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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SGT Ben Keen
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At an official event, I don't see a problem as long as the service member maintains their bearing. But in the picture, it just looks like a bunch of Soldiers at a local bar drinking up. With all the alcohol abuse in the military, this doesn't set the best example. It's one thing to go out celebrate. But drink a beer or maybe two and leave it at that. To be seen slinging back shot after shot after shot just sends the wrong message.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
SSgt (Join to see)
11 y
I agree SGT Breen and you are hereby promoted. :)
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PO2 Aviation Maintenance Administrationman
PO2 (Join to see)
11 y
I don't think it looks good
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1SG Company First Sergeant
1SG (Join to see)
11 y
but what about SGT Keen Larry Olson? LOL
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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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Sgt John H.
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Just a bad idea. The uniform identifies you as a member of the United States Armed Forces. Wearing the uniform means that you are a representative of the United States and you should represent our country with the correct courtesy and military bearing at all times. Drinking in public in uniform does not project the correct image. What would you think if you observed Police Officers or Firemen drinking in uniform?
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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As long as its kept in control and off facebook and the MP blotter. pictures like this, while celebratory in nature, have a way of giving the wrong impression if they appear in the wrong media.

Take the photo of the soldier licking the MIA logo - that could have been part of one such celebration, but look what message that sent.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CMSgt James Nolan
11 y
Again sir, the Dumb-Ass factor. There is an old quote that I love: The probability of someone watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your actions!
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1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
>1 y
CMSgt James Nolan, I'm going to have to file the serial number off that quote in preparation for future use.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CMSgt James Nolan
>1 y
1LT William Clardy The real problem with all of this (and I have been thinking about this for some time) is that camera get introduced and pics get taken, because we love to have good memories. But nowadays those memories end up on Facebook, When that happens, they are out there for the world to interpret a "snapshot" of time. Then the world passes judgement. And, for example the posted picture-it could be that the "team" was having a shot to celebrate return from a sh#tttttty deployment; or raising a toast, as a unit to a marriage, or birth of a child; or they could be out there getting Sh#thouse drunk. We don't know, because it is a photo-so we get to make our own decisions about it.

That being said-that quote holds true for everything in life-"someone is watching"
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MSG Senior Career Counselor
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I have seen drinking in uniform a few times, Right Arm, Boss nights and at Dinning IN/OUTs 

In the picture there are all leaders, Don't leaders always do the right thing
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MAJ Keira Brennan
MAJ Keira Brennan
>1 y
I'd hated to have done the Risk Assessment!
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
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My question is -- how does this impact the good order and discipline of the unit, or of units whose personnel see this?  I think this would have a negative impact in that regard.  If these were junior enlisted personnel, my guess is that in many cases they would face consequences within the unit and get scuffed up by their first line supervisors.  
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CPL Jay Strickland
CPL Jay Strickland
11 y
The marines and navy do it during fleet week.
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SrA James Cannon
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As long as it is done responsibly, I don't see a problem with it.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
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more then a single mixed drink or beer is just asking for trouble.
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SGT Jim Arnold
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my train of thought is if I wanted to go out and have a beer or a shot or 2 then I need to change into civilian attire.
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1SG Infantryman
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There is only ONE exception for this for me personally and that is Dining In. Other than that, I never have and I never will. Just my personal opinion.
Why? The media loves to show the "Out of control Military" and when it comes to our troops and these last 12 years of war, I would say it's been 80% Negative and 20% positive displayed in the media. I am not willing to assist in tarnishing the reputation of our Military in any way.
Second... Self control! If I need to drink that bad, I can also change clothes to do it. Five minutes changing clothes beats the hell out of someone taking pictures in an establishment without me knowing and claiming "They are out of control" because someone laughed at a joke with a glass in his hand. 2015... perception is everything!
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MSG Sommer Brown
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I personally never see it OK to drink in front of your Soldiers even at a military function. We try so hard to make excuses in today's society for what we want to do to be ok, but what we fail to do now days is uphold that image of honor, respect, dignity, and perception that you can have fun and not have to include alcohol to do it. The first thing that happens when a military ball rolls around are Hospitality rooms and the competition to see which chain of command can put on the best room. What is the image we are portraying, we have a zero policy but yet we offer SM alcohol at a military function and then don't mandate they spend the night there, we don't even monitor their intake or give breathalyzers prior to leaving, but we sure will write someone up quick, fast and in a hurry if they are stopped for a DUI. We leaders need to display the values and behaviors we expect our Soldiers to uphold and show them that it does not require alcohol at an event to have a good time.
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