Posted on Nov 13, 2013
What do you think about the wear of uniforms off post?
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This is a very serious topic that was discussed before by everyone of us here I am sure. Every base I have been there was a policy about when you could wear uniform off post. What do you think about this topic I would like to hear everyone's opinion
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Uniforms
Uniforms
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 37
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If you've earned the uniform, you should be able to wear it anywhere you want as long as you're not dis-honoring the regs. There's lots of fakes out there wearing half ass uniforms, so the ones who actually have earned it can have the privilege of wearing.
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SGT Michael Glenn
Thats just it SGT Hill it is against regs and most commands have set policies about it, some look the other way some dont, which in itself is wrong because when a person who was allowed to do this at one duty station rotates to the next this is one of those stupid policies hardly anyone asks about and gets busted for.
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SGT Chris Hill
Yes that is right, there's a policy everywhere about wearing uniforms off post, I neither condemn or condomn it. It's one of those gray areas that many get away with, simply because you do not know their situation or purpose for wearing it.
How many times have we walked past a male who has no haircut, yet not said anything? If we want to attack one reg, we must go after them all.
Back to the point, as I stated, I do not agree with not being allowed to wear them off post, so as long as it's in moderation and in appropriate establishments. As I previously stated before, unlike these fakes out there who are posing in uniform, unlike them, I can and will prove to anyone that I have done what I needed to do in order to wear them.
How many times have we walked past a male who has no haircut, yet not said anything? If we want to attack one reg, we must go after them all.
Back to the point, as I stated, I do not agree with not being allowed to wear them off post, so as long as it's in moderation and in appropriate establishments. As I previously stated before, unlike these fakes out there who are posing in uniform, unlike them, I can and will prove to anyone that I have done what I needed to do in order to wear them.
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A lot of different schools of thought on this. While I love that Soldiers have pride in their appearance and their service, too often these days we see people trying to steal the glory. And anything a Soldier, or any service member, does while in uniform reflects on the entire military.
service member went to a store in uniform: fine.
At the store was a whole bunch of people outside, protesting/demonstrating/selling/seeking donations for ANYTHING.
He doesn't participate, doesn't donate, nothing like that, just gives the people the common courtesy and respect that all people deserve as he walks by. Nothing wrong with that.
Someone takes a picture with the demonstrators (or whatever) and the Service member within close proximity to each other, possibly talking in passing, or just a polite smile. Though now it LOOKS like the military now supports WHATEVER cause that may have been for.
next comes a media field day and a massive S***storm for that Service member.
service member went to a store in uniform: fine.
At the store was a whole bunch of people outside, protesting/demonstrating/selling/seeking donations for ANYTHING.
He doesn't participate, doesn't donate, nothing like that, just gives the people the common courtesy and respect that all people deserve as he walks by. Nothing wrong with that.
Someone takes a picture with the demonstrators (or whatever) and the Service member within close proximity to each other, possibly talking in passing, or just a polite smile. Though now it LOOKS like the military now supports WHATEVER cause that may have been for.
next comes a media field day and a massive S***storm for that Service member.
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The problem with this question is that there are many scenarios to consider that do not apply to everyone here.
Scenario 1: Typical military member going off base and needs to put gas in the car on the way home. Obviously it makes no sense to go home first, change into civilian clothes, then get gas. Sure, there are arguments to use the base gas station, but I for one go to Costco for cheaper gas or I use other gas stations with rewards points that offer better deals than the base. Unless your rules do not allow this, I think this is a valid scenario for wearing the uniform off base.
Scenario 2: Lazy military member goes shopping at Walmart in uniform and possibly stops at McDonald's for dinner. Obviously the member is just being lazy. Go home and change before shopping at Walmart, and go through the drive-in if you must have fast food.
Scenario 3: Military member gets a phone call from the spouse that the other car is not working and the member needs to pick up the kids and get them to soccer practice in 30 minutes. Assuming this is not a regular occurrence, I see this a valid reason to be loitering off the base in uniform.
Scenario 4: A military member works at a very small base with few amenities on base. This is me. I do not work on a base at all, and the building goes secure at certain hours. I live an hour from work. I share an office with a member of the opposite gender. I really have no choice but to wear my uniform off base, because I have nowhere to change clothes.
Many military members have seen scenarios 1-3, but few have seen this scenario. I throw this out there just to illustrate that there is no single answer for all scenarios, but regardless of your personal opinion on the matter, it is imperative for each military member to present a professional image on and off the base.
Scenario 1: Typical military member going off base and needs to put gas in the car on the way home. Obviously it makes no sense to go home first, change into civilian clothes, then get gas. Sure, there are arguments to use the base gas station, but I for one go to Costco for cheaper gas or I use other gas stations with rewards points that offer better deals than the base. Unless your rules do not allow this, I think this is a valid scenario for wearing the uniform off base.
Scenario 2: Lazy military member goes shopping at Walmart in uniform and possibly stops at McDonald's for dinner. Obviously the member is just being lazy. Go home and change before shopping at Walmart, and go through the drive-in if you must have fast food.
Scenario 3: Military member gets a phone call from the spouse that the other car is not working and the member needs to pick up the kids and get them to soccer practice in 30 minutes. Assuming this is not a regular occurrence, I see this a valid reason to be loitering off the base in uniform.
Scenario 4: A military member works at a very small base with few amenities on base. This is me. I do not work on a base at all, and the building goes secure at certain hours. I live an hour from work. I share an office with a member of the opposite gender. I really have no choice but to wear my uniform off base, because I have nowhere to change clothes.
Many military members have seen scenarios 1-3, but few have seen this scenario. I throw this out there just to illustrate that there is no single answer for all scenarios, but regardless of your personal opinion on the matter, it is imperative for each military member to present a professional image on and off the base.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
Respectfully, Sir, if one combines Scenario 4 with Scenario 2 adding geographic proximity, I can see this as acceptable. Walmart and McDonalds are not red-flag locations, in my opinion. If a service member is en route home and Walmart happens to be on the way, it doesn't make sense to go home and change to come back out. May seem lazy, yet I see it as logical. Buzz in, grab what one needs, crack on home bound. :)
All told, behavior and appearance while is uniform is absolutely the key here. I agree wholeheartedly, Sir.
All told, behavior and appearance while is uniform is absolutely the key here. I agree wholeheartedly, Sir.
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SFC (Join to see) SSG V. Michelle Woods Cpl Dominic Fittizzi There was a time when it felt awkward being off base, just after the Vietnam War and when my dad was in, He was called a baby killer but a kid much bigger than me but I kicked his ass. The VP was actually proud of my tenacity. He always looked out for me, since I was small back in the day. Mr Andrew Codispotti, RIP, I love you bro!
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I agree with the marine. All to many times I see soldiers running around in an extremely poor put together uniform (doesn't say much for ACUs). With that 80% of the time the kids are BSing in uniform. Should not be happening. It's disrespectful and embarrassing.
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If you're en route to/just came off of post, it makes sense to me. I don't alter my morning/evening routines just because I'm in uniform.
Going out to a movie, restaurant, or whatever and wearing your uniform around just seems like you're trying to draw attention to yourself. Same thing goes for wearing dog tags with civilian clothes. It just looks tacky/in bad taste.
Going out to a movie, restaurant, or whatever and wearing your uniform around just seems like you're trying to draw attention to yourself. Same thing goes for wearing dog tags with civilian clothes. It just looks tacky/in bad taste.
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As others have stated, I rarely wear my uniform off base. There are only few exceptions, during lunch off base or after work on the way home, stopping to get gas or groceries. Being in the special operations community many do not wear their uniform to or from work, they change before leaving. I was never one for this.
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