Military Uniform Regs: Expert Needed

1/26/10 | Nick Danger

[Nick Danger]

The picture below was taken at a county fair. It shows an individual sitting in the Democratic Party booth wearing an air force uniform. We have determined

• The individual is campaigning for a partisan political office as a Democrat
• The individual served six years in the air force, but is not on active duty and has not been for some time

Questions:

Is this individual's behavior legal? Can one campaign for partisan office in uniform? Can someone no longer in the air force wear the uniform at all, let alone to campaign?

If you are knowledgable on this subject, please provide a citation to the applicable regulations, and instructions on how to report this to the proper authorities.

Please do not speculate. If you don't know for certain, please don't pretend you do.We intend to file an official complaint, and we want it done right.

[An.American.Expatriate]

(f) While portraying a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, an actor in a theatrical or motion-picture production may wear the uniform of that armed force if the portrayal does not tend to discredit that armed force.

This will be the exception used - the person in question was a member of an "amatuer theater" group at the state fair (blah blah blah) ...

[billhilly]

“Oh, its an airman.”

Correction. It is an NCO.

[OldMissileer]

Yeah, too bad they ended the Pacific war with Hiroshima and Nagasaki, had a greater rate of attrition than the Army because of the hazardous duty of flying as bomber crews in those B-17s and such; and also won the cold war and protected your rear end by either climbing into the B-52s and B-1Bs or locking themselves into tiny concrete capsules underground to keep the ICBMs on alert and ready to launch.

I'll take a Staff Sergeant leading his maintenance troops in -30 degree F temps trying to fix a Minuteman missile than anyone else. The Air Force troops have brains and are tasked to use them to protect this country, many in climates you would shudder to be in.

They do not have to strap on a backpack and hump the field because they are assigned duties that use their knowledge and expertise to further the protection of our Country.

[oldbill]

You are wrong.

Federal statutes apply, not military regulations. You can not wear the uniform, or any part thereof, unless you meet the qualifications as stated in post #9.

By even participating in this Democrat booth, this woman is in violation of statutes, and, if still a memeber with military obligations (e.g., inactive Reserves) is in violation of military regulations.

[An American in Turkiye]

Nicely said, OldMissileer. I just came back from a deployment with the Army Guard. Sheesh. The one time I got shot at was an accidental discharge from a SSG. Not the brightest, but again, he was one among many dimly lit bulbs. Say what you will about the Air Force, Equality, but I thank God everyday that I’m part of it, instead of my sister service.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Correct. But the United States Code makes it a federal crime, in some circumstances, to wear an American Military Uniform, or decoration, except as authorized by military regulations.

The penalty for which being? How many people DAILY violate this? Forget it - USC 10 771 can never be used against a civilian ..

[An.American.Expatriate]

If you reread my post I said that the person “may” have violated some arcane federal statute - but then again - so has every person who has ever worn any piece of the military uniform when not actually a member of the armed forces (according to USC 10, 771) - you will NEVER get a conviction based on that - especially as there are no penalties for violating that statute.

[ConservativeWarrior]

Wonder what the badge above the single row of ribbons denotes?

Forget the official name (I've been out since '97) but it signifies your skill or experience level in your designated field of expertice. All enlisted personnel start as a 1-level (novice), then move to 3 (apprentice), 5 (journeyman), etc... I think those badges are awarded when you become a 5 level. I had one on my uniform and was only in for 4 years.

[An.American.Expatriate]

But they are still “wing nuts” ;D

[An.American.Expatriate]

Thank you for your service

[Scotsman will be Free]

Thanks. How long has that been going on?

[Pilsner]

How many people DAILY violate this? Forget it - USC 10 771 can never be used against a civilian

It is rare, but it happens.

Slidell man sentenced for illegally wearing military uniform, medals http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2094193/posts!

[Scotsman will be Free]

You got a problem with the infantry?

[dblshot]

But I would counter that the sign behind her discredits that armed force

[dblshot]

But I would counter that the sign behind her discredits that armed force

[ansel12]

Yeah, too bad they ended the Pacific war with Hiroshima and Nagasaki, had a greater rate of attrition than the Army because of the hazardous duty of flying as bomber crews in those B-17s and such

The Air Force died by large numbers when they were part of the Army, but not since.

I'll take a Staff Sergeant leading his maintenance troops in -30 degree F temps trying to fix a Minuteman missile than anyone else. The Air Force troops have brains and are tasked to use them to protect this country, many in climates you would shudder to be in.

It is easier to do that rare activity than to be living long term as a combat arms soldier, outdoors in those conditions.

[TankerKC]

Correction. It is an NCO.

About 4 years ago, the CSAF decided "we are all airmen." It is a generic term, like Marine.

[BamaDi]

Hellllo.....my dad is retired AF after 26 years and believe me, he was and is military....and I’m damned proud of him!

[SZonian]

Have you ever tried to get your car fixed in the driveway in freezing weather so you can get to work?

USAF/Navy mechanics work in all kinds of weather to get the birds back in the air to support the infantry.

Every service has its share of REMFs. The Army is no exception.

I won’t lie, there were many nights during the winter months I had wished we had indoor maintenance facilities to fix aircraft, but that wasn’t and for the most part, isn’t the case.

We fix ‘em where they are and in whatever weather is occurring. With the exception of lightning w/in 3 miles, then we got chased off the line.

IYAMYAS!!

SZ

[TankerKC]

Thanks. I just retired after 28 years myself. I was responding to someone else.