Quote Originally Posted by Mike n NC
Just a quick word to my prior military brothers. Don't forget that having once served, unlike our civilian brothers, to wear a current military uniform, or any part thereof, of the U.S. we must conform to grooming regulations. Not a big thing for most but living near a very large Marine Corps base I must mind my p's and q's.

Mike
I'm sure you do have a problem with that next to a Marine Corps base. All of the services are touchy about this.

The trick is to turn the garment civilian by stripping (or not adding if it's new) it of ALL military decorations, including such things as stripes down the leg and all that. Of course, some items will still be recognizable as military clothes. I don't know how one could make the Marine dress blue jacket look civilian!

I think the mess dress jackets would be okay as long as you keep them strictly civilian. No braids on the shoulders, no sleeve decoration, etc. Then it would simply be a "military styled" jacket. Of course, there are still the little eagles on the buttons.:confused: And of course there will ALWAYS be someone who will recognize it.

These are the primary things to consider (from AR 670-1 3 February 2005):

1–12. 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.

b.
Individuals will remove all distinctive items before disposing of unserviceable uniform items.