Medal Sytem Recommendations

[Super18Ordie]

Kind of on the same topic, What is the reg dealing with actors playing military officers in movies? I notice that most of their medals are either in the wrong order or dont match up with their jobs/time in service (Flight of the Intruder a nugget jg on his first cruise with 4 rows of ribbons). I heard somewhere that they wear their ribbons the wrong way because the military said that they couldnt be correct and they had to be out of uniform because if not then they would be considered impersonating an officer. Any thoughts??

 

[KBayDog]

U.S. Code Title 10, Section 772:

(f) While portraying a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or
Marine Corps, an actor in a theatrical or motion-picture production
may wear the uniform of that armed force if the portrayal does not
tend to discredit that armed force.

The stuff about wearing partial uniforms, incorrect ribbons, etc. is pretty much urban legend. It means that the studio either didn't hire a good military "advisor," or the one they did hire wasn't paying attention. (OR, the production staff didn't listen to him.)

In any event, I don't think the Code is too rigidly enforced.

"...if the portrayal does not tend to discredit that armed force."

If it was well-enforced, the crew of "A Few Good Men," "The Rock," "Born on the Fourth of July," and a host of other...quality...films would have been run up the flag pole.