<p>im just curious what uniform this is?</p>
<p>ive seen all the gray ones, but ive seen a few pics of women in that kind of uniform. anyone care to shed some light?</p>
<p>That is the women's Mess Dress uniform. Used for formal occasions. It is authorized for female cadets as an alternative to the Full Dress uniform.</p>
<p>When I was at WP for PPW, the girls wore the Dress Mess, but with black jackets. Why is there a difference? Different occasions? For different class levels?</p>
<p>The following excerpts are taken from: <a href="http://www.usma.army.mil/Protocol/images/r670_1.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.usma.army.mil/Protocol/images/r670_1.pdf</a></p>
<p>Chapter 23
Army White Mess, All-White Mess, and Evening White Mess UniformsFemale</p>
<p>231.Authorization for wear
a. The Army white mess, all-white mess, and evening white mess uniforms are authorized for wear by all female personnel. Personnel normally wear these uniforms from April to October, except in clothing zones I and II, where they may wear them year-round (see CTA 50900).
b. There are two versions of the Army white jacket. The older version of the jacket is authorized for wear by officers only. The newer version of the jacket is authorized for wear by all females. Officers may continue to wear the older version jacket as long as it is serviceable.</p>
<p>232. Composition
There are three variations to the Army white mess uniform.
a. The Army white mess uniform comprises the Army white jacket, the Army black knee-length skirt, the black cummerbund, and the formal white blouse with black dress neck tab (see fig 231).
b. The Army all-white mess uniform comprises the Army white jacket, the Army white knee-length mess skirt, white cummerbund, and the formal white blouse with black dress neck tab (see fig 232).
c. The Army white evening mess uniform comprises the Army white jacket, Army black full-length skirt, black cummerbund, and formal white blouse with black dress neck tab (see fig 233).
d. Figure 233 shows the Army white evening mess uniform with the old version of the white mess jacket.</p>
<p>233. Occasions for wear
The following are appropriate occasions for personnel to wear the Army white, all-white, and evening white mess
uniforms.
a. Social functions of a general or official nature, held after retreat.
b. Private, formal dinners or other private, formal social functions held after retreat.</p>
<hr>
<p>Chapter 25
Army Blue Mess and Evening Mess UniformsFemale</p>
<p>251. Authorization for wear
The Army blue mess and blue evening mess uniforms are authorized for year-round wear by all female personnel.</p>
<p>252. Composition
a. The Army blue mess uniform comprises the Army blue jacket, the Army blue knee-length skirt, the formal white blouse with black dress neck tab, and the black cummerbund (see figs 251 and 252).
b. The Army blue evening mess uniform comprises the Army blue jacket, the Army blue full-length skirt, the formal white blouse with black dress neck tab, and the black cummerbund (see fig 253).</p>
<p>253. Occasions for wear
The following are appropriate occasions for personnel to wear the Army blue mess and blue evening mess uniforms.
a. Social functions of a general or official nature, held after retreat.
b. All private, formal social functions held after retreat.
c. The Army blue mess evening mess uniform is the most formal uniform worn by Army female personnel.</p>
<p>Our D has been there 3 years and hasn't worn that particular uniform once (her choice). She always wears her Full Dress Grey's with either the grey pants or white skirt for formal occasions. She says the Dress Mess looks too much like she's an air force cadet or in a waiters uniform :)</p>
<p>One of my son's friends was actually mistaken for a waitress at the All-Service Academy Ball her plebe year -- she has never worn that uniform again! :)</p>
<p>And the female cadets just love to see all the cadets' girlfriends wearing beautiful gowns and having their hair done while they look like waitresses at a formal event. Yeah, right.</p>