Uniform Cap Etiquette

by Reginald Butt, Jr., Protocal Committee

uniform cap etiquette

The left side (emblem side) of the cap is reserved only for Legion emblem, city, country, district or state lettering.
If desired, the items must be placed on the right side of cap:

1. Additional lettering, restricted to either the name of a Post or to an officer title, such as Past Commander.
2. Cap insignia or badges for past or present officers.
3. Consecutive membership insignia, membership stars, and or authorized Legion or military service decorations.
4. Names or nicknames of individual members cannot be used on caps.

The Legion uniform cap should be worn by its members only when in attendance at official Legion meetings or ceremonies or as official guests at patriotic or other civil functions or by individuals when officially representing The American Legion on public occasions.
A member is considered to be in uniform if wearing an official Legion uniform cap. Therefore it is not proper to wear the cap while eating a meal at an official Legion or am luncheon or dinner.
The cap should be worn in a place of worship only by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard, and Commander of same while in marching order or standing guard. When returned to and seated in pews, the cap should be removed.

Legion posts marching in formation into a place of worship should uncover at the door, hold the cap with the right hand over the heart until the arrival in the pews and commanded to take seats, remaining uncovered during the entire service. At the close of the service, upon command, the post shall arise, the members holding the cap with the right hand over the heart will march out of the place of worship and recover after marching through the door.

Legion members not information will uncover upon entering the place of worship and remain uncoverd during the entire service and will recover after leaving the place of worship.

When at a funeral, the cap should be held over the heart as one approaches the casket and is not at any time worn in a place of worship (except by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard, or Commander of same while in marching order or standing guard.) At the graveside, the cap shold be held in the right hand over the heart during the entire service. In cold and inclement weather, the cap should be worn.

In Legion meetings, the cap should be worn except during moments of the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and when standing in silent reverence in memory of departed comrades, when the cap should be held with the right hand over the heart.

Female members of the Legion should wear their caps in the manner prescribed for female personnel of the armed services.

Note: Butt, Reginal Jr., "Uniform Cap Etiquette (Protocol Committee)", Nassau County Legionnaire, December 2013, p. 4