Proper wear of military medals and decorations on civilian attire by retired and veteran Service members.

[Kona]

This question has come up time and time again here is the best explaition I have seen.

 

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
400 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, D.C. 2030l -4000

The Honorable Bill Shuster
U.S. Representative
100 Lincoln Way East, Suite B
Chambersburg. PA 1720I

Dear Representative Shuster

This responds to your Letter of August 8, 2013, in reference to correspondence from a constituent, Mr. ------ ---------, who seeks guidance on the proper wear of military medals and decorations on civilian attire by retired and veteran Service members. Because my office is responsible for Departmental policy for the wear of the uniform, I have been asked to reply.

In general, retired and honorably discharged Service members are permitted to wear their military uniform proudly at parades on National or State holidays, other parades or ceremonies of a patriotic character in which any Active or Reserve U.S. military unit is taking part, as well as military funerals, memorial services, weddings, or inaugurals, in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1334.01 "Wearing of the Uniform." While Federal law and overall DoD policy do not state how specific military decorations may be appropriately displayed on civilian clothing, the Military Services have developed additional uniform regulations which we believe are responsive to Mr. ----------'s request.

Retired and former members of the Army (including Active Duty, Reserve Component, or Army National Guard) may wear all categories of authorized medals on appropriate civilian clothing. "Appropriate civilian clothing" includes apparel designed for veteran and patriotic organizations on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal ceremonies and social functions of a military nature. Specifically, Army Regulation (AR) 670- 1, "'Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia,'' paragraph 30-6, states that honorably- discharged personnel may wear full-size or miniature medals, and should place the medals in approximately the same location and appearance as the Army uniform. Former members of an Army unit also may wear the distinctive unit insignia on their breast pocket or lapel.

Per Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2903, "Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel," paragraphs 1 1.4, retired and honorably discharged Air Force members may wear full-size or miniature medals on civilian suits or equivalent dress on similar appropriate patriotic occasions. Medals should be worn in the approximate location and manner as the official Air Force uniform. Retirees may wear also the retired lapel pin on civilian attire, on the left lapel. If a member is authorized to wear the Command insignia pin, it should be placed on the same side. below tire retired lapel pin.

Similarly, former Naval personnel are permitted to wear miniature medals and breast insignia on civilian evening dress (white tie) or civilian dinner dress (black tie) in the same manner as for dinner dress jackets, in accordance with Naval Uniform Regulations, Chapter 6, paragraph 61002. subparagraph 7. For more casual events, personnel may wear miniature replicas of ribbons made in the form of lapel buttons, or ribbons made in rosette form, on the left lapel of civilian clothes, including honorable discharge and service buttons on left lapel of civilian clothes. Similarly, former members may wear miniature distinguished marksmanship and pistol shot badges as a lapel pin or as part of a tie clasp on civilian clothing.

The Marine Corps permits all decorations, medals, appropriate ribbon bars, or lapel buttons to be worn on civilian clothes at the individual Marine's discretion, in accordance with Marine Corps Uniform Regulation, MCO P1020.34G, Chapter 5,paragraph 5105. Individuals should ensure that the occasion and the manner of wearing will not reflect discredit on the Service or award. Miniature medals may be worn with civilian formal dress. For non-formal dress, miniature replicas of ribbons made in the form of enameled lapel buttons, or ribbons made in rosette form, may be worn on the left lapel of civilian clothes. Honorable discharge, retirement, and Fleet Marine Corps Reserve (FMCR) buttons may be worn on the left lapel of civilian clothes except civilian evening dress. Buttons manufactured with prong and clutch fasteners may also be worn as tie-tacks.

Finally, Commandant Instruction (COMDTNST) Mi020.6G, Table 3.G.1, permits U.S. Coast Guard personnel to wear miniature medals with civilian formal or evening dress (white tie). Individuals should wear their medals in the same manner as prescribed for the Formal Dress uniform, and with civilian dinner dress (black tie), in the same manner as prescribed for Dinner Dress uniforms. Per the Instruction, miniature ribbon replicas should be worn on the left lapel of other civilian clothes,

Therefore, I hope this information provides a clear answer to your constituent's question. Honorably discharged and retired military members may continue to wear the medals they have earned on appropriate civilian clothing, and at appropriate settings, based on their Service- specific regulations. Thank you for your support of the Department and all Service members who proudly wear the uniform.

Sincerely,

Paul E. Kantwill, Colonel, U.S. Army
Director, Office of Legal Policy