Posted on Sep 9, 2015
A1C Cyber Systems Operations
13.4K
23
25
1
1
0
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.
Posted in these groups: Ae5debb6 Travel4276e14c Uniforms
Avatar feed
Responses: 25
TSgt Gwen Walcott
0
0
0
Edited >1 y ago
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
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MAJ Security Cooperation Planner
0
0
0
Seems kind of weird to me. Maybe Service Dress if you are attending some special event.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SrA David Steyer
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SMSgt Cary Baker
0
0
0
I never did during my 28 yrs of active duty.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SMSgt Cary Baker
0
0
0
I never did in 28 yrs of active service.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SrA Matthew Knight
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSgt Rob Weston
0
0
0
I pack uniforms for deployment not leave
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CMSgt Senior Enlisted Leader
0
0
0
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. :)
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SrA Daniel Hunter
0
0
0
Never did. Never had a reason to though.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSgt John Carter
0
0
0
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?
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close