How to properly display an Army uniform jacket?

December 13, 2007 8:09 AM

How to properly display part of an Army uniform in a display case? A customer of ours has a 'by the book' army husband and wants to make sure she doesn't break any rules displaying it.

We have a customer who would like to have this uniform jacket mounted in a shadow box.
The women wants to make sure that she won't be displaying her husbands uniform improperly.
This would be displayed in her home, and I'm pretty sure the gentleman in question is retired.


The meat of the question is this :
Would it be acceptable to fold the bottom half of the jacket up and behind the top portion to allow just the area from the bottom of the chest pockets upwards to be displayed, and if so, should the arms cross or hang down straight before they get folded under?


Does anyone have any better ideas or suggestions?
Thank you

posted by whoda to law & government (7 comments total)

You could contact your local recruiting branch/military base to speak with someone in-the-know if you don't get answers here.
posted by cooker girl at 8:38 AM on December 13, 2007

In Canada, that kind of question would be answered by the protocol team in the History and Heritage Division at the Department of National Defence. Presumably the US military has a similar protocol team that could advise.

Ring the Department of the US Army, and ask to speak to their protocol division or their history division (I suspect you'll wind up having to ring Washington). Then put the question to them.

Alternatively, locate an Army museum, and ask them what the protocol is. They'll know for sure.
posted by LN at 9:01 AM on December 13, 2007

There are some pictures here. If the pictures aren't clear enough, they may be willing to answer a question.
posted by Pants! at 9:09 AM on December 13, 2007

is it not possible to frame the whole thing unfolded?

Here is the army guide on wear of the uniform...unfortunately its not like the Navy one which has rules for folding stuff

http://www.army.mil/symbols/Downloads/r670_1.pdf
posted by legotech at 9:10 AM on December 13, 2007

I don't think you want to fold the sleeves under since the black stripe indicates either years of service, or combat tour(s).
posted by Gungho at 9:37 AM on December 13, 2007

Actually, the black stripe means it's an officer's uniform.
posted by pjern at 12:20 PM on December 13, 2007

Are you in the clothing conservation business? If you're not already experienced in the field, you might want to think about turning this job down, since improperly enclosing it in glass case could cause rapid deterioration of the garmet from increased light, heat, and condensation. Watching his jacket deteriorate or mold will surely upset Mr. By-The-Book at least as much as a bad fold. [1, 2]

If you do decide to go for it, any museum that regularly displays old textiles should be able to help you. There's a great book written by a Smithsonian conservator, about home preservation of practically anything you'd want to save including vintage clothes. Darned if I can't find it now, but maybe this will jog someone else's memory.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 4:44 PM on December 13, 2007