Authorized Provider Partnership Program Frequently Asked Questions

Service regulations related to the purchase of uniforms and accessories by veterans for ceremonial wear during a military funeral:

Army

Local commanders will train all authorized providers prior to their use in a funeral detail to ensure a professional, dignified and coordinated delivery of military funeral honors in accordance with ceremony standards and procedures established by the Army. At the completion of training, the local commander may provide honor guard equipment and “limited” access (at the provider’s cost) to military clothing sales stores for appropriate uniforms, decorations and insignia. This authorization is restricted to unique uniforms and accessory items that may be required to augment an Army funeral detail.

Navy and Marine Corps

Navy veterans and former Marines can call the Navy-Marine Corps Uniform Program in Chesapeake, Virginia, at 800-368-4088 to begin the process of purchasing appropriate dress uniforms. Other uniforms are not authorized. Buyers must provide their DD Form 214 in advance of receiving the uniforms in the mail. Alternatively, veterans can use their DD Form 214 to gain admittance to Navy or Marine Corps exchanges for the express purpose of purchasing uniforms for ceremonial wear.

Department of the Air Force

Veterans honorably discharged or separated from the Department of the Air Force under honorable conditions are permitted to buy selected uniform items authorized for active-duty personnel from Air Force Military Clothing Sales Stores, after obtaining permission from the installation commander or their representative. This authorization is restricted to unique uniforms and accessory items required for a specific occasion; that is, the utility uniform is not to be sold to separated personnel needing a blue dress uniform. Items commonly available from commercial sources, such as black socks, white underwear, handkerchiefs, black dress shoes, etc., are not authorized for sale to those separated personnel. The veteran must present discharge papers and other identification to the Air Force MCSS representative at the time of purchase as required by the installation commander.

No, the Joint Travel Regulations state that the only time cleaning, dry cleaning and tailoring of clothing items (in this case, whatever apparel is worn by your honor guard members or partners during the performance of honors details) is authorized and reimbursable is when the individual has been issued (invitational) travel orders, is temporary duty travel on these orders for four or more consecutive days, has the uniform items serviced while on the orders and has not returned to home station.

Army and Department of the Air Force veterans may purchase medals from the AAFES. There is a toll-free mail order catalog at 888-768-3204. Navy and Marine Corps veterans may purchase medals from the toll-free Navy Exchange mail order program at 800-368-4088. Catalog operators will provide instructions for forwarding the DD Form 214 and assist in selecting authorized uniform items.

Medals awarded while in active service are issued free of charge if requested in writing.

To request replacement medals, start the form online then print and fax or mail form.

Fax to: 314-801-9195
Mail to:
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138

For detailed guidelines go to https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html.

Recognition as an authorized provider is service-specific. A prospective partner must secure the same status from each military service unless there is an agreement between services to recognize each other’s provider.

Contact the military service coordinator in your area.

For basic information about funeral honors, from making a request to presenting the flag, see the Funeral Directors and Planners MilLife Guide.

For information about military funeral honors governing laws and directives, visit the Governing Laws and Directives page. If you don’t find everything you need, contact Military OneSource at 800-342-9647. OCONUS/International? View calling options.