Wearing ex military issue and items

[Ninehostages]

There are times when a civilian will appear "in costume" wearing a full military uniform, including badges of rank, and decorations up to and including the Medal Of Honor, and everyone including ex-army and currently serving soldiers take no umbrage.

Just saying that what's acceptable and what's unacceptable can depend on context.

Nt done in Canada. It's actually against the law to wear your uniform in Canada after you've been discharged. We all wear bits and pieces of it, though and they don't bother us.

[TNScotsman]

Nt done in Canada. It's actually against the law to wear your uniform in Canada after you've been discharged. We all wear bits and pieces of it, though and they don't bother us.

It's interesting to see how the regulations differ from country to country. In the U.S., as I understand it, a member of the military who is retired or was honorably discharged after wartime service retains their right to wear the uniform for appropriate events (military banquets and gatherings, weddings requesting uniforms, etc.). As an American the idea that a retired servicemember is legally banned from wearing their uniform seems unusual, but of course that's because I'm accustomed to the way we do things here.

[kilted redleg]

I think it's important to bear in mind we here in the US had this question on uniforms and medals answered legally in the courts. I think it was in the mid 80's or 90's a veteran group sued an individual who was portraying himself as a vet awarded the CMH [congressional medal of honor] and doing the speaking circuit.
It eventually got into the court system and the courts ruled you wear whatever you want and give yourself whatever medal you want. It's not that we don't take umbridge, we just can't do anything about it. This has led to the phrase "stolen valor" and these people get "outted" all the time.
One of my most favorite things to watch on YouTube are the regimental parades in the UK and Canada. After the regiment marches past comes my brother veterans, dressed smartly, in step and wearing all their military awards they earned. The look on their faces shows why todays warriors are held to such a high standard.

[TNScotsman]

Well said redleg! I've never understood people's fascination with wearing things to which they are not entitled, but everybody is different.

Keeping this on the subjects of kilts, at a kilted wedding I recently attended one of the bride's family members was properly done up in kilt and Argyll jacket. A veteran Air Force officer, he was wearing his miniature medals and insignia quite proudly on his civilian attire and I thought added nicely to the event. The British style probably would have been full-sized medals for daywear, but we're in the U.S. and, more important, he earned them and I think has some latitude in how he wants to wear them.

As one involved in some orders of chivalry, on one hand I somewhat regretted not being decked out with things, but that would have been quite inappropriate as members of the wedding party aren't supposed to attract more attention than the groom!

[FossilHunter]

Nt done in Canada. It's actually against the law to wear your uniform in Canada after you've been discharged. We all wear bits and pieces of it, though and they don't bother us.

I think that photo is from a movie. That’s why Richard said in costume.

Clint Eastwood was apparently in the US Army, not US Marine corps.

[Jock Scot]

I think that it is generally accepted that military uniforms worn in films and theatrical events are ok. It does cause some enthusiasts heartache when the wrong bit of kit, or uniform is wrong and I must admit, that actors armed with the incorrect weapons does cause me angst on occasion.

[FossilHunter]

I think that it is generally accepted that military uniforms worn in films and theatrical events are ok. It does cause some enthusiasts heartache when the wrong bit of kit, or uniform is wrong and I must admit, that actors armed with the incorrect weapons does cause me angst on occasion.

Fun fact: in the 1966 WWI film, The Blue Max, the production company didn’t have enough mausers, due to filming in Ireland, for the opening infantry battle so the German soldiers are using No4mkIs while the British soldiers are using period correct No1MIIIs.

[OC Richard]

Not done in Canada.

Yes indeed in Canada civilians dress in full military uniform including all badges of rank and all decorations, just as they do in the USA, in the production of films.

Here's a military film partly filmed in Manitoba https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts...ticle26724733/

For those unaware, the photo I posted was of an actor dressed as a US Marine in full uniform wearing all badges of rank and all decorations including the Medal of Honor. That actor did serve in the military but never attained that rank nor won most of those decorations.

It's why I said it depends on context. The actor I showed is breaking a variety of US laws

https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-...house-bill/258

These laws are broken every day on film sets and noboby takes exception.