Can a platoon sgt tell a female soldier that she is required to wear a bra when in civilians?

I retired in 2013, I don't think the regs have changed that much. Yes, they can tell you what is inappropriate off duty. 1)You are still in the military. Just like any other part of the UCMJ, as long as you have that ID card and drawing a military paycheck. 2)Even if you may be right, pick your battles wisely. You're going to lose this one. 3)When you go up for promotion, do you want this to be part of your resume? 4)By the time you're my age (55), you are going to be sorry you didn't wear a bra.

This is a grey area in my opinion. If on base then remember you're always to uphold uniform regulations but there are policies in place on things that you may or may not do in civies.

Now if you in uninform, PTs I know you have to wear undergarments but in you OCPs or work uniform I do not recall reading anything.

Check AR 670-1 and then locate base policy as well.

Now if you're Reserves or Guard, 90% of them do what they want in uniform anyways but that's another conversation for another day

SPC, I see many good answers here in response to your question. My answer is this.....

The real question here is not if someone can tell you to wear a bra, but more so should anyone have to tell you? That NCO is telling you for a reason. No one else can determine the "why". There's much to be considered on so many levels. I ask that you remove any emotion from the situation. Also, if you had a subordinate Soldier or even a teenage daughter, what would you want her to do? When all is said and done, I personally would want you safe, respect yourself, and uphold the good order and discipline of a Soldier. Each of us should represent all of us.

“ subject to local regulations and presenting a professional image” is open to interpretation and unfortunately personal opinion. To answer your question, you need to provide more information. The local standard in Korea or Europe is definitely NOT the same as the Middle East. Either way it is not an order I would give nor would I carry out. Personally I would “ take it under advisement” and let it go.

If it's not a regulation then I would say No. You do represent the Army and should dress to reflect professionalism, Pride, and respect for ones self. Now if you are drawing attention from lets say unwanted communication. She may be trying to let you know that is what has been brought to her attention. Soldiers should look out for each other, to prevent unnecessary harm. So heed the advice and follow your last order first. Better safe than sorry! don't you think?

This is a really old thread and question (but just now showed up on my thread alert email), and I was in the Navy, not Army, but here's my $.02. I stood Petty Officer of the Watch (POOW) on my ships at different points, and that watch is where I let people on and off the ship and carried the M1911A1 (this was the 90s) and one of my duties was to make sure people were appropriately dressed. The rules as they were at the time was that it was my discretion if something was offensive or appropriate. The OOD (Officer of the Deck) always backed me up if I turned someone around, for any reason, but that's another story.

At least when I was in, undergarments were considered "part of the uniform of the day" for any/all uniforms. More or less, there were rules/laws in place saying that in uniform I was required to wear underwear, and females wear bra/panties. Now I will also admit that the last time I wore underwear was in boot camp (since being out of uniform there was a MUCH larger offense than in the fleet) and I totally feel for you on wanting to be comfortable, especially while not on duty. Honestly, if I were in that situation you're in (I never will, since I'm staying male as long as I live), I would simply wear the bra when you leave and then just take it off when you're out in town or whatever. -shrug- Again, just my $.02.

Like any order you receive, first, comply with the order. That's to protect yourself. Then, go to JAG, or legal affairs and get a valid, UCMJ related, fact based opinion from the lawyers. Don't guess, don't FEEL what's right, don't take advice from anyone other than the office that can provide you with FACTS. Go thru the process, do it by the book. There are thousands of Female officers & enlisted that need to know the correct answer to these questions. Really seems like an issue involving the female breast and the military should have been resolved long ago. I mean, DAMN, it's the year 2020. Best of luck Chastity. Just go by the book, protect yourself & career, smile, say YES SIR/YES MA'AM, Salute, and do the best job anyone could possibly do.
I'd love to know the outcome of this issue.

I hope not. None of her business.

I figured all of this would have been squared away by now.

Yes she can. You represent the military. If you are away from the base and out of sight no.