In your opinion, what is the most common violation of uniform regulations, and are you guilty of it from time to time?

True story....My old company commander (a female CPT) was waiting outside her office for her husband (a Major, going through CGSC at the time) to pick her up after work. She was standing by the entrance to the building with her hands in her BDU pockets. He walked in, looked at her, and said “Get those d*ckbeaters out of your pockets!”, then turned and walked out. My First Sergeant and I just looked at each other, then at EVERYTHING else in the room to keep from laughing.

Yep....making gun a No Gun with 64 lbs of TNT and C4 CoA 2BN 11thSFG

Cold and damp day........air force glove moment....

Placing the fun packs...

SGT Albert Bowman - THere was an article in the 80s 1986? American Rifleman, Patton and his Pistols. That should set the record straight. For those interested, the Registered Magnum Patton carried was later in the 50s known as the Model 27

In the eighties / nineties there was a prescribed way to roll up the BDA, Desert II, etc. You pull the sleeve inside-out up to the point above where you want the cuff to rest, roll in "flat sections" the inside-out sleeve up to just below where the cuff is resting, then pull the cuff over the rolls and button. The USMC (then) just rolled them up like normal people (as much as any Marine can ever be normal:-). After 911 no one ever really worried about that again, at least where I was assigned that is.

Incidentally, general grade officers are exempted from AR 670-1. Hence, pictures showing them with their hands in their pockets os hardly supporting evidence that enlisted are entitled to do the same.

SPC Bryan Gustafson -
From https://www.outsidethebeltway.com/no-damn-it-army-generals-arent-exempt-from-uniform-regulations/
"The phrase “generals of the Army” is not synonymous with the phrase “Army generals.” Rather, “generals of the Army” refers to five star generals, the last of whom was Omar Bradley, who was promoted to that rank in 1950 and who died in 1981. We know this because, if the awkward phrase simply meant “brigadier generals and above,” it would be redundant to also single out the Chief of Staff."

My comment below.
If generals were indeed exempted, then why is there this chapter?

AR 670-1 Chapter 21-5: Grade insignia for general officers

a. Description. The grade insignia described below applies to male and female general officers.

(1) General. The nonsubdued grade insignia has four silver-colored, five-pointed stars, each 1 inch in diameter. Medium silver-colored stars, 3/4 inch in diameter, and miniature silver-colored stars, 5/8 inch in diameter, also are authorized. The general officer subdued grade insignia will be 3/4 inch stars point to vertex, 1/8 inch apart. The subdued grade insignia will be four black stars embroidered on the camouflage pattern, 2 inches by 3 1/4 inches overall, with both hook-and-loop fastener attached for wear on utility uniforms and ECWCS (see fig 21–24).

(2) Lieutenant general. The nonsubdued grade insignia has three silver-colored, five-pointed stars, each 1 inch in diameter. Medium silver-colored stars 3/4 inch in diameter and miniature silver-colored stars, 5/8 inch in diameter, also are authorized. The subdued lieutenant general grade insignia will be three black stars embroidered on the matching camouflage pattern, 2 inches by 3 1/4 inches, and will have both hook-and-loop fastener attached for wear on utility uniforms and ECWCS (see fig 21–25).

(3) Major general. The nonsubdued grade insignia has two silver-colored, five-pointed stars, each 1 inch in diameter. Medium silver-colored stars, 3/4 inch in diameter, and miniature silver-colored stars, 5/8 inch in diameter, also are authorized. The subdued major general grade insignia will be two black stars embroidered on the matching camouflage pattern, 2 inches by 2 inches, overall with hook-and-loop fastener for wear on utility uniforms and ECWCS (see fig 21–26).

(4) Brigadier general. The nonsubdued grade insignia has one silver-colored, five-pointed star, 1 inch in diameter. Medium silver-colored stars, 3/4 inch in diameter, and miniature silver-colored stars, 5/8 inch in diameter, also are authorized. The subdued brigadier general grade insignia will be one black star embroidered on the matching camouflage pattern, 2 inches by 2 inches overall, with hook-and-loop fastener for wear on utility uniforms and ECWCS (see fig 21–27).

b. How worn.

(1) Nonsubdued.

(a) The appropriate number of stars is worn centered on the shoulder loops, equidistant between the outside edge of the shoulder loop and the outer edge of the shoulder loop button on the Army green uniform coat, the all-weather coat, and the windbreaker. Stars are worn “point to V” on shoulder loops (see fig 21–28).

(b) Shoulder marks with the appropriate number of stars are worn on the service uniform long- and short-sleeved shirts, the black unisex cardigan sweater, and the black pullover sweater.

(c) The appropriate number of stars is worn centered on the beret flash, point to point (see fig 21–29).

(d) General officers may wear medium or miniature stars in lieu of regular-sized stars. As an option, general officers may mount full-sized, medium, or miniature stars on a bar for wear on coats, jackets, and the beret. When this option is chosen, the bar is worn centered on the shoulder loop or beret flash.

(2) Subdued. The subdued grade insignia point-to-point stars are worn on the headgear as prescribed in paragraph
21–3, above.

Since the velcro was introduced....Man that was a blessing and a horror! I took off my "jacket/shirt ACU" and when I put it back on...my name and Army tag was switched and I was at a parade...I only noticed later when I looked at some photo's! It was some rotten ROTC brats who did it too! But oh did they pay for it later...trust me on this....

Ha! I got a couple of uniforms back from the seamstress back in the BDU days and they were reversed. That sucked as a young, broke private.

People would do that to my top all the time, then a private at the PX would call me out.

SPC (Join to see) - While I was in Afghanistan I stopped into the seamstresses shop at Bagram Air Field.
Me being me had them make up a bunch of Tab's.
1. Green beans. most of you know about that.
2. Shit bag. Self explanatory.
3. Retard. instead of Ranger.
4. Brookeback. for 10th Mountain.
5. Special Ed. For S/F.
6. The ISAF PATCH. I had them make it say I suck at fighting.
Now has I was saying about having these made.
A group of us where able to hit the Green Beans then the chow hall before heading back to J.A.F..
A few of us changed the tabs on one of the guys ACU's.
Putting on The Special Ed tab under that the Retard tab.
Under that the Brookeback tab.
We all thought well how long will it take fore him to figure is it out.
As I was saying we got to the chow hall. some food and this CSM sit's next to us.
after a few minutes he looks over and started yelling at the guy we set up.
I broke in and told the CSM that we had a guy that did that shit to people all the time, And that I would get on his ass about it.
the CSM Said o.k. to my answer and told me to wright him up.
I did what he told me to do. I did a DD 4187 on me self, then Consoled myself not to get caught next time.

Yes I seen this all the time. Also unbutton pockets

LOL.

There is a reason we always called it "Air Force Gloves," not quite as rare as CW5s, now we have seen him.

But..... I thought they were Air Force gloves....

I did the tuck as well, until I was at the MP schoolhouse for a school and a student in the NCO Academy corrected me.
I went off post to the sewing shop and had the cuffs sewn up that same distance as it was cuffed. Never had another word said about it.

Post tailor shops do accept gratuities and a little sucking up! SGT (Join to see)

SSG (Join to see) It's case by case obviously but my commanders have always allowed it.

I'm guilty of the back pocket being unbutton also.

I have two vehicles. I normally keep spare belts and a shaving kit in both.

Always keep a spare kit/uniform nearby so you can look your best!

I frequently forget to re-button my back pocket and only remember when I go to pull out my keys and the pocket is already unbuttoned. I'm hoping it happens less as I wear my uniform more and build the muscle-memory to close the buttons...

I agree with you on the fact that you don't need to know the regulation from cover to cover because much of that reg you will never pertain to you. You should know everything there is to know about the duty and formal uniforms, facial and haircut standards and IPFU uniform standards. The Bluetooth thing kills me too.

I don't know where you were getting your BCT/AIT soldiers, but the ones we were receiving at Ft. Bragg , NC 82nd ABN Div were dumb as a box of rocks.. we had to teach everything..... When I was at APG, MD the "SIDEWALK" Drills didn't do anything, march them to chow.. 80% of the company we gave the AFPT to, failed it! The health and welfare... OMG! So as far a AR 670-1.. you are constantly teaching. Individual units can add specific uniform policies and standards.. Every moment is a teachable moment! Hoooah...

I actually corrected a PFC in a Wal-Mart for having his Bluetooth in his ear. I told him point blank he needed to take it off in uniform. He looked at me and just said, "I'm good!" I actually called both my ex-husband and my second husband to verify that AR 670-1 hadn't changed regarding phones and hands free devices when not in your vehicle. Apparently, he thought that because I was not in uniform, I was just a 'stupid wife' or civilian who didn't know anything.

Actuallyb there is nothing in the regs that prohibit Bluetooth, they just need to be black. In fact, they are required while driving on base. As an AF cop, we pulled people over all the time for not using "hands-free" cellular devices while driving.

SSG Carlos Madden, 36-2903 is vague on the subject (only not allowed in formation), but AFI 1-1 is absolutely clear.

3.2.1. Members, while in uniform, will not stand or walk with hands in pockets except to
insert or remove an item.

SSG Carlos Madden - It can be. Depends on what "Snivel level" is in effect. SL-1 Lowest State: Hands in pockets
SL-2 Hands in pockets, shoulders rounded and top button on blouse is closed
SL-3 Umbrella Out and Open (walking at the quick step authorized)
SL-4 You call the motor pool for a ride

Do hands count as "items" one can insert or remove?

In the Marines we called it Wearing a Army Gloves!!!

I agree SGM. It all begins with Leaders knowing and understanding the regulations. The next step is to have the fortitude to actually make the corrections.

From: JCH, Colonel, USA (Ret). The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. Rather simple, actually. Be tactful and professional in making the correction, but make it none the less.