Wear of the Army Uniform by Reserve, Retired, Separated, and Civilian Personnel

Wear of a uniform similar to the Army uniform

a. A person for whom one of the following uniforms is prescribed may wear the uniform, provided it includes distinctive insignia prescribed by the Secretary of the Army to distinguish it from the U.S. Army uniform.
(1) Instructors or members of an organized cadet corps at a state university, college, or public high school that has a regular course of military instruction will wear the uniform prescribed by the academic organization.
(2) Instructors or members of an organized cadet corps at an educational institution that has a regular course of military instruction in military science with an Army instructor, will wear the uniform prescribed by the academic organization.
(3) When authorized by regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army, members of a military society composed of persons discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the U.S. Army may wear the uniform prescribed by the military society.
b. According to section 773(b), title 10, United States Code (10 USC 773(b)), none of the uniforms prescribed in paragraph a, above, may include insignia or grade the same as or similar to those prescribed for officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps.
c. State defense forces (SDF) may adopt the Army service and BDU uniforms, provided all service uniform buttons, cap devices, and other insignia differ significantly from that prescribed for wear by members of the U.S. Army. State insignia will not include “United States,” “U.S.,” “U.S. Army,” or the Great Seal of the United States. Personnel of the SDF may wear a State-designed SDF distinguishing badge or insignia centered on the left pocket flap. The red nametape or nameplate will include the full title of the SDF (for example, “Texas State Guard”). The utility uniforms will contain a State SDF tape in lieu of “U.S. Army” over the left breast pocket. States wishing to adopt the Army service and utility uniforms will register with the Chief, National Guard Bureau.