Drinking in Uniform? Good idea?

Drinking a beer or glass of wine at a leader call on base is one thing...downing shots portrays a whole different look, even ON BASE. NO, I do not think that the Garrison CSM or any other senior leader at that level, particularly on a TRADOC base where our NCOs are attending leader courses and may be present to witness this (in civilians likely) should happen or be tolerated.

With that said, the NCOs pictured senior leaders just need to have a side-bar with them, and then those NCOs need to conduct an NCOPD with their subordinates to put out the right way to do a leader call (right-arm-night) and how you should conduct yourself...and that should be the end of it. More than likely, given our last 12-13 years of combat, no one ever instructed these NCOs what should happen or how it should look...it was deployments back to back for many and time to conduct traditional things like leaders calls or right arm nights was non-existent in most units....teach the right way and keep some traditions alive is my thought.

I would start off by saying, if this is Chili's then I would say it is not the best place to be taking shots. I remember the NCO Calls on West Ft. hood at the Longhorn Saloon and even recently, I have seen high ranking Soldiers at a formal social function pull out a bottle and start taking shots, once the "fun portion" of the evening started. I don't think there is a problem with taking a shot of alcohol, I just think that we have to be aware of where we are and the image we are giving.

SGM Quick,

From AR 670-1:

c. Restrictions on wear.
(1) Soldiers may not wear the combat uniform for commercial travel unless authorized IAW paragraph 3–7b through c, above.
(2) Personnel may not wear the combat uniform in off-post establishments that primarily sell alcohol. If the off-post establishment sells alcohol and food, Soldiers may not wear the combat uniform if their activities in the establishment center on the drinking of alcohol.
(3) The combat uniform is not normally considered appropriate for social or official functions off the installation, such as memorial services, funerals, weddings, inaugurals, patriotic ceremonies, and similar functions.
(4) Commanders may further restrict wear of the combat uniform IAW paragraph 2–6c.

So (2) does not specifically restrict from drinking while in uniform, but the activities cannot center on that - i.e. out to dinner in ACU's and have a beer with that meal would likely be considered as acceptable. However, the perception from this photo is that the activities here center around the drinking of alcohol. The key to fixing this is found in (4), where installation commanders can restrict uniform wear as they see fit - i.e. ACU's are not authorized for wear at any time when a Soldier is consuming alcohol in a public location - both on and off post. Problem solved, problem staying solved, Rangers lead the way.

I just spent the past few weeks in France, culminating with the 70th Anniversary celebrations of Operation Neptune. Every night, we went out and drank. Nothing crazy but we drank. Most nights we were out in Ste Mere Eglise with GOs and their SEAs. And we drank, in public, in uniform. Pictures of us probably look just as bad, if not worse.

Did we get out of control? No. Did we represent and conduct ourselves professionally with the peoples of Normandy and Ste Mere Eglise? Yes. Can you tell that from a picture? No.

We're always quick to judge others without knowing the context.

To answer your question though: generally I stay away from drinking in uniform. I just think it's a shame images like this make it onto social media and then are scrutinized by the military community. Because the truth is, the public will see this and not bat and eye.

SGM, are you sure this wasn't the graduation party over at USASMA? LOL!

While there isn't a technical difference between downing shots and sipping a glass of wine (it's alcohol either way) but I say the visual of senior leaders downing shots has a more negative impact than if they were at a table drinking a bottle of beer, a glass of wine or a highball of whiskey (my preference). It shouldn't, but that's just my opinion of how society might view it...I think within the confines of the NCO club, it would probably be more acceptable, definitely not down at the local restaurant/bar (Chili's as SFC Stacy stated).

I'm sure you remember having O call at the on post pub on Fridays after work, I did not like attending but my CSM told me I would be there. After an hour all the senior leaders were half tanked and getting really lippy. I never attended again. I think it bad behavior if your down at Chilli's or wherever in uniform having shots and should not be tolerated

First off…what is this fuckery

Ok now that, that is done… NO to myself this seems unprofessional with shots. One beer just to drink while eating is one thing but to drink like they seem to be no. If you're going to go out and shot it up bring a change of clothes or keep some in your car.

I always had what I called an "overnight" bag in my car. Hygiene supplies, clothes, my blankie haha and anything else I would need for just in case. Some days after a friday night the guys would want to hit up a bar, I didn't have time to go home and change and do all that so before I would leave work I'd change out then go.

Called responsibility

SGM, I concur with many other leaders that have commented. First, there are distinctions between a dining out or a St. Barbara's Ball, for example, where drinking a glass of wine or a beer with a meal in a social setting seems acceptable. Second, the new AR 670-1 draws fairly clear guidelines as to what "right looks like". That being said, even if it was acceptable, the key words here are "perception" and "optics". Again, as other leaders have noted here, it simply LOOKS BAD.

Yes, we can agree that 15, 20, 25 years ago (when I first came in the Army), CSMs and 1SGs would go to the NCO Club (anyone remember those?) and knock back a few.

But the Army and the military is in a different culture now. The example given here portrays leaders, and especially senior leaders, in a negative light, and sets a poor example. And the issue is exacerbated because in the era of social media and everyone having a camera on their phone now, the whole world can view our mistakes.

I'm certainly not faulting these leaders for enjoying some camaraderie and espirit-de-corps in a social setting, but it would have been a better decision to be in civilian clothing.

Since senior leadership is suppose to (surprise) lead by example. Then they should be conscious of what kind of example they are setting to their troops. If they wish to drink, then they should have the forethought to hold the get together in their homes and not post it on social media. Yes, I know I'm only a buck sergeant but all you SFC, SGM, and CSM out there. WE are watching YOU. YOU guys are our examples on what a good NCO is supposed to be. And the lower enlisted are watching all of US. So, as the shining examples, we should not be of the opinion that, well the regs don't prohibit it. Just because the regs may allow it doesn't mean its a good idea. Good leaders go beyond the regs to show their troops whats right.