Posted on Apr 6, 2014
Should Soldiers wear the Class B/Tropical uniform for daily duties?
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Aside from line units or motor pools (or any other physical-type duty), should the Army move to a more professional uniform for daily duties?
If we're truly trying to more to a more professional looking group, (hairstyles, tattoos, etc.) why not go to the Class B/Tropical uniform on a daily basis?
If we're truly trying to more to a more professional looking group, (hairstyles, tattoos, etc.) why not go to the Class B/Tropical uniform on a daily basis?
Posted in these groups: 
Uniforms
Uniforms
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 121
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While I do not think the Army should wear ASU everyday, I do think we need to go back to they way the reg used to be. It was simple you were not allowed anywhere off post in ACU's (BDU's). If you were driving home from work and need milk you could stop at the 7-11 and get milk, nothing more. I hate seeing Soldiers in ACU's walking around the mall, even the Airport. If you are not traveling to or from a deployment you should be in either civilians or ASU. Why we have all of our Basic and AIT graduates running around airports in ACU's makes no sense. Look at the other services, the Army is the only one still allowing this.
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MAJ Daniel Buchholz
I have already seen a sharp drop in ACU's at airports. The only one I saw recently was from my unit, it was a SPC who had not been adequately informed of the change by his NCO's (the COL, 2 MAJ's and I were all in civvies).
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SSG Walter Corretjer
I am 300% with you Major.I've been saying this for a long time now and nobody use to care on how soldiers look now in front of the public or an audience, in the airport or any public space.And the public notice that,and several times have ask me,way soldiers don't dress now much better anymore,like years back.
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SSG Walter Corretjer
Totally agree.DoD and especially Department of the Army,should take notice on this and enforce this regulations in regard to uniform use and appearance all the way throw,more in particular the public places and areas.
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SSG Walter Corretjer
You should have better been in a Class B or A uniforms as appropiate.As a matter of fact,the airport personnel will give you a better treatment and the priviledge to advanced much more in the files or upgrade your sit to first class.I personally have experince such courtesies,even today's been retired.
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The US Army is the only services that even permits the field/combat uniform in most public situations. I think the the Class B is more professional for public (other than field demonstrations) and office environments. My guess is that the Army wants to market the Warrior Image; the USMC obviously doesn't have to worry about that. However, the commercials and field demonstrations should do that. i also think schools would be less inclined to reject recruiters who are wearing a service rather than a field uniform. That being said, I do think the current class B is very poor. It looks like an ice cream man. (I think that's why the majority no votes) I would like to see either a return to the Army Green Class A/B but bring back the tan shirt but wear the current epaulets and Class B stuff on that. Or bring back the old Khaki maybe with the current Class B insignia.
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SSG Walter Corretjer
Totally agree with you sir.The pride in the uniform has been losted for many many years in the Army.An elegant soldier projects pride for him and for the public that's looking at him.
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Although that seems like a great idea MSG there are soldiers that are already lazy about their ACU's. I'd hate to imagine how lazy they'd get with Class B's. There's just not that discipline here that there used to be when we were shining boots. But otherwise I think this would be good considering the drawdown of the Army and most units staying Garrison and not going to war.
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SGT (Join to see)
i'm sure there'd be a way they'd screw that up too! But, actually, that's a good idea. I forget they make those now.
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CPT Robert Skinner
SGT Moreno, are you making excuses? If it is a lost art, train,train, train, until they get it right. If the soldier messes it up, it is you the Sergeant that must train him to perform the task correctly. I shined boots, had dry clean uniforms only, and found out, that you can in fact iron with a hankerchief and water and wrinkles come out. Getting back to your initial statement of soldiers being lazy, well if you allow soldiers to be lazy, they will be lazy. 1SG Winfrow taught me the discipline, educate, reform motto. 4856 worked yesterday and it works today, SGTs need to lead the way period.
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SSG Walter Corretjer
That's precisely what we need nowadays,more discipline in all senses,especially in the way we dress and behave.Officers are guilty on this and are the one's committed to enforce it themselves by giving the right example.
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As a blanket uniform, I have to say no. First of all, look at the maintenance cost to keep the uniform serviceable. Second, even within a single MOS, there are a broad array of job functions and duties. In my case, my soldiers/airmen/sailors and I are desk side support for computer systems in the Pentagon. MOST of the pentagon wears class B uniform on Fridays. My section does not because our requests for a clothing stipend to support the Friday uniform were denied. Multiple times a day, we are crawling under desks on hands and knees trying to fix problems.
A lot of people balk when the IT guys don't want to wear dress uniforms on duty, until I point out the specific day-to-day duties. If I were strictly an admin and only worked at my workstation all day, then I'd be totally for it but it's just not feasible for some jobs.
A lot of people balk when the IT guys don't want to wear dress uniforms on duty, until I point out the specific day-to-day duties. If I were strictly an admin and only worked at my workstation all day, then I'd be totally for it but it's just not feasible for some jobs.
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SSG Walter Corretjer
I don't know how can you say something so barbarid,when all your civilians counterparts are goingo to work with shirts,trousers and even ties.Culture and etiquette demands that you dress depending on job and your peers mode of dressing.
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I think that if we are going to be concerned with a more professional look within the garrison area, two things need to occur; 1st get rid of the ACU's and go back to BDU's and polishing boots for every MOS and job as it looks a hell of a lot more professional than the vomit looking ACUs that are the current uniform that someone somewhere was paid via the backdoor to approve that crap. 2nd, for the office studs and mostly meeting types personnel, we need to look into going back to the khaki class C's we had that were still in use when I 1st came in during the early 80s, while they were phased out completely in 1984/5 they still were very professional looking for most garrison duties to include MPs on gates and patrol duties, much like the Marines in their "B"'s, if we are saying that we need a more professional garrison look that would be my best recommendation.
The ACUs are crap and have been from day one, just like the BS with the black beret, that should have remained with the specialized units that they were originally designed for, it took a decade + of fighting dual wars and then some to get rid of one of the biggest debacle's we had seen before the ACUs came along.
Go back to BDUs and Khaki's for a professional garrison look.
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SSG Walter Corretjer
I really don't know how people use ranks on the chest today,including officers without their branch insignias on the ACU's,and they don't care on how they look on this day's.I'm with you,they really look like crab,and for many,it really don't matter at all.
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SGM Matthew Quick, so many times I've seen photos of members of the various services together in public situations. In most instances, all the services but for the Army were in some form a dress uniform. The Army types were in ACUs. I've seen photos like these with general officers for goodness sake! Lame. I remember a photo of a new Army lieutenant receiving her first salute from her brother, a Marine. The Marine corporal looked sharp in his Service "C"s (I think that's right), and there was the new Army lieutenant, looking like Sad Sack in her ACUs! Embarrassing! As far as the durability of the new ASUs, that's the Army's problem. With respect to cost, somehow the other services have figured it out, so I would think the Army could as well. Don't get me wrong, the ACUs certainly have their time and place. However, the Class As and Bs also have theirs as well, and the Army should take a peek at the sister services, and dress up.
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SSgt Lonnie Montgomery
I agree with you Colonel and would add: You would not have been caught off post/base in fatigues unless it was to buy a gallon of milk on the way home. Anytime a service member was off post/base they represented their service and dressed accordingly. When a smartly dressed solder, sailor, airmen walked down the street in the civilian world; the ladies (or gents), heads would turn, children’s eyes would open wide in wonderment, old folks would smile, veterans would stand a little taller while offering you a familiar greeting.
Now fast forward to present day it seems that we put a canvas bag over a weeble, stick a subdued name tag and rank insignia on so we can tell which is the front. Place a pair of hushpuppies on the bottom and top off with a colorful beret (each organization has their own color and style.). Now spin them around and around and you have a group of weebles that wobble around trying to mimic some kind of social club each demanding their own this or that. Such should not be a member of our nation’s prestigious military that takes pride in all things including their appearance.
Sarcastic, yes. I would be happy if all services would just go back to the days when you were not allowed to wear fatigues/ACU/BDU or “work type” uniforms off post/base.
For those that do not recognize a weeble: https://www.google.com/search?q=weeble&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=FOd4VIbaDInXggSwiIPQAg&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1479&bih=879
Now fast forward to present day it seems that we put a canvas bag over a weeble, stick a subdued name tag and rank insignia on so we can tell which is the front. Place a pair of hushpuppies on the bottom and top off with a colorful beret (each organization has their own color and style.). Now spin them around and around and you have a group of weebles that wobble around trying to mimic some kind of social club each demanding their own this or that. Such should not be a member of our nation’s prestigious military that takes pride in all things including their appearance.
Sarcastic, yes. I would be happy if all services would just go back to the days when you were not allowed to wear fatigues/ACU/BDU or “work type” uniforms off post/base.
For those that do not recognize a weeble: https://www.google.com/search?q=weeble&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=FOd4VIbaDInXggSwiIPQAg&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1479&bih=879
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SSG Walter Corretjer
I'am 300% in everything that you just comment sir.Now is up to the generals and the DA G-1 to take action on this important issue,moreover when today's numbers in Army recruiting are down by 15,000.
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I say NO WAY!!! At least not on a daily basis. I think once monthly for say, something akin to payday activities or when some type of required training is being conducted (SHARP, MRT, etc). I cannot even fathom the costs that Soldiers would be required to fork out for dry cleaning and replacement costs for awards and clothing items by wearing the Class B/Tropical Uniform that often.
Here's my suggestion...If you want to have and/or maintain that "professional appearance" go back to when we DID have real standards and not this BS wash and wear crap and we actually had to shine our boots. THAT is when Soldiers took pride in how they looked. Now they can just wake up in the morning, stuff their uniforms in a gym bag and pull it out after PT with not a care in the world how crinkled up or smelly it may be...I bet most Soldiers wear the same uniform all week if not more these days.
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I scanned most of the responses, and I saw a lot of things that made me disgusted. I guess this is a forum for opinions, and everyone has one, so I cant complain too much. One, there should be no distinction between a "Garrison" Army and a "Wartime" Army. I say that because we should maintain both mentalities at the same time. We should be able to perform in a professional capacity here in the rear to include wearing our various dress uniforms at appropriate times, and still be able to kit up in our combat gear and train. All of the boo-boo lips being stuck out about "taxing the soldier's pay" too heavily to maintain the uniforms. Please, there are other branches that have at any given time 5-8 different uniforms they have to maintain. The Army has 3. How about you send your Soldiers down to ACS and get some financial management training and quit complaining about the cost of things. Most Soldiers don't even use their clothing allowance for uniform items, so that argument should just stop. The other ones being stuck out about keeping a white shirt clean, if you want to learn how to do that ask anyone who has ever served in the Navy how to keep completely white uniforms clean. As for the initial question. Yes we should wear it for appropriate duties, i.e. any jobs who are primarily located in offices, or in customer service, staff duty, CQ. These aren't just uniforms, they are an outward representation of who you are, and what you have done in your time in the service. You should be proud to wear them whenever called upon.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
SSG Ray,
No some soldiers do not use their clothing allowance for what is intended for, but many soldiers use more than this. When I was at Fort Bragg they let us wear unserviceable uniforms for certain activities because they knew they were going to get trashed and we weren't given enough money to replace them. I had holes in almost all of my uniforms from jumping, field training, rucks, etc. Uniforms were the least of my worries though. I have a foot injury that requires upkept boots to prevent pain. So every 4 months I would have to dish out $160 on a new pair of boots. It wasn't until last month that I finally got my podiatrist to order me custom boots. I should also mention that I work a desk job, so whatever I am paying is nothing compared to a more active MOS. With the transition to the ASUs, and now the IPFUs, I know that the clothing allowances is insufficient for the costs of all of these uniforms.
No some soldiers do not use their clothing allowance for what is intended for, but many soldiers use more than this. When I was at Fort Bragg they let us wear unserviceable uniforms for certain activities because they knew they were going to get trashed and we weren't given enough money to replace them. I had holes in almost all of my uniforms from jumping, field training, rucks, etc. Uniforms were the least of my worries though. I have a foot injury that requires upkept boots to prevent pain. So every 4 months I would have to dish out $160 on a new pair of boots. It wasn't until last month that I finally got my podiatrist to order me custom boots. I should also mention that I work a desk job, so whatever I am paying is nothing compared to a more active MOS. With the transition to the ASUs, and now the IPFUs, I know that the clothing allowances is insufficient for the costs of all of these uniforms.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT Wiley,
I too had the same experience at Ft. Bragg with wearing a "get dirty" uniform for jumping, combatives, and other such activities. I did just go buy the new APFU, the cost wasn't really that terrible, and I had to buy a new white long sleeve for my ASU's because it got torn at a wedding. (Celebrating Paratroopers + Alcohol, you know how it is) Once you get past the initial cost for any uniform, general maintenance is pretty easy, and pretty cheap. I'm a "geardo" I love going to surplus stores and just checking out the gear, it also gives me a good knowledge of my area's surplus. you can get almost ANY uniform item for dirt cheap at these locations. The exception currently being the new "Black and Gold" APFU. So I guess the conjecture here would be that it comes down to Soldiers being able to afford the uniforms?
I too had the same experience at Ft. Bragg with wearing a "get dirty" uniform for jumping, combatives, and other such activities. I did just go buy the new APFU, the cost wasn't really that terrible, and I had to buy a new white long sleeve for my ASU's because it got torn at a wedding. (Celebrating Paratroopers + Alcohol, you know how it is) Once you get past the initial cost for any uniform, general maintenance is pretty easy, and pretty cheap. I'm a "geardo" I love going to surplus stores and just checking out the gear, it also gives me a good knowledge of my area's surplus. you can get almost ANY uniform item for dirt cheap at these locations. The exception currently being the new "Black and Gold" APFU. So I guess the conjecture here would be that it comes down to Soldiers being able to afford the uniforms?
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I have been saying that [YES] for years. The first line of the NCO Creed - No one is more profesional than I.
Why then do so many strictly office personell have to look like a dirt bag in this rag tag ACU (yes I do dispise the ACU). I would rather go back to the old BDU's, they held up to wear and tear longer and stayed cleaner looking for mechanics. On the days that a Soldier has to go to the motor pool he can dress appropiatly for the days tasking the rest of the time why would a legal clerk or finance clerk need to be in a combat uniform.
Why then do so many strictly office personell have to look like a dirt bag in this rag tag ACU (yes I do dispise the ACU). I would rather go back to the old BDU's, they held up to wear and tear longer and stayed cleaner looking for mechanics. On the days that a Soldier has to go to the motor pool he can dress appropiatly for the days tasking the rest of the time why would a legal clerk or finance clerk need to be in a combat uniform.
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LTC (Join to see)
Presumably, that first line of the NCO Creed is the basis for you saying "Yes" for years. If so, you may want to think about that first line a bit more. "No one is more professional than I." I would suggest that the word "is" matters in this case. As support of an argument in favor of wearing of Bs on a daily basis, the saying would be "No one appears more professional than I". Professionalism should exist regardless of uniform requirements, a "dirt bag" in ACUs doesn't suddenly become professional in ASUs or Bs.
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SFC (Join to see)
Funny how I heard President Clinton's voice when reading part of your reply..."it depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is". You do have a valid point nothing is going to change a dirt ball however studies hint that attire can affect the attitude of the wearer. I agree that a true professional will always be professional but do you feel and act the same when in cut off shorts and t-shirt as you do when you are in a nice suite? Not your actions but attitude and feeling of self.
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SPC Matt Davidson
"No one is more professional than I" hahaha probably the most hypocritical statement in the entire army. in the 8years I served I met more NCO's that acted like spoiled brats and threw temper tantrums over the smallest of things then did the exact thing they had their tantrum about a couple days later, obviously demonstrated favoritism, told soldiers they had to make a choice between their families and the army threatened article 15's over their car not passing inspection in Germany or have a double standard where a soldier wouldn't be allowed to take care of personal issues such as taking their car to get it fixed but then that same NCO would go out and work on his car right in front of the company building. oh or the female 1st sgt that I met at FT Hood that was dancing at a strip club. all of whom were "old school NCO's" "No one is more professional than I" what a damn joke. ever tried to work on a helicopter or inventory a connex in dress uniform? that's a terrible idea just because you're in garrison.
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SSG Walter Corretjer
I agree with you 300%
A soldier has to look sharp and in these days the only way to reach that is by using a Class A(Army Green) or Class B (the modified kaki and pink)uniform.
People in the ACU or combat uniform without starch and dirty cloth boots,looks like crab.
A soldier has to look sharp and in these days the only way to reach that is by using a Class A(Army Green) or Class B (the modified kaki and pink)uniform.
People in the ACU or combat uniform without starch and dirty cloth boots,looks like crab.
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I've said for years we should have the D (combat uniform) for field use only. For day to day we should go back to kakhi Charlies. Keep the ASUs for the A/B uniforms and make the Charlies the uniform of the day for all garrison activities. They could be able to be worn for limited training ie daily/hip pocket as well without damaging them too much. And making 4 set an issue item will ease the mandatory wear cost issues.
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SSG(P) Auston Terry
Utility uniforms, food service, and hospital uniforms are all Class C in every version of 670-1 since at least 2003.
I agree with your central point, I'm just being picky.
I agree with your central point, I'm just being picky.
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