Last question before the Signal Ball SAT 10 May

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

This is the last question before the Saturday Signal Ball. I promise I have everything I need.

I am not sure how many X Marks get the Medals of America catalog, but if you have volume number 78 and look on page 30, you can clearly see the two methods of wearing your miniature medals. The first picture shows a civilian tuxedo jacket / PC jacket with the medals worn on the left of the lapel. The other picture shows a Mess Dress uniform jacket with the medals worn on the lapel of the jacket.

Since the Prince Charlie jacket is not a military uniform jacket then shouldn’t the medals be worn off the lapel?

The Medals of America catalog is wrong.

Miniatures are worn on the lapel with civilian attire, the same as with military uniform. This applies universally, whether you are in the USA, the UK, or Upper Volta. The main difference between civilian and military is that civilians have the option of mounting their medals in a single row, rather than in groups of four as per US mil regs. (I'd suggest you wait until officially "retired" before you do that.)

The idea of wearing medals "on the shoulder" comes from attaching Masonic jewels to little pocket holders that are then slipped into the left breast pocket. This "might" be acceptable practice for Masons, but outside of Lodge it isn't done.

Stick with the Army way of wearing your medals and you will be right on the mark.

[Highland Logan]

The Medals of America catalog is wrong.

Miniatures are worn on the lapel with civilian attire, the same as with military uniform. This applies universally, whether you are in the USA, the UK, or Upper Volta. The main difference between civilian and military is that civilians have the option of mounting their medals in a single row, rather than in groups of four as per US mil regs. (I'd suggest you wait until officially "retired" before you do that.)

The idea of wearing medals "on the shoulder" comes from attaching Masonic jewels to little pocket holders that are then slipped into the left breast pocket. This "might" be acceptable practice for Masons, but outside of Lodge it isn't done.

Stick with the Army way of wearing your medals and you will be right on the mark.

Agreed, that is the proper protocol for civilian attire. However, as a note, in regards to military wear, the Canadian Army and Air Force wear miniatures off the lapel with mess kit, and on the lapel in the Navy.

Frank

[davedove]

From AR670-1
(relavent passage is bold)

30–6. Wear of medals on civilian clothes
Retired personnel and former members of the Army (as described above) may wear all categories of medals described in this regulation on appropriate civilian clothing. This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature. Personnel may wear either full-size or miniature medals. Personnel who wear medals on civilian clothes should place the medals on the clothing in approximately the same location and in the same manner as for the Army uniform, so they look similar to medals worn on the Army uniform.

The miniature medals are worn on the lapel of the mess dress uniforms, thus they should be worn on the lapel of civilian clothes.

[Nervous Jock]

The Medals of America catalog is wrong.

Miniatures are worn on the lapel with civilian attire, the same as with military uniform. This applies universally, whether you are in the USA, the UK, or Upper Volta. The main difference between civilian and military is that civilians have the option of mounting their medals in a single row, rather than in groups of four as per US mil regs. (I'd suggest you wait until officially "retired" before you do that.)

The idea of wearing medals "on the shoulder" comes from attaching Masonic jewels to little pocket holders that are then slipped into the left breast pocket. This "might" be acceptable practice for Masons, but outside of Lodge it isn't done.

Stick with the Army way of wearing your medals and you will be right on the mark.

Agreed on the UK front too, if there have been extra holes on the mess kit it is normaly because it belonged to someone with a lot of gold braid !!