This was a long while back-- wouldn't fit into it these days...!

Personally I wouldn't but I also try getting out of uniform as quickly as possible. I don't even like stopping for gas in uniform. If you are in a military town, people usually don't even notice as they're so used to it. But outside of a military town, I definitely don't wear my uniforms.

Guy I know who works in corrections, relative of his co-worker died and they went to the funeral. He went in his corrections uniform for some reason and said people were staring.

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Originally posted by jhe888:

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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.

Wise words from jhe, who, in my opinion, is one of the wisest here on this forum full of really smart and wise people.

I also believe it comes from 9/11. When that happened, the reality of war hit close to home, very close. I have never experienced the same sort of patriotism than what we experienced on 9/12. I think a lot of it is guilt from the way people treated the Vietnam vets, many were drafted and did what their country asked them to do. It's as if the thinking was "we treated the Vietnam vets like shit so we need to put treat the post-9/11 guys well and make up for it..."

Fifty plus years ago a large part of the population was worried about getting drafted to fight a war they didn’t believe in or was concerned about someone they were concerned about being drafted to fight a war they didn’t believe in. There were no Internet social media platforms to form people’s opinions, but there were plenty of other sources of information pushing the same antiwar and therefore antimilitary messages. As Lewis Sorley pointed out in his book A Better War, “It was obviously in the interest of those who opposed the [Vietnam] war, and those who evaded it, to portray those who served in the worst possible light.”

I can think of many reasons over the past 30 or so years that account for the change in common attitudes toward the military and its veterans, but first and foremost was the end of the draft. It’s a lot easier to support any onerous duty if we’re not the one who has to perform it, but there are other reasons as well. But popular or unpopular, those who did perform a onerous duty are justified in being proud of having done so—and regardless of whether they wanted to do it at the time or how important they thought it was.

And we all get to decide how we exhibit whatever pride we may have. I have done that by wearing miniatures of some of my medals on my kilt jacket at formal affairs even though one woman asked me if they were simply fake decorations to complete the outfit or were somehow “real.” Others do it by the hats or jackets they wear or the license plates they put on their cars. One sheriff I worked for encouraged deputies to wear their military awards and decorations ribbons on their duty uniforms. The fact that he encouraged others to do what he wanted to do himself didn’t make it any less of a valid way of demonstrating something important to the public.

General Patton is quoted as having said it was better to be able to say that one had fought in combat than that he had spent the war shoveling shit in Louisiana. He was of course right that the former conferred better bragging rights than the latter, but if shit needed to be shoveled in Louisiana, then someone needed to do it. If you aren’t proud of the fact that your service was as an NCO club manager I would disagree that you shouldn’t be, but you don’t get to decide that others, including other club managers, should not be proud of their service.

In a general affair where a tuxedo is appropriate, the Mess Dress uniform is permitted.

One is an "Ambassador" (of sorts), and should be mindful of military bearing and behavior.

Go, and represent!

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Originally posted by sigmonkey:
In a general affair where a tuxedo is appropriate, the Mess Dress uniform is permitted.

One is an "Ambassador" (of sorts), and should be mindful of military bearing and behavior.

Go, and represent!

Agreed.

If wearing the uniform would somehow bring shame or disrespect to others who wear it, then don't.
Otherwise, do by all means.

The public should see just how many true heroes walk among them.

When I ETS'ed out of the Army, I flew into Travis AFB in Northern California in September of 1968.

The protestors were out in force to spit on us and insult us, but I found when I walked out that if you looked them in the eye as you went past, they knew you'd deck them out if they spit, so they didn't.

Then there was a period when if you put down on an employment application that you were a Veteran, they'd round file it. Probably the old climb the tower, shoot the students mentality.

So when people started thanking Vets for their service, I kind of started coming out of the closet as it were and even wear a hat that says Army from time to time.

A friend from high school who has Ben retired for a few years after servicing 20+ in the army recently got married. 2nd marriage for each of them. Was not a church ceremony. He wore his dress blues. Not sure if kosher because he’s been retired for a while now but he looked sharp and he can still fit in them.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

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.

Of course I agree with you. It still remains an effort for me to resist the urge to slap the sappy smiles off the faces, but I have been able to do so (so far, for now). Just another one of life's little challenges to be overcome on a daily basis.

I was in the Army, and our uniform wear was prescribed by AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.

I'm sure the Air Force has a similar regulation; I suggest you consult it for guidance on appropriate uniform wear in the future.

For me, if there wasn't a 'military connection' to the event, I didn't wear the uniform.

As a retiree, I purchased a tuxedo for formal events and wear my miniature medals and badges.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 229DAK,

When I was on active duty, I wore our equivalent of the mess dress uniform a few times, but only to formal military functions. I wouldn't wear it at a purely civilian function. As a retiree, I don't plan to wear it at all. I may wear a service dress uniform to an appropriate function some day, but I really have no use for a mess dress uniform as a retiree.

The cruises that still retain a formal night, usually enjoy having active/former members attend in their Mess Dress uniforms, it gives events a aire of uniqueness and separates those cruises the more popular 'value' Booze Cruises. Consider that those who push such events, are as much into the gala & formality as they are into the showing-off aspect. Such events can be fun, especially if you get a lively and enjoyable table; enjoy the dinner, you're paying for it, get teh most out of it.

I've been to two weddings where the groom has been a serving officer - one Navy and one Air Force. The groom, best man and groomsmen were all in their dress uniforms.

Bit of a tangent. My Dad was a naval aviator. Several years ago on a cruise he wore a Barong he bought in Manila in 65 for formal night. The Dutch ship's officers were a little confused, but the Filipino crew members were jazzed to see a 75 years old white guy giving them a nod,

The last time I wore my ASU was to the eagle scout award ceremony of my best friend's son. It went over well.

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Originally posted by bobandmikako:
When I was on active duty, I wore our equivalent of the mess dress uniform a few times, but only to formal military functions. I wouldn't wear it at a purely civilian function. As a retiree, I don't plan to wear it at all. I may wear a service dress uniform to an appropriate function some day, but I really have no use for a mess dress uniform as a retiree.

Buy a set of mini-medals. If/when you attend a military event (such as commissioning ceremony), wear them on a suit such as you are allowed to as a retiree.

I does make a [good] impression.

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Originally posted by LS1 GTO:

quote:

Originally posted by bobandmikako:
When I was on active duty, I wore our equivalent of the mess dress uniform a few times, but only to formal military functions. I wouldn't wear it at a purely civilian function. As a retiree, I don't plan to wear it at all. I may wear a service dress uniform to an appropriate function some day, but I really have no use for a mess dress uniform as a retiree.

Buy a set of mini-medals. If/when you attend a military event (such as commissioning ceremony), wear them on a suit such as you are allowed to as a retiree.

It does make a [good] impression.

From AR670-1, Chapter 22-8:

22–8. Miniature decorations and service medals
a. Miniature medals are replicas of regular-sized 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-sized medals, service and training ribbons, or U.S. and foreign unit award emblems with miniature medals. Only the miniature-sized combat and special skill badges are worn with miniature medals.
b. Miniature decorations and service medals are authorized for wear on the mess and evening mess uniforms; and on the left lapel of formal civilian attire, when wearing Army uniforms are inappropriate or not authorized. Miniature combat and special skill badges are authorized for wear on the service uniform shirt of the Class B uniform in the same manner as full-size combat and special skill badges. The combat infantryman badge and expert infantryman badge are the only badges available in three sizes (full-sized, miniature, and dress miniature); the miniature size of these two badges may be worn on the service uniform shirt or coat when space does not allow wear of the full-sized badge properly or when it is obstructed from view (by the collar).

Just for fun I looked up the price of a mostly complete mess dress for myself and it ran $600.

I won't be planning to take one.

quote:

Originally posted by bobandmikako:
When I was on active duty, I wore our equivalent of the mess dress uniform a few times, but only to formal military functions. I wouldn't wear it at a purely civilian function. As a retiree, I don't plan to wear it at all. I may wear a service dress uniform to an appropriate function some day, but I really have no use for a mess dress uniform as a retiree.

I loved my Mess Dress - it was my favorite uniform. I hated Service Dress - in 23 years, it was never comfortable to wear.

As for wearing the uniform post-retirement, it is really up to the individual. I won't judge somebody badly for wearing a uniform as a retiree. I haven't done so, but just because I didn't think it was for me.

For some, it's a no-brainer (such as a retired Chief Master Sergeant or general acting as guest of honor at a military ceremony). For other events, it's up to the individual. I think wearing it on the cruise is an awesome idea.

I retired in 2014, and I only wore the uniform once since then. It was at the US Air Force Academy as I took the 'first salute' from a brand-new First Lieutenant we had sponsored as a cadet for 4 years.

I might wear my Mess Dress someday, if I can ever fit back into it. . . That mil-spec stuff shrinks over time.

I AM tempted, though, to take my mini-medals off my Mess Dress and put them on my Prince Charlie Jacket when I wear my kilt (this is the kilt version of a tuxedo).

Wear it with pride. On a cruise be prepared for civilians to mistake you for the Captain!

HayesGreener--

Chief, I see you are in the panhandle-I spent a good deal of time at Tyndall, 1AF Counterdrug stuff for NEADS.
Were you stationed there?

Tim