What do you think about the wear of uniforms off post?

I am the same way but seeing soldiers past 1900-2000 just doesn't seem right to me especially when I see soldiers going to movies in uniform come on now...

As long as you're within the regulations and standards for your service, I don't see the problem. This is a relatively new phenomena...back in WWII, you were required to be in uniform even on leave/liberty.

Now, a service member should be aware that they are representing the service while wearing the uniform. But the more interaction we can have with the civilian population in a positive manner, the better.

While in, I used the common sense rule of question evaluation.

Is it a necessary stop or can it wait? (Picking up the kiddos, need gas, meal time are normal yes answers)

How long do I estimate the stop to take? (My comfort level is 15-20 minutes, if I estimate after 30 than it can wait till I change. Exceptions to this are team lunches, emergencies, on base establishments, or mandatory events)

I will the stop be during or after duty hours? (Self explanatory)

Lastly, do I portray a positive image of the service or a violation to local and service uniform policy? (If the uniform is dirty or disheveled then no)

Are you talking about fatigues or a service uniform? Fatigues should only be worn off post to go from off post home to post. Service uniform is okie dokie off post. Of course, I started in the time when that meant khakis/TWs. We had to carry a tie in the hip pocket of the long sleeves and put on before going off post and tuck it in under the second button. Fatigues are a work/fighting uniform. Burns me up when I see troops running around in them off post, in air terminals, etc The excuse in air terminals is they are on R&R, well, get your service uniform out of your duffel and wear it on R&R. Been there and done that. I guess they still allow you two duffels, to have room for all your clothes and stuff. Used to call them Red TAT and Yellow TAT, but I forget what that meant.

I am proud to wear a uniform off-post when I am traveling to and from my Reserve drill. I make sure that my appearance is in regulations when i do. It's not me being too lazy to change my uniform after drill.
Why should I hide my uniform in the US? If the military didn't want us being seen in public in uniforms, then they should have only issued them to us for use in battle or field exercises, and this would preclude the existence of dress uniforms for the most part.
When I was a sailor in the 1990s, we used to say the reason that the USN didn't want us going off post in dungarees was because the Navy was too embarassed by the "prison" look of the dungarees as a uniform. Besides I wore my ACUs (by decree) off post when traveling to and from work at the port of Kuwait on 2 deployments.
Also, would my drill hall be considered "off post" as it's not on a base? There are few bases near me, and in that case, I'd never wear a uniform, even to drill.

What I find interesting is that recent policy was to allow soldiers to do things off post in uniform (shop, travel, etc). IIRC, the thought was that we were an Army at war and showing the uniform reminded the public of the human cost. Now that war is winding down (for now), the thought is to now pull back into our shell and not do anything off post in uniform.

If you are within regulations and are presenting a positive impression of your service, I do not see a problem with wearing the uniform off post (depending on what your service and unit allow). I have worked on bases where I have nowhere to change out of uniform due to lack of facilities, early closure of the gym, etc and I would wear my uniform off post. If I have to get gasoline or some groceries in uniform, then I do it. If I have to pick the kids up from school or take them to soccer practice in uniform, then I do it. If I have an opportunity to change out of uniform, I prefer to do that.

Unless it is a short stop somewhere for something that is absolutely essential, go home and change first.  Few things in this world anger me more than a soldier in uniform at Wal-Mart pushing a cart full of groceries.  It's completely senseless.  Has our individual time-management gotten that bad?  Most of our uniforms look like hell after a full day's work, and for those that need to stop on their way to work, plan better and avoid wearing your uniform off post at all costs.

We're always representatives of our branch of service and as long as we represent them appropriately, i.e. - uniform is clean and serviceable and worn correctly - then I think it should be ok during the day for lunchtime errands or taking care of errands on the way home from work. However, when it goes from personal sustainment (groceries, gas, haircut, etc) to recreational (mall, movies, etc) that's where the line should be drawn. It should be a common sense thing of when to go and when to get changed but that's not always so common these days. 

We're always representatives of our branch of service and as long as we represent them appropriately, i.e. - uniform is clean and serviceable and worn correctly - then I think it should be ok during the day for lunchtime errands or taking care of errands on the way home from work.  However, when it goes from personal sustainment (groceries, gas, haircut, etc) to recreational (mall, movies, etc) that's where the line should be drawn.  It should be a common sense thing of when to go and when to get changed but that's not always so common these days.