I haven't gone to Basic Training yet, but I like to wear OCP/UCP Pants with boots outside on public grounds, is that allowed?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:29:10 -0400

Or does it seem like I'm bragging? (I'm just fresh out of MEPS, I don't even know squat about military culture, sorry if I offended some people it's just been a childhood dream of mine to join the military. Please don't hurt me)

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Jul 15 at 2020 7:33 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:33:58 -0400

Any insignia visable?

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jul 15 at 2020 7:36 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:36:23 -0400

No, it is not. You have enlisted, you have not made it and even if you have? You are not allowed to wear it just to wear it unless you commander deems it appropriate. I get that you are proud to serve and want to "show off" a bit but that is not the way to do it.

Instead wear your PT uniform as that is an "anytime/anyplace" uniform with the exception of flying and ceremonies etc.

Response by SSG Bill Moore made Jul 15 at 2020 7:38 PM

SSG Bill Moore — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:38:49 -0400

I wouldn't do it, but that's just me. Were you issued a set from your unit? If so, it's YOUR responsibility to ensure that whatever you are issued is serviceable and in good condition. Don't be one of those potatoes that wears them outside to work on your rice burner or pick em up. Be smart and covet the fact that you have a set because there are many who would love to be issued a set.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 7:45 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:45:08 -0400

Don't do it before basic, and don't do it after basic... not because it is against regulation, just because it is ridiculous and the rest of us will make fun of you.

Response by Sgt Jude Eschete made Jul 15 at 2020 7:46 PM

Sgt Jude Eschete — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:46:56 -0400

I'm fundamentally against any service member wearing uniforms off base or when not working. The Marine Corps doesn't allow utilities to be worn out in town period and for good reason. Not only are you making yourself a target, but you are also wearing a uniform you haven't earned yet.

Don't be one of those guys.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 8:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 20:30:24 -0400

You are going to get so tired of wearing that every day you'll not want to wear it off duty. Why would you even want to wear the pants and boots out and about? Just wear civilian clothes.

Yeah you can wear it. Anyone can go buy ACUs at a surplus store and wear them - you just can't wear certain ribbons or awards if you didn't earn them. (Also - it's still called the Army Combat Uniform - OCP and UCP are the patterns).

I feel like this is a troll account...

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Jul 15 at 2020 8:32 PM

SSG Steven Borders — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 20:32:11 -0400

PVT Private RallyPoint Member Here are my thoughts and they are just mine. I can't count how many times I have seen Veterans wear their UCP/BDU bottoms. To me I think it looks stupid, when I am out in public I will usually have on a "Veteran Company" t-shirt but that's it. I don't have any stickers, magnets, veteran plates on my vehicle. No offense to those who do. That's just a personal choice. Civilians can always spot us and most Veterans can spot other veterans just by the way we talk to and move. I don't like bringing attention to the fact I am in, makes me less of a target. Haircut doesn't help. LOL
Anyways, it is great you have pride and want to so off. But as others have stated don't be that guy. Wear your uniform with pride when on duty, and when off just be you.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 15 at 2020 8:32 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 20:32:54 -0400

WHAT ? PVT Private RallyPoint Member
Please do not, it is not for wear in a civilian setting. Even after you have been trained to wear a uniform, DO NOT!

Civilians really don’t care.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 15 at 2020 9:09 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 21:09:20 -0400

Once you signed a contract, your relationship to and with the military is not the same as a civilians.
1) If you haven't been to basic, it not bragging. It BS'ing.
2) For someone who has signed a contract, it is a uniform, not a costume.
3) For someone who has signed a contract, wear the uniform, the complete uniform, properly; or wear something else.

At this point, when it comes to the military, you don't know enough to know that you don't know much of anything.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jul 15 at 2020 10:28 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 22:28:25 -0400

Don't be that guy, dude.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 15 at 2020 10:51 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 22:51:07 -0400

I’ll just add my NO to my very distinguished and experienced Brothers,I’ll even say please,....NO!

Response by MSgt Don VandeBogert made Jul 15 at 2020 11:07 PM

MSgt Don VandeBogert — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 23:07:53 -0400

Throwing this out there for educational purposes because very few people know about this. Not that any civilians care or that this is enforced but...its against US code for anyone not authorized by law to wear our services uniforms.

10 USC, Ch 45, §771. Unauthorized wearing prohibited
"Except as otherwise provided by law, no person except a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be, may wear—
(1) the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform, of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps; or
(2) a uniform any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 34.)
The words "Except as otherwise provided by law" are inserted to give effect to exceptions in other revised sections of this title and to provisions of other laws giving such organizations as the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Public Health Service permission to wear military uniforms under certain conditions."

V/R
Bogie

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 15 at 2020 11:52 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 23:52:24 -0400

Uhmmmm, no. Total boot move and a violation of AR670-1.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 16 at 2020 2:12 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 02:12:47 -0400

My advice - Do not be "That Guy". I have seen veterans and civilians wearing parts of the ACU's, usually for a purpose (Hunting, cut down pants for yard work, etc etc), but very rarely as just clothing to hang around in. Second, I am going to assume, by the title of your post, that you have enlisted, and are currently in a Delayed entry program, which means that even though you have not gone to basic yet, you are still governed by the UCMJ. Regulations (AR670-1) specifically states that you are not authorized to wear any part of your utility uniform other then for work, and that it must be a complete uniform unless otherwise stated by your CoC. Third, You are making yourself a target for those that have a political disagreement with our government, the Military is apolitical, and there are those that would like to corner individual Soldiers into compromising positions in order to further their narratives. And last, Many of us will point at you and laugh, we have a different sense of humor then the civilian side, and we absolutely love to mock and laugh at posers.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 16 at 2020 9:20 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 09:20:48 -0400

Please. Don't. Do. It.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2020 9:48 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 09:48:49 -0400

The boots are one thing, break those suckers in before you go if you have the regular army issue ones. Refer to SFC Blount's response in regards to the rest of the getup.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 16 at 2020 10:41 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 10:41:43 -0400

That's ridiculous and cringe worthy.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2020 11:32 AM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 11:32:05 -0400

Oh lord I've made a mistake asking this question lol, sorry about that

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 16 at 2020 1:55 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 13:55:42 -0400

Don't think anyone here is offended, just telling it to you straight. And none of us are threatening you with physical harm, just saying we usually mock and make fun of people who wear partial uniforms. If mere words are enough to hurt you, I definitely suggest a different line of work. Thick skin PVT, if you don't have it, then how can your battle buddy trust you will keep cool when shit hits the fan?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2020 5:02 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 05:02:46 -0400

Really awesome that you have gone to MEPS and will be a Soldier shortly.

That being said, do not do it.
1) You may get 1 of 2 types of attention. People thanking you for your service, which may make you feel awkward since you haven't served, or them asking you questions you don't have answers to. Or people giving you shit for looking ridiculous, you look ridiculous wearing half a uniform.
2) You will have PLENTY of time to wear your uniform for as long as you are in. 6 months after being in, you will be begging to get that thing off.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2020 6:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 18:41:52 -0400

Please don't.

Response by SGT(P) Abner Lozano made Jul 20 at 2020 3:30 PM

SGT(P) Abner Lozano — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 15:30:48 -0400

Heres my $0.02. Don’t do it.
1). You havent earned the right to wear it.
2). No one thinks you’re cool.
3). Don’t even do it after you’ve earned it.
You look dumb and like it has already been mentioned, all of us will make fun of you. You’re making yourself an unnecessary target.

Response by TSgt Andrew Harper made Jul 21 at 2020 1:32 PM

TSgt Andrew Harper — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:32:55 -0400

Make it easy and do what you are told, do not think. Wear regular clothes on your off time and wear your uniform the way it must be worn. Very simple.

Response by SPC Steven Nihipali made Aug 16 at 2020 12:28 PM

SPC Steven Nihipali — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 12:28:16 -0400

Dude, they're pants with boots... just don't be a fucking moron and wear the blouse w patches. Remember, you live in Texas... don't fuck w Texas veterans.

Boots can be found in public stores, no big deal. Trousers can be bought at surplus stores, no big deal... you're not wearing the uniform, so you're OK

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2020 9:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 21:31:05 -0400

IF you are going to wear the uniform, after you have earned the right , wear the complete uniform. When you are in uniform, you don't pick and choose what parts you wear. It is in the regs.
Beside that, wearing the boots and pants in civilian circles make you look like a douchebag. Not a proud veteran. Wear it proud and wear it right and wear it where appropriate.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 10 at 2020 6:54 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 06:54:34 -0400

So WAY back when in the 20th century, me and my buddies had a game of playing "spot the private" at the local bars. Almost every single one was wearing thier running shoes and ID tags. Usually a white T-shirt, sometimes even the brown one. Many had their ID tags out. These individuals also deliberately dropped military acronyms and terms, often out of context or just incorrectly. They were basically dropping as many hints as they could, trying to get civilians to ask if they were in the Army so they could act surprised but "shyly" admit that they were cold-blooded steely-eyed killers. Me and my buddies each had our own very individual and eclectic styles - none of which was Army-centric. We would sit in the corner and just people watch and laugh amongst ourselves. We were laughing at how hard these kids were trying to be a real grown up Soldier.
But here's the thing. Those kids we were making fun of were out and about, having just as good of a time being ignorant fools as we were having sitting in the corner laughing at them. So, hey, as long as you aren't hurting anyone and you aren't breaking the law, you do you.
And don't let nobody tell you nuthin' different.

Response by Frank Leverett made Sep 18 at 2020 2:34 PM

Frank Leverett — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:34:45 -0400

I'm guessing OCP/UCP pants are fatigues? I had a set for JROTC back in the 90's and honestly, I never even thought about wearing anything other than the boots when not required to for class. Granted, I have a set of fatigue pants that, for some reason, just can not be torn, so I wear them when I have to go back into the wooded part of my land, just to protect my legs, but they're so old and faded they look like off white pants now. As for the boots, I've destroyed my joints with firefighting and sports, combat boots support my ankles, and with the right pair, just work.