the world have copied). So, if I wear my old white hat (yes, I still have one), will I be in violation of 18USC33, 702? Oh well, forget it, it would look (even more) ridiculous with a kilt!!!

[Truitt]

For what it is worth...SAMS is a 'rankless' veterans association. Ribbons for day wear, but no rank insignia. IMHO rank insignia on civilian attire is tacky. Ribbons or medals, as appropriate to dress and occasion, are fine.

[Starhunter451]

I wear unit and training pins, never a rank pin on anything. I have more respect for my past service then that.

[Starhunter451]

I wear three unit pins and one airborne wings on my bcap. Anymore would be tacky.

[rondo]

I will wear my miniature enlisted breast insignia [dolphins] and miniature ribbon bar on civilian attire from time to time as the VA encourages. I have miniature medals but as yet have not had a black tie event to attend so have not worn them. The VA in the US says that we earned them and encourages Veteran's to wear them with pride...so I do. I have never been challenged about it.
Rondo

[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?