A Guide To Wearing the CAP Gray Corporate Uniform

[AlphaSigOU]

So our brethren who prefer the gray corporate to the blue corporate uniform don't feel slighted, here's a guide to the proper wear of the corporate grays. This document is only a guide; CAPM 39-1 and policy letters govern.

Again, no distribution or printing restrictions for CAP training.

[JC004]

Were they greys part of the allowance for military ribbons to be worn on corporate uniforms, if they branch allows them worn on civilian clothing, or was that the TPU?

[MIKE]

I'd change the discriptor.... Corporate = TPU.  CAP Distinctive = blazer, aviator shirt, etc.

[AlphaSigOU]

Were they greys part of the allowance for military ribbons to be worn on corporate uniforms, if they branch allows them worn on civilian clothing, or was that the TPU?

From what I understand, military ribbons can be worn on the TPU but not on the grays. Not surprisingly, I've seen mil ribbons worn on grays.

One of these days when NHQ CAP comes up with a sensible policy across the board for uniforms (HA!), they need to get their stuff straight regards mil ribbon wear on corporates.

[SDF_Specialist]

What does CAP have against retired active duty wearing earned ribbons on their CAP uniform? Especially AF ribbons.

[RiverAux]

Ask the Air Force.

[SDF_Specialist]

So are you still allowed to wear military ribbons on the Blues? I know a few people in my unit who have a few Army ribbons they wear. Or is the restriction only applying to the grey slacks?

[AlphaSigOU]

According to what Susie Parker mentioned at a uniform changes seminar at the 2006 National Board (I wasn't there - someone who was there could confirm this), wear of mil badges on the TPU was strengstens verboten (strictly forbidden) but mil ribbons were OK.

The way the current reg is written, only CAP badges and ribbons can be worn on the corporates. However, a little of the wear rules for badges on the AF-style have carried over to the TPU, but not the grays. You can wear a max of four CAP specialty badges on the TPU, but only a max of two on the grays.

I wouldn't string up someone for wearing a combo of mil and CAP ribbons on either TPUs or grays as long as the display is somewhat balanced; that is, 16 mil ribbons and only three CAP. Balance it out; wear all, some or none. I once saw a horrid display of mil and CAP ribbons on a senior member wearing grays: something like five or six rows four across. And they were dingy.

I proudly wear my only two mil ribbons on the ribbon rack (AF Overseas Long Tour and AF Training Ribbon)along with my CAP ribbons (12); mainly because I wear UltraThins and it's a hell of a lot easier to switch between one combo to another.

I remember that on the old CAPortal there was a good and lively discussion on civvy wear of mil ribbons, which essentially justified the wear of mil ribbons on the TPU. I saved the excerpt of the respective service's civvy medal/ribbon wear rules; gimme a minute to post 'em.

[AlphaSigOU]

Here's the respective services rules on civilian wear of mil ribbons:

Quote from: AFI 36-2903

4.4. Wear of Awards and Decorations by Retirees and Honorably Discharged Veterans.

Honorably discharged and retired Air Force members may wear full-size or miniature medals on civilian suits on appropriate occasions such as Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day. Female members may wear full-size or miniature medals on equivalent dress.

Quote from: AR 670-1

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.

Quote from: NAVPERS 15665I

5303.  WEARING AWARDS ON CIVILIAN CLOTHES

1.  Miniature Medals and Miniature Breast Insignia.  Wear miniature medals and breast insignia on civilian evening dress (white tie) or civilian dinner dress (black tie) in the same manner as for dinner dress jackets.

2.  Medal of Honor.  The Medal of Honor, for which there is no miniature, may be worn with civilian evening dress (white tie) and civilian dinner dress (black tie) in the same manner as for military uniforms.

3.  Miniature Replicas.  Wear miniature replicas of ribbons made in the form of lapel buttons, or ribbons made in rosette form, on the left lapel of civilian clothes except civilian evening dress (white tie) and civilian dinner dress (black tie).

4.  Miniature Distinguished Marksmanship and Pistol Shot Badges.  Wear miniature distinguished marksmanship and pistol shot badges as a lapel pin or as part of a tie clasp on civilian clothing.

5.  Honorable Discharge and Service Buttons.  Wear honorable discharge and service buttons on left lapel of civilian clothes except civilian evening dress (white tie).

Quote from: COMDTINST M1020.6E 3.G.1.

Civilian Clothing Miniature medals. With civilian evening dress (white tie) wear in the same manner as prescribed for Formal Dress uniform, and with civilian dinner dress (black tie) in the same manner as prescribed for Dinner Dress uniforms.

Miniature ribbon replicas made as lapel pins, or ribbons in rosette form. On the left lapel of civilian clothes except civilian evening dress (white tie), and civilian dinner dress (black tie) as noted above.

Nonmilitary Uniforms Medals and Ribbons. Per organization's uniform rules.

Quote from: MARINE CORPS ORDER P1020.34G W/CH 1-4

5203. 5. Wear on Civilian Evening Clothes

a. Males. Miniature medals may be worn on the left lapel of the civilian evening coat on ceremonial occasions, but only when strictly appropriate to the occasion. On the full dress and tuxedo coats, miniatures will be worn centered on the wearer's left lapel, placed horizontally and one inch below the end of the collar gorge. The top edge of the holding bar will completely cover the buttonhole. If current styles preclude wearing on the lapel, miniatures will be placed in the same relative position as if there was a lapel.

b. Females. Miniature medals may be worn on civilian evening attire on ceremonial occasions, but only when strictly appropriate to the occasion. Miniatures will be worn in approximately the same position where they would be worn on the uniform. If current styles preclude the wearing of miniatures in a place approximating the position where they would be worn on the uniform, miniatures will not be worn.

c. If a second row of miniatures is worn, it will be placed 1 inch below the first row. In no case will more than two rows of miniatures be worn on civilian attire.

[jb512]

The way the current reg is written, only CAP badges and ribbons can be worn on the corporates. However, a little of the wear rules for badges on the AF-style have carried over to the TPU, but not the grays. You can wear a max of four CAP specialty badges on the TPU, but only a max of two on the grays.

Well here's another question for the group that I've seen answered both ways in here.  Does the four badge rule also apply to the aviator shirt worn as a TPU?  The memos address the jacket having the same rules as the AF style, but does not address the shirt.  I know that the regs specify two badges for the white/greys but I can't find anything on the white/blues.

[davedove]

The way the current reg is written, only CAP badges and ribbons can be worn on the corporates. However, a little of the wear rules for badges on the AF-style have carried over to the TPU, but not the grays. You can wear a max of four CAP specialty badges on the TPU, but only a max of two on the grays.

Well here's another question for the group that I've seen answered both ways in here.  Does the four badge rule also apply to the aviator shirt worn as a TPU?  The memos address the jacket having the same rules as the AF style, but does not address the shirt.  I know that the regs specify two badges for the white/greys but I can't find anything on the white/blues.

From the 15 March 2006 change letter to CAPM 39-1:

CAP badges and devices as currently authorized on the aviator shirt with gray
slacks combination are authorized


To me, that says that the rules for the wear of badges on the shirt for the corporate uniform are the same as the rules for the aviator combo.  That is, a maximum of two badges worn, an aviation badge and one additional badge.

[jasonmc]

Is facial hair allowed with this uniform?

[jimmydeanno]

Yes.

[AlphaSigOU]

Is facial hair allowed with this uniform?

CAP grays = no grooming or weight standards
CAP blues = no weight standards, CAP grooming applies
USAF-style = weight and grooming standards apply.