What is the authorized headgear for ALC?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:17:34 -0400

I just checked into ALC and I was told I have to remove my hat while I was in school. I have the SQI "X" for DS. So they would ask a Ranger or SF Soldier to remove their beret? Would you fight it or is the school house in the right? Please let me know?

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 11:22 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:22:31 -0400

Infantry ALC gave us the choice in 2010. It depends on the school Commandant. Since. The CSM is a commandant his decision is final. I never wore my campaign hat when I didn't have too to avoid prejudice from peers. I feel the campaign hat is for trainees not peers. The badge is more than enough in my opinion.

Response by SGM Mike Barbieri made Sep 7 at 2017 11:26 PM

SGM Mike Barbieri — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:26:12 -0400

You wear your organizational headgear while in school. Wear your hat, same for the guys in airborne units wearing their maroon berets.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 11:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:26:15 -0400

That's your authorized hat gear DS. I went to ALC and SLC while on the trail. I wore my campaign hat both times. And no they wouldn't ask a tabbed Soldier to remove it...because it's earned authorized.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 2:52 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 02:52:29 -0400

If I understand correctly, you have to be actively billeted in a Drill Instructor slot to wear the hat during school. If you are doing ALC as TDY while in route to your assignment as a DI, and have not actually reported, then you would not be allowed to wear it while at school.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 9:02 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 09:02:51 -0400

According to the Ft. Leonard Wood NCO Academy Student Guide, you can wear any authorized headgear. I went to SLC last year and we had a few Drill Sergeants in our class. They wore their 'brown rounds.' I do remember one telling me that you have to be on the trail in order to wear it. You can't wear it if you only passed the Drill Sergeant course. I do know that you will have to have your Patrol Cap along with your DS hat since it is part of the packing list. The SGL who you reported to may have simply made a mistake. I would wait until you finished inprocessing today and ask your assigned SGL if you can wear your DS hat.

One thing I would warn against is making a big deal about the hat. Remember, you are being analyzed the entire time you are at ALC. You do not want to jeopardize your ability to compete for DH, HG, or Commandant's List because the cadre perceived you as acting unprofessional. Good luck at your NCOES.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 9:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 09:31:40 -0400

In cases like this, the school Commandant seems to have a great deal of latitude in how they operate. Their goal is (or should be) to provide an environment that is conducive to learning for all students, and they may feel that the campaign hat is detrimental to that objective.
With that said, one of the best pieces of advice I ever received in the military was "Do what your rank can afford, but understand that cost". My WLC Commandant insisted that we remove our SSI, CAB, and CIB's because not all of the instructors had them. Some did, some didn't. Those of us that didn't were counselled, which kept us off the Commandant's list and prevented us from being Honour Grads.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 10:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 10:24:41 -0400

Pretty much they said the CSM didn't want Rangers, SF, or any other distinctive hear gear. I know I'm a DS at the end of the day.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 12:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 12:57:22 -0400

the school house is right , they own you.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Sep 8 at 2017 1:24 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 13:24:18 -0400

I personally wouldn't care if I couldn't wear my Green Beret, because I still have a long tab. Pick you battles wisely Sergeant.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Sep 8 at 2017 5:15 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 17:15:51 -0400

Are you under arms? If not, remove the cover.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 6:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 18:08:55 -0400

What does the Commandant say?

That's your answer.

I was told not to wear my campaign hat in several schools- which was fine, didn't even have it on at the time. If you're not performing DS duties, I see no need to wear the hat. It's not organizational; it's so you stand out among Privates. Not in the same category as berets and other unit stuff.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2017 9:46 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 21:46:54 -0400

When I was down at FT Sam in '15, there was a female SGT who wore her Drill Sergeant headgear. But again, that was in '15 and it was Ft Sam.

Response by SGT David Petree made Sep 9 at 2017 5:18 PM

SGT David Petree — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 17:18:12 -0400

You want to stay in school !! Take the Hat OFF.... You are NOT a DI when you are in school..

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Sep 9 at 2017 9:45 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 21:45:14 -0400

simple answer - The school Commandant sets the uniform for the school you are attending, if he says no DS hats, then it's no DS hats.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Sep 10 at 2017 5:05 AM

CSM Eric Biggs — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 05:05:32 -0400

I got the same thing when I went to BNCOC in 2008. The Commandant asked me to remove my campaign hat. I told him it was my assigned headgear and didn't have a black beret to wear anyways. I asked why he wanted me to remove it, and he told me the other students were looking to me for the answer. I told him his instructors needed to grow a pair and take control of their classroom then, to which he agreed. I did continue the class wearing a patrol cap though.

Response by CW3 LeRoy Engle made Sep 10 at 2017 11:21 AM

CW3 LeRoy Engle — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 11:21:08 -0400

Part of ALC is learning to follow. A good leader is also a good follower and where you also need to give extra effort is attention to detail.

Response by 1SG Ken Rossi made Sep 11 at 2017 2:53 PM

1SG Ken Rossi — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 14:53:42 -0400

I attended ANCOC is 1982 while 'on the trail' at Fort Benning. I left my Hat at home and wore the regular uniform that had not been ruined by the post laundry. I left the hat and wore my patrol cap simply because the requirements of the school were such that the hat would be a pain in the butt to have to carry around. Made life easier. As a side note, while attending ANCOC at the same post as I was a drill (Ft. Benning) I did occasionally put the hat back on and go help out at the company when it didn't interfere with school. Regardless of what the policy is, going from class to field activities and back again, life is much easier with a patrol cap.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2017 6:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 18:19:01 -0400

I get it. But, it's organizational headgear. If you're still receiving SDAP, you've probably got a better case. However, this might be one of those time that it's better to get your crayon and color in the lines. I don't know what the reg says, but, if you're going to fight it, do it through the reclama process so as to not make it weird.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2017 7:00 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 07:00:54 -0500

Don’t make a big deal out of something that is not promoting you. Your DS hat can’t promote you to SSG but graduating from ALC will. Pick which one is more important. I know because my husband just graduated from ALC in October (commandants list) and I pinned him (SSG) 3 weeks later.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 10:41 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 22:41:49 -0500

Lol cause your not in Drill School silly

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 10:09 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 22:09:20 -0400

As stated, you wear your organizational headgear at NCOES unless The Commandant dictates otherwise which would be outlined in your welcome packet. I was in ALC (‘10) and SLC (‘13), and we had Airborne, Drills, RIs, Regiment, Green Berets and CAG guys who all donned their respective head gear. Never was an issue. Only issue the Commandant has was with the mops on the heads of the CAG guys which he had no control over due to their operational requirements but they did shave.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2021 10:59 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 22:59:32 -0400

Things must have changed. I wore my DS hat when i went to ANCOC. If it were me, i wouldn't fight it but I would seek clarification.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2021 8:33 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 08:33:02 -0400

That is a little surprising. I read your answer and I could understand his decision but I wouldn't do that if I was the deciding factor. When I went to my captain career course we had people wearing headgear from different organizations. I was wearing my maroon beret because I was still assigned to the 82nd.