Should a unit commander issue a memo stating if rolled sleeves are authorized?

SGT Micah Greer, VET — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 21:16:23 -0400

I am new to a unit and post asked o-room for the policy letter on sleeve rolling, they couldn't find one she went to the commander and I found on on my desk an hour later from the clerk, it was from my BDE but not my company, CO saw me with rolled sleeves said we don't roll in my company, I asked if there was a company policy letter he said " I don't need one I say we don't"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2017 9:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 21:35:50 -0400

It depends on the higher commanders and what they say is needed or if you can or cant or when you can, but your commander is correct that he does not need a policy letter him saying we don't is good enough for his company.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Mar 29 at 2017 12:21 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 00:21:55 -0400

don't know if they still do it, but Marine Corps units always published a Plan of the Day (POD) that gave a rough schedule for the day and any special uniform or clothing to be worn for each event. If there were no event specific uniforms required, an overall uniform of the day was published along with any special directions: i.e. rolled sleeves, ribbons and badges, spit shined shower shoes etc.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 5:15 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 05:15:01 -0400

If that company has a policy of no rolled sleeves, as the CO said (even if verbal rather than written) you must have seen everyone walking around with sleeves down, and everyone you asked would have had sleeves down; so why did you decide to roll your sleeves up? Seems like it should have been obvious what the policy was by what everyone else was doing.

Response by MSG Chris Clanton made Apr 18 at 2017 7:00 PM

MSG Chris Clanton — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 19:00:28 -0400

There should be no confusion. That soldiers sponser should have taken care of that detail. Or an in-briefing/welcome to the unit. Or a DF posted on the unit bulletin board should inform the troops. Appears to be a real leadership problem there.

Response by SFC Steve Ouellette made Apr 18 at 2017 7:16 PM

SFC Steve Ouellette — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 19:16:50 -0400

This directive was delegated to Company Commanders.... bottom line if company commander don't want it, it is his choice

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2017 7:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 19:19:55 -0400

It seems to me Sgt Micah Greer that you are looking for others to agree with what you want. To be able to have your sleeves rolled up. The truth is that once you spoke with your Commander and he informed you that rolling your sleeves is not authorized in his company that you had your answer. Stop looking for ways around the rules. Be a Non Commissioned Officer and set the standard BE the standard.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Apr 18 at 2017 8:40 PM

SP5 Robert Ruck — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 20:40:27 -0400

Whew. Glad I don't have to figure this stuff anymore.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Apr 18 at 2017 8:40 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 20:40:34 -0400

You were issued a verbal lawful order. There does not need to be a memo.

Response by SGT Eric Hawkins made Apr 18 at 2017 8:48 PM

SGT Eric Hawkins — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 20:48:32 -0400

He's right! He doesn't need a policy letter. There are formal and informal norms in the military. It is the priority of a commander to prescribe uniform to subordinates. I was an MP. When the whatever-OIC stated sleeves down, you wore your sleeves down.

Response by PFC Cedric Powell made Apr 18 at 2017 9:09 PM

PFC Cedric Powell — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 21:09:05 -0400

Unless a commander higher up overrides him, which will probably be a cold, snowy day in hell, his word is law.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2017 2:33 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 02:33:41 -0400

When I reported to my unit in Japan it was hot and humid. I rolled my sleeves and the NCOIC of my section said "uh sir, we don't roll our sleeves in the G3" so I pulled them down. You don't need to be an individual on uniform matters.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2017 8:56 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 08:56:07 -0400

It is entirely the company commanders decision and no one elses heres the memo

http://snagfilms-a.akamaihd.net/ae/61/ce7d5d2140eeabcad218da88cf14/sleevememo27sep-redacted.pdf

sleevememo27sep-redacted.pdf

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Response by LCpl Mark Riley made Apr 19 at 2017 10:33 AM

LCpl Mark Riley — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 10:33:12 -0400

I would say it's discussion between the CO and your unit commander

Response by Sgt Joseph Baker made Apr 19 at 2017 2:59 PM

Sgt Joseph Baker — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 14:59:18 -0400

Unless your CO gives you an unlawful order, written or verbal, that order should be followed without question. That. Is the answer.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Feb 29 at 2020 1:12 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 13:12:17 -0500

Do what the others do, pretty simple, you don't even need to ask anyone all you need to to is to be observant. At least in regards to dress codes, any questions you go to the Company Gunny and you do what he says to do. It’s foolproof.

Response by SPC Ra Reece made Feb 29 at 2020 1:44 PM

SPC Ra Reece — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 13:44:25 -0500

Is it mainly todays generation or just some of this generation? When the commander or 1st Sgt had a policy and it was a lawful directive.... you didn't question it. You followed the order.

Response by PFC Adam Murray made Feb 29 at 2020 2:00 PM

PFC Adam Murray — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 14:00:13 -0500

Do what you're told.

Response by MAJ Geiter Dunn made Mar 1 at 2020 10:34 AM

MAJ Geiter Dunn — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 10:34:33 -0500

I can't imagine a more effed-up way to start off in a new unit.