What constitutes "official capacity" in regards to being under arms per AR 670-1?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:22:12 -0400

Per AR 670-1/chapter 3-7/L/2 states "soldiers will not wear headgear indoors, unless under arms in an official capacity, or when directed by the commander, such as for indoor ceremonial activities." As the title asks, what constitutes "official capacity?"

I ask, because today at Walmart I saw an ARNG Major wearing ACUs with a holstered M9 on his leg, and it caused me to raise an eye brow.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2016 5:26 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:26:01 -0400

MP's while on duty. Armed Guard duties for base protection in case of an active shooter situation. But on that Active Shooter Armed Guard duty, at my Reserve Center, those that are doing the duties of Armed Guard are NOT allowed to leave the base with that weapon.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2016 5:31 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:31:43 -0400

Another scenario seen entirely too often is the Drill Sergeant. They were notorious for this. In fact I remember an RC DS that wore her hat in the shoppette. A patron in civilian clothes standing behind her asked her kindly to take it off. She replied, "this is how we do it here" as she rolled her eyes and removed her cover. She then decided to put it back on as she was checking out. The same civilian then "fired for affect". Now telling this Soldier that she would not wear her head gear indoors. Turns out the civilian was one of our Training Brigade CSM's. Unfortunately that Drill Sergeant was supposed to be the DS of the cycle. Let's just say that she was no longer in contention.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Apr 15 at 2016 5:43 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:43:26 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member - Great question: Here's how I remember things:
1.) If you're carrying a rifle or pistol, you're "under arms."
2.) If in the course of executing normal duties (e.g. simply working), you're operating in an official capacity.
3.) Sometimes while under arms, you have to go inside. Thus, one remains covered & continue to wear your head gear.

As for the ANG officer, there would be no reason for him to be shopping in Walmart while in an official capacity. My guess is that he's brandishing both his uniform and his weapon. I'd slide this over to the "suspect" realm --especially for a Major. It's arrogant behavior, in my estimation. To this, I hope he never pins on silver oak leaves.

Response by CPT John Sheridan made Apr 15 at 2016 6:05 PM

CPT John Sheridan — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:05:42 -0400

"Under arms" means carrying a weapon. That includes ceremonial. So, rifles, sidearms, swords, sabers, etc. "Official capacity" simply means performing duties as assigned or required by office or orders. As for carrying a sidearm in Walmart, I'll leave open the possibility that the MAJ was on official business even though it is difficult for me to imagine what that would be.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 15 at 2016 6:14 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:14:57 -0400

I wonder if that MAJ transported it in his POV.

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Apr 15 at 2016 6:16 PM

MGySgt James Forward — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:16:40 -0400

I think this one needs to be "Officially Reported". This is a little more than just an over sight, that it puts not only the soldier in jeopardy but the public as well.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2016 8:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:34:14 -0400

Lets see...Cooks, MPs, Drill Sergeants, Guards, and probably other duties constitute "official capacity", but I am not aware of that definition being published anywhere. If you find it, please share.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 15 at 2016 8:54 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:54:07 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I am still awaiting a citation from 670-1 for 'Under Arms'
I have worn a Web belt to quiet an annoying MAJ who complained about me wearing a fatigue cap in 'the office'!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2016 1:28 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 01:28:27 -0400

There was a recent DA directive concerning having armed soldiers at any stand alone reserve center while occupied with military and/or DAC personnel. I suspect the Major was involved with this. But, I don't think he was allowed to be carrying outside his official duty area. Very curious.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 16 at 2016 8:36 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 08:36:37 -0400

I cannot think of a reason anyone would be under Arms in a local store, other than an MP performing their duties. It is almost always during a ceremony or when someone is acting as a guard, security etc, usually an MP. The idea is the headgear can become an impedance if the person (under arms) should need his or her weapon in the performance of their duty. I would always question (respectfully) any service member with a weapon off base.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2016 6:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 18:21:40 -0400

my question simply why is this person off base or post with a weapon, period

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Apr 19 at 2016 1:30 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 13:30:20 -0400

Duty that requires such as guard duty.

Response by MSG John Wirts made Aug 20 at 2017 4:24 PM

MSG John Wirts — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 16:24:05 -0400

Official Capacity meant you were on duty, and that duty required carrying a weapon. The normal duties were payroll officer, payroll guard, which could require entering a financial institution and picking up the payroll and bringing it back to the unit. unit members on guard duty where a rifle or pistol were required, MPs on gate guard or patrol on or off base. Also on field maneuvers , and of course finally in combat. One other thing was wearing a pistol belt was technically "under arms".

Response by SSG Carl Gamel made Dec 27 at 2017 12:47 PM

SSG Carl Gamel — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 12:47:14 -0500

That would be a MP on duty, the armed baliff at a Court Martial or a drill sargent wearing his Campain Hat in the barracks or classroom while wearing just a pistol belt

Response by Maj Kenton Brown made Aug 5 at 2018 12:52 AM

Maj Kenton Brown — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 00:52:10 -0400

I suppose that the rationale for wearing a cover indoors while armed arose from the need for others to easily ID any armed individual, for many reasons. Regs are just regs, and I suppose that common sense applies in this case - the individual was subtly declaring his armed status.

Response by SSG Nathan Blair made Jun 28 at 2022 3:23 PM

SSG Nathan Blair — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 15:23:20 -0400

Official capacity is an MP on duty, a courier, color bearer, etc.
The nasty guard has different standards than the RLA, however, from what I remember unless during a field training exercise (but it still could be checked prior to departure), no military weapon is supposed to be carried in a civilian (public) environment unless expressly under a state of Martial Law, signed permitted directive, or under previous agreement with the civilian establishment for express purposes of field training. (NTC, JRTC, etc).

Response by SrA Joseph Garrigan made Aug 22 at 2023 10:00 PM

SrA Joseph Garrigan — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 22:00:59 -0400

Yaaaaa this is absolutely one of regs.