AFI 36-2903 Chapter 6

Chapter 6

WEAR OF UNIFORMS BY RESERVE, AIR NATIONAL GUARD, RETIRED OR SEPARATED PERSONNEL

6.1. Conditions for Wear of Uniform. Table 6.1 shows when and where to wear the uniform.

Table 6.1. When Reserve, ANG, Retired, Or Separated Personnel Are Required Or Authorized To Wear The Uniform (See note 1).

R
U
L
E
A

B

C

If the member is may wear the uniform and is authorized to wear the appropriate uniforms

1 in any of the categories when traveling to and from any function listed in this table, when travel in uniform is within 24 hours of the scheduled function. according to the rules below.

2 at any time, when he or she has been awarded the Medal of Honor and Chapter 1 does not prohibit wear of the uniform

3 a reservist (on active duty) when participating in short periods of active duty (including active duty for training) listed in this instruction.

4 a reservist not on EAD and residing in the US, its territories, or possessions when participating in authorized inactive duty training, unit training assemblies, or equivalent training

5 when engaged in military flying activities, including traveling as a passenger on military aircraft

6 on occasions of military ceremony

7 social functions and informal gatherings of a military nature

8 when engaged in military instruction

9 when responsible for military discipline at an educational institution

10 a reservist not on EAD and not residing in the US, its territories, or possessions when authority is granted by the Secretary of the Air Force listed in this instruction.

11 at military ceremonies or other functions of a military nature, provided authority is granted; such authority may be obtained by reporting to the nearest military attaché

12 an active duty warrant officer or airman with Air Force Reserve commission of his or her Reserve grade when attending meetings or functions of associations formed for military purposes (membership will be mostly officers or former officers) according to ANG regulations while performing air technician duties, however, they do not receive a uniform allowance for voluntarily wearing the uniform (see notes 2 -5)

13 an ANG technician

14 an Air Reserve technician when performing duty in civil service status as an Air Reserve technician; (wear of the uniform while performing duty in a civil service status is at the option of the individual; commanders cannot require members to wear the uniform while in this status.)

15 an Air Reserve technician must when participating in military flights as crew members or while providing armed security for aircraft

16 retired at occasions of military ceremonies prescribed at date of retirement, or any of the uniforms authorized for active duty personnel, including the dress uniforms. Do not mix uniform items (see notes 6 and 7).

17 military funerals, weddings, memorial services, and inaugurals

18 patriotic parades on national holidays, other military parades or ceremonies in which any active or Reserve US military unit is taking part

19 at educational institutions when engaged in giving military instructions or responsible for military discipline

20 at social or other functions when the invitation has been influenced by the member's active military service

21 separated (other than retired ANG or Reserve) (war service) at military funerals, memorial services, and inaugurals authorized at time of separation or any of the uniforms authorized for active duty personnel if they served honorably in the Air Force (including service with an air component of the Army before the Air Force was established), during a declared or undeclared war (see notes 8 and 9).

22 patriotic parades on national holidays; military parades or ceremonies in which any active or Reserve US military unit is taking part

23 on any other occasion when authorized by law

24 separated (other than retired, ANG, or Reserve) (non war service) from place of discharge to home, within 3 months after discharge of the highest grade authorized at time of separation (see note 9).

NOTES:
1. Members will conform with the same standards of appearance, military customs, practices, and conduct in uniform prescribed for active duty members.
2. Title 10, U.S.C., Section 772 entitles members of the ANG to wear the uniform as prescribed for active duty members.
3. State-appointed ANG officers without federal recognition do not wear the uniform or any distinctive uniform item. Newly appointed ANG officers granted temporary federal recognition by a federal recognition board wear the uniform.
4. Enlisted ANG members wear the uniform on enlistment.
5. Upon written request of the governor and the consent of the Air Force Chief of Staff, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau authorizes a state adjutant general, who holds a federally commissioned status in the Air Force, to wear the grade insignia of his or her state-appointed grade while occupying the federally recognized position on the state headquarters unit manning documents, provided that grade does not exceed Major General.
*6. Members receive the retired lapel button at retirement. Retirees wear the retired lapel button on the left lapel. Members whose terminal assignment is in a First Sergeant's manpower authorization may wear the diamond in all instances the uniform is worn.
7. Retirees may wear civilian clothing when flying in military aircraft. They will present a favorable appearance in good taste. Members of the reserve components who are eligible to retire but are not at mandatory retirement age (60 years) do not wear the uniform while traveling on military aircraft.
8. Honorably discharged members who served during World War II wear the Honorable Discharge Emblem on the left lapel.
9. Installation commanders authorize such separatees to use military clothing sales stores (MCSS) to purchase uniforms and accessories required for special occasions such as military funerals, parades, or other ceremonies. Separatees purchase only the service dress or mess dress uniforms and accessories. Separatees may not purchase items commonly available from commercial sources. MCSSs establish adequate controls over quantities of uniform items each separatee purchases. Commanders ensure separatees present proof of honorable discharge under honorable conditions and know current uniform and grooming standards.

Table 6.1. When Reserve, ANG, Retired, Or Separated Personnel Are Required Or Authorized To Wear The Uniform (See note 1).
R U L E	A	B	C
R U L E	If the member is	may wear the uniform	and is authorized to wear the appropriate uniforms
1	in any of the categories	when traveling to and from any function listed in this table, when travel in uniform is within 24 hours of the scheduled function.	according to the rules below.
2		at any time, when he or she has been awarded the Medal of Honor and Chapter 1 does not prohibit wear of the uniform
3	a reservist (on active duty)	when participating in short periods of active duty (including active duty for training)	listed in this instruction.
4	a reservist not on EAD and residing in the US, its territories, or possessions	when participating in authorized inactive duty training, unit training assemblies, or equivalent training
5		when engaged in military flying activities, including traveling as a passenger on military aircraft
6		on occasions of military ceremony
7		social functions and informal gatherings of a military nature
8		when engaged in military instruction
9		when responsible for military discipline at an educational institution
10	a reservist not on EAD and not residing in the US, its territories, or possessions	when authority is granted by the Secretary of the Air Force	listed in this instruction.
11		at military ceremonies or other functions of a military nature, provided authority is granted; such authority may be obtained by reporting to the nearest military attaché
12	an active duty warrant officer or airman with Air Force Reserve commission	of his or her Reserve grade when attending meetings or functions of associations formed for military purposes (membership will be mostly officers or former officers) according to ANG regulations while performing air technician duties, however, they do not receive a uniform allowance for voluntarily wearing the uniform (see notes 2 -5)
13	an ANG technician
14	an Air Reserve technician	when performing duty in civil service status as an Air Reserve technician; (wear of the uniform while performing duty in a civil service status is at the option of the individual; commanders cannot require members to wear the uniform while in this status.)
15	an Air Reserve technician	must when participating in military flights as crew members or while providing armed security for aircraft
16	retired	at occasions of military ceremonies	prescribed at date of retirement, or any of the uniforms authorized for active duty personnel, including the dress uniforms. Do not mix uniform items (see notes 6 and 7).
17		military funerals, weddings, memorial services, and inaugurals
18		patriotic parades on national holidays, other military parades or ceremonies in which any active or Reserve US military unit is taking part
19		at educational institutions when engaged in giving military instructions or responsible for military discipline
20		at social or other functions when the invitation has been influenced by the member's active military service
21	separated (other than retired ANG or Reserve) (war service)	at military funerals, memorial services, and inaugurals	authorized at time of separation or any of the uniforms authorized for active duty personnel if they served honorably in the Air Force (including service with an air component of the Army before the Air Force was established), during a declared or undeclared war (see notes 8 and 9).
22		patriotic parades on national holidays; military parades or ceremonies in which any active or Reserve US military unit is taking part
23		on any other occasion when authorized by law
24	separated (other than retired, ANG, or Reserve) (non war service)	from place of discharge to home, within 3 months after discharge	of the highest grade authorized at time of separation (see note 9).