How should Courtesy Patrol be tailored to successfully and respectfully interact with Soldiers and Civilians?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:19:57 -0500

It's no secret that many installations are again implementing Courtesy Patrols to improve general discipline and professionalism within the ranks. However, it seems that many of the issues actually stem from the civilian/spousal population, specifically in regard to the post dress code. Having served on several CP details on Schofield Barracks, HI, I have (on more than one occasion) had the rather unpleasant experience of notifying a civilian that their attire is inappropriate for the public establishments on post. Reactions vary from embarrassment to downright nasty to borderline abusive. <div><br></div><div>In an age where "booty shorts", thongs, and sports bras are seemingly normal attire, how can CP duty be set up to remain effective?</div>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 9:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:23:23 -0500

bring an MP, I dont know, CP was hard in Korea simply because your abilities were limited, I can only imagine what interacting with civilians will be like,

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 8:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 08:16:57 -0400

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 19 at 2014 12:26 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 12:26:32 -0400

I know down here at Ft. Benning, the CP was out on the weekends patrolling the establishments on Broadway to ensure that Soldiers don't get into trouble and embarrass the Army. Haven't seen anything about CPs on post yet, but I agree with a lot of the posts that dependents are really not going to care what someone other than an MP has to say to them concerning their clothing or the manner in which they act. Having pulled the duty myself both overseas and CONUS, unfortunately it is a necessary evil that is required, IMHO.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Mar 19 at 2014 11:48 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 23:48:58 -0400

Always have a partner (witness) on CP. you should be getting briefed daily on the Do's and Don'ts and the Whatchya-ma-call-its. It may help to learn and speak pigin English and listen to KAPA radio to acclimate yourself better.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2014 10:36 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 10:36:55 -0400

Civis are civis and Soldiers are Soldiers if spouses and daughters want to dress inappropriately we have no right to order them otherwise only acknowledge it and let them know backlash can occur if not corrected or further violatins occur. The backlash will come in form of punitive punishments handed down to servicemembers. It is the Soldiers responsibilty and duty to infom family members of what is regulatin and appropriate for given unit areas and public areas of interest while on post. This is a long and well known grey area and isnt anything new.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Apr 18 at 2014 5:40 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 17:40:19 -0400

How about this, we revoke courtesy patrol in CONUS. Then we take this marvel step of developing leaders who are empowered through their knowledge to make the on the spot corrections that they are supposed to be making in the first place. If there is a civilian wardrobe or other standards violation the facility manager in charge or the military police should handle it.

Response by SP5 Tom Carlson made Jun 25 at 2014 12:59 PM

SP5 Tom Carlson — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:59:25 -0400

I ran into an army wife that thought she out ranked me because her husband was my Platoon leader.
I also had a Captain tell my wife she could sit by him anytime she wanted but I had to salute and call him Capt.. You missy just call me Les.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 5 at 2018 5:57 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 17:57:54 -0500

Give all CP designees a class entitled "be polite and don't be an asshole". That should cover most situations.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 27 at 2019 9:49 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 21:49:54 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I have been asked to leave “country clubs’ in the Palm Desert area because I was wearing ‘walking shorts!. It will not happen again!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 27 at 2019 9:52 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 21:52:02 -0400

I am confused, is this not what Navy ‘Shore Patrol’ personnel used to do? PO1 William "Chip" Nagel

Response by LTC Gary Earls made Jul 27 at 2019 10:38 PM

LTC Gary Earls — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 22:38:11 -0400

In 1972 I was the XO of the 1st Warrant Officer Candidate Company. My wife's duty was to teach the candidate wives how to be military wives. The CO's wife couldn't do it because she was new to the Army. My wife is an Army brat. :-) I would come home after work and there may be a couple of wives getting further instruction on how to conduct themselves.
Now, some people don't care how they are dressed which is a shame. I guess they don't realize on how they will be judged by other people. As Will Rogers said, "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression."

In the 1950's my father in law was stationed at Fort Story, VA. The post commander would come to the housing area to conduct Retreat formation with the dependents. If your dependents weren't outside, the next morning you were at the Post Commander's office explaining why your dependents weren't outside during Retreat. Times have changed. :-)

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jul 28 at 2019 4:35 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 16:35:42 -0400

Wow, I wouldn't want to have to do that today when showing as much as you can is the norm for some groups. The ladies were the protectors of modesty and grace and the men were the protectors of the ladies in my younger days.