[uksoldier]

I am a serving UK Soldier, is it appropriate for me to wear my medals (or miniatures) on my PC jacket to my sisters wedding where I will be giving her away?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Customs and traditions regarding the wearing of medals vary from country to country, and often between branches of service-- naval customs often being different than those of the army.

Generally speaking full-size medals are worn during the day and miniatures are worn in the evening. At most weddings, unless one is in uniform, orders, decorations, and medals are not worn.

Since you are a serving soldier have you considered wearing your uniform and medals when you walk your sister down the aisle? I attended a wedding here in the United States last summer and the bride was given away by her brother, who had just returned from Astan. He was in uniform with full size medals, and did not look the least bit out of place.

[Schiehallion]

Good advice on wearing medals is given at the following :

http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_5494967_...ry-medals.html

[xena]

Good advice, but as M of R pointed out, there's different rules between countries, and services. American rules and protocol might not be appropriate in the UK. If you're a squaddie, why not put the question up through the C of C to the Badge Man? Or the Adjt, if you're a Rupert (no offense - I was a Canadian squaddie). They're the experts on Dress and Deportment.

Although, I can certainly think of reasons to stay off the Badge Man's radar. Perhaps some other, less shouty, less likely to "award" extra duties just for asking, senior NCO might be able to give you the answer.

You could also check for an answer on the British Army Rumour Service. However, be careful what forum you surf to there. The NAAFI bar is extremely NSFW!!!! It's NSF families! It's NSF the elderly! It's NSF the politically correct! It's NSF anyone who can't laugh at themselves! It's NSF people who don't understand dark humour! Basically, only ex and serving military should go there. They're the only one's who'll understand it. But, I digress...

FWIW, the Canadian rule of thumb is what M of R pointed out. Full size during the day. Miniatures are only for mess kit, or civvy equivalent. That's why you get all the old feller's (and Walt's) with full size ones on Remembrance Day. I figure there's a good chance that's more-or-less universal throughout the Commonwealth.

Have a good time at the wedding. And good luck trying to behave like a proper person. Clicky here for a hilarious, but once again, rather rough in the humour department thread. You can't say you weren't warned!

[English Bloke]

Speak to your Chief Clerk, he'll have up to date info from current regs.

[Chas]

Hi uksoldier,

All the numbers and addresses you need are here:

Joint Personnel Administration Centre (JPAC)

Telephone: 0141 224 3600
Freephone: 0800 085 3600
Overseas: +44 141 224 3600
Military: 94560 3600
JPAC@spva.mod.uk

Unless you are going to tell anyone in your Unit, how are they going to know? Go with your conscience.

Regards

Chas
RAF Retired

[Arnot]

If you plan to check the regulation, read it yourself if possible. That way you can see what it actually says. Otherwise, you might get someone's interpretation which might include large amounts of their own opinion. I found this to be the case many times during my 22 years in the US Army. That applies to almost any regulation as well.

[figheadair]

QRs (Queen's Reglations) are the bible and I think I'm right in saying that they will say that you cannot wear your medals other that in uniform. Yes, you could/might get away with it but do bear in mind that if you're seen or photographed you may find yourself in front of the CO. Forget the CC, speak to your Adjt - it's his/her job to advise and police the rules and more importantly, he/she has the ear of the CO.

[English Bloke]

Originally Posted by figheadair

... Forget the CC, speak to your Adjt - it's his/her job to advise and police the rules and more importantly, he/she has the ear of the CO.

And Chiefy has the ear of the Adjt. Chain of command and all that...

[Pleater]

Originally Posted by xena

Have a good time at the wedding. And good luck trying to behave like a proper person. Clicky here for a hilarious, but once again, rather rough in the humour department thread. You can't say you weren't warned!

Oh - that is soooo funny.

I only managed to read the first page - going from howling with laughter at the top to a breathless squeek by the last message.

When it came to fitting my sense of humour there must have been a mix up in the stores. Demure it is not!!

Anne the Pleater