Posted on Jun 17, 2020
SSG Combat Engineer
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I had a senior leader tell me not to long ago I shouldn’t drive home in uniform as it’s unprofessional. What are other thoughts on this? I have not had a chance to talk to him about why yet and was just curious. I respect this leader and trust him but am just curious.
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Responses: 31
CDR Surface Warfare Officer
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Given the ongoing racial discussions, I’ve recently heard more than one Black SVCM explain how they always commute in uniform because then the police and others won’t harass them. I prefer to commute in liberty attire but I’m white and normally never have to think about these things.
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1SG Vet Technician
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There is a claim to make that it may be a potential OPSEC issue, and there have been times and places where anti-military sentiment has led to policy that Soldiers not wear their uniforms off base. However I would challenge the notion that it is unprofessional.

There was a time, during the height of the combined efforts in SWA, that wearing combat uniforms was encouraged. You used to have to travel in Dress uniform and then travelling in ACU's became encouraged, partially as a means to remind the general public that we were involved in the Global War On Terrorism. It was not unprofessional then; it would not be now.
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1SG Operations Sergeant Major
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All bases overseas have a policy against it due to intelligence gathering against us, and it is strongly recommended that you don't by the counter intel classes.
I dont because I like to unwind on my drive home.
Long as you're not wearing PTs to the grocery store it's not that big of a deal though.
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LTC Jason Mackay
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SPC(P) Mark Newman
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If you remember in 1986 an Army Intelligence officer in uniform had been approached and shot dead. I was a PFC (in AIT for MI) just heading to Perm Party when our CO called us in and said no one from the intel school was to wear their uniform off base, especially while traveling. So we went to the airport in civies that were too big, with crewcuts and our giant green duffel bags. Undercover.
I guess that was more of an opsec (TravSec?) thing that lasted a few months at most.
But THAT I get.
Wearing a uniform generally is something to be proud of.
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TSgt Gary McPherson
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Edited 3 y ago
Nothing wrong in doing so as long as it is neat and clean.That said with all the crazies out there now days I would wear a light jacket over the uniform.We also did this when I was a LEO.Safety.Less of a target
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1SG Charles Hunter
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Is this for your daily commute? Heck, your neighbors already know you're in the military. If you're traveling interstate in OCP, that's not classy.
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LTC Jason Mackay
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AR670-1 authorizes travel to and from work and stops for essentials such as fuel in uniform. I did this for 22 years
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MAJ Public Affairs Officer
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What difference does it make?
Don't drive home. That'll show your "senior leader".
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LTC Force Development
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there are service specific standards. USMC no. USA yes but with limitations. Personally I think it can be a recruiting tool, I still remember how exciting it was to a see a SM in uniform when I was kid. But If you were to find yourself in a bad situation, of no fault of your own while in uniform, it could bring discredit upon yourself and the service.
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