Soldiers OK'd to wear ACUs on commercial flights

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 00:25:04 -0400

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/03/18/army-regulation-acu-commercial-travel/24981581/

Soldiers can now wear the Army Combat Uniform while traveling on commercial planes, trains or automobiles. The change is effective immediately.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 8:33 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 08:33:03 -0400

I disagree, unless you are traveling in/out of a deployed location.
Either travel in civilian attire or Class B or higher.

Response by SSG Rob Cline made Mar 19 at 2015 8:36 AM

SSG Rob Cline — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 08:36:44 -0400

With ISIS claiming and threatening that they can attack anyone, anywhere, why the HELL would DA think this is a good idea? OPSEC shenanigans at its finest.

Oh yeah.... Let's not forget about the Stolen Valor idiots that are probably lining up in front of the local surplus stores so they can get their undue appreciation

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 8:38 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 08:38:27 -0400

Bahahaha! Yeah, I always wear my rucksack, eyepro and gloves while I am driving my POV to work. What in the hell is wrong with the Army Times? Propaganda rag...Geez!!!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Mar 19 at 2015 1:06 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:06:02 -0400

I have seen Army and Air Force folks travewling in ACU's for years. How is this new? Were people violating a policy in large scale numbers previously?

Response by SPC John Decker made Mar 19 at 2015 1:29 PM

SPC John Decker — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:29:03 -0400

These days, there is a potential security risk. At least overseas. Here in the States it would show us that our troops are as proud of their service as we are proud of their service. The penalties for impersonating a SM should be stiffer than they are. I don't know what the penalty is now but it should be a real disincentive.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Mar 19 at 2015 1:34 PM

MAJ Jim Steven — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:34:15 -0400

I am proud to wear a uniform on a flight and amongst the civilians (granted, a dress uniform might be a better presentation).
I dont do it for upgrades or free drinks, rarely seem to get that anyway.
I chose to be in the military, and not going to go out of my way to deny what I do.

When I am in the terminal in civilian clothes, and see soldiers, I think, 'good luck to you.'

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 2:26 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 14:26:40 -0400

While I think our military uniforms are sharp and present a good image to the American people I think this is a bad idea. Not only for OPSEC reasons. We all have those dirt bags at our shops who make our uniform look like shit. I think the less the people see of this the better. With social media being so readily available a single jacked up solider/sailor/Marine/airmen can be the focus of "memes" for years. This only hurts us as a whole and we should try to minimize it. Just my two cents.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 19 at 2015 3:37 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 15:37:30 -0400

One of those rare things the Army got right, and they reverse themselves... Figures..

C'mon guys, dress uniforms! If you want to rock a uniform, take the effort to put your service/dress uniforms together. It's much more impressive anyway...

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 4:43 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 16:43:29 -0400

Honestly, I don't get why this was reinstated! Coming in/out of theater, I get, but what is the mission-related reason for me to fly CONUS around in uniform just because I am on official travel orders? This will continue perception of entitlement from today's Soldiers! The only thing that will happen is Soldiers will start getting those airport/flight "perks" again---seat upgrades, early boarding, etc all because civilians think they owe us something! They don't! And if you think they do, you are in the wrong business. Even with all the cuts, we still get paid well! We should serve in humble obedience and move in silence! For security's and humility's sake!

Response by SSG John Jensen made Mar 19 at 2015 11:15 PM

SSG John Jensen — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:15:12 -0400

class 'a's or 'b's. period, unless you've declared war on the american people, or some other situation that requires you to go tactical while riding the plane

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 19 at 2015 11:24 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:24:26 -0400

I think this is silly/dumb... for two reasons... (1) Most Soldiers look like crap in ACUs... and (2) because this was allowed for quite some time after 911 and we stopped it, except for Soldiers deploying, redeploying, emergency leave from theater and R&R. What are we thinking. This is dumb. Maybe we should allow APFUs too....

But, in the end, it does not matter what we think... The Army has spoken once again...

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 12:34 AM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 00:34:47 -0400

To and from deployment - wear the theater uniform. Otherwise civilian clothes or class B or better.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Mar 20 at 2015 1:43 AM

SSG Eddye Royal — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:43:47 -0400

See, in the mid 90s i hadto stop, their was a bomb treat on planes to Germany.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 2:16 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 02:16:14 -0400

I'm deployed! We're allowed to wear civilian attire here. We just got the brief yesterday about this. We are also permitted R&R, out our own expense of course. Well, we were told that if we do take leave, we "will wear the uniform on the commercial flight." I've always been taught, and I teach my Soldiers this, do not make yourself a target. These are bad times right now. The enemy is everywhere. A bunch of people just got shot in Tunisia the other day. The attack at the news article company in France got hit. People are recruiting for ISIS out of restaurants. Now this? Counsel me! Hit me with UCMJ! As long as someone isn't trying to hack me up in broad daylight in the streets like the British Soldier in 2013.

Response by SGT Tyler G. made Mar 20 at 2015 4:34 AM

SGT Tyler G. — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 04:34:00 -0400

For that matter, why do we still wear ACUs while CONUS and in an office environment? It's kind of silly if you think about it. Take pride in your service uniform. Care for it, make sure it's perfect, and wear it proudly.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 5:08 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 05:08:20 -0400

With the dynamic amount of threats in the OE, you are potentially putting SM in danger by exposing their military affiliation on commercial travel, JMO.

Response by PO1 Jeff Doan made Mar 20 at 2015 8:55 AM

PO1 Jeff Doan — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 08:55:04 -0400

Until 1982 Sailors weren't allowed to travel from their duty station to their homes in Dungarees! When we were finally allowed to transit home (locally) in our working uniforms, we weren't allowed to make any stops. Now the Army is allowing commercial travel in ACU? Can the new soldiers not afford civilian clothes? If travelling commercially in uniform, it should be in a dress uniform. Not a working uniform!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 9:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:11:56 -0400

I think it's dumb... I only wear dog tags...Nothing on my clothes with acu pattern on it. No acu patterned bags...

I got it... You are in the military... You are proud of your service and you should be...but you will be targeted by people that will try and take advantage of you... This happens at all ranks but it is more common with young servicemembers.

Stay alert....Stay alive...

My personal belief is you want attention for what you do, so you put your uniform on and stroll through an airport... This is the wrong answer to me. If you put a uniform on for attention you should reevaluate your life.

Magazine Empty.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 9:33 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:33:50 -0400

I think it's nuts!! There is absolutely no point in wearing your uniform during commercial travel if you can avoid it. There are enough threats and safety alerts out there just getting to and from work on a daily basis in uniform, why elevate your chances of being harmed/tested? Nah, I'm still gonna travel in my civies on commercial flights...ijs.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 9:34 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:34:30 -0400

I thought you Army guys were required to. There's always a herd of Army soldiers wearing the ACUs at DFW every time I go through there TDY to somewhere.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Mar 20 at 2015 10:01 AM

MAJ Jim Steven — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 10:01:20 -0400

all you guys thinking its such a security risk...?
I havent seen a local airport bombed or soldiers gunned down in a while, but according to you all, ninjas are coming out of the woodwork and attacking you, or some dude with a mask made of human skin weilding a chainsaw...

The few times I have worn my uniform, people have either enaged in pleasnt convo or left me alone...

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 10:20 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 10:20:30 -0400

I am not even sure why someone would want to travel in ACUs. What's it take, 3 mins to throw on Civilian attire? This is just going to cause confusion between Individuals that are trying to bend the rules (for what reason I have no clue) and individuals who what to enforce regulation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 11:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 11:09:22 -0400

What bothers me about this picture is it is unsafe. He should be wearing his reflective belt.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 2:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:04:28 -0400

There are some Soldiers that wear ACUs on commercial flights when they leave Service schools.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 2:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:29:18 -0400

If Soldiers are going to do this, they should also be ready to get surprise uniform inspections by their fellow Soldiers when off post.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 20 at 2015 2:47 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:47:33 -0400

While the utility uniform is MUCH more comfortable to wear (in my opinion), for commercial travel in situations OTHER then to/from deployment, I think travel should be in Class A or Class B uniform.

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made Mar 20 at 2015 8:09 PM

Sgt Cody Dumont — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 20:09:18 -0400

Cammies (or whatever the Army calls them now) are for on base only wear and should never be seen off base. That the way Marines do it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 3:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 15:45:38 -0400

Jus go ahead and attach a bullseye to my forehead and fourth-point-of-contact. It screams harrassment and much more. Unless you are traveling to and from theater, or official duty such as escorting a fallen comrade, you should not be wearing your uniform. Just my opinion.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2015 5:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 17:19:57 -0400

I don't think SM should fly in Uniform. With everything that is happening, why would you want to attract more attention to yourself? You shouldn't need to be uniform to be recognized as a disciplined & dedicated service member; You service and actions itself should reflect that upon yourself. Coming out of Theater was the only time I ever flew in uniform and even then I felt uncomfortable knowing where I came from and where I was going. I believe they should re-evaluate this policy as it does no good to service members to fly/travel in the class C uniform. and only cause more problems.

For example, I had a Soldier who was flying from ALC back to FT Riley and got in trouble enroute. The SIR reported wasn't about a male doing something wrong but about a Ft Riley Soldier and Soldier of the U.S. Army! These people that do travel should first recognize that they represent something bigger than themselves and their actions reflect on that whether it's an accomplishment or trouble caused.

"Quiet Professionals" is what we are and how we should conduct ourselves!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 2 at 2015 8:13 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:13:22 -0400

Do I need to post links to all the acts of violence which were towards service members because they were wearing their military uniform? It might be okay with the Army, but I can, I will change into appropriate civilian attire. This might cut down on silly questions.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made Jun 2 at 2015 9:45 PM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 21:45:01 -0400

Same reason we shouldn't salute in a war zone...

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jul 30 at 2015 1:41 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:41:47 -0400

Haven't they always been allowed to?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 3:06 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 15:06:19 -0400

Ugh. I don't like this. One we don't look professional. If we are going to travel in uniform (which we shouldn't unless it is on the way theater, etc.) then we should be in a more "professional" one that is meant for public display not for operational needs. ACUs/BDUs/NWUs aren't intended to be a "show" uniform but one meant to withstand the demands of our jobs, blend in with the environment, etc.

All this doesn't even take into consideration the threats posed by walking around in uniform for no reason in potential target locations.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 3:18 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 15:18:29 -0400

Didn't realize they weren't before. Every time I travel I see ACUs, usually getting boarded first.

Response by SN Roger Kluthe made Apr 20 at 2017 2:59 AM

SN Roger Kluthe — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 02:59:16 -0400

As long as you wear your PT belt too. You know, just to be safe.