Are ear buds authorized to wear while in uniform?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 22:58:49 -0500

The Army Times is the only place I have seen this in writing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2016 11:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 23:54:21 -0500

As far as I'm aware right now AR 670-1 still does not allow ear buds while in uniform. However SMA Dailey was looking at allowing soldiers to wear ear buds while working out in uniform inside of the gym. I have yet to see a date associated with the changes being applied though.

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2016/02/08/army-chief-oks-earbuds-gym-new-policy-coming-soon/80023146/

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2016/02/01/sma-pushes-authorization-wear-earbuds-pt-uniforms/79648910/

Army chief OKs earbuds in the gym; new policy coming soon

First, the good news: The Army’s top general has approved a proposal allowing soldiers to wear earbuds when working out in a gym in their PT uniform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 3:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 03:25:17 -0500

MSG Private RallyPoint Member per AR 670-1, p.3-6 (2b) Soldiers are not authorized to wear wireless or non-wireless devices/earpieces while wearing Army uniforms

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 23 at 2016 6:29 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 06:29:39 -0500

I'm not sure why this was met with such huge surprise. While the new policy makes it Army wide, most posts I've been to have allowed it for years in local policy letters...

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Feb 23 at 2016 7:46 AM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 07:46:36 -0500

Have to wait on the ALARACT. There is always a delay.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Feb 23 at 2016 9:40 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:40:08 -0500

Every base I was stationed at, we were allowed to wear earbuds in the gym (even Hawaii). I don't know why this is such big news. It's not like no one has ever worn them while in the gym. I guess the SMA is just making it an Army wide policy now.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 11:24 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 11:24:25 -0500

Until the new rendition of the regs get published, currently they are not.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 12:06 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 12:06:41 -0500

I agree with most of you. Until I see it in writing, I will wait.

Response by SGT Alejandro Sarandrea made Aug 1 at 2016 1:53 PM

SGT Alejandro Sarandrea — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 13:53:17 -0400

670-1 makes it clear. If it detracts you can't wear it.

Response by SFC Quinn Chastant made May 12 at 2019 10:31 AM

SFC Quinn Chastant — Sun, 12 May 2019 10:31:42 -0400

Use some sense (common or horse sense even) when using earbuds and 85% of the time you are good to go. Examples: Running on a closed course where you don't interact with vehicle traffic, ok. Running along roadways, no. Under a set of hearing protection riding in a C-130 and not as part of a stick of jumpers, but as a passenger who will exit once landed, should be ok; but when on a detail in a high noise environment, where you may not hear shouted warnings or instructions, not ok. Under the common sense aspect of appearances in public while in uniform (at public events, where you are participating in a marching element) probably best to leave them in your pocket for when its over and you are released. And never when operating any motorized vehicle.

Response by CPO Gary Andrews made Mar 24 at 2020 7:06 PM

CPO Gary Andrews — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 19:06:17 -0400

Is this a joke?

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Mar 28 at 2020 12:48 PM

SFC Ernest Thurston — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 12:48:37 -0400

I believe that most bases have a prohibition for earbuds not because of the uniform violation but because of the safety violation. Most states have some kind of law prohibiting covering both ears while driving. I know a few cities that ban earbuds while walking. When I worked in DC I can't tell you how many times people just walked straight into an intersection against the light because the had their earbuds in and their phone in their hands. I've almost run over a couple myself.
Back in the '70s/80's boom-baxes were popular in the culture. Soldiers started copying the civilians with a boom-box on their shoulders. The post CSM in Baumholder held a meeting with all the NCO's and made the statement, "The boom-box is not an accouterment to the military uniform. If I see a soldier with one on his shoulder it will be confiscated and his chain of command can come to HQ to explain why he had it.?
So it's my humble opinion that other than in the gym or on a running trail/track if you are in a military uniform, you should not have earbuds in your ears. It's similar to putting your hands in your pockets. Real soldiers don't do it. Real soldiers don't carry umbrellas either.

Response by MSgt Mike Mooney made May 17 at 2020 11:23 PM

MSgt Mike Mooney — Sun, 17 May 2020 23:23:54 -0400

Only with the PT uniform.

Response by SPC Sam Sterner made Jul 31 at 2021 4:30 AM

SPC Sam Sterner — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 04:30:50 -0400

Dude really? I respectfully request you find something better to worry about.