Do officers have to adhere to a uniform memorandum that a Sergeant Major publishes?

What strikes me as really odd is that I never encountered a SGM/CSM who would even think about putting out a policy memo under his own signature rather than the commanders. It shows such a basic ignorance of command authority that I wonder how that person ever became a SGM/CSM in the first place. Of course, I also wonder about a commander who would allow that to remain out there as well. But as a disclaimer, that was 20 years ago so if they have somehow altered basic command authority doctrine since then, please disregard my comment.

Edit: you didn't mention it in the original post, but if the SGM/CSM memo had the authority line For The Commander on it, then the memo would apply to everyone, including officers. Commanders may delegate signature authority to members of the command staff, including NCOs. Perhaps the commander delegated signature authority for areas such as uniform policy to the SGM/CSM. If that were the case, and the memo had For the Commander on it, it carries the same weight as if the Commander signed it. But if it just went out under the CSM signature block without an authority line, then it wouldn't have authority over anybody as a policy.

No one has to adhere to it. The CSM is the Commanders advisor only. He or she does not set policy. Having said that, it's very easy for them to get their Boss's signature on it, making it official... Influence and authority can often substitute for each other..

Standard are built by NCO’s, written as policy by Commanders and then upheld by NCOs and Officers. The CSM is the keeper of the standards, policies and regulations. I would have to believe that the CSM with his or her Commander has determined the standard in the Motor Pool, Flight Line or otherwise.

Having said that Soldiers are issued coveralls and should be able to wear them as well when working in vehicles, therefore able to slip out of them when leaving the primary work area. As for soiling, Soldiers received an annual allotment to replace their attire. The real issue at hand here is the CSM gone rogue, or die he have the Commanders support. By the way, why don’t you ask him?

Thank you for your service. I for one would not pit myself against a CSM at any grade. Approach it respectfully sharing your opinion and providing options. In the end of the Day the CSM represents the Commander, doudtful he did this on his own. P.S. what does this say about your Commander if he or she does not know! Command Ckimate is a tricky thing.