Those that have served in the military and earned medals and awards are often proud to be able to display them. Even after they have completed active service and have moved on to other careers, these military awards remain highly treasured.
Even the government considers these military medals to be important and encourages veterans and retirees to continue wearing them, especially during military-themed events or holidays like Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, and other social or formal functions of a military nature. This can be done on civilian clothing as well, but with some basic guidelines that should be adhered to.
Ownership
Many medals find their way into the hands of relatives and others after the original recipients died. Never wear someone else’s medals, even if the person was a close relative or if you are in the service. It does not matter what the event you are attending is about, you should only wear your own medals.
Timing
As said, medals and awards can be worn to any military-themed event. This can apply to officially recognized military-oriented days of celebration like Veterans and Memorial Day, military parades, funerals, or social gatherings. While the medals can be worn on civilian clothing, they should however be formal attire and not casual.
Medal choice
There is the flexibility of choice when it comes to what military medals you can wear. You can opt to wear your full-size medals, miniature medals, and/or lapel pins. The decision is yours and remains appropriate. For each full-size medal, you should have an equivalent miniature medal version. Based on how you are dressed and what you think looks appropriate, you can choose either option to have on your clothing. The general rule of thumb is to wear your miniature medals for formal evening events and full-size medals during morning or daytime occasions.
Medal arrangement
It is generally recommended that you limit the medals on your holding bar to no more than five of the most senior or advanced and that you wear just one row of medals. If you have more medals than this you want to display, there may be occasions this is permissible. In such cases, you will need to overlap them appropriately so that the medal on the far left is at the bottom and each one added as you move to the right slightly overlaps the one before it. This way the most senior or advanced medal at the far right from your left shoulder remains completely visible.