Many high schools hold military balls, which are smaller versions of the balls held by all branches of the armed forces, for their ROTC members. The majority of male ROTC members will choose to wear their issued dress uniforms to this type of ball. According to the rules of military dress code, the uniform should be cleaned, pressed, and perfectly fitted. It is appropriate for an ROTC member to wear his acquired cords, ribbons, and awards. The uniform must be worn in its entirety, including the shoes. It cannot be mixed and match with pieces from your own wardrobe. The same rules apply to female ROTC members who choose to wear their uniforms.
On the other hand, female ROTC members, as well as the female dates of male ROTC members, have the option of wearing formal dresses to a military ball. There are many females who choose to coordinate the colors of their gown with the colors of their date’s uniform, but this is not an absolute requirement. The dress code for high school military balls is more lenient, and as such, there are plenty of girls who choose to wear cocktail dresses instead of formal gowns. Cocktail dresses tend to be approximately knee length, and they are made from lighter fabrics.
Males who are not high school ROTC members are permitted to attend military balls if they are invited by a female ROTC member. However, it should be noted that protocol strictly forbids nonmilitary male dates from wearing any type of military dress uniform. Khakis, polo shirts, and tennis shoes are considered too informal as attire, and they should not be worn. Instead, a nonmilitary male guest should opt for a tuxedo or another type of formal suit. Matching dress shoes are an absolute must.
On a side note, female ROTC members who choose to wear their military uniform to the ball will generally have two uniforms to choose from: the skirt uniform and the pants uniform. The skirt uniform is considered the more appropriate choice of the two. Both male and female ROTC members who choose to wear their uniforms to a military ball must remember to adhere to the proper decorum in terms of doffing and donning their hats while entering and exiting a military ball. For high school military balls, the dress code is less strict than that of official military balls; however, every effort should be made to be neat and decorous in one’s appearance.