US Veterans, militaria, etc...

**Arnot** · 9th February 16, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I am a tad hazy in US Military terminology and you may have already mentioned it in American!

But the British Services "wooly pully" is a fine smart casual addition to one's kilt attire.

I agree. I wore one today in fact. It is olive green and is a V-neck. I wear the standard issue one as well. I also wear my US Army black one.

**The Q** · 9th February 16, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I am a tad hazy in US Military terminology and you may have already mentioned it in American!

But the British Services "wooly pully" is a fine smart casual addition to one's kilt attire.

Since the RAF have now accepted the RAF tartan for their bands, Sadly wearing my old "wooly pully" might well appear too Military when I finally get an RAF Kilt...

The RAF "wooly pully" is round necked designed to be worn without a tie.... which is why they promptly made us wear a tie with it, downright uncomfortable, the knot of the tie being pushed into your throat by the edge of the pullover...

**Benning Boy** · 9th February 16, 03:38 PM

I'm retired Army with 28 years of service. I don't wear anything associated with the Army uniform when kilted, or otherwise. Except a combat patch tattooed on my right shoulder, but I'm sure that doesn't count.

We have had a few here ask about wearing items of military uniform. They find it is basically verboten and then go ahead and wear whatever they want anyway. So, it's your thing, do what you wanna do.

AR 670-1 puts limits on the wear of medals by civilians. It is available as a pdf online -- easy to find. Near the bottom in chapter 23, paragraph 23-6 tells you what you may wear and when. Basically you can only wear your medals with your kilt if you are participating in something of a military nature. Attending a Highland Games doesn't count. You can't just make up a day you consider to be a military occasion. Wearing them on Armistice Day, or as we now call it Veterans Day, would be allowed. Also on Memorial Day, which is the day we remember deceased members of he armed forces, and Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday of May. That's about it. Any other time is questionable, although you might be able to justify wearing them on Army Day, April 6.

An enlisted dress coat of the current style could be converted into an Ike jack and make a sharp item to wear with your kilt. By converting it you would in effect be demilitarizing it as it is no longer of proper military cut. You'd also have to replace the buttons. When I first entered the Army, silver buttons were allowed as an optional item. Nowadays only gold buttons are authorized. I've considered putting my old silver buttons on my dark blue Ike jacket, and arguing that as they are no longer an authorized item of uniform, they are not forbidden for wear with civilian clothing, but that may be stretching things. Anyway, you could only doll up a version of the Ike jacket with medals and such on a few limited occasions.

Wear of the entire Army uniform is allow for retired and former soldiers. But it is to be worn in the proper way, as a serving soldier would, complete with regulation haircut and clean shaven. As I'm now a shaggy old dog, I can't wear the uniform. Old soldiers should keep this in mind.

Viet Nam vets seem to be the worst about wearing their items of uniform in unauthorized ways, and most likely to get militant about it. Don't follow their lead.

**Tarheel** · 10th February 16, 05:06 AM

Originally Posted by Benning Boy

Viet Nam vets seem to be the worst about wearing their items of uniform in unauthorized ways, and most likely to get militant about it. Don't follow their lead.

I concur, being from that era, but some of us still honor the rules. My photo (posted here) was during a Veterans Day event two years ago. My "Ike" jacket lives in the closet except for three days a year.
I have mini medals for my blue semi/formal jacket (haven't had an occasion to wear them with it yet.)

**Cavalry Scout** · 10th February 16, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

I concur, being from that era, but some of us still honor the rules. My photo (posted here) was during a Veterans Day event two years ago. My "Ike" jacket lives in the closet except for three days a year.
I have mini medals for my blue semi/formal jacket (haven't had an occasion to wear them with it yet.)

No one should be wearing unit awards who was not in the unit when the awards were earned.

-Mark-

**kiltimabar** · 18th February 16, 10:44 PM

Somebody always quotes Army regulations about the wearing of medals with civilian attire. I submit that these regulations are intended to apply to those persons currently serving, and the military, concerned about their personnel appearing in a consistent manner, are seeking to regulate their appearance and one cannot argue with their authority to do so.

Once a veteran has been discharged, I do not believe that one is restricted to such a limited standard. Some time ago, a US Seceretary of Veterans affairs issued a statement encouraging vererans to wear their awards on appropriate patriotic occasions. I believe these occasions could include many events in addition to national holidays. These awards were given to YOU as a personal gift from a grateful nation in recognition of service or personal valor, and you can display or wear them on any appropriate occasion.

Appropriate? Who decides? Holidays, ceremonies, rememberances--I notice that Briitish veterans seem to wear them more often than Americans. Consider that yes, veterans CAN wear their complete former uniform on appropriate occasions, but some times it would be appropriate, other times not, and certainly not all the time. Common sense would be the guide

**SandSailor'00** · 19th February 16, 06:10 AM

I think my initial question has been answered...at least to my satisfaction. It goes without saying that no serving member should blend uniform with non-uniform, and I don't see anything in my question alluding to the wearing of awards not properly earned. As to disregarding regulations and doing what one will anyhow...that attitude (whether right or wrong), would, in my humble opinion, make such a question superfluous.

One sees a great many things...some, seem to be "good" things, but have no clear justification-Others, just look "wrong" from the get-go. Every Veterans' Day/Memorial Day, walk around my town and you'll see a whole lot of older gents wearing a plethora of "non-regulation" attire. My wife's grandfather (Marine infantry, wounded in the Pacific) has no problem wearing his Purple Heart in full size on a Wal-Mart suit coat...my father in law wears his SSG chevrons on a ball cap...and my father, a former 82nd NCO, often wears his father's (killed in '44) old flight jacket, complete with the old Stirling silver AAC wings. At our local Highland games, you'll see everything from the SAMS guys in their khaki shirts with ribbons, and men wearing the green 95th Regt. of Rifles shell jacket with great kilt and broadsword....to one man I saw wearing a Prince Charlie with the "correct" awards for a US Army infantry officer of the Cold War-but wearing UK colonel's pips on his shoulders.

For my part, I would rather avoid wearing even the "approved" lapel pin devices if someone would be dishonored, offended, or put-off by it.

True enough, once fully a civilian...so long as one isn't pretending to have earned something they haven't, it's pretty hard to see how there's any official application...let alone "enforcement" of military regulations. My question stems more from questions of style and propriety associated with clothing that is, in and of itself, deeply rooted in a foreign military tradition.

Again...I feel I have been provided excellent answers and guidance.

Dizzy

**Profane James** · 19th February 16, 06:12 PM

In the interest of smashing 'zero tolerance' ideals to bits, it would seem worthy to weigh intent and context...
In the interest of being objective, it would be worth the time and effort to know the 'why' behind the regulation...