AR 670-1: What is your reaction to the newest changes?

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL - It is no one's business what one does home on leave or even a day off in the dorm. Who makes these rules anyways?

Although I'm no longer on active duty, I support the proposed changes to AR 670-1.

While enforcing civilian clothing standards will be next to impossible, I believe the objective here is to get soldiers to use better judgment when it comes to their appearance. Rather than viewing the changes to AR 670-1 as more restrictive, I see them as a attempt to improve the overall appearance of soldiers in garrison and off base. However, the standard can only be enforced if leaders model the changes for their subordinates. Good leaders will adhere to the new standards, and their subordinates will follow suit. For those soldiers who are unwilling to comply, the changes to AR 670-1 may be the means to help downsize the Army.

Some of those I can understand. The rest look like they were written by some asshat who needs to get laid. I mean really, 5, 11, 14. And 12 your really gonna take and tell someone they have to stop paying someone to press their uniforms. What's that gonna do for the economy and military standing in those areas?

On Tuesday, the local AUSA chapter hosted a symposium. One of the speakers was a LTG, who stated that 5 years ago, only 3 out of 10 17-24 year olds met Army recruiting standards. Today, that number was dipped below that, closing on 2.5.

I thought to myself, "How much of the reduction is due to the tattoo standards in the new 670-1?"

Personally I don't think the way I wear my hair should affect the way I work. If its neatly pulled back or out of my face it shouldn't be an issue...

What are my favorite changes?
Well having seen this regulation change like this in 1985 and again in 1990 and now again, I guess I can say my favorite change is when the CSM and Army COS change and take this version of 670-1 with them.

1985. The "new BDU's were supposed to be worn right out of the duffel bag. Its a combat uniform, remember that one. Well how long did that last?

2014, ACUs will not be commercially pressed; hand ironing of the ACU only will be authorized.
Until the CSM wants you looking sharp for parade and then were back to the cleaners aren't we. I like this and hope it doesn't change again.

2014. Soldiers will be clean shaven on AND off duty (even during leave).
Oh please someone find out what's in the water in the Pentagon. Its not enforceable, don't waste the ink putting this in print. Saw this before, 2000 Ft Stewart Ga policy letter.

2014. Males will be prohibited from wearing cosmetics..
I'm sorry was this an issue? what male had make up on? Best thing for make up is a ruck march with pack. Sweat gets that stuff right off your face. We called it camouflage face paint not make up but whatever works I guess.

2014. Tattoos...
Seen this one before, hmmm I think that was pre war, now post war we don't like them. Should have never changed the reg to begin with. Now you want everyone to be clean shaven and no ink.

2014? Soldiers will not walk while engaged in activities that require the hand salute...
This is old news and policy on dozens of posts already. Move on please

2014? Bags worn over the shoulder will only be black... Again old news, your boring me here.

2014? civilian clothes standards both on and off duty and both on and off post.
Ft Stewart GA, 3rd ID 2000, Civilian dress policy. Nice thought, not enforceable off post. Nice to see an oldie but goodie making a come back.

2014. No visible body piercings on or off duty and on or off post, males will never be allowed to wear earrings. Ear gauging will be unauthorized.
Seriously? enforced off post how? Moving on..

2014. No dental ornamentation or gold teeth will be authorized.
Ok throwing the BS flag on this one. At what point do we see stories on racism with this reg like we do with the hair reg? Do soldiers get the gold removed and replaced? who pays for that?

2014. Soldiers will be authorized to wear authorized ballistic eye wear in garrison.
Ah we do now, have been this they were issued in Iraq, so what's with the new reg for something we do already?

2014. Officers will be authorized to wear non-subdued rank on their headgear in garrison.
I guess were not saluting officers because we can't see the rank. Officers want some bling who are we to say no. Go with stay bright rank Sir. Oh wait a second, officers worn non subdued rank before, silly me I thought this was new.

2014. Males will be authorized to carry black umbrella with ASU.
And the heavens opened and I heard angels sing, I have your answer SFC Davis, its this aw inspiring demonstration of leadership. We can now stay dry in the rain.

OK, I'll wade in on this one. As a woman, in the Marines, we always had tough standards. If you have longer hair, you must have it up in a fashion that doesn't show HOW you put it up, and it must be neat... without the use of a hair net the same color as your hair to keep those fly-away ends tucked away. At one time, we HAD to wear a girdle, and there were always some higher ups who went down the line, using a pencil or a ruler against the outside of your leg while you were in a skirt, CHECKING for the damned things.
During PT, it was never mentioned, if you showed up for a run with a pony tail if you had long hair, though I don't recall anyone stating it was 'unsat' to have your hair like that.
I always abhored the USMC deep red nail polish ruling... the nail and lip color had to match the cap cord you see, and trust me, most women really don't look good with RED lips, so most never wore lipstick, and I don't recall any WM's who had a problem with longer nails, because most of us had jobs that made those impossible anyway.
What I DO want to know, is how these regulations will be checked when someone is on leave, or a 72... We usually head off the base as far as possible when allowed, so I'm having these mental images of devious NCIS people, slithering around Virgina Beach, hunting down Marines out for a long weekend...

It is hilarious to see all the hoopla that was surrounding the supposed changes. It seems as if most of the comments pertain to sideburns, shaving off duty, and civilian clothes. The reality is neither the whole "top of the ear" sideburns deal nor the shaving off duty insanity made it into the final version of the AR. Civilian clothing was left up to the discretion of the Commander. I would be curious to see how many lazy NCO's and Officers out there started trying to enforce the rumors rather than the regulation. Does anybody have any good stories?

As for #12, I have never seen anyone take their ACUs to be commercially pressed, let alone had them hand ironed that I can honestly recall. Who would really do this and why? This to me maybe shouldn't even have been brought up as a proposed changed. No one to begin with irons their ACUs where you could see lines like the BDUs. Everyone else at my work couldn't think of ever seeing ironed ACUs either. There maybe that one guy out there in the Army, but he hasn't crossed our path yet. Either way, this proposed change shouldn't effect any of us. Now I did see ironed PTs from the mid 90s, but it was a joke by a Soldier to see who would notice. He never wore them to PT but had to show them off for laughs.

#3 For sure. Finally.