Retiree Wear of the Army Uniform

[@dlondon1144]

Regarding the beard, there was a discussion about this a couple of years ago on Rally Point. The consensus was that if you are not on active duty, you are not "required" to meet the grooming standards of AR 670-1 but, out of respect for the army, its active members, and the uniform itself, you should try to meet that standard anyway.

[@the_bureaucrat]

I think you are right. Plus, what kind of image does a bearded person in uniform send to the public?

[@Jack-b5o6r]

@@the_bureaucratsimple fix I don’t wear uniforms … I’ll keep my facial hair

[@CAphotos]

The US Navy recently modified their Uniform Regulations to allow the wearing of facial hair with the uniform by Retirees. However, the facial hair must be properly groomed and no longer than two inches long. No "mountain man" beards...

[@CAphotos]

@@the_bureaucrat Have you noticed that a lot of police departments are now allowing beards on their officers and beards are common in foreign militaries, including those of the UK?

[@drewschumann1]

​​@@CAphotos Traditionally, and pretty recently, Higher ranking NCOs in the Navy could have beards

[@charlesharrington9116]

Thank you, Colonel. As a retired Senior NCO, if I wish to represent my military service in a distinguished manner for any occasion I simply wear a nice sport jacket and slacks with any appropriate medals and a Retired Army lapel pin.

[@the_bureaucrat]

That's a good tip. I've kind of come to the same conclusion about the jacket and slacks. I hadn't thought to wear the lapel pin, but that is brilliant. Thank you.

[@oldtop4682]

I have only cut my beard once since retiring, and that was so that a dust mask would seal while I routed a bunch of MDF in the garage. I cannot fit into my Class A's (still have them for some reason), but were I to choose to don full dress I would definitely shave.......but I'm keeping the mustache dagnambit!

[@the_bureaucrat]

I tend to agree. I am happy to wear my beard and skip the uniform, but if I had to put it back on, I'd shave in a second.

[@peteredwardcox]

Sir! I’m not sure how the algorithm figured out how to let me know my old boss had a youtube channel, but I’m glad it did. Also, it is ridiculously easy to get a beard waiver in the army now. The approval is at the BDE CDR level, so I’d say as a retired O6, you could approve a retiree waiver for “your friend”. As long as Household 6 approves, that is.

[@the_bureaucrat]

Oh. Oh. That beard policy issue is interesting...and the work around. If you want to catch up, I'm at [e-mail]

[@dmdormansr]

Thanks Sir....maybe you can do one of these on retirees and regimental affiliation

[@the_bureaucrat]

Can you shoot me a note at chuck dot weko at gmail dot com? I looked up the rules for regimental affiliation and I don't see what the issue would be.

[@tumbleweed6658]

What do I wear for unit crest on my shoulder boards? Good information

[@the_bureaucrat]

AR-670 doesn't seem specific. The convention that many retirees follow is to wear their regimental affiliation or one of the unit crests for a unit they were a member of while on active duty.

[@Ma22natayo]

Sir, . After retirement, Do you wear your last unit's DUI on your ASU shoulder "straps" ? Thank you.

[@the_bureaucrat]

I gotta be honest, I don't see anywhere in the reg that it is specific about how a Retiree MUST wear the DUI. They seem to be most focused on the Soldier for Life Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. BOTTOM LINE: I think the answer is yes There are two points that might be helpful: AR 670-1 23-3. Retired personnel b. Retired personnel on active duty will wear their uniform and insignia in the same manner as prescribed for personnel in the RA of corresponding grade and branch. c. Retired personnel not on active duty may wear either the uniform reflecting their grade and branch on the date of their retirement, or the uniform prescribed for personnel in the RA of corresponding grade and branch, when appropriate, but may not mix the two uniforms. DA PAM 670-1 23-9. Distinctive unit insignia on civilian clothing Former members of an Army unit may wear the DUI on the breast pocket or lapel.

[@Ma22natayo]

@@the_bureaucrat Thank you for the insight Sir !! This helps a lot.

[@snakehype]

So what unit insignias do we wear as retired soldiers?

[@the_bureaucrat]

You wear the "Solider For Life" insignia shown in the thumbnail. Gold with a black circle and the US Army logo. That replaced the old "retired" shoulder insignia.

[@Arkelk2010]

That's too bad. I don't mind the old one (even though I would really prefer the one for my last unit) but that new one is more advertisement than unit patch.

[@wrxlesxxx7560]

What about for Veterans? Can I wear an ASU while attending an Air Force BMT graduation?

[@the_bureaucrat]

Short answer: Yes. Long answer...As long as you were discharged under honorable conditions Section 772 Title 10 of US Code allows it and so does AR 670-1 paragraph 23-1. AR 670-1 doesn't mention how the Shoulder Patches should be worn, but if you earned it...you're probably safe to wear it.

[@cgross82]

When I was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007, I met a 65 year old Engineer Major who had been called back out of retirement and deployed. Needless to say, he was wearing the ACU while in a combat zone.

[@the_bureaucrat]

That makes sense. Retiree Recalls wear the uniform that Active Duty folks wear because they are on Active Duty.

[@terenceboyd8281]

Then he was active duty, and in the proper uniform. I encountered dozens of former retired soldiers, brought on active duty for Desert Shield/Storm. They were all expected to PROPERLY wear the current uniform. In my case, we operated a Casualty Assistance Center at Fort Hood, as it was called then. The uniform was Class A or B. I found it hilarious, as a Staff Sergeant, teaching Colonels and Sergeants Major how to set up their uniforms, which did not exist in their time in the Army. In truth, I had to use a guide as many of the awards and medals were from WWII/Korean/Vietnam and I had no clue what many of them were at first glance. We managed to get them all up to standard and, amazingly, each and every one of them wore them with pride. I was required to do a cursory inspection of the enlisted, every morning. Those un-retired Sergents Major had the best war stories. They are an untapped resource. Many of them had not served in many years, as most were former Chaplains and Graves Registration personnel. The oldest Colonel ran a local Funeral Home and another was a Baptist minister. They took their positions very serious and, thank God, we did not take on as many casualties as initally expected. One of my fondest memories of serving in the Army.

[@MikeC-ry1dk]

For Air Force I understand only Class A uniform can be worn and it must meet the standards that were in effect when the retirement took place. They may also wear the current uniform. I observed numerous members who returned to base to receive a medal they had earned while still on active duty. To see an old man who served in the Korean War in his 1952 style uniform was confusing the first time. I observed many just wearing a civilian suit.

[@the_bureaucrat]

More and more, I'm coming to the conclusion that to have a successful military transition, you need to "give up the uniform". It's painful at first, but in the end, it's a necessary step in fully getting out.

[@joshuathomas8529]

The PT uniform makes sense. As for combat uniform I will admit I where the pants and boots all the time. I never where patches unless it is veterans' day, and I am at an event. If people have a problem with me wearing military camo pants, please write your congressman and tell them to ban civilians from owning military cammies. I see people wherein military cammies all the time. My brothers where military cammies all the time. When people ask I will all ways tell the truth and so will my brothers. I was medically retired in 2018 after serving 13 year 5 months between the active-duty army and the National Guard. When it comes to PT's I have seen people both on active duty and civilian where them with other pants and shorts, I have never been able to bring myself to do that. When it comes to PT's it all or nothing for me. Well with the possible exception of using them for swimming.

[@the_bureaucrat]

I have to do some digging around because far too many folks wear old BDUs, ACUs, etc for it to be "wrong". My suspicion is that you are doing exactly the right thing.

[@joshuathomas8529]

@the_bureaucrat Thanks for the reply. I look forward to leaning whatever you find out.

[@subicstationditosailor4053]

If I wore my old uniform, people would ask if I just escaped prison. I hated dungarees, and I hated Navy dress uniforms except for Johnny Cashs.

[@the_bureaucrat]

Sounds like you did escape prison.

[@thenordicthirstofnorsepaga8694]

Would boot camp graduation count

[@the_bureaucrat]

Your rules would be a little different because you are a "Veteran", but not a "Retiree". This video explains: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3WpZHeDl7h4bqs

[@wompa70]

I didn't retire (right at 10 years) but since I've grown my hair out I wouldn't put the uniform back on now.

[@the_bureaucrat]

There are a lot of folks who reach that conclusion. I'm starting to feel the same way.

[@Curator6631]

What about Marine grooming standards for retired Marines

[@the_bureaucrat]

I gotta check

[@beetlefang]

For Navy Personnel from Message 124/22 " Retired Male Sailor Uniform Grooming Standards. Effective immediately, retired male Sailors are authorized to have facial hair (beard) when wearing Navy uniforms during authorized ceremonial events. Facial hair must be neatly groomed and be in keeping with a professional appearance." ....which...my wife hates. ;)

[@the_bureaucrat]

Thanks. One of the funny things I learned was that the Marine Corps has the opposite rule. Funny how things work. ...and I have a beard because my wife wants it.

[@jerrydc818]

Or just wear a suit and maybe A ‘few’ ribbons, badges... imho

[@the_bureaucrat]

I knew a guy who had a pocket handkerchief that had the colors of his highest ribbon.

[@rafsmith1993]

By regulation, retired Navy officers can have a beard. Not sure about the other services.

[@the_bureaucrat]

Lemme do a little digging. I'll do a compare & contrast for the services sometime.

[@stag.3526]

A beard just looks really, REALLY inappropriate with a current armed forces uniform. It looks only slightly less inappropriate with an outdated uniform. I'd love to wear my old Marine Corps dress uniform to special occasions... but the mental image of myself: a lot heavier than before, bearded... is enough to make me choose the Marine Corps Veteran polo shirt instead. Plus, there's always the risk of some over-zealous citizen... not even IN the service sometimes... photographing you as you munch your bag of Fritos, and posting the photo on the Stolen Valor website, under which hundreds of folks will post comments like, "Check out this fat fcuk!", "My son's an ACTUAL Marine, this dbag has no right!", and of course, "Let's share this image all over the internet and make this poser famous, everyone!". Frankly, we all looked great in our uniforms back in the day... but that look is really best left to today's young people who are currently serving. Our veterans shirt, pin, blazer patch, and/or ballcap should be enough to still bring our pride of service to peoples' attention (if that's the goal). Just my two pesos.

[@the_bureaucrat]

I think you summed up my logic pretty well. We were soldiers once and young, but we are neither soldiers nor young now.

[@FaintlyTapping]

No beard. We have to comply with the same dress and appearance standard when wearing the uniform. Sorry, but your “friend’s” beard will have to go. 😂

[@the_bureaucrat]

Luckily, my friend will be able to keep his fat little old man belly

[@juliusarnold2844]

Just don’t do it.

[@the_bureaucrat]

At the end of the day, I think that is actually the best advice.

[@juliusarnold2844]

@@the_bureaucrat if you act like they still own you, they will own you still. Make a hard break. This is a push to get people back in uniform in an emergency of their choosing.