Military medals on jackets

[macwilkin]

Following the British custom, full-size "gongs" may be worn on day attire; take a look at any photos from Remembrance Day in the UK, and you will see the ex-servicemen wearing their medals on their left lapels of suits, blazers, etc.

For reference, a photo of Ernest "Smokey" Smith VC of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada:

http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/films/pic.jpg

For formal attire, I would follow the custom of mini medals. Full size gongs look odd on formal wear. Remember that a PC or a variant of the short formal jacket is based on the "mess dress" uniform, and mini medals are the order of the day in "mess dress".

"Smokey" Smith's photo in formal attire after receiving the Order of British Columbia:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...hin2002OBC.jpg

Cheers,

Todd

[Shane]

In fact, in Canada (and I think the UK) full gongs may be worn in civilian attire only on Remembrance Day (as well as undress head dress). Otherwise only miniatures may be worn and only in evening dress.

Shane

PS - You'll notice that both images of Smokey fall under these circumstances.

[Dodge]

If you are wearing a civvie dress jacket, use mini-medals on a single bar on the left lapel in order of importance.

Federal -State-Service Commemorative-Organizational.

[Robin]

In the Netherlands:

Military medals:
-Black tie....never.
-White tie...miniatures, but only when stated on the invitation.
-Daywear jacket, only on liberation day, veterans day and rememberance day...full medals.

Unit citations for bravery (Miltary Williams Order) are only attached to the unit or branch banners...these are close to holy and all (including the queen) must salute (or bow to) them.

Civilian medals (Royal household orders, Knighthood orders):
-Black tie...never.
-White tie...the whole shebang.
-Daywear jackets...small button hole ribbon or nothing.

[davedove]

Taken from AR (Army Regulation) 670–1 • 3 February 2005. I'm sure the other services have similar regulations, but I would check to be sure of the details.

29–9. Wear of miniature decorations and service medals
a. Miniature medals are replicas of regular size medals, made to a scale of one-half the size of the original. Except
for the Medal of Honor, for which there is no miniature, only miniature decorations and service medals are authorized
for wear on the mess and evening mess uniforms. Personnel will not wear full-size medals, service and training
ribbons, or U.S. and foreign unit award emblems with miniature medals. Only the dress miniature-size combat and
special skill badges are worn with miniature medals.
b. Miniature decorations and service medals are authorized for wear on the following uniforms.
(1) Male personnel. On the Army white and blue uniforms, the white and blue mess and evening mess uniforms;
and on the left lapel of formal civilian attire, when wear of Army uniforms is inappropriate or not authorized.
Miniature badges are authorized for wear on the AG shade 415 shirt. (See para 29–17b for wear of combat and special
skill badges with miniature medals; see paragraphs 29–17c and 29–18d for wear of combat and special skill badges on
the AG shade 415 shirt.)
(2) Female personnel. On the Army white and blue uniforms; the white, all-white, black, or blue mess uniforms; the
Army white, blue, or black evening mess uniforms; and on the left side of formal civilian attire when wear of Army
uniforms is inappropriate or not authorized. Miniature badges are authorized for wear on the AG shade 415 shirt. (See
para 29–17b for wear of combat and special skill badges with miniature medals; see paragraphs 29–17c and 29–18d for
wear of combat and special skill badges on the AG shade 415 shirt.)

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.

[macwilkin]

Oh, and that's the Order of British Columbia that Smokey is wearing, not the Order of Canada. The Order of Canada is red and white.

Shane

don't blame me, Shane, blame wikipedia! ;)

T.

[Joe Gondek]

Sir Robert wrote

Right now in America is is cool to be a Service Member, it wasn't before, It will not be in the future, abuse it now while you can, before it goes out of fashon.

Reminds me of Kipling's 'Tommy'

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

[thescot]

To all of the above, thank you for your service.

And especially to you younger men who are still serving, a special heart-felt thanks. I am able to sleep at night because you are on the wall now.