Military uniforms are issued by the armed forces. In addition to wearing a uniform while on duty, members of the military can wear it when they are not. There are strict laws that cover permission to wear military uniforms by off-duty personnel. These laws apply to service and dress uniforms. This guide describes the laws related to the United States military, so be sure to check your local laws if you are in another country.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Obtaining and Wearing a Uniform and Its Parts
Step 1. Obtain the uniform only from your branch of the military
It is illegal to wear a uniform or the part of a uniform not issued by the branch of the military you serve. Under most circumstances, members of the armed services can be punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for using anything unauthorized. It is even forbidden to use awards or badges that you have not received. For example, a member of the navy cannot wear the army uniform.
- Typically, the vast majority of your authorized uniforms and required items will be issued during your first week of training.
- Your military instructor will let you know how to obtain additional items for your uniform (such as hats, badges, etc.) when needed.
Step 2. Use distinctive parts of a uniform only when you wear the entire uniform
Some uniforms have parts that are easily identifiable from a specific branch of the military. Whether or not you are on duty, these "distinctive parts" can only be worn if you wear the entire uniform.
Step 3. Understand that, for example, the green beret is considered a distinctive part of the Special Armed Forces uniform and should not be worn unless the entire uniform is worn
Another example might be the brown beret that can only be worn by those who have successfully passed Aviation School.
Some parts are not considered distinctive (such as T-shirts or shoes) and can be worn at any time, whether or not you are on duty. However, it is important to review the rules of your service to make sure you can use them when you are not on duty
Step 4. Wear medals only on dress uniforms
If you win some type of medal, you should only wear it on ceremonial occasions and not in your regular uniform.
- Some examples of awards or medals are the purple heart, the medal of honor, or any other award or medal.
- It is important to remember that you should never use unearned prizes.
Step 5. Wear plainclothes when you are not on duty
You do not have to wear the uniform when you are not on duty, unless you are in certain training contexts. You may also need to wear the uniform if you are not on duty if your commander requires it. However, you must maintain good standards of grooming at all times and represent your branch professionally.
- Do not wear the uniform when you are not on duty, except to commute home.
- Some military assignments have specific rules regarding the prohibition of wearing the uniform when not on duty, especially for those posted abroad. Make sure you know and respect the rules, as they have been created for your safety.
Step 6. Familiarize yourself with other policies
In addition to the uniform issued, there are other policies regarding personal appearance and grooming that include hairstyles, tattoos, and jewelry guidelines that are considered part of the personal uniform (since they make everyone look uniform). These differ between each branch of the military, so be sure to review the manual carefully for specific instructions. For example, in the military, all soldiers must adhere to AR 670-1 regulations specifically to ensure that they wear the uniform correctly and are groomed according to established standards.
- Soldiers may not wear jewelry, except for a watch, an ID bracelet, and two wedding rings. Women can also wear a pair of round and snap earrings.
- Tattoos are permitted, but must not represent extremist philosophies or groups (including, but not limited to recognized hate groups) or that are sexist, racist, or indecent. Also, soldiers cannot have tattoos on their face, neck, hands, or wrists. Make sure to speak with your commander before getting a new tattoo after joining the military.
Step 7. Understand adaptations for religious practices
Wearing religious garb with the uniform is largely frowned upon, but recent US government rules have made exceptions to accommodate core religious practices.
For example, Muslim or Sikh soldiers may request their squad leader to wear a beard or a turban while wearing the uniform. These accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis. If you need an accommodation, you will need to request an exception to the rules
Part 2 of 3: Wearing a Uniform When Idle, After Disenrollment, or After Retirement
Step 1. Only keep a uniform if you have been honorably discharged
All remaining uniforms and their parts will remain the property of the armed forces. You can only wear one uniform at home.
You can continue to wear your uniform for up to three months after your honorable discharge. Many recently discharged soldiers and women want to wear their uniforms for homecoming parties or special occasions. If you want to wear your uniform to an important event (like your wedding), be sure to schedule it within three months of being discharged
Step 2. Do not keep any uniforms if you have been dishonorably discharged
If you leave the military for misconduct or another reason that leads to dishonorable discharge, you will not be able to keep your uniform or its parts.
- The military will ask you to buy clothes to wear at home.
- Due to dishonorable discharge, you will never be able to wear a uniform again (for example, for Veteran's Day ceremonies, funerals, and other purposes).
Step 3. Wear your uniform after you retire
If you wish, you can wear your uniform at any time if you have retired from the military (you have earned it!). You must wear the uniform of the grade you have retired from. For example, if you are retiring as a sergeant, you must wear the sergeant's uniform and badge.
- If you have been nominated for a promotion upon retirement, you can use the new grade.
- Many retired soldiers and women choose to wear their uniforms for weddings, funerals, Veteran's Day celebrations, and other special occasions. You are not required to use it, but it is an ideal way to show others that you have served the forces.
Step 4. Wear the uniform if you are not on duty and you are not an officer only when presidential regulations allow it
Check with your branch of the military if you have questions. For example, retired military personnel may be required to attend government sponsored activities or parades. You can only wear the uniform under these circumstances if you have served honorably in wartime. If so, wear the highest grade uniform you have achieved during wartime.
Step 5. Attend a military training course in clothing deemed appropriate by the institution
This may or may not be the uniform of the armed forces.
Perform instructional assignments for military courses wearing the uniform only if it has any distinctive insignia indicating that it is not a service uniform of the armed forces
Step 6. Follow the uniform rules of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Wear the uniform as prescribed by your branch of the military as long as you live or are an officer in a Department of Veterans Affairs home.
When in doubt, check with the appropriate branch of the military
Step 7. Learn to behave while wearing the uniform
Even though you are not currently on duty, there are certain rules and regulations that apply to your behavior while wearing the uniform that represents the US government. In general, you should behave in a respectful and appropriate manner. More specifically:
- As long as you wear the uniform, you represent the United States government, so you are expected to maintain good army grooming habits, even if you are retired, in case you want to wear the uniform. This includes being clean-shaven, having neat hair under a helmet or hat, and not having facial pins or tattoos.
- When taking the oath of allegiance or passing, lowering, or raising the United States flag, anyone in military uniform (active, inactive, or discharged) should stand at attention, look at the flag, and salute, rather than place your hand on the heart.
Part 3 of 3: Wear a uniform if you've never served in the forces
Step 1. Do not wear a military uniform if you are a civilian
If you have never served in the armed forces, the United States government prohibits you from wearing the uniform of the air forces, army, navy, or navy. It is also prohibited to wear a uniform similar to that used by the armed forces in any public space or in public view. Doing so represents a class A crime. The law is free for interpretation as to how "like" replica uniforms may be allowed.
- This includes wearing any "distinctive piece" of a military uniform, such as a beret, jacket, or insignia.
- This includes the military uniforms of other countries, and the uniforms of enemy regimes such as the Nazis, not just American uniforms. For example, it is forbidden to wear a Nazi uniform in public.
- There are several reasons behind these bans. The first is for security reasons; on one occasion, a woman tried to access a secure military base wearing someone else's uniform. Another reason is because civilians need to know that people who wear uniforms are reliable in emergencies. Lastly, it is considered disrespectful to those who have served, given that they have put their lives in danger for the privilege of wearing the uniform.
Step 2. Obtain costumes for dramatic roles through a production house
If you want to portray a member of the military in a theatrical, television, or film role, you must wear a uniform provided by the production that the production created or purchased. You cannot wear any uniform that you or others have received from the military.
Unlike costumes worn in public for Halloween or costume parties, replica uniforms for productions may look exactly the same as real ones, but you can only wear them during production. Therefore, if you have used, for example, an exact replica of a uniform for a play, you will not be able to use it for Halloween
Step 3. Wear appropriate uniforms for training
If you attend a boot camp or other military-sponsored training course and you are a civilian, you will need to wear a military uniform on occasion. This is the only time you will have legal permission to wear an authentic uniform as a civilian.
Prior to training, you will be notified if you must wear a special uniform. You should only use it if the secretary of the branch of the army in question requires it
Step 4. Never claim that you have served or received awards if you have never served in the forces
Under the Stolen Value Act of 2013, it is prohibited by law to claim that you have served in the military or that you have received medals or awards for your service if it is not true. This includes making fraudulent claims to obtain money, property, or other benefits (although the mere claim is considered a protected expression), and also includes just wearing a medal that you have not earned.
Even if a family member has received a medal or has sentimental value, it is illegal for another person to wear it. This includes medals such as the purple heart, the army or navy cross, the congressional medals of honor, any medal or award, or a replica of a medal or award
Advice
- While US Federal Code §772 refers to paramilitary organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America as military, these groups can wear the uniform at any time.
- Different branches of the military may have more detailed regulations and laws related to the use of the uniform.