I'm a vet. but not a retiree does that give me the right to wear my uniform to a funeral of a fallen solider?

No, you may not wear your uniform unless you were retired from the service. You may, however choose to wear it at your own funeral.
I know its sounds stupid and funny, but as it was, I happened to be at the VA "Vet Center" when they were discussing a veteran who had passed away and his wish to be buried in uniform, the VA vet center assisted the family in the process, wear/display of ribbons etc., BUT, there was a protracted discussion about the length of his hair and short trimmed beard. The Army casualty assistance office, the VA Vet Center and I don't know who in HQ ARMY, the family lost, and they shaved and cut his hair to military standard. For the veteran and his wish, his family's intent to see it through I would reflect as bittersweet, they got their wish and the Army...what can I say. No opinion of that.
Wishing you well
A veteran in Arms.
Freddy

I believe you can wear your uniform on veterans day.
I think it would be disrespectful at a funeral as attention should be focused on the deaceased.

Sorry, but your MISREAD made me laugh, but its all good, I truly needed that today.
What I meant was: Not for the Veteran to wear at a funeral where someone else is the deceased. but rather that you as a veteran can have the final honor of wearing the uniform at YOUR OWN FUNERAL.

Wishing you well
Veteran in Arms,
Freddy

quote:

Originally posted by snykypyt:
I believe you can wear your uniform on veterans day.
I think it would be disrespectful at a funeral as attention should be focused on the deaceased.

I wear my Blues on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and I have worn it at two funerals, my mother's and my father's funeral last month. My father was quite proud that I was a soldier and for making it a career. He was a WWII vet, USS Oklahoma City. It was my repect for him for his respect for me that I wore it at his funeral. He was my step-dad and his blood son wore an old pair of bluejeans and a t-shirt. Who gave more repect at our fathers funeral? I also folded his flag at the grave site and presented it to my half-sister while my half-brother was off at the side smoking a cigarette.
Believe me, the attention was not on me but on my father for being such a grand person he was.

Maybe I am just too self conscious, but I fail to see the connection of wearing your uniform and your step dads funeral. Everybody gawking at this dude who is obviously not in the military and not even related, showing up in a military dress uniform would be viewed by me as a major distraction from the life of the deceased, and a cry for "look at me instead" from the wearer. Maybe it was just one of them situations where "you had to be there and know the deceased to understand".

quote:

Originally posted by Schwanke:
Maybe it was just one of them situations where "you had to be there and know the deceased to understand".

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and was raised by him from 18 months old.

I do not think I could fit in My old class A uniforms today!

And I still stand by AR200-5
You may not wear the class A uniform unless you meet certain criteria and that also means the haircut and the shave.
A "Veteran" IS NOT part of the criteria. Having said that, I personally do not care who does or does not wear the uniform, but will post the rules and regulations.
A Veteran in Arms
Freddy

AR 200-5 is titled "Pest Management". Does the Army consider retirees "Pests"?

quote:

Originally posted by 15781731:
And I still stand by AR200-5
You may not wear the class A uniform unless you meet certain criteria and that also means the haircut and the shave.
A "Veteran" IS NOT part of the criteria. Having said that, I personally do not care who does or does not wear the uniform, but will post the rules and regulations.
A Veteran in Arms
Freddy

quote:

Originally posted by 15781731:
And I still stand by AR200-5
You may not wear the class A uniform unless you meet certain criteria and that also means the haircut and the shave.
A "Veteran" IS NOT part of the criteria. Having said that, I personally do not care who does or does not wear the uniform, but will post the rules and regulations.
A Veteran in Arms
Freddy

The info has been right here on military.com for quite some time.

http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/wearing-meda...ards-and-decorations ...it includes a link for vets and retirees wearing the uniform.

I thank you SignalSgt, that is what I have been looking for and not finding.
I have a wild hair up my butt to buy a dress blue uniform (I currently have no uniforms at all) and wear it at the local city 4 July affair, they have been bugging me for several years to do that. Gotta get smart enough to do it right!

This appears to contradict earlier information that a former member could not wear the uniform. The following would appear to permit that:
"3.2. Former members of the Armed Forces, unless under another provision of this Instruction or under the terms of Section 772 of title 10, United States Code (reference (d)), who served honorably during a declared or undeclared war and whose most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions may wear the uniform in the highest grade held during such war service only on the following occasions and in the course of travel incident thereto:
3.2.1. Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals.
3.2.2. Parades on National or State holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a patriotic character in which any Active or Reserve United States military unit is taking part.
3.2.3. Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time or for any other purposes is prohibited."

Doesn't contradict it at all.
Read 3-2.1
Military funerals. Military functions. Special Holidays honoring MILITARY honors.
3-2-2 Specifically forbids the wearing of the same for "other" purposes.
However, military retirees have certain....forget it. It is a pointless issue because if you really want to wear it then by all means, please do.
I had a short thought. With all the crap we lived through, pro and con an issue like this? naa.
A Veteran in Arms
Freddy

I am a retiree, I KNOW when I can wear it. The question was asked if a NON RETIREE vet can or not, and it was answered that he cannot. Now I am more confused, can he wear it or not?

quote:

Originally posted by Schwanke:
I am a retiree, I KNOW when I can wear it. The question was asked if a NON RETIREE vet can or not, and it was answered that he cannot. Now I am more confused, can he wear it or not?

Now I AM CONFUSED, thanx Schwanke
Lost all train of thought
Freddy

Para 3.2 covers prior service members (vets)(non-retirees)

Yeah, that is the way I read it too. I never knew that before, thought us retirees were special that way, but I guess not.

quote:

Originally posted by Schwanke:
Yeah, that is the way I read it too. I never knew that before, thought us retirees were special that way, but I guess not.

At one time the reg read that discharged vets could wear their uniform home upon discharge and nothing more but not today. They have the same previlege as we do... almost. Not quite the same but....thought staying in also gave retirees free medical and dental for life, at least that was what I was always told. Recruiters back then were like used car salesmen, they say anything but considering how many years back...they probably thought the same thing too.

Think about the 500,00 VETS (between 12-18 years) that where told by uncle sam in 92-93 after the first sand games, (and after the end of the COLD WAR) there's the door, your being discharged (downsized), and go see your senator who voted for this (cause they don't wanna pay your retirement in 2-7 years).
I was a MP that did two and a half years as a recruiter (got sent back to the real army after being ^&@%#&^%$*# by the chain of command, cause I wouldn't play that game of the numbers- give em' all ya got- even though I honestly made Gold Badge in less than two years.....)
Yea, I got plans to wearing my blues (with gold recruiting badge and silver MP Badge) when I get planted, told my wife I only wanted a pine box, blues, and white ladder laced jump boots. Thought about being in the front leaning rest, but I don't think the lid would close on the box. (why should I get 'put to rest' in a box that cost more than all the beds I slept in during my life????) Like my dad said b4 he died, throw a party, I had a full life, and I can't take it with me..... to all that served, whatever color of uniform....