Posted on Mar 29, 2014
GySgt (Other / Not listed)
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I am sure every branch of service governs how they want their personnel appearing in civilian attire.
Do you always wear proper civilian attire? On base? Off base?

For us Marines there is a civilian attire you must abide by on or off duty which include things like...
Belt loops must have a belt through it.
Shoe laces must be tied.
No plain white T-Shirts or undershirts as outerwear.
No PT gear or related clothing as casual wear.
If you have a face it must be shaved.

I remember as a boot there were a few times where we were told to change over into civilian attire prior to liberty and had inspections to ensure we were in proper attire. Not abiding by the Corps and/or base regulations will have you chewed up at a minimum by a salty Lance Corporal (pictured).

Fashion and the Marine Corps don’t typically mix, at least not when you’re considering what many SNCO’s define as “proper civilian attire”.
Posted in these groups: Military leadership skills civilian employment Civilians7e356c37 Terminal Lance
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Responses: 27
SFC Benjamin Harrison
23
23
0
I believe "Proper" is in the eye of the beholder. I tend to look like a biker, a country boy, a golfer, an athlete, etc. based on the activity I am conducting. I also support OPSEC and believe my family and I are safer if I do not present a "Soldierly" appearance while off duty. I do have my pet peeves about how some choose to dress though, i.e. Pants hanging off the butt and sometimes below... If you want to be a gang banger or inmate, time to change your employer.
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CPT Pedro Meza
CPT Pedro Meza
>1 y
Benjamin, "my wearing leather jackets, chaps, and boots when riding, prior to Enlisting,"
you just described the singer from the Village People.
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CPL Joseph Elinger
CPL Joseph Elinger
5 y
Our overseas opsec briefing was well made.
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SMSgt Bob W.
SMSgt Bob W.
4 y
Ben, you have some great points. I remember being in Europe and that was drummed into our heads--OPSEC. Don't look out of place. Don't look like you are military. Blend in. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
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LTC(P) Christina Moore
LTC(P) Christina Moore
>1 y
I can spot a soldier a mile away, no matter how they are dressed or shaved.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
21
21
0
Me personally, if I won't wear it in front of Jesus, I won't wear it in public.
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SSG Robin Rushlo
SSG Robin Rushlo
>1 y
Amen to that
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Maj Chris Nelson
20
20
0
I tend to wear whatever I want.... seldom go on base and even more rare is running into anyone that I know off base (I live off base).  I dress for my occasion...biking, hiking, shooting, grocery shopping, just got out of bed and kept the fleece pants on/added t-shirt/flip-flops....all is good!  If I am wearing civies for a military function, it is appropriate for the festivities.  otherwise, I wear the uniform as correctly as I can.  down time is my time until requested to come in.
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MGySgt Tommy Martinez
MGySgt Tommy Martinez
>1 y
CMSgt Benjamin Hoover Not quit diffrence between a leader and a follower get off the porch. Judge others you did it all the time especially every 30 days unless you never counseled others if you haven't you are a worthless leader.
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SMSgt Bob W.
SMSgt Bob W.
4 y
SPC James Jackson - James, rank has nothing to do with it. you wear what is appropriate for the occasion, on post or off. Me, I lived on post for 10 years and never had any issues. Once, married, I lived "downtown" and as Chris stated, dressed comfortably.
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SMSgt Bob W.
SMSgt Bob W.
>1 y
SPC James Jackson - WHAT??? We are talking civilian clothing here. It has nothing to do with RHIP.
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SPC James Jackson
SPC James Jackson
>1 y
@SMSgt Bob Wilson I'll start this out with all due respect but that is entirely untrue. Please do not insult me and say rank has nothing to do with it when literally EVERYBODY knows it does including yourself even if you don't want to admit it. You cannot in good conscience sit there or anyone else above the rank of E-5 (in some cases E-6) and I'm being generous with the rank of E-5, say that at one point you didn't utter "rank has its privileges " because you know you have and I have no doubt have used said "privileges". To even respond and say 'nuh,uh' will be disingenuous at best. There were plenty of times i got read the riot act for my uniform or lack thereof due to varying circumstances (working late, called in to open a particular facility or building while I was on a pass or getting ready to head out on leave) putting me at odds with the current situation. I was on convalescence leave before when they had to reconstruct my shoulder and upper arm and decided to start growing a beard for the time being since I lived off post and was gonna be no duty for 3 months and had my Bn SGM try to hem me up for it while I've seen NCO's and O's come back after a week of leave looking scraggly as h*ll and no one say a word except to joke about it. I've seen lower enlisted get hooked up with cs for appearance at a "mandatory" fun day and seen 2nd & 1st Lt rolling up like they're coming to a family BBQ wearing crocs, shorts and a wife beater and not a word said to them. So yes "rank" has everything to do with it and the higher the rank, like a lifted off-road truck, the less everything around you has any effect.
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