Do people still report to new assignments and commanding officers in full dress uniform?

2018-06-03T17:31:27-04:00

When I was a young Soldier, we were taught to formally ‘report’ to a new assignment and new commanding officer in our Class A uniform. This was also a time in the Army that we traveled in full dress when PCS’ing or otherwise on official business. Fast forward 15 years and a move to the Army Reserves and I’m somewhat at a loss as to what uniform I should be showing up in when I arrive at my next assignment. Class A or plain old OCP?

Curious to get the groups thoughts, particularly Field Grades as it pertains to a new Company Grade officer. Aviation is a plus, but I by no means think our community is the best barometer for correctness as it pertains to customs and courtesies. Thanks in advance!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 3 at 2018 5:41 PM

2018-06-03T17:41:04-04:00

When I got where I was the O-3 I was first under had me spend a day with the base commander, I was obviously in full dress blue, also equally obviously immaculate of course, the base had such a program, the O-3 had wanted me to get that exposure since it was available, I did find it a quite interesting day certainly....

Response by CPT John Hanaberry made Jun 3 at 2018 5:47 PM

2018-06-03T17:47:56-04:00

What else? No army greens anymore

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2018 5:49 PM

2018-06-03T17:49:38-04:00

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 3 at 2018 5:51 PM

2018-06-03T17:51:09-04:00

Class A

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Jun 3 at 2018 6:17 PM

2018-06-03T18:17:32-04:00

What a better way to pick up dates in the airport lounge than sitting around in your dress blue uniform? Back in my day there was no "thank you for your service" but I did get free flights from Pan Am, Eastern and others.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2018 7:32 PM

2018-06-03T19:32:02-04:00

It's not an official regulation to report in dress uniform, but it damn well should be.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 3 at 2018 7:50 PM

2018-06-03T19:50:09-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member call the XO and get guidance on what to report in. Some commanders are particular others are not

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 3 at 2018 7:59 PM

2018-06-03T19:59:32-04:00

This must be one of those "Unit or MOS specific" things because I was in 15 years ago and nobody ever did this. It was just BDUs and then ACUs. Can't think of a single time someone showed up in Class As just to say hello for the first time.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2018 8:36 PM

2018-06-03T20:36:50-04:00

I just left active duty for the guard after 17 years.

I NEVER reported in Class A.

You will sign in at a desk with a civilian or E6 after hours and they tell you to show up in duty uniform the next day

Response by TSgt David Holman made Jun 3 at 2018 8:40 PM

2018-06-03T20:40:59-04:00

I always reported in the uniform of the day. When the uniform of the day was any combination of the service uniform, I wore full class A, if the entire unit wore utilities the entire time, I usually got a set laundered before I went in.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2018 8:46 PM

2018-06-03T20:46:32-04:00

In 15 years in the reserves and 6 unit changes, I never had to report to the commander. I showed up for morning formation in the duty uniform (PT or ACU).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2018 8:49 PM

2018-06-03T20:49:10-04:00

Nope. Anytime I've reported after a PCS I was in ACUs. I don't think I've heard of anyone reporting in full dress uniform. I'm at a joint unit and haven't seen it. The Navy has about 1000 uniforms so they all wear something different ever day anyway.

I wore my class As from AIT to my first unit but apparently didn't have to. Anything I've seen about reporting during the duty day is uniform of the day. After duty hours you can report in civilian clothes - for active duty. I don't know about Reserves but I'd assume it's report in ACUs.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2018 9:04 PM

2018-06-03T21:04:41-04:00

I would just report in whatever the duty uniform is for that unit. Most Units will be ACUs, some like in Recruiting might be A's or B's, Cooks and Medics may be in whites. In the old days before the GWOT, Soldiers traveled to their next station in their A's, not so anymore...Local Travel like from your Duty Station to your domicile would be duty uniform, or if you are on special duty like funeral duty, prisoner escort etc. Travel today (especially overseas) is nearly always in civilian attire. Really if you have any doubts you should call your 1SG/CSM since they are charged with enforcing AR 670-1. Sometimes there may be a special instruction on your orders that tells you what uniform to report in.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Jun 3 at 2018 10:36 PM

2018-06-03T22:36:26-04:00

First assignment as a WO-1, I reported to the Battalion Commander as my orders were to that Battalion and not a particular Company. I reported to the Bn.Cdr via the Adjutant in Class A (Greens) uniform with salute and “Sir, Mr reporting to the Bn. Cdr. as ordered”. He returned my salute, looked hard at my uniform with Ranger Tab, Master Blaster, Pathfinder, etc and said “You’re not the typical WOJO we get around here”. He went on to say, “How would you like an in-house transition from UH-1s and fly OH-58s in the Divarty section”? My flight school classmates went straight to the lift company in Zoombags and flew Hueys. I got quite a bit of flight hours during those next four years. Glad I reported in Class A’s.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jun 3 at 2018 11:12 PM

2018-06-03T23:12:41-04:00

Its not my lane but I think you should report to your new CO in Class A uniform - even if everyone else in is ACUs.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2018 11:20 PM

2018-06-03T23:20:41-04:00

Active duty Army enlisted 87-96, Reserves 99-09, active again commissioned 09- present, have PCSd 4 times since 2009...never once reported to commander in dress uniform, nor did anyone else. We reported in duty uniform, BDUs or ACUs. Medical field must be different, we don’t really report to hospital commander, either they or their representative meet the many in group settings.

Response by Cpl John DeConti made Jun 4 at 2018 8:27 AM

2018-06-04T08:27:53-04:00

Class A's for Marines any way.. Cammies in the car for crunch time though.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jun 4 at 2018 9:04 AM

2018-06-04T09:04:48-04:00

The last time I reported in wearing full dress blues was when I was a relatively new Captain. The Colonel looked at me like I had a third eye. Since then I showed up in utilities and said I am here and went to the personnel section to fully in process. I do think it is a good idea though. That way the new folks meet the Commander and Senior Enlisted member of the unit right off the bat and they see them in their best dress ready to go to work.

Response by CW3 David Vinson made Jun 4 at 2018 1:55 PM

2018-06-04T13:55:34-04:00

I'm MedRet.WO#3,I always report in Class A uniform to new units.And report to Command Officer.I try to get on the right on the start.By report early in morning.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Jun 4 at 2018 8:00 PM

2018-06-04T20:00:28-04:00

Report in your Class A's always! That's the way its supposed to be done! They can't fault you for that!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 4 at 2018 11:59 PM

2018-06-04T23:59:05-04:00

I'm pretty sure the subject has been answered plenty so far but what in most situations that I have experience in is that if the service member reports during normal duty hours Monday through Friday they will report in there duty uniform, or utilities, or in the Army the class C uniform unless specified by a special circumstance. Who do you report to initially? Normally that is a reception station. I don't ever remember going directly to my unit. If reporting is outside of the normal duty hours then civilian attire is acceptable. I have never reported in my dress uniform.

Response by CSM Victor Gomez made Jun 5 at 2018 7:16 PM

2018-06-05T19:16:49-04:00

Recommend A or B uniform.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2018 12:29 AM

2018-06-08T00:29:58-04:00

I say why not report in As? It will mark you as a professional.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2018 7:01 PM

2018-11-12T19:01:52-05:00

We used to all do that until the war. Modern reception doesn’t work that way and commanders and staff don’t have time for that BS.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2019 8:40 PM

2019-02-23T20:40:12-05:00

Last time I reported to a duty station it was in my Class A. Although that was back in 1988 I can’t see it hurting you in anyway. The worse that could happen is that you impress your new boss. Better to be overdressed then under.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2019 12:24 PM

2019-07-28T12:24:45-04:00

Are you reporting in for the first time on a drill weekend or will this be during the week? If it's during the week and your rater isn't AGR, you probably won't even meet him/her. If it's during a drill weekend and you choose to wear your ASUs expect to change into OCPs to participate in the training schedule.

Either way, give your boss a call to touch base and bring up your reporting uniform in the conversation. It shows him/her that you care enough, but they will likely tell you to wear OCPs to get inprocessed and participate for the weekend. If you're not working directly for the commander your rater will walk you around the headquarters to give you the "who's who in the zoo." The next time you wear your ASUs will likely be at December's drill for an inspection or dining out (if your unit doesn't do some BS hanger inspection and tell all of the day kids to wear nice clothes for family day instead of a dining out).

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Mar 26 at 2021 9:21 AM

2021-03-26T09:21:15-04:00

Wear at least class B when dropping your cards off at CO's quarters and KNOW how many adults live there before you go! Do NOT have to ask his Lady nor aide, if a GO. Lots of good info on reporting to his office, so I shan't belabor that.