Reserve, Retired & Civilian Wear
Uniform wear rules for Reserve, National Guard, retired, and civilian personnel.
20 guides in this topic
AR 670-1: 23-1. Occasions of ceremony
Occasions of ceremony are events of a military character where the uniform is more appropriate than civilian clothing, including military balls, parades, weddings, military funerals, memorial services, and meetings of veteran or military associations. Travel to and from the event is authorized if completed the same day. All persons in uniform must wear awards and insignia as prescribed for active duty Soldiers.
AR 670-1: 23-10. Uniforms worn by United States civilians
U.S. civilian personnel attached to or accompanying Army forces may wear utility uniforms only when required for their duties and authorized by the ACOM, ASCC, or DRU commander. Civilians wear a subdued black equilateral triangle insignia with "U.S." and their designation (e.g., war correspondent, technical observer). See DA Pam 670-1 for authorized insignia.
AR 670-1: 23-2. U.S. Army Reserve
Reserve Soldiers wear uniforms when performing military duties, traveling to/from duty, and at authorized occasions. When not on active duty, wear is authorized during reserve activities and military-related events. Standards mirror active duty requirements.
AR 670-1: 23-3. Retired personnel
Retired personnel not on active duty may wear either the uniform of their grade and branch at retirement, or the uniform prescribed for RA personnel of corresponding grade and branch, but may not mix them. Personnel wear the grade shown on their retirement order.
AR 670-1: 23-4. Former members of the Army
Unless qualified under another provision of this regulation, or under the provisions of 10 USC 772, former members of the Army may only wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions.
AR 670-1: 23-5. Medal of Honor recipients
Personnel awarded the Medal of Honor may wear the Army uniform at their pleasure, except under the circumstances in paragraph 3–7k.
AR 670-1: 23-6. Medals on civilian clothes
Retired personnel and former members of the Army (as described above) may wear all categories of medals described in this regulation on appropriate civilian clothing. This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organiza- tions on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature.
AR 670-1: 23-7. Prohibition on uniform wear
Wear of the Army uniform by USAR, retired, separated, and civilian personnel is prohibited under the circumstances listed in paragraph 3–7k.
AR 670-1: 23-8. Uniform similar to the Army uniform
Personnel at educational institutions with military training courses, organized cadet corps, or military societies composed of honorably discharged members may wear a uniform similar to the Army uniform, provided it includes distinctive insignia to distinguish it from the U.S. Army uniform. State Defense Forces may adopt service and utility uniforms with significantly different insignia.
AR 670-1: 23-9. Distinctive unit insignia on civilian clothing
Former members of an Army unit may wear the distinctive unit insignia (DUI) on the breast pocket or lapel of civilian clothing. See DA Pam 670-1 for additional guidance on placement.
DA PAM 670-1: 23-1. Occasions of ceremony
Occasions of ceremony are events of a military character where the uniform is more appropriate than civilian clothing, including military balls, parades, weddings, funerals, memorial services, and meetings of military associations. Uniform wear includes travel to and from the event if completed the same day. All persons wearing the Army uniform must wear awards, decorations, and insignia as prescribed for active duty Soldiers.
DA PAM 670-1: 23-10. United States civilians
U.S. civilians authorized to wear utility uniforms use a subdued black equilateral triangle insignia (1-1/4 inches per side) with "U.S." letters on a camouflage background, worn like rank insignia. Authorized designations include scientific consultant, war correspondent, technical observer, ordnance technician, logistics specialist, and expeditionary workforce. Expeditionary Civilian Workforce personnel wear a modified civilian SSI on the right sleeve.
DA PAM 670-1: 23-2. Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve
See AR 670-1 for uniform wear guidance applicable to Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve personnel.
DA PAM 670-1: 23-3. Retired personnel
Retired personnel not on active duty are not generally authorized to wear SSI, with exceptions for ROTC instructors (who wear Cadet Command SSI) and retirees on the AGSU (who may wear the retiree SSI with "Retired" and "Soldier For Life" text). Retired personnel may wear the SSI-MOHC on the AGSU right shoulder if authorized while on active duty. On the ASU, retirees wear the retired service ID badge instead.
DA PAM 670-1: 23-4. Former members of the Army
Former Army members may wear the uniform only if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war and their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions. They wear the uniform in the highest grade held during such war service. See AR 670-1 for complete eligibility requirements and restrictions under 10 USC 772.
DA PAM 670-1: 23-5. Medal of Honor recipients
Personnel awarded the Medal of Honor may wear the Army uniform at their pleasure, except when prohibited under AR 670-1, para 3-7k (e.g., political or commercial activities, extremist organizations, or situations that would discredit the Army).
DA PAM 670-1: 23-6. Medals on civilian clothes
Retired personnel and former Army members may wear full-sized or miniature medals on appropriate civilian clothing, including at veteran and patriotic organization events on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, and at formal occasions of a military nature. Medals should be placed in approximately the same location as on the Army uniform.
DA PAM 670-1: 23-7. Prohibition on uniform wear
Wearing the Army uniform is prohibited in connection with political or commercial interests, off-duty civilian employment, unauthorized public demonstrations, extremist organization events, or when it would bring discredit upon the Army. These prohibitions apply to USAR, retired, separated, and civilian personnel per AR 670-1, para 3-7k.
DA PAM 670-1: 23-8. Uniform similar to the Army uniform
Instructors and cadets at State universities, colleges, or public high schools with military instruction courses may wear uniforms similar to the Army uniform, provided they include distinctive insignia prescribed by the Secretary of the Army. State Defense Forces may adopt service and utility uniforms with significantly different buttons, cap devices, and insignia. No similar-uniform insignia or grade may match those of Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps officers.
DA PAM 670-1: 23-9. Distinctive unit insignia on civilian clothing
Former members of an Army unit may wear the distinctive unit insignia (DUI) on the breast pocket or lapel of civilian clothing.