Posted on Feb 22, 2014
Off Base In Uniform Hours After Close of Business (COB)? Epidemic?
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After coming back from deployment I don't know if I am being too harsh or if I have just become overly military minded but, everywhere I go I am seeing soldiers, lower enlisted to senior enlisted and officer grades alike, everywhere in their uniforms. At first seeing people at Wal-Mart and at fast food restaurants wasn't a big deal but, I have started to see soldiers at the mall (20-30min drive from post) and even a few coming out of the movie theaters!? The soldier in me wants me to pull that person aside and ask why they are still in uniform regardless of rank but, so far I have left it alone mainly because most are with family or multiple people and calling them out feels a little over the top. Is this a big problem where you are stationed? What do you think should be said to these soldiers if anything? <div><br><div>If you feel that this is a good/reasonable post please vote it up and give me your honest opinions thanks!</div><div>***UPDATE*** Made my first correction tonight!!! With great TACT may I add.</div><div>This took place at the Wal-Mart off of Wilma Rudolph around 2130.</div><div><br></div><div>I walked past this sergeant (E-5) and knew I had to say something, I asked him if he was off duty and he said yes he was, soo I said, okay well I work at Division and we are not allowed to wear our uniforms after duty hours, I don't know your situation but it is almost 2200 and I do not believe this is authorized.</div><div>He smirked and kind of chuckled and said well I need a few groceries then I am headed to the house. I said roger that sergeant I didn't know if you were new to Campbell or something so this was just a professional courtesy have a good night and he didn't reply. </div><div><br></div><div>Then I walked off and snapped this picture</div></div>
Rules
Uniforms
Customs and Courtesies
Integrity
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 187
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SPC Gamble,<div><br></div><div>Fort Campbell Blue Book dated 2012 states-</div><div><br></div><div>ACUs will not be worn in off post establishments (shopping malls, WalMart, etc.) after normal duty hours (1900) unless the duty day has been extended by special duty. Quick stops can be made after completion of duty for necessity stops only.</div><div><br></div><div>I encourage you as a concerned Soldier to stop and address the issue when you see it. Get their names and their unit. Gives the info to your 1SG or CSM. I know they will act on the information. Stopping in Walmart to get some items are ok but movie theater? HELL NO! That is pure laziness and unprofessional!</div>
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PFC Bradley Campbell
every good soldier should have a fresh uniform in car and civilian clothes as well. a change of clothes at 1700 takes ten minutes and then the Army is off your back and you are off their radar. small easy steps to avoid the entire mess. be ready when you arrive and end of day, take a few minutes to decompress and relax. let the traffic clear up as people leave for the day. and dont cut people off when driving.....or give them the finger. could get akward flipping off the post commander and calling him a son of a bitch. just be cool. stay incognito.
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SGM (Join to see)
SSG Sevart,
Fort Campbell bluebook has always forebade going off post in uniform after 1800 unless it was to get essentials. Walking around Walmart for an hour or going to the movie theater in uniform is wrong, plain and simple. SGT Gamble was absolutely 100% correct by pointing this out and correcting Soldiers.
As far as saying he is the reason we are loosing good Soldiers is one hell of a stretch. Do you personally know SGT Gamble? I don’t but I would try to know as much about him as possible before I make a baseless statement that does nothing but start drama. I would hope you conduct yourself more professionally and tactfully at work opposed to social media where you call people out without knowing all of the facts.
Fort Campbell bluebook has always forebade going off post in uniform after 1800 unless it was to get essentials. Walking around Walmart for an hour or going to the movie theater in uniform is wrong, plain and simple. SGT Gamble was absolutely 100% correct by pointing this out and correcting Soldiers.
As far as saying he is the reason we are loosing good Soldiers is one hell of a stretch. Do you personally know SGT Gamble? I don’t but I would try to know as much about him as possible before I make a baseless statement that does nothing but start drama. I would hope you conduct yourself more professionally and tactfully at work opposed to social media where you call people out without knowing all of the facts.
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SPC Chris Ison
This was always the policy for Navy personnel, if you needed to be uniform in public their was a "liberty uniform". Being out in public in your Dungarees was a big no no.
I never had to deal with this in the Army.
Finally here is the 670-1 for the combat uniform:
4–3. Occasions for wear
a. All-purpose wear.
Some versions of the combat uniform are not intended for wear as an all-purpose uniform. The combat uniform is designed to be worn under body armor.
b. Approved wear.
The combat uniform is prescribed for year-round wear for all Soldiers, unless otherwise directed by the commander. Soldiers may wear the combat uniform off-post, unless prohibited by the commander.
c. Restrictions on wear.
(1) Soldiers may not wear the combat uniform for commercial travel unless authorized IAW paragraph 3–7b through c, above.
(2) Personnel may not wear the combat uniform in off-post establishments that primarily sell alcohol. If the off-post establishment sells alcohol and food, Soldiers may not wear the combat uniform if their activities in the establishment center on the drinking of alcohol.
(3) The combat uniform is not normally considered appropriate for social or official functions off the installation, such as memorial services, funerals, weddings, inaugurals, patriotic ceremonies, and similar functions.
(4) Commanders may further restrict wear of the combat uniform IAW paragraph 2–6c.17
d. Organizational and equipment.
The commander may prescribe organizational and individual equipment items in
accordance with CTA 50–900 when the combat uniform is prescribed for parades, reviews, and ceremonies.
AR 670–1 • 31 March 2014
So maybe YOU need to read the regs, and stop blaming DISCIPLINE for the loss of soldiers; If they can not handle the DISCIPLINE prescribed by the chain of command, maybe the Army doesn't need them.
I never had to deal with this in the Army.
Finally here is the 670-1 for the combat uniform:
4–3. Occasions for wear
a. All-purpose wear.
Some versions of the combat uniform are not intended for wear as an all-purpose uniform. The combat uniform is designed to be worn under body armor.
b. Approved wear.
The combat uniform is prescribed for year-round wear for all Soldiers, unless otherwise directed by the commander. Soldiers may wear the combat uniform off-post, unless prohibited by the commander.
c. Restrictions on wear.
(1) Soldiers may not wear the combat uniform for commercial travel unless authorized IAW paragraph 3–7b through c, above.
(2) Personnel may not wear the combat uniform in off-post establishments that primarily sell alcohol. If the off-post establishment sells alcohol and food, Soldiers may not wear the combat uniform if their activities in the establishment center on the drinking of alcohol.
(3) The combat uniform is not normally considered appropriate for social or official functions off the installation, such as memorial services, funerals, weddings, inaugurals, patriotic ceremonies, and similar functions.
(4) Commanders may further restrict wear of the combat uniform IAW paragraph 2–6c.17
d. Organizational and equipment.
The commander may prescribe organizational and individual equipment items in
accordance with CTA 50–900 when the combat uniform is prescribed for parades, reviews, and ceremonies.
AR 670–1 • 31 March 2014
So maybe YOU need to read the regs, and stop blaming DISCIPLINE for the loss of soldiers; If they can not handle the DISCIPLINE prescribed by the chain of command, maybe the Army doesn't need them.
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SFC Gary Stanfill
Back in the late 80' we had a Post CSM Susi at Ft Gordon Ga. Who had CP in class A's that would go to places off post that would serve food at lunch and to the malls at night and they would right up any one that was in BDU's
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Can always rock it like the Marines. No Cammies anywhere off base (maybe getting gas is OK) at any time.<br>
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Cpl Clinton Britt
I know that when I was in, you basically had to go straight home or change at the brown bagger room
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SSG (Join to see)
Right before I switched services in 2007 the Corps had authorized getting gas, necessary items for dinner on the way home, haircuts during duty hours (Sunday duty?) And dry cleaners. 12 years later I was I'll still drive 20 mins home to change and drive 20 minutes back to go to walmart for dinner items. Doesn't feel right being "in town" in a field uniform.
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SMSgt John Clifford
Oh yes PLEASE. I’m retired Air Force, old school. I’m so sick of seeing “everyone” in “faitgues” even on base. Used to be if you didn’t have a job that required you to wear fatigues, such as maintenance, or were not on detail requiring fatigues you wore blues. Now everyone on base including commanders and 1st Sgt are wearing fatigues all the time.
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SPC Gamble, you are a future Sr. NCO in the making. This is an epidemic that most Soldier's don't see/nor understand. On top of what you stated this is also an OPSEC concern. We should all be cognizant and ensure our Soldier's are doing the right thing.
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SFC Jim Ruether
Hey Seth did you have an uncle or relative back in the 80's who was a drill instructor at Ft. Sill? You have a very distinctive last name!
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SSG Jonathan Sprague
Opsec, like wearing DCUs or mulitcams (before they became the duty uniform) prior to a deployment.
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LCpl Darrell J. Farley Jr.
MSgt Paul Connors Master Sergeant Connors, if I as a Lance Corporal (E-3) would have addressed ANY Senior Marine like that( Sarge) whether in my command or not I would have been before the man standing MAST! We had a Marine who got a flat tire on the way home(before cellphones) he was seen walking the block to a pay phone, he got off easy! Only got 14 days of EPD!!!
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