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 12 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 187
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Just my two cents: I think it’s situation dependent. I certainly recognize that it’s generally against regulation to be off base in uniform, but there are caveats written in for a reason. All of you non-TRADOC active duty types would have conniptions if you came to my area of the military, and here’s why:
1) We are a National Guard base. When we are in a duty status, we get down time, but no off-duty time. Further, resources on base are considerably more limited than the typical active duty base; often we HAVE to go off base for necessities or even nice-to-haves, or things like doing laundry. We are not generally authorized to wear civilian clothes while in a duty status, so it is very common to see people in uniform out and about in this town.
As far as the TRADOC stuff is concerned, about 45 minutes away there is an active duty TRADOC post. There are a TON of AIT students (A-school for the non-Army students), most of who don’t have civilian clothes with them, or are not authorized to wear them. It’s not uncommon to see instructors and students alike out and about, either for the rare pass to go to the mall like five minutes off base (in Class B uniform usually), or for quick stops for food and stuff like that (instructors or others stationed there usually).
So, while I generally encourage Soldiers to help others adhere to regulations, I also encourage you to use your head. AR 670-1 allows for some wiggle room to be off base in uniform, probably precisely for reasons such as the two I listed.
1) We are a National Guard base. When we are in a duty status, we get down time, but no off-duty time. Further, resources on base are considerably more limited than the typical active duty base; often we HAVE to go off base for necessities or even nice-to-haves, or things like doing laundry. We are not generally authorized to wear civilian clothes while in a duty status, so it is very common to see people in uniform out and about in this town.
As far as the TRADOC stuff is concerned, about 45 minutes away there is an active duty TRADOC post. There are a TON of AIT students (A-school for the non-Army students), most of who don’t have civilian clothes with them, or are not authorized to wear them. It’s not uncommon to see instructors and students alike out and about, either for the rare pass to go to the mall like five minutes off base (in Class B uniform usually), or for quick stops for food and stuff like that (instructors or others stationed there usually).
So, while I generally encourage Soldiers to help others adhere to regulations, I also encourage you to use your head. AR 670-1 allows for some wiggle room to be off base in uniform, probably precisely for reasons such as the two I listed.
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CH (1LT) (Join to see)
You beat me to it, SSG! One of my jobs while training as a CH Candidate in the guard was that I had to take the duty vehicle around my state visiting and checking in on the far flung armories that had full time staff. As a result, my ADT often consisted of being on the road in uniform (as was required to drive the gov) with stops at gas stations and walmart along the way. Because of the size of GA, that also meant being out in uniform past normal duty hours.
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SFC (Join to see)
CH (1LT) (Join to see) Absolutely another reason soldiers are out and about in uniform! You’ll see that a lot with Guard recruiting and retention soldiers, too.
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Omg. How about lightening up a little bit. Nothing is more annoying than someone whatever their rank feeling the need to "correct" everything. You don't know what someone has going on. What if their car broke down and they had to hump it 10 miles to the store to get what they need? Do you really think corrective action about their uniform is really what they need? In my experience people that go around with the need to correct others all the time has something lacking in their own lives so they have to do something to make them feel better about themselves.
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1974 Ft Campbell Ky.: No uniform off post unless on official duty or in transit. Not strictly enforced but not widely abused.
1975/1978 Korea: No uniform off post unless on official duty or in transit, via military or private vehicle, to housing or between posts.
1977 Ft Ord Ca.: No uniform off post unless on official duty or in transit. No uniform in PX, Commisarry, during duty hours. Strictly enforced.
1979 Ft Hood Tx.: Uniform ok off post. Necessity shopping only.
1980-1984 Ft Riley Ks. No uniform off post! Strickly enforced
1984-1988 25th ID Hi.: No uniform off post unless on official duty or in transit. (who wants to run around Hawaii wearing a uniform anyway?)
1988-1992 Ft Hood Tx.: Uniform off post ok. Necessity shopping only.
1992-1996 USAREUR: No uniform off post unless on official duty or in transit. Not Strickly enforced but not widely abused.
The issue you raised is not new and dependent on the local command. I would suggest you take this up with your local command through your chain of command.
My feelings. No self respecting soldier would run around off post in their duty uniform when off duty.
1975/1978 Korea: No uniform off post unless on official duty or in transit, via military or private vehicle, to housing or between posts.
1977 Ft Ord Ca.: No uniform off post unless on official duty or in transit. No uniform in PX, Commisarry, during duty hours. Strictly enforced.
1979 Ft Hood Tx.: Uniform ok off post. Necessity shopping only.
1980-1984 Ft Riley Ks. No uniform off post! Strickly enforced
1984-1988 25th ID Hi.: No uniform off post unless on official duty or in transit. (who wants to run around Hawaii wearing a uniform anyway?)
1988-1992 Ft Hood Tx.: Uniform off post ok. Necessity shopping only.
1992-1996 USAREUR: No uniform off post unless on official duty or in transit. Not Strickly enforced but not widely abused.
The issue you raised is not new and dependent on the local command. I would suggest you take this up with your local command through your chain of command.
My feelings. No self respecting soldier would run around off post in their duty uniform when off duty.
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I have to agree with you. We must enforce standards. While on active duty I would always correct issues. I would pull out my I.D. introduce myself and then point out the infraction. I believe it is every NCO's responsibility. I feel if we don't enforce the little things, then we will look the other way on large things. 1SG Wheaton
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How is this a problem? Soldiers in uniform are showing the flag and reminding civilian communities who they are. I say wear the uniform everywhere and be proud of it.
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Some of the ones your seeing might be NG or Reservist who stopped in to a mall or the store after a drill before heading home which in some places might be an hour place drive
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FLW has a 1900 policy for uniforms out in town unless stopping for gas or convenience items in said gas station. Not the greatest policy in my own opinion, however, it mitigates the potential of incidents that could shed an immediate bad light on the military. You definitely need to go ahead and change out to civilians if it late, especially if there is a written policy in effect, those are te marching orders and there is a large number of NCOs lately that har been way too lax on subordinates or just shunning written policy. If you don't like it, get promoted to that level and rewrite the policy or just get over it and drive on.
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SPC Gamble, as far as the ACU is concerned, AR670-1 doesnt necessarily prohibit wearing it outside of duty hours.
3–3. Occasions for wear
a. Soldiers may wear BDUs on duty when prescribed by the commander. Soldiers may wear BDUs off post unless
prohibited by the commander. They may not wear BDUs for commercial travel, unless authorized by para 1–10c of this
regulation. Personnel may not wear BDUs in establishments that primarily sell alcohol. If the establishment sells
alcohol and food, soldiers may not wear utility uniforms if their activities in the establishment center on drinking
alcohol only.
b. Utility uniforms are not normally considered appropriate for social or official functions off the installation, such
as memorial services and funerals. These uniforms are issued as utility, field, training, or combat uniforms and are not
intended for wear as all-purpose uniforms when other uniforms are more appropriate.
I would think that movie theaters would be considered a social function, so I don t think anyone would have given you flak for correcting them. However, just remember the Army has eyes everywhere. You never know when CSM will pop out from behind a corner and do an on the spot correction.
Just remember, stay in your lane, correct your battle buddy, and do what your rank can afford.
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