The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-04
WEARING OF UNIFORMS
War Department Regulations for
go Officers and Soldier. 3

The uncertainty among discharged
soldiers as to the war department
regulations concerning the wearing of
uniforms is cleared up in a govern
ment circular signed by the secretary
of war received today by the State
Journal
The circular in part, reads:
Present law authorizes a discharged
officer or soldier to wear his uniform from
the place of discharge to his home. within
three months of the date of his discharge
from the service Thereafter the officer
may wear his uniform only upon occasions
of ceremony.
1.-The enlisted man must return his uni
form within four months of date of dis
charge; but can wear it only stated
above.
keep the uniforms which they are per-
mitted to wear home and to wear that par
tinctive mark or insignia. to be issued by
the war department, shall be worn.
1T will thus be clearly seen that neither
charged soldier be permitted to wear uni
forms made by civilian or other tailors
They may legally wear only the particu-
lar uniform which they, have been per-
mitted to retain.
mo person will be permitted to solicit
orders, or deliver uniforms to soldiers
about to be discharged. Persons or con-
Germs peIrsisting in selling uniforms to
to do so, will not be permitted to come
on or do business on the reservation
When asked to make clear in detail
some of the points of the order, Capt.
Frank E. Shaw, commanding officer
of the Washburn S. A. T. c., said to-
day:
ut will be noted that this clears up
several points which have been in con-
troversy.
First: Neither officers nor men
discharged can wear the Uniform Tor
longer than three months after the
date of discharge. 1t has been rather
generally understood that the uniform
might be worn for four months by the
enlisted men and not at all by the Of
ficers discharged.
Second: After the expiration of
the three months permitted wear the
discharged enlisted man has one
month in which to return the uniform
to the government unless laws are en-
acted permitting the retention
Third: The only uniform permit
ted to be worn by the discharged en-
listed man is the actual uniform is
sued him by the government This
precludes the wearing of serge uni
forms (unleSs issued as they were in
some instances last winter, also of
wearing leather leggins. wrap leggins
Except where issued), the overseas or
the winter cap Except where issued),
etc. 1t would also prohibit the wear
ing of other than issue shoes when
the uniform is worn.
Fourth: Many of these restric-
lions OF course Wouid not apply TO dlS-
charged officers as they furnish their
own uniforms. but it is apparent that
the uniforms worn by such former Of
ficers must conform to uniform regu-
lations and that many of the freak
coats. Sam Browne belts, etc, are pro-
hibited.
Another order from the war de-
partment calls attention to the neces-
sity for the observance, by all former
members of the service, of military
courtesy and uniform regulations.
That men and officers permitted to
wear the uniform after discharge must
respect it, so comport themselves as
not to bring discredit on the uniform
when wearing any portion of the uni
form it must be kept clean and all
buttons must be buttoned, hands kept
out of pockets, etc"