In Europe, we can't be in uniform off post. Should grooming standards be lowered so we're not easily Identified?

If the grooming standards are followed loosely, but within regulations, one can blend in rather well. As a former PL of 24 Aviation Warrants, I can assure you that some 'hairdos' that you would NEVER EXPECT to be within regs definitely can be.

Common sense in dress and grooming can help you blend in more easily.

Yes, if the predominant hairstyle off post is long. But this isn't "grow-your-hair-long and forget the rest". The rest of the security training has to be maintained...what you wear, how you talk, who you go around with, the whole thing. A package deal, you can't pick the parts you like.

Since security has tightened up and Military members are being told not to "stand out" aka don't travel in uniform etc.....I have thought about this. This would be a legit concern as it doesn't take much to identify Military personnel outside of uniform....especially near a base at say, an airport.

Back in the years 2003-2005 it was ok to be in uniform to and from work. And even to go out for lunch at a German place. Things must have changed. When I was in Camp Darby Italy 2005-2008 we rarely wore our uniforms to and from work. If we did it was from residence straight to post.

To answer your question. I would not say lower the standards but to modify them. It depends what the threat is. In Egypt we all wore suit and tie in part for the mission and never in uniform outside the Embassy. I personally kept my hair longer but always professional and within the regs just like the picture in my profile. But everyone knows we are not from Egypt. Same during my tours in Germany and Egypt.

There are some service members who are trying to blend in. Then we have others who are standing out for the wrong reasons.

CH (MAJ) (Join to see) Roger that, Sir. I just left in February and thought about that regularly.

I spent two years in Germany. It is obvious who is American there. I know that they have closed many of the posts there and our numbers aren't as high, but you can still tell. Unless you really go for it and learn German and adopt the customs, your going to get noticed. My relations with many of my German friends was that they didn't really care. Some are going to like us there, some aren't. There are people in the US that hate each other because of what part of the country they are from. Standing out is just going to happen. Also, they repealled the policy on not wearing your ACUs while traveling in the US.

I was in Europe for three tours. Several of them were during times of hatred for Americans, so we wore civics off post. Changing grooming standards are not going to protect you or help you blend in. You live and work in a military post/base, drive an American cAR with USA plates and buy your clothes in the PX. So I guess you think letting your hair grow a little or a bushy mustache and beard will save you. Those that want to harm you will be able to identify you no matter what way you cut your hair. The best way to protect yourself is to learn the language make friends with the locals and don't be a stupid drunk "ugly American". Or you can be a barracks rat and never leave post.

No!

NO!! Period. Standards are standards.

This issue has been around for decades. When I worked at Nuke Dets back in he 1980's & 90's we encouraged not to look to GIish. Justification was that the item we worked with weren't always looked on as being a good thing by many of the locals. We also had the SMLM vehicles patrol the areas, and on more than a few occasions some of us were asked interesting questions from some of the locals, or whom we thought may be locals. It also doesn't help if there incidents like a plane crashing into ski gondola, sexual assault of a local, DUI with a manslaughter of local and things of that nature, don't help our cause.