Posted on Aug 5, 2016
Are there any Commanders who can tell us why they would not allow sleeves to be rolled up on a base that reaches 110+ degrees?
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If something isn't allowed. I'll follow the rule. I try not to question every reg that I feel is stupid and I know there's usually a reason behind most things, but certain regs like not being able to roll your sleeves up or not being able to have your hands in your pockets drive me crazy. I get that it doesn't look professional when you're standing around at work with your hands in your pockets. But when youre outside waiting for PT to start and you put your hands in your pockets when it's 30 degrees and someone jumps down your throat for it it seems excessive. I'm not trying to be smart or a punk either. I just need some answers.
Posted in these groups: 
Regulation
Uniforms
Regulation Uniforms
Posted >1 y ago
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Hi, SrA Strong.
I know it’s a hard case to make in 120 degree heat, but it’s actually cooler with your sleeves down. Your sweat collects in the sleeves instead of evaporating with them rolled up, and cools the skin. And keeping them rolled down keeps you from getting sunburned.
Also, it’s more tactical. That particular point isn't as relevant with the ABUs, as they’re more of an in-garrison uniform than the previous woodland pattern. But the sleeves in the woodland pattern were always rolled down in the field.
I know it’s a hard case to make in 120 degree heat, but it’s actually cooler with your sleeves down. Your sweat collects in the sleeves instead of evaporating with them rolled up, and cools the skin. And keeping them rolled down keeps you from getting sunburned.
Also, it’s more tactical. That particular point isn't as relevant with the ABUs, as they’re more of an in-garrison uniform than the previous woodland pattern. But the sleeves in the woodland pattern were always rolled down in the field.
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Sgt (Join to see)
Im pretty sure thats only true if they are tight rolled. Mine are always a little loose to keep some airflow and make them easier to take off. I much prefer this over sleeves down
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Capt Chris McVeigh
Rolled sleeves provides mental relief from the heat but in reality, covering your body keeps you cooler. Can feel cooler in the short term, but not the long term. See every country that lives in climates like that. Why do you think long sleeves/pants are the norm vs shorts and a t-shirt.
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Suspended Profile
Cpl Mark McMiller - I've never seen a cowboy or farmer working in a short sleeved shirt.
LTC Paul Labrador
Capt Chris McVeigh - Correct. There is a reason why guys in the middle east wear thin cotton or linen Thawbs (the man dress). Protects your skin from the sun while allowing air circulation.
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Ft Bliss commander is not authorizing rolled sleeves. And in the desert sun, that is actually the smart call. Having sleeves down protects your skin from the sun and will actually be cooler in the long run.
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LTC Paul Labrador
MAJ Charles Blake - No irony. Given the choice between Vit D and air conditioning, I'll take air conditioning. I can always get Vit D out of a bottle..... ;o)
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SGT Dave Tracy
Having spent a few quality years at Ft. Bliss I would agree with keeping the sleeves down to prevent burning; however, opening the cuffs for a modicum of cooling can be helpful I think.
Oh, and MAJ Blake, it's not ALWAYS sunny there. A handful of times a year, to hear the locals, one might think it was the dawn of the apocalypse when they get a spritz of rain that floods the land or a dusting of snow (now that's good entertainment) that shuts down the region for a few days. That is a place unaccustomed to clouds and precipitation!
Good times, good times!
Oh, and MAJ Blake, it's not ALWAYS sunny there. A handful of times a year, to hear the locals, one might think it was the dawn of the apocalypse when they get a spritz of rain that floods the land or a dusting of snow (now that's good entertainment) that shuts down the region for a few days. That is a place unaccustomed to clouds and precipitation!
Good times, good times!
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LTC Paul Labrador
SGT Dave Tracy - Well to be fair, since there is a distinct lack of sewers, any little bit of rain tends to cause flash flooding....
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SGT Dave Tracy
LTC Paul Labrador - True enough Sir-though the locals do tend to lose their minds with any amount of precipitation.
Speaking of flooding, there are vast swaths of the training area that turn into a shallow sea for a few hours with enough rain ("enough" for the area that is) since the desert floor is slow to absorb it all.
Speaking of flooding, there are vast swaths of the training area that turn into a shallow sea for a few hours with enough rain ("enough" for the area that is) since the desert floor is slow to absorb it all.
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Probably because they can. Seriously I have known commanders that do things, that are within regulations because they don't like it or they like it. My current company commander does not like the way rolled up sleeves look so, he doesn't allow Soldiers to roll their sleeves. Is it bullshit? Yep it sure is. Is it within regulation? Yep it sure is because my unit has delegated the authority to the company commander. Silly games!
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The commander you your mind? no idea what thier justification is.
Having participated in bio human engineering tests for heat related gear... stress, in tempos from 90f to140 deg f ambient. in seated position all the way to aerobic debt, and muscular failure inducing physical activity.
I'll just say my opinion is, you're not getting any cooler with your sleeves up.
When you finish your controlled series of body core temp tests I'll listen to claims of your body being cooler by exposing a few square inches of skin to the sun.
Having participated in bio human engineering tests for heat related gear... stress, in tempos from 90f to140 deg f ambient. in seated position all the way to aerobic debt, and muscular failure inducing physical activity.
I'll just say my opinion is, you're not getting any cooler with your sleeves up.
When you finish your controlled series of body core temp tests I'll listen to claims of your body being cooler by exposing a few square inches of skin to the sun.
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SrA (Join to see) When the commander makes those decisions, it is usually at the advisement of other people with knowledge about environmental factors. For example, I see you are in Louisiana, an area that does get hot, and also houses a lot of mosquitos. The sleeves on the ABU being down offer a great amount of protection from both the sun, and from insects. As for waiting for PT to start and having cold hands... you are issued gloves, and you are authorized to wear them with PT gear, check the AFI on that.
Trust me, commanders are not making decisions just to make your life harder, but it is our job as leaders to set standards, and uphold discipline and good order. Hopefully that helps.
Trust me, commanders are not making decisions just to make your life harder, but it is our job as leaders to set standards, and uphold discipline and good order. Hopefully that helps.
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I'm retired after twenty two years, I was deployed all over to include Iraq twice and to Somalia. I spent many years in Fort Hood, Texas too. I use to ask the same question until I finally realized that the sleeves being down actually keep you cooler and helps soldiers from getting sun burn. When you sweat and your sleeves get wet that's how it cools you down.
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Let me ask this: In that 1110+ degree area, if sleeves were allowed to be rolled, how many people do you think would forget to apply sunscreen and end up getting sunburns so bad they have to see medical and then get a profile to keep their sleeves down?
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I've always been told, and I would have to agree, that having my sleeves down is actually cooler. I'm on the thin side, but whenever I rolled my sleeved up, they were always tight around my arms (which kept in all of the heat). Having them rolled down, and having the end of the sleeves loose around my wrist, kept the sun off my arms and allowed the air to flow better through the shirt. My forearms were a little hotter, but my upper arms and torso were much cooler. The net effect was that I felt quite a bit cooler. I wouldn't have banned rolled sleeves, but I can understand why some commanders might do that. I would only worry about it when uniformity was necessary or during any form of tactical training.
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A: Commanders may authorize sleeves to be rolled up on the ABU coat; however, the cuffs will remain visible and the sleeve will rest at, or within 1 inch of, the forearm when the arm is bent at a 90-degree angle. Regardless as to whether the sleeves are rolled up or unrolled, the cuffs will remain visible at all times. Reference AFI 36-2903, paragraph 5.1.1.
So commanders must authorize. I agree with you with those rules (hands in pocket), but unfortunately, rules are rules. I won't correct someone if they break that rule, but will correct myself if caught.
So commanders must authorize. I agree with you with those rules (hands in pocket), but unfortunately, rules are rules. I won't correct someone if they break that rule, but will correct myself if caught.
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SrA (Join to see)
What I want to know is why a Commander wouldn't allow sleeves to be rolled up. If I was a Base Commander in the Middle East that gets to be over 120 degrees, the last thing I would tell people is that they can't roll their sleeves up.
Maybe there's a bigger picture I'm missing.
Or at any other base what's the with pockets thing? I feel like the AFI just get misinterpreted allowing for reg nazis to look for people in the wintertime with their hands in their pockets just so they can tell them to remove them.
Maybe there's a bigger picture I'm missing.
Or at any other base what's the with pockets thing? I feel like the AFI just get misinterpreted allowing for reg nazis to look for people in the wintertime with their hands in their pockets just so they can tell them to remove them.
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SrA Edward Vong
SrA (Join to see)
I agree, but I leadership believes in uniformity and some may feel that rolling sleeves, and hands in pocket takes away from what we call "good order, and discipline". I also agree with the reg Nazi, but because rules are rules, we unfortunately cannot argue them.
I actually found out that removing your top, or having your flap on the first button
allows better airflow than rolling up your sleeves.
I agree, but I leadership believes in uniformity and some may feel that rolling sleeves, and hands in pocket takes away from what we call "good order, and discipline". I also agree with the reg Nazi, but because rules are rules, we unfortunately cannot argue them.
I actually found out that removing your top, or having your flap on the first button
allows better airflow than rolling up your sleeves.
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MSgt (Join to see)
SrA (Join to see)
See above answers for reasons. SrA Edward Vong if someone is out of regs they should be corrected especially if you are senior. It's part of being a leader.
See above answers for reasons. SrA Edward Vong if someone is out of regs they should be corrected especially if you are senior. It's part of being a leader.
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