Military dress blues too dressy?

[MomsOf2boys]

Absolutely! And he may get a few handshakes and many "thank you's"! We always do. Thank him from us.

I agree! We always thank our servicemen and feel they should wear them proudly like a badge of honor!

 

[StephenKay]

Hi there,

After 20 plus years I recently retired from the RAF although before I happily wore my mess dress with medals along with many others I have seen over the years. However in retirement I now choose to wear my kilt. Wear it with pride.

 

[chris31997]

Go for it

I do have to say that we were a little nervous about it the first time my hubby wore his until we saw all the others. There were several people wearing their dress uniforms and felt at ease.

 

[Shannon1984]

Hi there,

After 20 plus years I recently retired from the RAF although before I happily wore my mess dress with medals along with many others I have seen over the years. However in retirement I now choose to wear my kilt. Wear it with pride.

Love the Kilt!

Great Thanks to all who Serve! Wear it Proudly!

 

[U2FanHfx]

I can't see any issue with wearing the uniform.

A side note. My brother is in the Canadian military and is not allowed to wear a uniform when on leave. Happened right after 9/11 as they thought the would be targeted.

 

[DisneyKidforLife]

I agree with everyone. Although I have never seen it on any of our cruises, I would certainly love to - especially to have a chance to say thank you to the amazing serviceman or woman wearing it.

 

[goofysgirl]

I have seen it on our last cruise and I thought the gentleman looked very nice and as others said it was nice to be able to hear all the very well deserved thank yous.
I mentioned this to my active son in law- US Airforce and he said he will not bring his on our next cruise as he does not want to bring attention to either himself or my daughter. He told me the Airforce does not want him or his family to be targeted so they ask he does not wear it out and about.
Not sure if this has something to do with his actual postion in the AF or what, but I will respect his wishes.
If your husband is comfortable with wearing them I think it would be very nice.
God bless both of you for your commitment to keeping us free

 

[kcashner]

We are sailing on a 7 day Alaska cruise in May. Our only other cruising experience was a 3 day Wonder cruise to the Bahamas, and things were pretty informal on that cruise. My question is, will my husband feel out of place wearing his dress blue uniform on formal and semi-formal nights? I have heard that people don't truly get formal on formal nights. I don't want to have to bring several different outfits for him (luggage space is limited!), so I was hoping the dress blues could be worn for several different occasions (Palo, formal, semi-formal)

Has anyone seen servicemembers wearing military dress uniforms on these nights?

Your husband will not be out of place at all. He'll be the most popular man on the snip! And yes, he can use them on both formal and semi nights...as well as Palo if desired.

 

[sissy_ib]

My DF will be bringing his dress blues on our honeymoon cruise in August. He suggested I bring mine as well so I may.

 

[Sir William]

I mentioned this to my active son in law- US Airforce and he said he will not bring his on our next cruise as he does not want to bring attention to either himself or my daughter. He told me the Airforce does not want him or his family to be targeted so they ask he does not wear it out and about.
Not sure if this has something to do with his actual postion in the AF or what, but I will respect his wishes.

I won't question your SIL's orders but there is a significant difference between wearing a dress uniform to a "formal" occasion in a closed environment such as a cruise ship and wearing his uniform while sightseeing or traveling in a foreign country. He may want to check with his superiors to see if he could wear his dress uniform to a formal function aboard a ship at sea - assuming he wants to wear it.

I was in DOD for almost 40 years (active and reserve military, and civilian) and we were constantly advised to maintain a low profile when abroad. We were restricted from wearing cowboy hats and boots, t-shirts or baseball caps with an American flag or other patriotic illustration, anything that identified us as military such as a polo shirt or hat with our service emblem on it (though with our short military haircuts I never understood how this would stop the bad guys from noticing us), sports team jackets or t-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, etc, while traveling or sightseeing in a foreign country. Though on more than one occasion we traveled from our ship to a function ashore while all decked out in our dress uniforms.

 

[disdel]

Another positive vote! Formal and PALO,
(give him a break on semi-formal night <grin>)

 

[mellers]

We are sailing on a 7 day Alaska cruise in May. Our only other cruising experience was a 3 day Wonder cruise to the Bahamas, and things were pretty informal on that cruise. My question is, will my husband feel out of place wearing his dress blue uniform on formal and semi-formal nights? I have heard that people don't truly get formal on formal nights. I don't want to have to bring several different outfits for him (luggage space is limited!), so I was hoping the dress blues could be worn for several different occasions (Palo, formal, semi-formal)

Has anyone seen servicemembers wearing military dress uniforms on these nights?

I certainly would consider it very appropriate for a semi-formal or formal event. It is certainly "Jacket and Tie" from my perspective. If you're very concerned, I would call the cruise line and ask, but I would think it would be fine.

 

[Capt_BJ]

Several folks aked why I had medals but he didn't . . .

p.s. uniform has gotten a private tour of a ship by the Master, dinner at the Master's table, 'port call excursion' with the Master and invitations to the bridge including being with the Master during mooring and discussing ship handling during the evolution . . .

 

[Chiasgirl]

I can't see any issue with wearing the uniform.

A side note. My brother is in the Canadian military and is not allowed to wear a uniform when on leave. Happened right after 9/11 as they thought the would be targeted.

Canadian military members are allowed to wear mess dress on leave. This is different than an issued uniform. It is the equivalent to a tux and is purchased out of pocket. This would be appropriate (and permitted) for formal night.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Several folks aked why I had medals but he didn't . . .

p.s. uniform has gotten a private tour of a ship by the Master, dinner at the Master's table, 'port call excursion' with the Master and invitations to the bridge including being with the Master during mooring and discussing ship handling during the evolution . . .

That is hysterical!

Thanks for your service from the daughter of a Navy vet married to a soldier.

DH and I were talking today about him wearing his dress blues on our cruises. I can't wait!

 

[Mrsjvb]

I
I mentioned this to my active son in law- US Airforce and he said he will not bring his on our next cruise as he does not want to bring attention to either himself or my daughter. He told me the Airforce does not want him or his family to be targeted so they ask he does not wear it out and about.
Not sure if this has something to do with his actual postion in the AF or what, but I will respect his wishes.
If your husband is comfortable with wearing them I think it would be very nice.
God bless both of you for your commitment to keeping us free

the uniform does not denote what he does for a living, unless he is an Aviator and wears his wings( or in the Navy's case.. Dolphins for Submarine Forces, and the various warfare designators..DH actually has 2 he is authorized to wear). they only way somebody would know what he does.. is if he told them,or they were PS themselves and could read the ribbons/Medals.

That being said, yes the uniform can be a target especially in Europe where terrorists hang out. we were in Japan in 2001 and Servicemembers were 'encouraged' to keep a low profile for a while. Kind of hard when you are a 6 Ft tall red head in a land of 5'8" Asians...

as for what is appropriate off base.. every Branch has some sort of working/Utility uniform. you'd recognize them as camouflage uniforms. in 99% of off base venues, these are NOT allowed. But each Branch's Dress uniform.. whether it's the basic uniform required by all personnel or the Mess dress the Senior Enlisted and Officers can wear .. is not only allowed but encouraged as long as the venue is appropriate: ( weddings, funerals, cruises..good. Political rallies: BAD)

Thankfully, we have come a long way since Viet Nam and no longer do our servicemembers have to concern themselves with being spat upon or otherwise derided when on the streets.

 

[Lizziemom]

My husband and I were on a RCCL cruise with a family from Scotland. The father and son were dressed in their clans formal kilts on Formal night. I spoke with the mother / wife, and she said her husband and son were getting alot of attention, and requests for pictures. They were having a ball.

Go for it, wear your uniform, we civilians love seeing you in them.

 

[Who's your Mickey?]

Under no circumstance should he NOT consider wearing his dress blues. He has earned the right and privilege to wear that uniform with an immense amount of pride!!!

I personally thank him for his service...

 

[Stinkerbe11]

DH is active duty and wore his Mess Dress on our recent cruise. He had no issues at all and only a couple of other passengers even commented on it.

 

[tjctoy]

WE have Cruised many times with friends that are Military and they always look fantastic in their Dress Uniforms. I highly recomemmend that you do wear them. Plus I personally love to see service people identified.
Best of luck on your cruise.