AR 670-1 and Reusable Grocery Bags

2015-03-15T15:16:32-04:00

Some states mandate their use, some people are just environmentally-friendly. In my case, WA state outlawed disposable bags. Shoppers can bring reusable bags or pay for a paper bag. What's okay for use of a reusable grocery bag in uniform?

Not a big issue; it just gets me every time I have to stop for groceries after work.

AR 670-1 states:
"f. Bags, handbags, purses, and backpacks are authorized, but must adhere to the following criteria:
(1) Hand carried bags will be conservative and professional in appearance. Bags (to include civilian gym bags, civilian backpacks, or other similar civilian bags) must be carried only in the hand if they do not meet the criteria outlined in paragraph 3–7f(2). DA Pam 670–1 provides additional descriptions and wear occasions for handbags.
(2) If Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black or match the camouflage pattern uniform being worn, and may not have any commercial logos. The contents of the bag may not be visible; therefore, see-through plastic or mesh bags are not authorized. Soldiers may carry authorized bags by hand, on one shoulder using a shoulder strap, or over both shoulders using both shoulder straps."

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 15 at 2015 3:23 PM

2015-03-15T15:23:31-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Pierce County does not require reusable bags, so I'm guessing you live in Thurston (I live in Olympia).

As I understand it, the Army lets you go to stores in your ACU's (or whatever they are called this week). If that's the case, then it goes without saying that you will be carrying bags into the store and packages out.

Just fold your bags into a neat bundle, and carry them under your left arm or in your left hand, like you would anything else in uniform...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-03-15T15:35:24-04:00

Does the army still have the suggestion plan program in place? This sounds "tailor" made for it.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Other than that, if there isn't any official guidance at the installation level, I'd acquire a few black bags, maybe mention it at the px our clothing sales and see what happens

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Mar 15 at 2015 5:23 PM

2015-03-15T17:23:43-04:00

I know that some of the commissaries were starting something similar. At the end of the day, it is a grocery bag, it is a tool for a specific purpose. You are not walking around the mall in duty uniform with it, or carrying it around your place of duty or to and from breaks and lunch.

Store to car, car to house, and vice versa.

Still, if it does concern you that much, http://www.greenvetsla.com/products/reusable-shopping-bags?variant=984256281

GreenVetsLA Reusable Shopping Bags

Our Veteran made Reusable Shopping Bags are a great way to tote your goods to and from. Key Features: - Extremely Durable- Sturdy webbing handles- "GreenVetsLA

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Mar 15 at 2015 5:43 PM

2015-03-15T17:43:25-04:00

I look at this and go: "seriously?!?"

Last time I checked the various shades of plastic bags are not addressed in any of the services regs an neither are paper bags. As long as it is being used for it's intended purpose, I can't see even the most gung-ho person saying something.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 15 at 2015 5:44 PM

2015-03-15T17:44:16-04:00

Um its a bag. You can "carry" any bag you want no matter what it looks like. Now unless you are "wearing" your grocery bags, it's a non-issue.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 15 at 2015 5:48 PM

2015-03-15T17:48:45-04:00

Those bags look like they could be from civilian establishments. The answer is easy in this case, don't shop in duty uniform.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 15 at 2015 5:49 PM

2015-03-15T17:49:47-04:00

Chesty Puller's Ghost.....

Is this really an issue? This is a Spirit of the Law vs Letter of the Law issue.

Yes, the bag may be bright pink, however you are adhering to a state law issue. The alternative would be to carry a blue plastic walmart bag... in any other state.

Should an attempt be made to use "a more conservative" color? Sure. How much of an attempt? About 2 seconds.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2015 10:25 PM

2015-03-15T22:25:53-04:00

If we were to follow that reg to the letter, then everyone who walks out of an AAFES or Shopette carrying even a plastic bag of items would be in violation. The term bag, in my interpretation of the reg refers to bags such as gym bags and oversized purses.

Having said that, I would think that a soldier walking in uniform with a bright pink reusable bag (such as they have for breast cancer awareness) would be rightly admonished to choose a bag of a more "military" color.

Response by SGT Stuart Macdonald made Mar 15 at 2015 10:40 PM

2015-03-15T22:40:25-04:00

If AR 670-1 applied here, then anyone leaving the commissary, PX, shopettes, class VI etc, would be in violation. It's not like you are walking around with the grocery bags slung over your shoulder while in uniform. If its really that big a deal, err to caution and shop in your civvies.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 3:48 AM

2015-03-16T03:48:16-04:00

As long as you are carrying it in your hand and not over your shoulder you are GTG.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Mar 16 at 2015 8:07 AM

2015-03-16T08:07:14-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, I'll bet this bag will soon be authorized!

Response by SSG Rob Cline made Mar 16 at 2015 8:19 AM

2015-03-16T08:19:04-04:00

If you're that concerned about it, place the bags back into a shopping cart and use the cart to get your groceries to the car. It's not like you're walking around all day with it on your shoulder.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 8:20 AM

2015-03-16T08:20:00-04:00

To the 6% that said "Looks unprofessional, shell out the dough and get the paper bags", do you realize that this is store to vehicle, and then vehicle to home, and likely hand carried? There's nothing unprofessional about it.

To the 6% that said "Get some custom-made ACU bags.", what happens when we change uniform patterns again?

We need to stop being pedantic. It's a grocery bag.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 16 at 2015 10:58 AM

2015-03-16T10:58:34-04:00

It is a grocery bag. Should not apply, however, every one of those bags I have seen, the straps are not long enough to put over your shoulder, so should not meet that criteria. Also, you are only going from store to car... Should be no issues in my opinion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-03-16T11:33:19-04:00

For me, as long as there was a minimized attempt to have them and use them, they should be allowed.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Mar 16 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-03-16T15:29:53-04:00

Some(most/all)of these bags are mobile billboards for stores or causes. Just turn them inside out and, 'wah-lah!', you have a solid color, generic grocery/shopping bag.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 8:30 AM

2015-03-18T08:30:49-04:00

If you are in the DMV area, either you bring your own bags or be forced to pay $.05 per bags. How many of us actually go in the store for one thing and come out with groceries for a week instead. And if the cashier double bag that's $.10 So I don't see any harm in bringing in your own bag(s)

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 8:35 AM

2015-03-18T08:35:53-04:00

For those who care about the economy, most of the time plastic bags end up in places they should not end up. Here in the DMV, they end up polluting the Potomac River. Every year there is a clean up process to clean up this rive and there are plenty of plastic bags coming out of it. this was one of the reasons for getting folks to bring resuseable bags versus getting the plastic ones.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 18 at 2015 10:13 AM

2015-03-18T10:13:48-04:00

When I first read this, half of me was like "Really?, This is an issue?". But the other half knows never to underestimate the effects bored senior leaders can have on an organizational mind frame, so I suppose it's ultimately not too surprising.

Hopefully with conflicts rampiong back up we can get back to function over form in the next few months...

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 19 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-05-19T13:28:56-04:00

There's no option for "who cares?"

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-05-19T14:54:54-04:00

The AFI for dress and appearance in the AF has similar statements. But honestly, is someone going to stop you if you're coming out of the grocery store with a grocery bag that doesn't meet these criteria?!?