ACU Top on or off while driving?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 13:28:25 -0400

I have not seen anything that says you can wear or do not have to wear your ACU top while driving yet I hear different from many. Officers and Senior enlisted I have seen take off their top prior to driving home and some I have seen tell someone to put it back on. Anyone have anything in black and white that states either?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 2:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 14:06:39 -0400

There is nothing that specifically says that you must have your top on while operating a POV, however, there is also nothing that says you are permitted to remove your top while driving.

It is one of those "why even bother fighting about it" moments. Just keep it on until you get home.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 23 at 2015 2:09 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 23 May 2015 14:09:31 -0400

Simply put, without the top, it's an incomplete uniform (no visible rank insignia, nametapes, service, etc). It's not the same as a service jacket. It's more akin to shirt.

I get the idea of not wearing it, but this is a "doing the little things right, even when no one else is watching."

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 2:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 14:13:44 -0400

My unit prefers that we do not drive with it on when on civilian roads for force protection reasons. I've never seen anything in writing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 2:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 14:24:57 -0400

I believe it boils down to being disciplined enough to do the right thing at the right time. Remain either in complete uniform, or change before leaving out in your POV. The one thing I have noticed now days is that soldiers have a lack of discipline and do things to just see what they can get away with. Take the hard right over the easy wrong!

Response by MAJ James Woods made May 23 at 2015 2:40 PM

MAJ James Woods — Sat, 23 May 2015 14:40:49 -0400

Nothing in the regs. I'm guilty of doing it. Hate the 45 min drive home but I remove my top when I'm going straight home after a long day.

Response by PFC Alex Rivers made May 23 at 2015 2:45 PM

PFC Alex Rivers — Sat, 23 May 2015 14:45:26 -0400

I leave my top on all the time, just to save the hassle of putting it back on.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made May 23 at 2015 5:19 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Sat, 23 May 2015 17:19:23 -0400

Guess it depends on what she looks like.

Just kidding.
I would say depending on the weather and what you were doing previously, wether you would put it back on or not.
Were you in the dirt digging a foxhole for training, moving iron or something else as messy, Sweating heavy, working in motor pool in a vehicle and got grease on your t-shirt. I guess it would depend on circumstances.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 10:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 22:16:51 -0400

I like these responses. I see some say it doesn't matter, and I see some say it more of a personnel discipline issue. During my early years in the Cav, we were not allowed to drive with our top off. we also stopped during retreat and saluted the flag. these are things I do not see much of.

Response by SFC John Elam made Aug 29 at 2015 4:52 PM

SFC John Elam — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 16:52:43 -0400

I will have to agree with leaving the top on. Other wise change into something else.

Response by SFC John Elam made Aug 29 at 2015 5:03 PM

SFC John Elam — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 17:03:29 -0400

He is an embarrassment. As for the Media, most lean one way or another campaign wise. The will publish, exploit, air whatever news they think will get ratings. It is publicity.