Is wearing eyeglasses on top of head allowed while in uniform?

Haha

100,000% the correct approach

At the Shoppette in uniform, if the lieutenant was wearing his sun glasses on the back of his head on would think he was inside the Shoppette at the time in question, that makes this an easy answer; AR 670-1 does not allow the wear of sunglasses indoors, period. No exceptions are listed, not in garrison, on your head, hanging on your uniform, not in formation, Tuesday afternoons, leap year, nothing, nada, no exceptions, put them in your pocket, carry them in your hand, or leave them in the car.

SSG Elyzabeth Cromer Correction to my previous post, "one would think" not "on would think". Apologies for any confusion caused by the typo.

AR 670-1 tells you can can stow your headgear when indoors, but only in a cargo pocket and folded in such a way that does not create the appearance of bulk. (promotion board question btw) That level of detail was left off from the sunglass section because some reg writers don't feel the need anymore to spell out every misapplication and loophole.
But a reasonable person would interpret "professional appearance" to mean don't look like a bag of garbage soup.
Collectively, we have lost the true meaning of "highest standards of professionalism" in our search for the white space between the black letters in the regulation.

Thank you, CSM. Yeah, I found it odd that it wasn't mentioned in the AR version I read.

It's a common sense thing. There are a lot of things that are left out of regulations because it really is not needed ie stipulation that underwear shall only be worn on the lower body, beneath the duty uniform, that laces shall be worn in a certain fashion, or that a SM shall not look down the business end of a weapon.

These are things that should have been instilled in the SM from the word go but obviously were not. A failure of leadership and training professionals as well as a failure of this particular 2LT.

PFC Jeffrey Herrington - Thanks for the laugh!

Understood. I always told my Soldiers and leaders to speak respectfully and iterate the infraction. If the violator turned belligerent, disrespectful ir rude they were to bring me there name. Not many things I could not correct at any level. This usually resulted in a more empowered Soldier/leader as well. The more we walk by the infraction the faster we create new standards. Thank you for your service CSMCSM William Everroad

CSM Darieus ZaGara - I use that saying all the time! "If you let standards slide, you create a new standard and gradually a new Army" Leaders are at fault for any perception of declining discipline in a unit, IMO.

I wish that many more would employ that mentality. I have heard and said that for decades, unfortunately often falling on deaf ears. SFC Brad P.

I believe you. Hooah!SFC Brad P.

It will be the top of the head when they are in the front leaning rest!

Your response may be subjective and may not be viewed as consistent with the letter of the law, which I have pasted here. In the spirit of the law, however, I would challenge you create a learning opportunity for the young butter bar; you might discretely tell him that he is setting an example that could get a private in trouble... I do agree with you, professional appearance does not include sticking your shades on the back of your head while in any uniform. Perhaps the authors of the AR 670-1 just assumed soldiers would exercise some personal and professional discretion.

Wear of eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses
December 21, 2018
a. Wear of eyeglasses and sunglasses.

(1) Conservative civilian prescription eyeglasses are authorized for wear with all uniforms.

(2) Conservative prescription and nonprescription sunglasses are authorized for wear when in a garrison environment, except when in formation and while indoors. Individuals who are required by medical authority to wear sunglasses for medical reasons other than refractive error may wear them, except when health or safety considerations apply. Soldiers may not wear sunglasses in the field, unless required by the commander for safety reasons in high- glare, field environments.

(3) Restrictions on eyeglasses and sunglasses. Eyeglasses or sunglasses that are trendy, or have lenses or frames with initials, designs, or other adornments are not authorized for wear. Soldiers may not wear lenses with extreme or trendy colors, which include but are not limited to, red, yellow, blue, purple, bright green, or orange. Lens colors must be traditional gray, brown, or dark green shades. Personnel will not wear lenses or frames that are so large or so small that they detract from the appearance of the uniform. Personnel will not attach chains, bands, or ribbons to eyeglasses. Eyeglass restraints are authorized only when required for safety purposes. Personnel will not hang eyeglasses or eyeglass cases on the uniform, and may not let glasses hang from eyeglass restraints down the front of the uniform.

b. Restrictions on contact lenses. Tinted or colored contact lenses are not authorized for wear with the uniform. The only exception is for opaque lenses that are prescribed medically for eye injuries. Additionally, clear lenses that have designs on them that change the contour of the iris are not authorized for wear with the uniform.

The version I read didn't state it. But somebody mentioned above that it was taken out. It's in older versions, though.

SFC (Join to see) - AR 670-1 Section 2 par 10 Dated 25 may 2017

3–10. Eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses
Note. This paragraph is punitive with regard to Soldiers. Violation by Soldiers may result in adverse administrative action
and/or charges under the provisions of the UCMJ.
a. Eyeglasses and sunglasses.
(1) Conservative civilian prescription eyeglasses are authorized for wear with all uniforms.
(2) Conservative prescription and nonprescription sunglasses are authorized for wear when in a garrison environment, except while indoors. Individuals who are required by medical authority to wear sunglasses for medical reasons,
other than refractive error, may wear them, except when health or safety considerations apply. Commanders may authorize sunglasses in formations or field environments, as appropriate.
(3) Eyeglasses or sunglasses that are trendy or have lenses or frames with conspicuous initials, designs, or other
adornments are not authorized for wear. Soldiers may not wear lenses with extreme or trendy colors, which include, but
are not limited to, red, yellow, blue, purple, bright green, or orange. Lens colors must be traditional gray, brown, or dark
green shades. Personnel will not wear lenses or frames that are so large or so small that they detract from the appearance
of the uniform. Personnel will not attach chains or ribbons to eyeglasses. Eyeglass restraints (to include bands) are authorized when required for safety purposes. Personnel will not hang eyeglasses or eyeglass cases on the uniform and may
not let glasses hang from eyeglass restraints down the front of the uniform. Glasses may not be worn on top of the head
at any time.
(4) Soldiers are authorized to wear ballistic spectacle eye protection issued by the Army, including lens colors or
logos that do not comply with paragraph 3–10a(3), above, in garrison or field environments unless otherwise directed by
their chain of command. See the Army Combat Readiness Center for a list of currently approved protective eyewear.
b. Restrictions on contact lenses. Tinted or colored contact lenses are not authorized for wear with the uniform. The
only exception is for opaque lenses that are prescribed medically for eye injuries. Clear lenses that have designs on them
that change the contour of the iris are not authorized for wear with the uniform. Contact lenses may be restricted by the
commander for safety or mission requirements.

Note on (3) where it says in the last sentence that "Glasses may not be worn on top of the head at any time." ANYTHING other than properly in place and covering the eyes is on top of the head. This 2lt is ate up.

Well, if I had known for sure, I wouldve been the exception. Hopefully I catch him again.

Someone else will eventually correct him. Leaders in uniform generally know what appropriate from a common sense approach!

I'd expect they wouldn't be, as you'd suggested, of course, however, that's obv just a guess and surmise on my part, of course....