Staff and Faculty Uniform Manual

Letter of Promulgation February 2010

Norwich University was founded in 1819 as the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy. It is the nation’s oldest private military college and is the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). In 1834 the “Academy” was chartered as Norwich University, and in 1898 was further designated by the Vermont legislature as the Military College of the State of Vermont.

For more than 150 years, uniformed staff and faculty at Norwich University have held commissions in the Vermont State Militia (VSM), and have been inextricably linked with the Corps of Cadets and the Vermont National Guard. Since 1864 their shared heritage has earned them a place in our nation’s history, as on Oct. 19 of that year, an invasion of Confederate soldiers from Canada conducted a raid in St. Albans. The Corps of Cadets, accompanied by uniformed members of the faculty and staff, organized and rallied at various posts to defend against a Confederate invasion.

The proud history of members of the staff and faculty serving as uniformed members of the VSM continues today. And while the cadets wear a distinctive traditional “Cadet Gray” uniform, the staff and faculty proudly wear the uniform of the United States Army as adapted in this Uniform Manual. We continue to refer to the U.S. Army’s Uniform Policy, AR 670–1, as a basis for our policy at Norwich. I therefore expect the uniformed faculty and staff to continue to uphold the rich heritage and tradition behind the wearing of the uniform. This means that each uniformed member of the faculty and staff must present a neat, clean, professional military appearance. The uniform must fit and be worn properly as detailed herein. It must be pressed and maintained in a well-fitting and serviceable condition. Grooming standards must present a neat, conservative military appearance.

Section 1 of this document prescribes some of the customs and courtesies of the Military College of Vermont. This includes addressing each other, saluting and returning salutes, and honors to our national flag and national colors.

Significant updates to this policy describe wear of the uniform during normal duty hours (Section 2.1) and revisions regarding tattoos, jewelry, cosmetics, sunglasses, skirts, maternity uniform and umbrellas (Section 2.2).

Properly uniformed members of the VSM present a role model for our cadets and students. Section 5 of this manual describes the appropriate dress and appearance we expect from our cadets and students so that we might all encourage their professionalism as well.

To help you to meet the proper standards for wearing the uniform, the Manager of the Uniform Store is authorized to order and issue all uniform articles, and can assist with proper sizing, fitting, and replacement of unserviceable items. Section 4. of this manual is amended to remove the $120 authorized uniform allowance. I expect all VSM members will judiciously replace unserviceable, ill-fitting, and worn uniform items as necessary. The Uniform Store extension is 2206.

If you have further questions or problems, please address them to the Office of the Commandant at extension 2135. The proponent for the Staff and Faculty Uniform Manual is the Office of the Commandant, extension 2135.

Richard W. Schneider, MG, VSM
Twenty-third President