SSG Private RallyPoint Member 4094046 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My question concerns authorizization of wear for combat shirts. My unit is deployed and tasked with force protection/ base security. Up until now we have all been authorized by the commander to wear Combat shirts with our IOTVs while on duty. Recently an issue has arisen with overweight soldiers and their appearance while wearing said shirt. The unit was told we will have height and weight done and any soldier who does not meet body fat standards will no longer be allowed to wear combat shirts. My question is if this is a legitimate reason to deny the soldiers privelege to wear the shirt? I understand the wear of the combat shirt is at commanders discretion but can it be denied individually? It seems similiar to allowing one soldier the privelege in the field to wear a fleece cap and denying it to another against the cold. I have no dog in this fight just trying to educate myself by seeking other opinions. 2018-11-02T08:14:55-04:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 4094046

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My question concerns authorizization of wear for combat shirts. My unit is deployed and tasked with force protection/ base security. Up until now we have all been authorized by the commander to wear Combat shirts with our IOTVs while on duty. Recently an issue has arisen with overweight soldiers and their appearance while wearing said shirt. The unit was told we will have height and weight done and any soldier who does not meet body fat standards will no longer be allowed to wear combat shirts. My question is if this is a legitimate reason to deny the soldiers privelege to wear the shirt? I understand the wear of the combat shirt is at commanders discretion but can it be denied individually? It seems similiar to allowing one soldier the privelege in the field to wear a fleece cap and denying it to another against the cold. I have no dog in this fight just trying to educate myself by seeking other opinions.

2018-11-02T08:14:55-04:00 2018-11-02T08:14:55-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 4094103

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It&#39;s not being denied individually, it&#39;s being denied by policy. It&#39;s not a great policy, and I suppose IG could challenge it (I really don&#39;t have an answer to that).<br /><br />If a Commander walked up, pointed at a soldier and said &quot;You look fat, no combat shirt for you&quot; that would be denying the Combat shirt individually. Your example with the fleece cap doesn&#39;t apply because that is cold weather gear. There are safety guidelines that indicate when soldiers should wear cold weather gear, the Combat shirt is more of a comfort item.

2018-11-02T08:39:37-04:00 2018-11-02T08:39:37-04:00 SGM Erik Marquez 4094299

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think you will find the answer is, yes by making a policy and enforcing it evenly the action will stand.<br /><br />A Better question though is, why are those SM still in the military? <br />Yes that question will bring out the&quot; Fat does not mean they are not a great SM and better than the skinny SM who sucks at his job&quot; crowd <br />To which I pre submit....No, no he(she) is not, they are good at portions of their duties for which I commend them, they are failures at other assigned or implied duties and for that Im initiating and supporting separation from service.<br /><br />&quot;But he is better and fixing widgets than that skinny kid&quot; <br />Ok great train the Skinny kid then, and if he is untrainable, we will bar and or separate him as well.

2018-11-02T10:18:10-04:00 2018-11-02T10:18:10-04:00 SGT Joseph Gunderson 4094300

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Our unit had a standard on being overweight in combat shirts.

2018-11-02T10:18:18-04:00 2018-11-02T10:18:18-04:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 4094400

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Through all of my deployments where combat shirts existed, they were only authorized for wear off of a FOB.

2018-11-02T11:01:10-04:00 2018-11-02T11:01:10-04:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 4094430

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If I understand this item of wear, it is the Ballistic Combat Shirt, designed to improve mobility and provide protection to the Soldier, including deltoid protection and increased thoracic protection during warm and hot weather, according to the GoArmy video on its development. If that is incorrect, disregard the following.<br />If correct, I suggest denying a Soldier additional ballistic protection, and possibly a reduced risk of heat injury, based on failing to meet the body fat standards, demonstrates a failure to understand the item of wear and/or implies appearance is more important than Soldier safety.<br />If a Soldier&#39;s hair is not in compliance with AR 670-1, are they denied the wear of a ballistic helmet? Yes, not the same, except in risk to the Soldier.<br />Soldier is already flagged, no need to increase risk of injury as it gives the appearance that it is form of punishment.<br />With regard to the IG, the IG can&#39;t direct a commander to do anything. Commanders have very wide latitude on how they command. However, as special staff to the CG, unresolved issues may be elevated to a level that results in an unwanted &quot;WTF you thinking&quot; call.

2018-11-02T11:13:11-04:00 2018-11-02T11:13:11-04:00 SGM Bill Frazer 4094549

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes they can. NO Cdr wants his unit to look like pigs in front of everybody.

2018-11-02T11:57:40-04:00 2018-11-02T11:57:40-04:00 SrA John Monette 4095757

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>as you said in your question, this issue is not being decided on the individual level. if there was only one soldier who was being told he can&#39;t wear it, that would be different. it sounds like the unit has some body fat issues.

2018-11-02T21:13:58-04:00 2018-11-02T21:13:58-04:00 SFC Ralph E Kelley 4096389

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Another example of leaders not knowing why a piece of equipment is issued.<br />Well that&#39;s kinda like saying &quot;I&#39;m the commander and even though you have Eye-Pro overweight soldiers cannot not wear them. I don&#39;t care if they are saftey equipment that protect your eyes from sticks, rocks and grit thrown up by explosions and what-not.<br />Combat Shirts are flame -resistant and designed to prevent burns to the soldiers upper body. <br />&quot;The Army Combat Shirt is a flame-resistant shirt developed and used by the United States Army as a supplementary addition to the US Military&#39;s Battle Uniforms.&quot;

2018-11-03T07:23:08-04:00 2018-11-03T07:23:08-04:00 MAJ Ken Landgren 4096945

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What the heck is a combat shirt?

2018-11-03T10:57:46-04:00 2018-11-03T10:57:46-04:00 SFC Matthew Parker 4097430

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It&#39;s not a privilege, its a piece of uniform issued to address specific environmental and tactical situations. If the duty uniform is Combat shirts then that&#39;s the uniform. With that said, Army regulation is clear, the commander can regulate uniform based on wear and appearance. <br />AR 670-1 2017<br />3–6. Uniform appearance and fit<br />a. Appearance.<br />(1) All personnel will maintain a high standard of professional dress and appearance. Uniforms will fit properly; the proper fitting of uniforms is provided in DA Pam 670–1. <br />Soldiers must project a military image that leaves no doubt that they live by a common military<br />standard and uphold military order and discipline.<br /><br />3–7. Required or prohibited wearing of the Army uniform<br />Note. This paragraph is punitive with regard to Soldiers. Violation by Soldiers may result in adverse administrative action and/or charges under the provisions of the UCMJ.<br />Para k. Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:<br />(4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army, as determined by the commander.

2018-11-03T14:20:06-04:00 2018-11-03T14:20:06-04:00 2018-11-02T08:14:55-04:00