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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Some service men see their camos as pajamas. In which we all used them as such at some point or another. It’s how I felt about mine when I wasn’t on duty.
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It was to my understanding that a quick “loaf of bread and gallon of milk” type of stop, immediately after COB, was authorized under AR 670-1, but nothing further. When I was in Colorado Springs immediately after ETS, however, to my chagrin, I saw NCOs and officers of all ranks in grocery stores well after hours on a regular basis. It is a problem, especially since I saw multiple leaders not in proper uniform (pt caps and the like). I wasn’t the greatest example of abiding by the standards while I was in, but I took my uniform seriously when I was out in public. Leaders need to start setting a better example.
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Also in that above photo at wallmart are you sure he in the army, and not a stolen valor?
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When I was at Hohensfel Germany they took you standard uniform and issues a all black duty uniform which was FORBIDDEN wear off post. It's lazy to not change out of your duty uniform and even though I'm no longer able to wear the uniform it set my blood boiling to be so unprofessional.
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In my day, signing out on pass required you to be in uniform. The “AWOL” bag came about to sneak civilian clothes out so you could change.
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Was at the movies , 7 p.m. , and there was a soldier in battle uniform. After the movie went out to eat and another soldier was in uniform. Nowadays see soldiers everywhere in PT uniform. Army sure has changed.
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I've been curious about this for a while now. In my day, we were fatigues, by army regs you could only wear the duty uniform to and from home with only brief stops i.e. gas. We were not even allowed to go off post for lunch except through a drive thru. Now that I'm retired, we travel a lot and I have seen men and women out eating dinner, shopping etc. So one night I was in a walking mart and I saw a staff sergeant, his wife and 2 boys clothes shopping. I approached him and asked if the regs had been changed. His reply was that they had been changed about 5 years ago. But it didn't seem correct the way he said it. But to answer your question, don't hesitate to correct anyone violating regs.
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We also need Senior NCO’s to stop leading by “do as I Say, not as I do”... becaus I think all Senior NCO’s and Officers I’m any MOS need to be passing the New Army’s PT standard at a 70% or better... REGUARDLESS of MOS...
Lead from the Front!!!
Lead from the Front!!!
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Not everyone works a straight day schedule, some of these people may be picking up food for their shift.
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