Posted on Jun 12, 2014
SGM Matthew Quick
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Idiots
Not sure if it is authorized or even appropriate, but what are your thoughts about our senior leaders drinking (taking shots, specifically) while in the Army Combat Uniform?
Posted in these groups: 140114202911 large AlcoholPolicy Policy4276e14c Uniforms
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CPL Danny Davis
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Well according to AR670-1 a soldier in uniform may only purchase alcohol in a packaged state but never consume alcoholic beverages at a bar setting in uniform.
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CW2 Information Services Technician
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Everything is about perception these days...from socialization, to EO, to leadership in general and the list goes on. There are always eyes on you, whether you think it or not. Even when you think your doing the right thing in your mind, someone else may percieve it as wrong in theirs.

Thats the bad thing about technology these days, whether it is pictures or texts. You always leave it up to interpretation.
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Cpl Dirk Freeman
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It's the army
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SSgt Michael Cox
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At the club on base is one thing after a night of work. Off base they are out of regs as the uniform is not meant to be worn at a bar. A fast food restaurant for lunch or dinner sure if you are going back to work. Grocery shopping on the way home really fast sure. But not a fucking bar that is what civilian attire is for.
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PV2 Chris Grice
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Woah full stop this is a no go at this station while I was in ar 670-1 said no dice we were not allowed to wear our uniforms into establishments like that
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SGT Infantryman
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extremely unprofessional ......
I could see a beer or two while at a base club.

but NEVER out in the civilian world...
Doing that only serves to give the impression,
that we in the military drink while "on duty"
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PFC Motor Transport Operator
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Shouldn't they not be in a place of which true purpose is to sell alcoholic beverages? If I the rest of the army can't than why can they?
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SGT Carl Stewart
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I experienced this on Saturday night. It clearly states it in the UCMJ that the wear of the uniform is prohibited while in a bar and drinking. I am a veteran of the army and I served 11 years and in all those years I knew it wasn't allowed unless you are attending a unit function arranged by your unit. This guy was the only one there in uniform and in my opinion I am quite sure the guy was a fraud or he may have known that what he was doing was wrong, either that or he has never been to combat and was out looking for attention. On that note I made sure he heard my thoughts that evening..
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PO3 David Davis
PO3 David Davis
4 y
They need new rules. I was in Washington DC 1987 Dress Uniform Bar hopping with buddies. after 12 month isolated duty in a foreign war zone that no one cared, or new about.
drinking sounded good to me.
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SSG Retrans Team Leader
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Well seeing how chapter 4-1 in AR 670-1 says your not supposed be to be wearing the ACU in a establishment were the consumption of alcohol is the primary focus all of them are wrong....but you know how it is
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MSG Dave Rossman
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Might get a few bought for you
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LCDR Naval Aviator
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I don't know if it's authorized, but it's an awful idea. In dress uniforms, where it's obvious you're celebrating some kind of special occasion, there's an obvious need for some leeway. In a working uniform, drinking generally isn't allowed at all, and it's because it looks trashy while giving an impression that isn't very flattering.
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MSgt Daniel Attilio
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Amongst peers I think it is okay so long as the group has sense and maybe a volunteer to herd the unruly when needed.
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SPC Aircraft Refueler
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I would like to know if it is ok to drink in the dress uniform. I will be attending a wedding and plan on wearing the dress uniform not planning on getting drunk just one or two glasses of wine. Would like to know if that is allowed?
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MSG Alfred Aguilar
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Oh please...
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CW3 Kevin Storm
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ACU's in a public place drinking? Not something I would encourage or participate in. I frown on it myself. How many of them got in a car and drove home?
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1LT Information Operations Officer
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Personally, I don't do it. I don't particularly mind others that do. However, being drunk in uniform is a different story.
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SPC Stewart Smith
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This was one area that I can admit that my views are far too extreme. Under no circumstances should a soldier ever drink while in uniform. I have been offered a lot of free drinks at air ports and not once did I accept. Even on base with my unit I would not accept. For some reason I just find it incredibly disgraceful, and I really don't know why.

I'm sure someone can fill me in on why I'm like that.
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SPC Stewart Smith
SPC Stewart Smith
>1 y
Edit*
I lied. There were a few occasions where I partook in a beer or two. But I find it embarrassing that I did it.
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PFC Aaron Knapp
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We were not allowed to wear our BDUs out socially while I was in the Army. They made us change our clothes to "go out". That being said My SM brought a bar to gunnery and had a two beer limit when we didn't have the range the next day.
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CPL(P) Mobile Heavy Equipment Repairer
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Not authorized regardless of rank. Like 1sgt Nolan said, the dumbass factor has to be watched out for everywhere, social media isn't the place for your junior enlisted & nco's to see you doing shots in uniform. Whether it's a justified occasion and venue or not, the insinuation is what will destroy the discipline that was in place prior to the photo being circulated. If it was in an on post establishment & a "right arm ceremony", the photo shows senior NCO's "in a bar, at the bar doing shots with a civilian and there is no food in evidence." their juniors don't have the experience or wisdom to see anything but the obvious like I previously said.
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SGT Behavioral Health Specialist
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Not something i'd condone or even practice. I went out drinking in civilians once with a fellow NCO and when their soldier came by and bought them a shot I advised them against it. Not cause drinking is bad per-say, but drinking a beverage purchased by your soldier I feel gives the wrong signals. Same for senior leaders.
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SFC Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
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While there is no direct regulation that says you cannot imbibe alcohol while in uniform, most post policies will have something along the lines of "you may drink an alcoholic beverage in on post establishments while in uniform, but only a few. Drinking in uniform in off-post establishments is not allowed."

I actually had this discussion with my unit a while ago. I know the I Corp policy on JBLM says the above. I actually talked to a Sergeant, 2 Staff Sergeants and a Sergeant First Class (two of the four were former Drill Sergeants) at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Tacoma who were drinking in uniform. I told them they were wrong, told them were to find it in the I Corp Policy book, and they pretty much told me to fornicate myself. I got their names and emailed their CSM, but I don't know what came of it.

Personally, I think the pride that is supposed to be coupled with the uniform should say absolutely not. What I do is keep a set of civilian clothes in my car at all times, just in case somebody says "Hey, let's go get a drink." This way, I can change and do what I need to do.
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
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There will not be any posted photos of me drinking in uniform because I didn't ever do it. I just never thought it looked right. Even as a child watching "war movies" where soldiers were consuming alcohol I never thought it was a dignified look.

Sometimes leadership starts with you...
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CSM Civil Affairs Specialist
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>1 y
Having a beer or two is one thing, but going out to the bar in your uniform is never, ever a good idea.  It is, in fact, against regulations to be in any establishment, in uniform, that primarily serves alcohol.  It is unprofessional, disrespectful to the service, and sends a poor message to the public.
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
PO2 Jonathan Scharff
>1 y
CSM (Join to see) I agree. I was describing my personal feelings not Army regs. For me drinking and the uniform never went together. Just as I wouldn't look to kindly on a local police officer in uniform drinking at the local bar even if he was "off duty". Just my personal view.
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CSM Civil Affairs Specialist
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I complete agree with you on the personal side of things. I just wanted to throw the reg out there also. You'd be surprised at how many don't know there is a regulation.
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PO3 David Davis
PO3 David Davis
4 y
I can not say the same.
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SGM Senior Adviser, National Communications
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Used to be in AR 360-5 (public info) we were not to take nor allow publication of such photos (original theory was they were used in Soviet propaganda, and of course the idea of setting a proper example).
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MSG Sommer Brown
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I would say absolutely NOT. We set the example for those around us and for what the perception is of the armed forces service members and this certainly is not an example I would want to ever set or my Soldiers.
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SGT Suraj Dave
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Soldiers are their own worst enemies. This photo, along with many others showing NCO's doing inappropriate things, usually originate from the facebook page "U.S. Army WTF Moments". Its pretty much run by lower enlisted soldiers, who take these candid photo's and upload them online. For all to see. There are actually a couple more photos from this event, and one of these is actually an SGM.
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1LT Vice President And Controller
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Edited 11 y ago
Terrible Idea. Perception is the reality, especially in the Army. If I want a beer or scotch I will be in civs or in my own house.

Military social functions it is fine, I will drink socially likely 1 per hour but not can't do the binge drinking anymore.. Bad for ones image, bad for hangovers. College days have faded it would seem.
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SGT Squad Leader
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Not ok unless it's a military function. St Barbra's day ball. Army ball ect. Defenatly not in acus. Now you can't get all the senior leaders together at a bar and call it a military function. It looks unprofessional if I was a civ. if you want to drink in uniform. Do it at the house.
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SN Kenneth Melton
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I think it's very unprofessional. I'm ex Navy and when I was active we were not allowed to be seen in any establishment in our uniform unless it was our dress uniform. I work on an Army instalation and with this new military I see the out shopping in malls, eating in restaurants, drinking at the bar in some restaurants and sometimes they are in partial uniform. In today's society and being at war with terrorism they are now exposing themselves and innocent bystanders. Not only that the Army does not teach respect, responsibility or have any kind of discipline anymore. Like someone else said the lower enlisted are going to do what the leadership does because now they think it's okay.
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SFC William Trent
SFC William Trent
11 y
To say that soldier have no respect,responsibility and discipline is just not true. And to keep saying the lower enlisted are watching and well think it's the right thing to do. Good I hope they do cause there nothing wrong with it. And while there doing what sr nco are doing hope they get a 300 on there PT TEST. Get to work early stay late ANC work through lunch. If they do with leaders do a Lott less UCMJ and trips to the MP STATION
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SN Kenneth Melton
SN Kenneth Melton
11 y
All I was trying to say is back in the day you were taught to respect the uniform. you were also told that while out in the civilian world you are representing the United States Military and should do so in a professional manner.
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PO3 David Davis
PO3 David Davis
4 y
When I was in, putting on my Dress Uniform and Drinking, Standard night out.
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PO3 David Davis
PO3 David Davis
4 y
SN Kenneth Melton - True, Drank but we didn't act up. Had fun.
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1SG Russell Carey
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Should not happen. I retired in 2005 and to this day when I see this happening I go and inform them of the regulations. Most of the time they are Senior NCOs or Officers. Most of the time I am met with hostility, mind your own business, regulations have changed and other vulgar responses I shouldn't put in print. I let them know I'll be calling their COC in the morning. I think it is unprofessional.
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SFC Trainmaster
SFC (Join to see)
11 y
Kind of off subject because 1SG Carey mentiond mostly senior NCO's but I was in Auto Zone a few days ago and there was a Soldier walking around in without his blouse so I approached him and informed him he needed to go put on his blouse if he was going to be inside the store... Well lets just say this conversation did not go to well when he started ranting and raving about him being a SFC and knows the standard. I Don't want to go into the whole thing but I always wondered when I saw Soldiers making poor choices well this example of a SFC is why
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1SG Russell Carey
1SG Russell Carey
11 y
Let me clarify, I am speaking of these occasions at Outback Steakhouse, Applebees and Chili's. I think it is one thing to buy a drink for your right hand at an MWR event such as Right Arm Night, but not to be downtown in uniform bringing unwanted attention. and as SFC Stacy mentions, I too correct uniform violations, it's in the blood, hard to stop.
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SSG Ncoic
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Edited 11 y ago
I know what 670-1 says but there is also:

AR 215-1 Chapter 10. MWR events, Military Balls, Right arm night, certain area's in the CJOA "not CJOA-A" sometimes it is authorized and sometimes there are instillations that have a policy in regards to Alcohol consumption, adding to the reg, which Commanders can do. I do know what the regulation says in regards to it, but it seems like it is Commanders discretion. One reg says something and anoter says something to the contrary. For example, AR 215-1 Chapter 10 says that Alcohol can be purchased for MWR functions, those are MWR funds; however, JFTR says that purchasing Alcohol using government funds is a complete no no. If it was a complete prohibition the regulation will state it clearly "you cannot do this,"and "you cannot do that," but for Alcohol that is not the case, and thats why I assume that it is left at Commanders discretion.
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PO2 Operations Specialist
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I have never supported drinking of any kind in uniform, it brings bad attention to the service. I rank this up to the embarrassment of military installations "Harlem Shake". Not good on any level and no room for a professional service.
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SSG Shawn Mcfadden
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I have to say BAD IDEA on this one. The risk for UCMJ action is high.
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SGT Ait Student
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Taking shots in uniform is a disgrace to said uniform. I'm not against drinking in uniform 100%, I believe provided its well regulated and the person is not getting drunk or drinking for bad reasons then it can be "ok" of course its always better to drink without being in uniform
Taking shots while in uniform on the other hand not only crosses the line, it laps it.
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SFC William Trent
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I would like to add this to discussion. I think it's wrong of us to post any picture and have discussion like we are having about them without them knowing about it !!! I'm not saying her there permission but at least be advised. I think we could have the discussion without using their picture
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SPC Christopher Smith
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Seeing how 670-1 only covers "off-post" locations and drinking in uniform, it comes down to Post Command/Unit Command Policies, if none exist then it should be fine for anyone to drink in uniform while "on-post". Although I may not have the favored opinion on this topic, these leaders are not in the wrong if no Policy is in place. Everything else is a matter of personal opinion and has no bearing.
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SGM Matthew Quick
SGM Matthew Quick
11 y
Personal opinion, by the American public, has bearing...images like these, either within interpreted regulatory guidance or not, could portray the Army in a poor light.

Currently, the US military is very respected by the majority of the American public...these types of images can cast a large shadow for some time.

Why do I care what the American public think/feel about us? We work for them and we need their support...especially when it comes to voting.
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SPC Christopher Smith
SPC Christopher Smith
11 y
SGM Quick,

I can tell you that the American public at large does not care about this picture. The loud groups and organizations that get upset represent a very small percentage of the American population. Going to BWW's to pick up wings for dinner I've been offered a shot, I turned it down because who knows who is watching, but the majority of the public somewhat understands the stress we are under.

If we cannot show the public that we are able to have a good time, and that we ARE people as well, how do we gain their support? Running around like perfect robots that live in our own bubble away from everyone and hiding any type of enjoyment does not foster a great public image. Look at what the Military issues out for PR about us having fun; running events, jumping out of planes, combatives, anything about our jobs and being physically fit, but rarely anything about having a personal life. I can tell you running is not fun for me.

Want people to support us when it comes to voting, show them the broken equipment because we do not have the funding/manpower to fix it. Show them the subpar housing issues in the barracks. Show them that reducing our numbers is reducing the number of personnel that deal with our SHARP/EO issues and explain how it might cause a spike in cases for the future. The general public is ignorant of our issues until someone dies. A picture of a few SM's drinking is not going to break the trust and support of the majority of the population.
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SGM Matthew Quick
SGM Matthew Quick
11 y
We can show the American public that we can 'have a good time' without taking shots of liquor in our combat uniforms.
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SFC(P) Ammunition Specialist
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My personnel opinion is that sitting down having a drink or two in uniform is not a bad thing. We are adults and do more than most to protect the liberties that we are granted by our country. But professionally, I believe that because we have folks within our ranks that can't behave responsibly we should avoid drinking in uniform. Some might see this image as glamorizing alcohol and there is a constant struggle to keep SM form getting DUIs and being apart of ARIs. I think the army should HAMMER every single DUI case and select mature responsible people to wear the uniform. Then having a celebratory drink or having a drink with colleagues after work in uniform would be ok. With all mechanisms perceived to be “bad” (i.e. alcohol and guns), their is a conscious decision making process that steers an individuals actions prior to and after the implementation of that mechanism. Lets control the people we let in the military, not the LEGAL activities responsible SMs choose to indulge in while wearing the uniform.
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MSG Usarec Liason At Nrpc/Nara
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I've had A beer in ACUs before going home. But shots or excessive drinking...never.
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MSG(P) Michael Warrick
MSG(P) Michael Warrick
11 y
Me personally I do not drink so I would say no
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SPC Line Medic
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Ok while there are many good points from both sides of the spectrum depending how you are looking at it. But in my opinion as a lower enlisted E-4 and 34 years old( I know better) but i am around alot of newly fresh out of basic privates that if they were to see this picture and were under any of these senior enlisted ncos command, it would be like giving them the green light to do the same. With them its a monkey see monkey do type thing especially if they look up to you as a leader and as a mentor. The way i see it live the way you want to live on your free time but when we get up each morning and put on the uniform we are the embodiment and image of the army, our fallen brothers and sisters, and those we are currently serve with to all who we encounter up until we take the uniform off.
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SSG Satellite Communication Systems Operator/Maintainer
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Edited 11 y ago
I say its wrong to drink in uniform at all with the exception of a glass of wine at a formal ball. Even then, moderation is a must. To drink in a combat uniform with your soldiers in a bar is wrong on so many levels. Just remember that your actions in that situation is the example your soldiers will follow.
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SSG Satellite Communication Systems Operator/Maintainer
SSG (Join to see)
11 y
Yes but I was referring to the combat uniform as opposed to the dress uniform. In dress uniform, at a ball having a glass of wine with your dinner is ok but don't over do it.

In combat uniform is never a good idea in my book. With your soldiers at a bar is even worse.
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1SG Company First Sergeant
1SG (Join to see)
11 y
Where are you getting "with your Soldiers at a bar"?
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SSG Satellite Communication Systems Operator/Maintainer
SSG (Join to see)
11 y
I have heard of some NCOs going out to drink with their soldiers both at bars and at parties. I was using it to point out that to drink in a combat uniform is bad in my opinion and to do it with your soldiers is worse. The picture posted with this topic looks to be a bar to me.
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MSG(P) Michael Warrick
MSG(P) Michael Warrick
11 y
No unless it was a military function
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SSG Instructor
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Is calling your BDE/BN CSM by his firsts name a good job? No it's a terrible idea and it's even worse when you have photo evidence
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1SG Company First Sergeant
1SG (Join to see)
11 y
Do you really see in this photo that anybody is calling a CSM by his/her first name?
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MSG(P) Michael Warrick
MSG(P) Michael Warrick
11 y
No unless it was a military function
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SFC Section Sergeant
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I do not believe it is unappropriate nor proffessional to do it while in uniform. If a unit is going to do a NCO call or O call their should be enough time to change into civilian clothes. I do know here in FT. Campbell in CAM PAM 600-1 Section 3, Par 6. Soldiers are authorized to wear the ACU during commercial travel both CONUS and OCONUS. Soldiers will not wear the ACU in off-post establishments that primarily sell alcohol. If the off-post establishment sells alcohol and food, Soldier may not wear the ACU if the activities in the establishment center on drinking alcohol.

Of course every Installation has its own polices and Regulations, but still either way I believe its unappropriate and unprofessional no matter where you are in while in uniform. That goes with a Military Ball that is why their are Senior Leaders and other personel not drinking to ensure Soldiers are not getting out of control.
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