Posted on Feb 22, 2014
SGT Intelligence Analyst
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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?&nbsp;<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.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Then I walked off and snapped this picture</div></div>
Edited 12 y ago
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Responses: 187
SFC Unit Supply Specialist
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I went to Walmart last night in Uniform we are in the field and our chaplain forgot his hygiene bag and everything on Post was closed. Are you going to be uniform police at the PX and Commissary? Some of us are active duty are nowhere near a military post guess what I stop sometimes to grab something on the way home. As a security issue I always have a concealed carry. Yes we are authorized in uniform to conceal in Arizona.
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CH (CPT) Command and Unit Chaplain
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Recently, I stopped by Starbucks at 0200 to get some Americano before welcoming troops home from deployment in ACU. We stopped at McDonalds two days ago in uniform at 0100 and I did not know who paid for my meal. Thanks to that person for your kindness. I am proud to wear uniform.
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1SG Rob Smith
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I have to agree with anyone and the Army policy. Quick stops, gas but thats it. And even thats limited. Whatever happened to prior planning. Get your stuff at the shopette. No sales tax. Wearing it off base is just lazy. Get names and Unit. With family or not just be tactful. And correct the individual regardless of rank
Senior to you should know better. And one more thing. If you are retired it wouldnt hurt to share a on the spot correction either.
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CPT Jeff Robinette
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When I was on Active Duty in Germany It was a big deal to me at first. But as I saw more and more of it on the economy there it began to piss me off.
If you were stopping for gas on the way home that was not an issue. But when you were at a gasthaus that was a different story.
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SPC Christopher Renkel
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Be nice if there was a regulation on COB. I would have difficulty maintaining my tact if someone jumped my hind end for being in uniform at 2000 somewhere. My response would simply be I haven’t even gotten home yet.
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LTC John Griscom
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Usually, the local commander sets the policy for off base/off duty of the uniform. Part off that policy should define stopping enroute to and from work.
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1stSgt Rick Bushgen
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The base should have a policy, every so often it needs to be posted as a reminder to everyone!
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SPC Corbin Doades
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Even though I was not active duty, I was pulled aside at a restaurant by an E-5 Drill Instructor for wearing my APFTs. I had just returned home from drill and my family was at a local pizza house. The APFT uniform was the Uniform of the Day. T-shirt and long pants. Drive time from the Armory to my house was about an hour.
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PFC Josiah Schmid
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No, usually the towns around post
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SFC Water Treatment Specialist
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This is a great point, but look towards the root cause... We need to fix the attitude to fix the belief. Our entire organization as an overall military force has gotten weak on upholding standards. I am in a war zone and Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines think that it is ok to run around in civilian clothes. They think that being spread across a small post that received IDF makes them deserving of CAB's. We are breeding weakness with our own lack of discipline.
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