Uniforms and Decorations unlike when the Vietnam War was going on, the U.S. Army has since introduced the Army Service Uniform (ASU) "Dress Blues" which replaced the "Army Green" and "Army White" service uniforms. The U.S. Army is currently going through the prototype and decision-making phase of the "Pinks & Greens" Uniform and the Chief of Staff of the Army is currently scheduled to make the final decision on or before November 11, 2018 with and estimated roll out date beginning to recruits & training bases, coinciding to the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, 6 June 2019.
AR 670-1 and 10 U.S. Code 772 states that retired military members and discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Armed Forces of the United States may wear the US Military Uniform as prescribed by the individual services. All persons wearing the ASU will wear awards, decorations and insignia in the same manner as prescribed in AR 670-1 for active duty Soldiers. In all cases, veterans and retirees can wear the rank and insignia currently in use, or the rank and insignia in use at the time of their discharge/retirement, but cannot mix the two. This means you (as a Soldiers) can wear the ASU if you wish, or you can wear the hats issues for the U.S. Calvary in the 1860's (If qualified to wear). The only catch is, even though you are authorized, you have to yourself, purchase the uniforms, medals and decorations that you were not issued while in active duty. In any case, the U.S. Army Uniform, with all the authorized medals, badges, ranks insignia and other decoration is one hell of a striking vision that commands attention.
There are places and events that the uniform is prohibited to be worn by discharged and retired members of the military. No Anti-Government Events, No political Events, No Civil/Criminal Court Appearances. Except when authorized by competent service authority the member cannot wear the uniform when participating in activities such as public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration which may imply Service sanction of the cause for which the demonstration or activity is conducted. For civilian attire, individuals may wear only those awards, decorations or insignia authorized by AR 670-1 and DA Pam 670-1 for wear on civilian clothing, in the same manner and approximate location as the equivalent military uniform.
Each war had generally specific possibilities of individual medals and citations. The Vietnam War had specific medals and citations which, if awarded, not by the United States, but awarded by the military officials from the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) which have been approved for wear by members of the United States armed forces. These would include the Vietnam Military Merit Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Civil Actions Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Complete listing with links will be shown and defined on the Individual Awards Order of Precedence page.
Unit Citations were of course meant for a organization when the heroism displayed or meritorious service performed is a result of group effort. The unit award is worn by members of that unit who participated in the cited action as a permanent award. Members who didn't participate in the cited action but are assigned to the cited unit are authorized for temporary wear of some unit awards. A complete listing with links for Unit Awards will be shown and defined on the Unit Awards Order of Precedence page.
Qualification Badges are military decorations issued by the U.S. Department of the Army for Soldiers who achieve a variety of accomplishments while service. This would include but not limited to badges such as, Parachutist Badge (Jump Wings), Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder and CIB. Some Badges also have different degree of qualifications for awards and qualification bars. A complete listing with links for Qualification Badges will be shown and defined on the Qualification Badges page.
Overseas Service Bars and Service Strips will be represented on the Dress Sleeve Decorum page. Vietnam Era Ranks will be shown on the Vietnam Era Ranks link below.
AR 670-1, DA PAM 670-1 and 10 U.S. Code 772 can be found in the Links Page.
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