Most cruises have a "Formal Night" during the voyage where many folks wear tuxes and the women wear evening gowns to dinner. A co-worker and I, she a Chief Master Sergeant and me a Master Sergeant, decided to get some use out of our expensive USAF Mess Dress Uniforms and wore them to the dinner.
Probably not an approved usage, but, what the heck! There was some. USAF LtCol wearing his though!
Have any of you done such a thing?
We did get a lot of approving smiles from the other diners!

quote:

Originally posted by BlackAgnes:
Most cruises have a "Formal Night" during the voyage where many folks wear tuxes and the women wear evening gowns to dinner. A co-worker and I, she a Chief Master Sergeant and me a Master Sergeant, decided to get some use out of our expensive USAF Mess Dress Uniforms and wore them to the dinner.
Probably not an approved usage, but, what the heck! There was some. USAF LtCol wearing his though!
Have any of you done such a thing?
We did get a lot of approving smiles from the other diners!

I never wear my uniform to something I'm not required to wear it to. I wear one everyday, couldn't imagine putting one on simply by choice.

Nothing wrong with it, some folks really like em. But I'll wear a suit or something.

Why not, you earned the right to wear that uniform with pride.

Totally Epic!!

I love it

I certainly approve, but are you saying this wouldn't be authorized by the Air Force?

The Air Force certainly gives y'all a lot of stripes.

Got a photo?

I don't suppose there's any reg against it. Me, I probably wouldn't do it unless it was a cruse that was expressly for military personnel... if there is that sort of thing. With two or three people decked out if full military dress garb, that draws a lot of attention, something I personally try to avoid. Not that I'm a introvert, just being talked about and the center of attention is not my thing.

I'm with NavyGuy here for the reasons he stated. No problem for BlackAgnus or others who wish though.

The only time I wore my dress uniform was for a sanctioned military dinner/event. It’s not against regs to wear it for a formal civilian dinner, but I wouldn’t.

I’ve only worn my military uniform once since I retired in 2011. And that was for a silent walk around my kids school on 9/11/19 And I only wore it because he asked me to. I did stand out …all the other parents in uniform were dressed in camouflage

I don’t like being the center of attention but my understanding is you can choose to wear your dress uniform to any formal event.

I just have my Army blues having not sprung the coin for the mess dress jacket $$$. If I had maybe I’d be looking for occasions to wear it as well.

I haven't worn my uniform in 30 pounds...

There is/was an event for junior foreign service officers to use the normally VIPs-only seventh(IIRC) floor of the State Department building for a fancy do the evening of Independence Day. A friend asked me to escort her to the extra special event in 1976 which included having one of the best views of the Bicentennial fireworks in the District. That was about half way through my active duty career and I wore my dress blue uniform. I was the only one in military uniform there and got a few explicit compliments and more than a few looks.

When I retired the official guidance was that retirees could wear their uniforms to “military” events (except for Medal of Honor recipients who could wear them “anytime they want”). For an active duty member, though, if they can wear their uniforms when eating at McDonald’s, I cannot see what objection there would be to wearing them at a formal event. I say congratulations and good on you for having done so.

Not for me.

I did attend a formal Army dinner with my son. He was in dress mess and i wore a suite with my mini-medals.

As retired Navy it opened up a few conversations with my son’s senior officers.

However, the first person i met was a retired Navy fighter pilot. Told me so, within his first two sentences. (He was just in a suit.)

After that, when I met or was introduced to an O3 or above, I would slip in, "see that guy over, he was a Navy fighter pilot. Just say hi, he’ll tell you so within his first two sentences."

About towards the end of the evening, fighter pilot confronts me in a very polite, thought it a very funny joke sort of way. He finally asked (ie, let me speak) what i did in the Navy..

Told him I worked on F-14s.

Wore my Dress Blues to a birthday ball and to a parade after first gulf war. That was 40 lbs ago

You are allowed to wear your uniform like that off duty, it’s not a political event or some other thing where it could be an issue. Veterans are also IIRC allowed to wear the uniform of their service.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Not for me.

I did attend a formal Army dinner with my son. He was in dress mess and i wore a suite with my mini-medals.

As retired Navy it opened up a few conversations with my son’s senior officers.

However, the first person i met was a retired Navy fighter pilot. Told me so, within his first two sentences. (He was just in a suit.)

After that, when I met or was introduced to an O3 or above, I would slip in, "see that guy over, he was a Navy fighter pilot. Just say hi, he’ll tell you so within his first two sentences."

About towards the end of the evening, fighter pilot confronts me in a very polite, thought it a very funny joke sort of way. He finally asked (ie, let me speak) what i did in the Navy..

Told him I worked on F-14s.

How can you tell the difference between God and a pilot?

It's easy, God doesn't think he is a pilot.

My Army service was 1968-1972 active duty, 1972-1976 reserve. Left active duty as a sergeant (E5), reserve service as a staff sergeant E6 and first lieutenant (O2).

Never had a mess dress uniform. Our "Class A" uniform was green wool jacket and trousers, tan shirt, black necktie. "Class B" (summer wear) was khaki shirt and trousers. The US Army had a dress blue uniform, but it was not issued (personal purchase at personal expense) during that time period.

1971 to 1972 both Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Carson, Colorado were my homes. Standing orders prohibited us from leaving the post in uniform to avoid confrontations with anti-war anti-military types. I remember restaurants and businesses with signs "NO DOGS. NO SOLDIERS".

VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) would not accept us as members because we hadn't been in a "real war".

50 years later, I pull into a gas station and people see my Purple Heart license plates, go out of their way to try and shake my hand with a pasted-on smile and a "Thanks for your service". I try to be nice, but it is tempting to shout "Where the hell were you 50 year ago?".

Societal reject to Public Hero, how did that happen?

Wore my USAF Dress Blues to a couple of midnight Christmas masses while on active duty and on leave back home. Almost guaranteed you were getting picked to carry up the gifts. Unless they was a Marine in full dress there - then I was underdressed and second fiddle.

quote:

50 years later, I pull into a gas station and people see my Purple Heart license plates, go out of their way to try and shake my hand with a pasted-on smile and a "Thanks for your service". I try to be nice, but it is tempting to shout "Where the hell were you 50 year ago?".

Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I was in high school in another country.

I still make a point of acknowledging VN war veterans and welcoming them home. If some don't like it that's fine, it's their privilege to do so.

I have never received a negative reaction.

You're allowed to wear your dress uniform even after you leave the service.

I can still wear my uniform... around my ankles, unfortunately, so I don't go out of the home wearing it.

quote:

Originally posted by LoboGunLeather:


Societal reject to Public Hero, how did that happen?

Public opinion changed, and realized Vietnam veterans should not be scorned. Of course, many alive now were not even born then. This is a change for the better, don't you agree?

I understand why you have bitter memories, but try to recognize that there has been a change for the better.