What's the policy on civilians wearing MARPAT cammies?

[MeierT]

I haven't found any clear information on this in the guidelines and am wondering if such uniforms are prohibited or not.

[Alisium]

No, how can there be? If they get a hold of a pair then it's theirs to wear. I don't like it but they have every right.

Just like when you get out, you can finally wear your cover backwards.

[MeierT]

It's not at least discouraged? I saw a discharged Marine run around in boots and u's the other day. Isn't there a policy against still wearing name tape at least?

[Achped]

Hell no! You can really wear your cover backwards?

HELLLLLLLLL YESSSSSSSS

[Alisium]

It's not at least discouraged? I saw a discharged Marine run around in boots and u's the other day. Isn't there a policy against still wearing name tape at least?

If you're a civilian what can the military say?

Yes, technically if you're still on IRR contract then they hold some sway, but a hard charger on libbo can't walk up to a recently promoted Cpl to Mr. and tell him to take off his name tapes.

Well I guess he could, but he's going to be chewing on his own teeth.

As civilians, as long as we follow our local laws and ordinances, we can wear whatever we want and not a darned person can say or do anything about it.

And I don't think the Marine Corps much cares, anyhow.

EDIT:

What you cannot do is wear military uniform as a civilian and impersonate a military member in an official capacity of any sort.

[JWDevilDog]

I believe the regulation on former/retired Marines who wear their dress uniforms is that they can only be worn at formal occasions, and only if the Marine rates the National Defense Service Medal. I have always been told that we can wear the utilities if there are no nametapes.

Of course, as other Marines already said, if the Marine's contract is up then the military has no sway over what they do.

But let it be known if you are wearing the dress uniforms that it is not impersonating a military member if you rate the NDSM.

[SGT7477]

I believe the regulation on former/retired Marines who wear their dress uniforms is that they can only be worn at formal occasions, and only if the Marine rates the National Defense Service Medal. I have always been told that we can wear the utilities if there are no nametapes.

Of course, as other Marines already said, if the Marine's contract is up then the military has no sway over what they do.

But let it be known if you are wearing the dress uniforms that it is not impersonating a military member if you rate the NDSM.

I think all that is required you have an honorable discharge to wear the uniform, never heard you have to have the NDSM.

[MeierT]

Thanks for the info sgt

[thewookie]

I think all that is required you have an honorable discharge to wear the uniform, never heard you have to have the NDSM.

I agree, I think just about anyone that served over multiple generations has a NDSM, so that wouldn't mean much, I'm being sarcastic of course. I think there's a reg for everything, but common sense always prevails for me. I think if you're wearing marpats or cammies then you should be working on your land, fishing, hunting, fixing ur car, in your hammock - anything like that but not hanging out at the local mall trying to hit on teenagers. Kinda like we wore them when we were in, not hanging out at the local 7-11 like the Army. Name tags or not - I don't think that's really important, maybe in the reg it is. But in the woods, who cares, if you earned it.

But if you step it up to the dress uniforms, then you should be in regulation and there is no grey area. High and tight and looking right.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

All that's required, to wear the Dress Blue uniform, is an honorable discharge. No medals, service, overseas, etc is required.

One caveat to THAT, however, is that while wearing the uniform, you must also display, over your right pocket, the 'Honorable Discharge button' that you should have rec'ved when discharged. You must also CONFORM TO ALL GROOMING, HEIGHT, WEIGHT standards.

As far as wearing sateens, jungles, cammies, or MarPat, if you are an IRR Marine, you still fall under the UCMJ, and yes, could technically be dinged for a uniform violation for wearing any/all/any combination of the above.

As a civilian, technically, and according to US code, you may not wear any part of any military uniform. Period. However, this code is no longer enforced. At one time, it was, however, a Vietnam war protestor in approximately 1970 or so challenged it all the way to the Supreme Court, and he/it won the fight. Therefore, while still on the books, it's no longer enforced.

What you may NOT do, however, is 'impersonate' any military member, wear decorations, insignia, or rank that you have not earned, with intent to deceive. (Thus you may dress up as General Patton on Halloween, as long as you don't claim to have earned any of the medals).

That IS taken seriously, so if you are running around in full MarPat wearing SgtMaj insignia tomorrow, and a law enforcement officer stops you, you will likely be referred to the Feds for prosecution under the 'stolen valor' act, if you claim to be a SgtMaj or something you are not. Same goes for bar talk. Claiming you earned a Purple Heart, Silver Star, or even a Good Conduct Medal, when you did not, is punishable by 6 months to a year in federal prison and a 200,000 dollar fine. For each time you do it.

That also includes being an internet commando, wannabee recon, and multiple tour Iraq veteran all posted on your 'facebook/myspace/' accounts.

[Quinbo]

Appropriate Wear of Uniform



Basic guidance (Active Duty/Reservist/Retiree and Former Marines)


Source Document - Chapter 11 MCO P1020.3G, Marine Corps Uniform Regulations


Grooming Standards.


Anyone who wears the Marine Corps Uniform must abide by the Marine Corps Grooming standards (paragraph 1004 and 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations). Active duty/Reservists/Retirees and former Marines must also abide by the height and weight standards (paragraph 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations).


Wear of Proper Insignia and Awards.


When wearing a Marine Corps uniform you may only wear your current rank, or the rank that you left the service with and may only wear the awards you rate per your personnel records. No deviations of this policy are authorized.


Activities where you may not wear the Uniform.


Paragraph 11002 of the Uniform Regulations provides a list of activities that you may not wear the uniform (i.e. to an event that brings discredit to the Corps, to events in support of political interests, private and/or commercial employment…).


Retiree/Reservist Wear of Uniforms.


As a Retiree/Reservist you may wear the uniform for basically any event that you wore the uniform while on active duty.


As a former Marine there are some restrictions:


You must have served during a time of war (i.e. earned the National Defense Medal during your time in service) and received an honorable discharge to wear the uniform.


Events you are restricted to wearing it to:

Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals.

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 are taking part. ‘Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time or for any purpose is prohibited.’

Recipients of the Medal of Honor may wear the Marine Corps uniforms at their pleasure except for those specific occasions listed in paragraph 11002 of the Uniform Regulations

__________________________________________________ _______________

The verbage in 1020G has been changed from NDSM requirement to having served during a declared or undeclared war. I suppose someone could read into that, that although they served from say 1980 to 1984 they had served during the cold war.

[silverdollar]

Hell no! You can really wear your cover backwards?

HELLLLLLLLL YESSSSSSSS

I know of only three reasons to wear your cover backwards.
1- you are a welder.
2- you are a catcher on a baseball team.
3- you are a c**ks****r.

What is your job?

[sparkie]

Honorable discharge button???? Nixon didn't give me one o those.

[awbrown1462]

I don't look like I did when I was in so will not be wearing any uniforms anytime soon or later

[Wyoming]

I know of only three reasons to wear your cover backwards.
1- you are a welder.
2- you are a catcher on a baseball team.
3- you are a c**ks****r.

What is your job?

Amen Brother, Amen!!!