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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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
CSM (Join to see)
>1 y
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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