Do you pack a set of ABUs for Personal travel?

2015-09-09T11:12:18-04:00

I am traveling home for Christmas, and everyone I know in the military packs a pair of ABUs with them while they travel, and I was curious as to whether it is just personal preference or if there is a reason to packing a uniform while traveling.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 9 at 2015 11:27 AM

2015-09-09T11:27:37-04:00

I never found a need to do so. I wore my uniform enough when I was at work didn't want to do it on leave.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 11:32 AM

2015-09-09T11:32:27-04:00

I see no reason to do so.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 11:39 AM

2015-09-09T11:39:09-04:00

If I am travelling home on leave, why would I? That is just extra weight that I don't need to worry about.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Sep 9 at 2015 11:57 AM

2015-09-09T11:57:22-04:00

Nope, the only time I have traveled with them was when my dad wanted to do a uniform picture of my brother, myself and him. Other than that there is no need to unless you are on official business.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Sep 9 at 2015 12:17 PM

2015-09-09T12:17:56-04:00

Like many have already said, it's not necessary, especially since you'll be on leave. When I was Active and on TDY Orders we weren't allowed to travel in uniform, we would have to ensure we had a uniform and 24 to 48hrs worth of personal hygiene supplies packed in our carry on - that's the only time I've seen that done.

Response by SFC Jason Porter made Sep 9 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-09-09T13:20:46-04:00

I never did in my 20 yrs on active duty.

Response by MSgt Matthew Meindl made Sep 9 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-09-09T13:25:23-04:00

The only time I brought a duty uniform with me was if the family wanted to see me in it. Always brought my service uniform to look sharp for everybody at church.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-09-09T14:21:04-04:00

A1C Santy-I'm probably a "tool" in that I always brought home a "grease" set of SDBs when I went to the old homestead for Christmas...wasn't that often I got back for the Holidays, and the folks were proud. I should mention I'm a Tennessee native and we're weird like that.

Another point of view, especially in these strange times we live in, is the fact that it's never particularly wise to center attention on yourself away from the flagpole. I know when I was a more junior service member, I was also a little concerned about garnering the attention of senior officers I may happen upon.

I would say that you can't go wrong with being in civilian attire, whereas being in uniform while not on official duty poses a number of potential problems.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-09-09T15:03:39-04:00

Only when I was on leave en route while on TDY orders.

If you're not conducting official business during your leave, I wouldn't bother. An exception would likely be Recruiter's Assistance.

On another note, Buckley was my first duty station after Tech school. Loved it. I hope you're enjoying it too!

Response by MSgt John Carter made Sep 9 at 2015 3:20 PM

2015-09-09T15:20:32-04:00

Well, the uniform(s) you take on leave with depend on you, your family, and your community. You may want to take your blues with you for church services, photo ops, and such. Your family may also want to "show you off" to their friends, club members, etc. That's pretty much what blues are for; those times when we need to present, or reinforce, a positive image of the Air Force.

Now, speaking from my own personal experience, I would take my BDU's (and before that my plain green fatigues) because if there was an emergency or a natural disaster I could get my uniform on and either report to the AFB near my folk's house or to the local authorities. That really is about the only reason for taking a "work" uniform with you on leave. Does that answer your question?

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Sep 9 at 2015 3:28 PM

2015-09-09T15:28:44-04:00

Never did. Never had a reason to though.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 5:47 PM

2015-09-09T17:47:14-04:00

Negative. I have never packed a uniform on my time.

Save yourself the room in your case and leave the ABUs behind... or buy your Mom something nice to fill that space. :)

Response by MSgt Rob Weston made Sep 9 at 2015 7:58 PM

2015-09-09T19:58:57-04:00

I pack uniforms for deployment not leave

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 10 at 2015 4:55 AM

2015-09-10T04:55:27-04:00

No. Unless you have family that hasn't seen you in them before that would like to then you have no reason to bring ABUs home with you. As others have said, depending on what you are doing you may or may not want your blues for church or something like that but otherwise you should leave your uniforms behind. As nice as it is to be in the military, it's also nice putting them away and not seeing them for a little while.

Also, please don't be that kind of airman or service member in general that likes to walk around with various uniform pieces in civilian attire. For example, an airman I have seen on base here that walks around in his ABU pants and boots with random civilian shirts tucked in. I can understand to some extent people that use them for hunting and stuff, although I can think of plenty of better camouflage choices for that even, but otherwise buy a pair of jeans or something. Stick to your civilian clothes when off duty and don't look like a tech school tool.

Response by SMSgt Cary Baker made Sep 10 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-09-10T10:00:05-04:00

I never did in 28 yrs of active service.

Response by SMSgt Cary Baker made Sep 10 at 2015 10:01 AM

2015-09-10T10:01:44-04:00

I never did during my 28 yrs of active duty.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Sep 10 at 2015 12:35 PM

2015-09-10T12:35:43-04:00

I never, never did this. I only traveled home once with my uniform outside of leaving tech school, and that was when I went home to visit my sister at her wedding and her husband and his best man wore their uniform.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 10 at 2015 2:12 PM

2015-09-10T14:12:47-04:00

On long trips I put a uniform in my truck just in case I get stopped.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-09-10T14:35:54-04:00

Seems kind of weird to me. Maybe Service Dress if you are attending some special event.

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Sep 10 at 2015 2:55 PM

2015-09-10T14:55:34-04:00

NEVER!
1) They didn't exist in my day (they were called "fatigues")
2) They were strictly for work --- it was considered to be extremely SLOVEN to wear them in public -- especially around civilians. Class A was uniform/ only dress authorized for travel

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 3:13 PM

2015-09-10T15:13:53-04:00

If you're looking to do recruiting or seeking attention, I guess. But for real, don't do that.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Sep 10 at 2015 7:06 PM

2015-09-10T19:06:09-04:00

What are you talking about?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 8:00 PM

2015-09-11T20:00:17-04:00

People use them incorrectly for seat upgrades and such while home as well as pictures. I've never traveled in ABUs

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 9:09 PM

2015-09-11T21:09:59-04:00

Personal preference. No need to pack one with you. Parents and family normally love the Service uniform for family photos. But again, personal preference.

Response by TSgt Alan Richard "Rick" Thomas made Sep 12 at 2015 6:55 PM

2015-09-12T18:55:55-04:00

Coming back to CONUS from Thailand we had to wear a travel uniform. As soon as we hit Travis, I went into the men's room and changed into Civvies. Yes, it was a LONG time ago. LOL

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Sep 13 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-09-13T15:14:35-04:00

There is no regulation/ instruction requiring uniforms while on leave, so if you pack them you are doing so for personal reasons.

To a young A1C, I would recommend packing blues for pictures. Families tend to like family members in service uniforms, especially if a bunch of family members from around the world only get together for Christmas/ Chanukah/ insert holiday here.

If you plan on using the uniform for seat upgrades, then you are A) a jerk B) in violation of the AF interpretation of travel rules and ethics C) never getting laid or D) all the above. Only travel in uniform if you have to, or if it just makes sense.