When you think of our Armed Forces, you immediately have a vision in your mind—likely, that of the service member standing at attention in a fastidiously pressed and shined uniform. From spotless naval whites to Marine MARPAT to the renaissance of Army pinks and greens, a strong visual identity is a defining characteristic of the U.S. military. Dictating a cohesive brand for each branch of the military and rigorously enforcing adherence to it is about more than old-fashioned military discipline. A well-dressed military should have an impressive and imposing visual presence while instilling confidence in its wearers. Perhaps the best military uniforms are those that camouflage well in the field while still remaining eminently recognizable as representative of the United States. In this guide to military uniform laws, we’ll examine some of the rules and regulations that govern the various uniforms of the United States Armed Forces—particularly those of the U.S. Army, which lays out a comprehensive guide to its complement of uniforms in a memorandum best known as AR 670-1.
Who Can Wear a Military Uniform?
Section 771 of the United States Code makes it perfectly clear that donning a uniform of the United States Armed Forces is a privilege unavailable to civilians who have never served. The law reads that “no person except a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be” may wear the uniforms of these military branches, nor any uniform that deceptively seeks to replicate those official uniforms. The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 sternly punishes attempts to misrepresent prior or current military service for personal gain. This gross misrepresentation is a federal crime that authorities will not take lightly.
However, for those who have served honorably, there are exceptions. In certain situations, discharged and retired veterans of the Armed Forces may wear their uniforms with pride. Section 772 of the Code elaborates by stating that “a retired officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade.” Furthermore, veterans may wear service uniforms of the highest grade attained for specific ceremonies that observe military service—for instance, assemblies and parades for Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and the 4th of July. Weddings, funerals, and other important family events may allow for veterans to wear their dress uniforms.
Which Uniforms Can Be Worn Outside Active Duty?
There are, of course, multiple variations of military dress that compose a military member’s closet, and some outfits shouldn’t make it off the base. The Army Combat Uniform, which now features the Operational Camouflage Pattern, is generally not suited for off-duty wear. This goes as well for Air Force and Space Force uniforms, which also employ the OCP. While Army regulation AR 670-1 permits service members to wear their combat uniforms while traveling, social pressure often discourages this sartorial decision, as it can draw undue attention in transit. AR 670-1 altogether prohibits wearing the ACU at off-post social functions, especially those in which the wearer might consume alcohol.
Rather than wearing the ACU or the corresponding combat uniforms of other military branches for off-duty or off-post occasions, opt instead for the service uniforms of those branches, which offer more formal alternatives to the camouflage pattern designed for use in the field. As in civilian life, you can’t go wrong by dressing up, but you can go wrong by dressing down.
Standards for Uniforms and General Appearance
The Armed Forces take appearances seriously. AR 670-1 clearly states that “all personnel will maintain a high standard of professional dress and appearance.” This principle applies to combat, service, and dress uniforms alike. In addition to ensuring proper tailoring and fitting, this standard extends to keeping uniforms neat, clean, and well-laundered. Service uniforms will require pressing to meet these standards. While in uniform, there are even some unauthorized behaviors. For instance, leaving one’s hands in one’s pockets displays a casual and careless demeanor unfit for uniformed personnel. Standards for the uniforms themselves are in place alongside standards for general grooming. While in uniform, service members should match the immaculate condition of a service or dress uniform with a neat and restrained hairstyle, clean fingernails, and altogether good grooming.
When Uniforms Are Strictly Prohibited
It’s important to remember that a military uniform is more than a collection of threads. Each uniform symbolizes something far greater than any individual wearer. One must take this into account when choosing when to wear a military uniform. Because the wearer is representing his or her military branch by donning its uniform, the military expressly prohibits wearing the uniform in certain situations. The Army does not allow soldiers to wear its uniforms in service of civilian employment or business interests, meaning that one must not attempt to profit in private enterprise from the intellectual property of the Armed Forces. One may not wear the uniform in marches, rallies, or public demonstrations without a commanding officer’s consent so as not to lend the tacit endorsem*nt of the Army to a given event. Any function tied to what the Army deems an “extremist organization” is not allowed while in uniform, nor is any situation that a commanding officer would deem to discredit the Army. Wearing the service uniform while appearing in criminal or civil court, where the wearer could be found guilty or liable, would similarly discredit the Army.
Restock With Kel-Lac Uniforms
An overarching theme to this guide to military uniform laws is that even combat uniforms should be in good condition—there’s no tolerance for tattered fabrics, faded patterns, or damage that goes beyond the general wear and tear they’d take in the field. When your Army Combat Uniform or Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform has admirably completed its tour of duty, look to Kel-Lac Uniforms for fresh new OCP that will keep you compliant with AR 670-1 and the exacting standards of your commanding officer. Kel-Lac Uniforms is a veteran-owned military uniform store that understands the importance of a well-maintained uniform, whether that’s for the Army, the Air Force, or even the nascent United States Space Force. Shop our catalog today for uniforms, gear, and other accoutrements.
