What's the strangest uniform violation you have ever seen?

2015-08-01T17:49:41-04:00

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Aug 1 at 2015 5:51 PM

2015-08-01T17:51:41-04:00

When I worked in Fuels, I was sent to fuel up a Navy F-14 that was in transit across the nation. As I pulled up, the pilots got off wearing their flight suits and cowboy boots. I asked them about it...someone had stolen their boots at the last stop's Base Operations. That was their story and they were...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2015 6:47 PM

2015-08-01T18:47:01-04:00

At Ft Sam Houston back on 2009, I once got to see the most interesting thing. Off in the distance, I had seen a Lieutenant wearing the rank of 2LT on his ACU top and 1LT rank on his patrol cap. And to add a cherry to this soup sandwich, he had his American Flag on the wrong arm.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Aug 1 at 2015 7:06 PM

2015-08-01T19:06:43-04:00

During my stint as a reservist when I was in college I saw a young man wearing his Navy dress blue trousers backwards, the 13 buttons and flap was, well let's say about his arse.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 1 at 2015 7:15 PM

2015-08-01T19:15:36-04:00

Swim trunks and t-shirts while working on helicopters.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Aug 1 at 2015 7:15 PM

2015-08-01T19:15:47-04:00

Here's one to make any NCO cringe.......during my E-6 board, one of the E-5s showed up with his dress greens hemmed with WHITE thread. Needless to say the BN SGM caught that as soon as the young man walked through the door. He asked the SGT who had hemmed his uniform (which by the way, was also hemmed much too short). The SGT replied, that a woman from his church had done it.

Anyway, long story short, and very appropriately, he didn't pass the board. He didn't even get to answer any other questions, although his "sponsor" was in for another 10 minutes !!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2015 7:22 PM

2015-08-01T19:22:02-04:00

There was a PFC wearing a BDU cap with LTC rank on his way to the motor pool. Quite a few people saluted with a confused look on their faces. The PFC was me. I had accidentally picked up my battalion commander's hat. Quite the panicked moment when I realized. Oops?

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Aug 1 at 2015 8:24 PM

2015-08-01T20:24:42-04:00

When I was in Iraq, my PLT LDR would take turns refueling the generator early in the morning that was right outside our AO in Iraq. That's not the weird part. I saw him doing it in his boxers, t-shirt, and flip flops. I started doing it that way too. Zero fudge was given, and it was dark.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Aug 1 at 2015 8:30 PM

2015-08-01T20:30:12-04:00

While at tech school at Keesler we had an airmen who red the regulations as you had to have a blue tie while in long sleeve shirts. His way of thinking he was being a smartass and sliding by the regs was to wear a blue bow tie for mess dress with his long sleeve service uniform. Needless to say he did not wear that tie for very long that day and he probably never will with his service uniform again.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2015 8:57 PM

2015-08-01T20:57:45-04:00

A guy in my platoon put on a clean top so he could eat chow, but forgot to put any nametapes, rank, patches or anything on it, as we were dog tired. He made it all the way to the chow hall and was sitting down eating before anybody noticed. He finished chow.

The strangest uniform correction I've ever made was a couple days after I got pinned to SGT. I saw a soldier with PFC rank on his cover and SPC rank on his top. I stopped him and told him that his rank on his cover and top didn't match. He's standing at parade rest, which confused me, because I wasn't chewing him out, I was just telling him, and I had completely forgotten that I was now a SGT. I was just trying to keep him from embarrassing himself. He stammers out that he's aware they don't match, but he's got the correct one on order from ADO, and the haji shop made rank patches with the wrong border. I tell him, fine, but you can't walk around with SPC rank on one and PFC on the other. But by now, I'm almost as confused as he looks, because even though I've told him twice that the ranks don't match, he still thinks I'm picking on him because one of them is haji made and one is
Army issue!! At some point during this exchange I get him to take his cover off and look at it next to his top. The lights go on in his eyes, he says, "This isn't my top sergeant! I'll fix it right now, sergeant!" And takes off at a dead sprint! I just get a kick out of the fact that I may have been more confused by the incident than he was.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 2 at 2015 12:57 AM

2015-08-02T00:57:56-04:00

We had an O-6 Shrink at Camp Pendleton Hospital that didn't do that uniform thing. He was German. So when the Service Dress Blues inspection came around he showed up with the white shirt, bow tie, blue jacket, white pants, white shoes, and a woman's beret because he wanted to look French. Reminded me of Cesar Romero in Donovan's Reef.

Response by TSgt David L. made Aug 2 at 2015 3:23 AM

2015-08-02T03:23:21-04:00

Not so much strange, but funny, one of my MSgts and I were walking from the parking lot towards a building when we saw SrA X with his BDU cap worn way high on his head. Like almost al the way on the back of his head. Now that wasn't too funny but when MSgt X dressed the Airman down, the Airman produced a hat waiver, meaning he didn't even have to wear headgear. MSgt X asked the Airman why the hell his cover was worn so improperly, Airman X pulled his hat off and showed us the large staples holding his scalp together. Seems he had some surgery to his brain and was recovering. I laughed as MSgt X stammered and tried to recover somewhat gracefully. Moral of the story, get the whole story BEFORE you chew someone out. LOL

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 2 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-08-02T10:59:04-04:00

Not really a "violation" but the Weapons Company MSgt (Company GySgt equivalent) forgot to put rank on the morning we were moving vehicles from Camp Pendleton to San Diego to load them onto the Essex. Ended up borrowing a set from the 1stSgt, just so he had something on his collar.

Everyone in the convoy was doing "double takes" all morning when they went "1stSgt.. I mean Top..."

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Aug 2 at 2015 2:25 PM

2015-08-02T14:25:27-04:00

I once saw a Soldier that had their entire uniform backwards. Ribbons and badges in the left. Unit ribbons and RDI on the left. Nameplate on the left. DUIs upside down. Collar devices backwards.

(Turns out he was still drunk from the night before and running late..... His "friends" helped him get ready and dressed.)

Response by SFC John Birks made Aug 2 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-08-02T14:26:00-04:00

A Private wearing a different boot on each foot. They weren't even the same brand and slightly different colors..

Response by PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels made Aug 2 at 2015 2:34 PM

2015-08-02T14:34:46-04:00

Every time a person steals Valor and wears a uniform there are a ton of uniform violation.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-08-02T14:36:10-04:00

Sigh

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 2 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-08-02T14:40:03-04:00

The flight surgeon Captain with his bars rotated 90 degrees on his collar.

Response by MSgt James Crawford made Aug 2 at 2015 2:50 PM

2015-08-02T14:50:05-04:00

When I was visiting the AF recruiter for the first time, I met a TSgt sitting at his desk dresses in blues with cowboy boots, a sombrero and a stogie. The best part of the story follows.

My twin brother had just returned from tech school and had headed to his first permanent duty station. I had a 35-10 haircut before I walked in, and I said, "Jerry, I'm AWOL, and I need your help!"

After picking himself up, he simply state, "John, what am I going to do with you?"

That's when I let him in on the twin side of the equation.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 4:41 PM

2015-08-02T16:41:23-04:00

A dirtbag "soldier" in my platoon many years ago walked into the reserve center:
1. He was late for formation
2. He was in uniform, but his top was still open
3. He was wearing FLIPFLOPS (yes FLIPFLOPS) and carrying his boots.
4. He sauntered over to our platoon and sat down behind it, against the wall and proceeded to finish dressing.
5. 1SG, eyes bugged out and beet red, sent a psychic message to our already astonished PSGT. I'm sure it went something like "You have 1 second to act sergeant before I kill him". "Squires! Get him out of here!" was directed at me, since I was the closest soldier to him.

As I escorted him into the storage room to finish, I hear "After formation, I want to see him and every damn person in his chain, in my office!" I would have loved to been in that room. Might have brought popcorn for the show.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 2 at 2015 6:31 PM

2015-08-02T18:31:06-04:00

While Special Services officer at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, I was tasked with providing an orientation for new doctors (interns). When I entered the room I found the strangest collection of newly minted captains who had no military experience whatsoever. They had purchased all the various items of uniform of every class and had mixed and matched the various items randomly. It took all of my self control to keep from laughing at them as they sat expectantly, awaiting my instruction. I'm sorry to admit that I failed them. I simply ignored their uniforms, made my presentation, and started to leave. One stopped me. He had recognized me. We had grown up together through elementary, junior high, and high school. I couldn't look him in the eye and carry on a conversation. I responded with a minimal comment of recognition and escaped to laugh elsewhere. Hey, I never said that I was a "nice guy" or anything, did I?

Response by Sgt Joe LaBranche made Aug 2 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-08-02T18:43:10-04:00

I was TDA from Vietnam for Vietnamese Language school in Okinaw. I got in at about 9:00pm and was told I could go on liberty. The only kaki uniforms I had were in my duffle bag I left in Okinawa on my way to Nam. The uniforms were wrinkled and there wasn't an iron around.
I decided I wanted to go out, so I wore the uniform as is. Took a taxi to town, went into a bar, drank beer and saki, got drunk, and soon found myself surrounded by MP's.
Beside my entire uniform being wrinkled, while in Vietnam I obtain the rank of Lance CPL, but had no strips on my uniform. The MP's asked me if I knew what I looked like and told me to look in the mirror, it was a pretty sight.
They told me since I was TDA from Vietnam they weren't going to arrest me. They did drive me back to the barracks, took a picture with me and told me not to leave the base until I got my uniforms pressed.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Aug 2 at 2015 6:50 PM

2015-08-02T18:50:36-04:00

When I was a brand new Airman, I was extremely skinny. I wanted to pick up food from the BX, butmy top was in the flight chief's office and they were in a long meeting. We had very limited amount of time as I had to go launch aircraft within the next hour and couldn't wait. My expediter lent me his top (he was a tech/E6) so I could make it.

I had a lot of stares and one MSgt (E7) came to me and said "wow, they sure are promoting young nowadays" I got away with it, and came back to work with Popeyes.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 9:14 PM

2015-08-02T21:14:11-04:00

We had a guy show up to the Unit Holiday Party wearing black Air Force Ones in his ASUs

Response by Maj William Gambrell made Aug 2 at 2015 10:45 PM

2015-08-02T22:45:24-04:00

I was walking across Gunter AFB once (lawyer, doctor basic for the Air Force), and I went up to a Airmen wearing at lieutenant bar and a full colonel rank. I asked the new incoming military doctor what rank he was supposed to be since I didn't know whether to salute him or not, and he said I was told I am a Lt Colonel.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 3 at 2015 1:27 AM

2015-08-03T01:27:10-04:00

The Navy had just started to transition to the utility uniform (predecessor to the current blue camouflages being worn) from the old dungaree uniform.

On dungarees we stenciled our name with a black stencil pen for our shirts and white stencil pen for our pants (because the Navy is silly and makes us put our names above our ass). On utilities we used name tapes.

Well, I was walking down the street with my Chief (I was a PO3 at the time) and we saw some young Sailor walking a bit in front of us wearing the new utility uniform with his name stenciled on instead of having name tapes. My Chief said something like "RM3 Miller, if that kid were me I would sure appreciate it if a squared away Third Class corrected me!"

So I kindly informed the kid about name tapes and how he should probably make his way to the uniform shop and order some, after he changed into dungarees so he wouldn't get yelled at for the stencil.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 1:33 AM

2015-08-03T01:33:01-04:00

This was taken at an Airman Leadership School graduation / Award Ceremony. I don't understand how anyone would have let an Airman go up like that.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 1:42 AM

2015-08-03T01:42:05-04:00

When I was a tactical NCO in the mid-80's the regulations on boots were so vague that cowboy boots were authorized footwear. So, a couple of my peers and I would wear black, highly polished, round toed unadorned black cowboy boots during the section on Army Regulations for the wear and appearance of uniforms (AR 670-1). Our students worked very hard to correct us and we challenged them to find it in the regulations. Within a year, the regulations were changed and by then I was an officer assigned to the cavalry, wearing tanker boots.

I wore tanker boots for the next 25 years and they served as a sort of litmus test for unit leadership. Despite beliefs to the contrary, the regulations authorized every soldier to wear tanker boots, assigned to the cavalry or not, just as every soldier could wear jump boots. Throughout my career, as I visited potential units for assignment, wearing my tanker boots, I found that if a unit leader challenged me on the boots, it highlighted the leader's ignorance and desire to bully instead of lead. In units where the leadership asked about the boots, I would have a conversation about being a cavalry officer and the regulations, ultimately moving on to the challenges the unit faced and how my background might fit. In every case where leaders challenged the tanker boots I found the poorest leaders. Often, these leaders focused on appearance over substance, bullying instead of influencing and were immaculately dressed but tactically and technically inept. Tanker boots were my best tool in discovering where I would serve and units I would avoid.

Response by MSgt Alan H made Aug 3 at 2015 7:31 AM

2015-08-03T07:31:18-04:00

I was in Air Force recruiting and a MSgt was wearing the dress blues with everything reversed, name tag on wrong side, ribbons on wrong side, recruiting cookie on wrong side.........I tried to unsuccessfully bring it up to him privately before he spoke publicly so he could switch everything. He stammered to me afterwards that he'd checked himself in the mirror and everything looked good. No one in the crowd of 100 noticed or brought it up. I explained to him what my fail safe was for that, I always took a permanent marker and put dots on the shirt right where all the pins from everything entered the shirt, that way I always nailed the placement next time and never feared getting items on wrong side. He thanked me profusely and I thought as a very lowly E-5 (usually the lowest rank in recruiting) that was a nice thank you coming from an E-7 flight commander.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 3 at 2015 10:06 AM

2015-08-03T10:06:28-04:00

OLD days.... MOPP Gear was a 2 piece charcoal suit in OD Green.... went on an FTX. Went to MOPP 2, and then to 4. They threw a twist in there that we had been hit and had to process through a decon site. There was a female LT that refused to process through decon.... Something about cutting her MOPP Gear (unit issued, and authorized for this at no cost to SM).... found out that because it was summer, she took liberty to put on MOPP Gear with nothing but bra/panties on underneath the MOPP Gear.... she did not want to become "exposed". This was NOT an authorized variation and she was told by the commander that she would either process through the decon station IAW Protocols OR she could receive LOR for her actions. She went thru the decon, but certainly did NOT look happy about it. Don't think she did that again!!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 10:58 AM

2015-08-03T10:58:49-04:00

Aside from the homeless folks (vets or not) that get their hands on parts of the uniform (some very interesting combinations there) I did have a junior Sailor show up to work wearing white pants with a dungarees top. He didn't get out of his car because he realized it was wrong when he got into the parking lot, but his friends blocked him and wouldn't let him leave to go change. We had a power outage and he dressed by feel in his barracks room.

I suppose that makes one valid reason to arrange your clothes dark to light left to right.

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Aug 3 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-08-03T12:32:36-04:00

I had a Marine, legal platoon at SOI, that decided he was done standing firewatch. He walked outside and stripped each piece of his uniform off until he was in skivvies. I know this because I followed the trail of clothes and found him outside the PX crying and wanting a soda out of the vending machine. I was tired and not in the mood for whatever kind of crazy was going on, so I bought the private a Mountain Dew, convinced him to pick up all of his clothes, and then returned him to his NCO.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Aug 3 at 2015 1:15 PM

2015-08-03T13:15:51-04:00

This is an AF thing... I've seen it too often where females will wear their occupational badge ABOVE their name tag when wearing service dress or blues.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 4:16 PM

2015-08-03T16:16:42-04:00

My "favorite" uniform violation was a young airmen wearing BDUs with all of his Blues accessories (nametape, ribbon rack, Security Forces silver badge) and a bomber jacket. Strangest violation probably goes to all the SOF bubbas(operators and support pax) homestation wearing civilian baseball caps and gym shoes with their BDUs as uniform of the day.

Response by LTC WIlliam Thibeault made Aug 3 at 2015 5:09 PM

2015-08-03T17:09:47-04:00

Me! When I was in Army basic training in 1966, I noticed you could buy Cochran jump boots with the easy-to-spitshine toe cap, and lighter weight fatigues at the PX. During our first parade, when we first wore khakis, I noticed our company commander had gold braid around the fringe of his garrison cap, but mine was plain old green. After the parade, I went to the PX and bought a "fancy" garrison cap and proudly wore it back to the barracks. My D.I. practically had a heart attack. I had to dig a 6' X 6' hole to bury it, and all my platoon mates had to attend the "Funeral."

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 8:41 PM

2015-08-03T20:41:11-04:00

Had an intel troop that liked to push up the sleeves of the ABU. I kept saying "you know you can roll those, right?", but I guess it never really sank in. I was on loan from another squadron, so not in my chain of command.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-08-03T21:24:10-04:00

My roommate a MAJ, always the prankster removed all my tops from my closet and knowingly wore my ACU top to formation, she thought it was funny. I was terrified. The only top I could find in the room was hers hanging on the bunk post, by the time I broke down and put hers on (all the while thinking about a charge of impersonating a higher ranking officer and how the rank on my collar was not going to match the rank on my cover...) to go to formation and headed down the stairs I was met by her half way up (she was smiling ear to ear). I had missed formation. She told me not to worry she had said present for me when my name was called... noting that after all she was wearing my top.....

Response by PO2 Angelika Laist made Aug 3 at 2015 9:33 PM

2015-08-03T21:33:41-04:00

I used to have a GI Jane buzz cut and after over a year of sporting it, the Command Master Chief told me i had to let my hair grow because it looked fetish. But all female members of African American descent could wear it just fine! Made me mad.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 10:24 PM

2015-08-03T22:24:48-04:00

A SSG at Camp Arifjan wearing a light blue tee shirt under his ACU top.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 10:28 PM

2015-08-03T22:28:19-04:00

Of course the most famous uniform violations go to SGT Maxwell Klinger.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Aug 3 at 2015 11:34 PM

2015-08-03T23:34:27-04:00

I was taking a group of soldiers to Lahndstuhl Germany Medical Hospital one morning and had a PVT jump into the back of my car with the rest of the guys. As we got there I stopped to let everyone out and was gonna park and then go in myself,as this PVT was climbing out I could have sworn I saw SSG rank on him, I called out to him but he just kept walking. Parking my car I knew where he was going so I went to the ward his visit was in and asked for PVT Snuffy and was told no one by that rank was signed in but a SSG was. I flipped out and yelled "PVT SNUFFY GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE!!!!" Much to my surprise a very disgruntled PVT wearing SSG ripped around the corner screaming at me that I needed to get at parade rest and to at ease the way I was addressing a senior NCO! I looked around to see a whole ward filling into the hallway and someone yelling to call security. A CPT came into the hall and suggested that I cease and desist all activity until they got this sorted and verified that I was an NCO and why I was messing with a SSG who had been coming to them for 3 months! I explained who this PVT really was and only when I demanded for the umpteenth millionth time to call my unit did the truth come out. The next time I had this PVT in a vehicle was escorting him to prison!!

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Aug 4 at 2015 12:15 AM

2015-08-04T00:15:34-04:00

I was verbally reprimanded by a SMSGT for not wearing panty hose...I had blues on and my hose got a snag...and yep, I pulled on it just a little to hard and there went the hose...so I took them off.....while walking down the hall way, I got pulled aside by a SMSGT who asked me...are you wearing panty hose?" and I said "no sir, I am not" then he quoted the regs to me and told me to get to the shopette and buy a pair and get them on. Oh MY GOSH! not only that, he then tried to tell me my skirt was too short...and I told him, "no sir, my skirt is regulation length".Regs state cannot be shorter than two inches above the knee's.....a few days later he told me that my hair color was not within regs....and I told him it most certainly was....I frosted my hair back then.......and then some time later, he actually turned me in for not having regulations color fingernail polished...I went to my commanders office and he found out why I was there, he started laughing...I told him that the regs state finger nail polish was to be a color that was suitable to the uniform....they I proceeded to tell him about the other things this guy snagged me on....I guess my commander had a talk with him cause the guy never bothered me again.
Oh my GOSH, what a pain in the ARSE this guy was. LOL

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 7:39 AM

2015-08-04T07:39:18-04:00

Someone's significant other wearing a piece of the uniform with the Soldiers name and rank still attached.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 1:36 PM

2015-08-04T13:36:40-04:00

When a friend of mine was due to be promoted to SGT, so he naturally turned in his ASUs to have the proper rank sewn on. When he brought back his uniform to the office, I noticed that there was something wrong with it; they had just sewn the chevrons directly above his SPC rank. The contractor in the alterations shop had recently changed and so they obviously were still figuring things out.... We had a laugh and got it changed. Not really a violation, but still left us scratching our heads for a bit. Needless to say, we never went there again.

Response by SGT Jesse Walton made Aug 4 at 2015 2:06 PM

2015-08-04T14:06:45-04:00

Had a soldier use duct tape to secure his name tag and patches on his BDU's.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 2:08 PM

2015-08-04T14:08:30-04:00

The one on my head in the picture. The black beret was so bad almost no one really knew how to take care of it. It had to be shaved, molded, wetted down, dried, blah, blah and blah. The intent was great but the application not so much. Many soldiers looked like out of work French mimes.......I'm glad the Army mostly did away with it.

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Aug 4 at 2015 3:30 PM

2015-08-04T15:30:21-04:00

Not sure if it was a violation; however an officer showed up for formation wearing two left boots. It did look a bit queer but at first I thought my eyes were out of focus. Never saw it happen again

Response by TSgt Terry Crihfield made Aug 4 at 2015 4:02 PM

2015-08-04T16:02:52-04:00

One of my commanders came in one morning with his ribbons on the right and his name tag on the left....

Response by CPT T. Scott Haddix made Aug 4 at 2015 5:03 PM

2015-08-04T17:03:02-04:00

Get this, tighty-whities, brown t-shirt, LBE, patrol cap, weapon, and shower shoes. How do you keep from laughing, when you need to give corrective guidance? This PFC was the sentry on duty at about 2330, for a field hospital unit during a "Freetown", civilians-on-the-battlefield exercise at Ft. Polk. The O.C. major that was with me was an old R.I. from Camp Rudder, that crossed over to the dark side, like myself. We later laughed so hard, it induced pain.

Response by SGT(P) Gloria Francis made Aug 4 at 2015 5:09 PM

2015-08-04T17:09:02-04:00

SPC came in with 2 left booths on and he said he got dress in the dark. The next event was better. He came in with his PT shirt under his ACUs. This time it was, "No excuse Sgt. I just fell asleep." THINGS YOU CAN'T MAKE UP!!!

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 6:18 PM

2015-08-04T18:18:12-04:00

Frame cap EGA on a piss cover. Newly minted Marine on boot camp grad day.

Response by Cpl Kenneth Ledbetter made Aug 4 at 2015 8:04 PM

2015-08-04T20:04:01-04:00

It wasn't quite a violation, but I use to wear starched utilities and cover every day. I was at MCAS Iwakuni and walked to our para loft across the flight line every morning with no problems. I was a Lance Cpl. at the time, but when Winter came, I wore a nylon flight jacket on those mornings. I was saluted by everyone I met crossing the flight line. Everyone thought that I was an officer with starches and a flight jacket. I properly saluted back and I would just laugh to myself. Funny, I never met anyone I knew at the time or an officer that questioned me.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 5 at 2015 12:28 AM

2015-08-05T00:28:56-04:00

I thought about this for a few days SMSgt Tony Barnes and while not near as funny as LTC Private RallyPoint Member I will give it a whirl... I did not see this... rather, I was told about this years later....

When I was LT/PL and we had our Platoon Offices in the Barracks (87-88) and I kept a spare uniform (BDU) hanging in my office... just in case; The office was unsecure... I found out years later (as a MAJ 97-98) when I met the former PFC Ashe from my Platoon (2/472nd MP)... He told me the following:

PFC Ash would don my BDU's at night, and then haze/smoke the privates in the Platoon on weekends - as me... I can only imagine what they all thought... when they met me for real on Monday...

Response by MSgt John Hunt made Aug 5 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-08-05T08:29:39-04:00

Doctor at Clark Regional Medical Center had his BDU pants bloused with low quarter shoes.

Response by MCPO Kennerly Brown made Aug 5 at 2015 9:28 AM

2015-08-05T09:28:44-04:00

The worst uniform violation I saw in my 30+ years in the Navy was during my first enlistment. I was on the USS Wasp, CVS 18, and we were in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. I was taking a break about 0900 or so and looking out a sponson and noted a sailor heading to the ship at a brisk pace. His "uniform" was his dress blue 13-button trousers, a woman's pink sweater that was way too small, and nothing else. No hat, no shoes. I was sure he was enthusiastically met at the brow. I did sorta envy the good time he must have had.

Response by PO3 Steven Taylor made Aug 5 at 2015 10:10 AM

2015-08-05T10:10:26-04:00

Back in the 70's I was a BT on USS Independence. While roaming around Norfolk one day I found an Army Navy Surplus store that had a huge box full of new Viet Nam jungle boots for $5.00 a pair. I found a few in my size and bought them, they were perfect for working in the Main Machinery Room as they were light weight and vented and made for hot damp conditions. Before long everyone in the MMR was wearing them, they were way more comfortable than the crummy Boondockers we had back then and our dungarees cover d the green canvas part so only the regulation black leather showed when standing at Quarters.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Aug 5 at 2015 11:48 AM

2015-08-05T11:48:42-04:00

A troop got told his mustache was out of regs so he trimmed it perfectly and then shaved the left side of it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 12:35 PM

2015-08-05T12:35:48-04:00

My first duty assignment was at Ft Jackson South Carolina, as a training officer for a basic training company. Each Christmas, we would ship all of the trainees home. 1hundreds of charter busses were lined up everywhere to haul these young soldiers to airports etc. Company cadre were required to perform courtesy patrol in the local airport and bus terminals.
Company First Sergeant and I were walking through the Columbia Airport, nothing is going on, lots of young soldiers in class A (greens) running here and there to catch flights. First Sergeant stopped and grabbed my arm. I looked at what he had observed, here was a kid 17 maybe 18 years old in class A uniform with major leaves and sergeants stripes on his uniform along with a chest full of ribbons.
We approach the young man and he immediately goes to parade rest. First Sargent ask what is your rank? The reply was well I’m a Sargent Major. We both grinned and First Sargent said well looks like you’ve been around for quite a while. This young man relaxed, I am guessing he thought we bought his story and he started talking trash about where he’d been etc. Top started asking where did you get this ribbon and that one and the kid was making up stories for each. Finally Top says, you know, I can maybe see this WWII ribbon and maybe even the Korean conflict ribbon, but I don’t even have a ribbon for the Spanish American War. At this point the kids jaw dropped realizing he had been caught. Fortunately the SGT stripes were pinned on with safety pins… the PVT made his flight in the correct uniform.

Response by MSgt J D McKee made Aug 5 at 2015 2:25 PM

2015-08-05T14:25:38-04:00

On the 4th of July 1976, a Sgt wore red, white and blue laces in his highly polished boots to Security Police Guardmount. The reg, at the time anyway, didn't specify color of laces. He had also colored one of his 3 stripes red, the other blue, and left one white, we didn't have subdued stripes yet for green solid color fatigues. I was inspecting. Since he had a couple tours in 'Nam and was very useful, I didn't do anything drastic about it, but since he had done it in front of the whole flight, I just told him to fall out and wait for me outside. The flight thought I was chewing his ass, I guess, but we really talked about the weather or something. He was due for discharge in a couple of weeks. He'd brought other shoelaces and another shirt, so he got off light, had he not been able to work in a proper uniform, I would have had to do something official.

Response by SSG Ronald Williams made Aug 5 at 2015 4:15 PM

2015-08-05T16:15:08-04:00

I would like the military discount on my coffee please.......

Response by MSgt Kenneth Robinson made Aug 5 at 2015 9:41 PM

2015-08-05T21:41:51-04:00

Before an inspection, I cleaned my cloraforms with class cleaner. I was surprised, at inspevtion, when the First Sgt told me the shoes were unservicable. I looked down and the shoes were cracked.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-08-07T09:24:31-04:00

I had an NCO in my platoon some years ago during a field exercise in Germany. Granted he was not the sharpest tool in the shed, but how exactly he managed to get two left boots on his feet still baffles me to this day. It turns out that he had packed at the last moment and just grabbed two boots out of the closet and thrown them in a duffel bag.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Aug 17 at 2015 4:01 PM

2015-08-17T16:01:39-04:00

Chop the top two chevrons and bottom two rockers off Command Sargent Major pin on rank and voila! Command Private Major. Yup, he wore them around for a week to see if anyone would notice.

Response by 1stSgt Michael Gartland made Dec 27 at 2015 8:52 PM

2015-12-27T20:52:44-05:00

Back when we were wearing woodland camouflage BDUs, I noticed a SSgt wearing a ball cap like the one pictured. It had a gold sticker on the bill, which was perfectly flat. It looked like the kind a Hip Hop artist might wear. When I asked him about it, he said he purchased it at the military clothing sales store. I took him to clothing sales and showed him what was authorized. I wound up giving his supervisor an LOC for letting the SSgt wear the hat. He admitted that he knew it was wrong, but let him do it anyway.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 6:05 PM

2015-12-29T18:05:49-05:00

I had a Soldier show up to work once with no laces in his boots. He had taken them out to shine them and forgot to put them back in and left them at home.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Dec 31 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-12-31T12:11:16-05:00

1968. First Saturday morning in ranks inspection as a Company Commander in the 3/325. Get to the Weapons Platoon where the PL is a two war SFC. Four rows of ribbons(rare in '68) with the Silver Star on the bottom. Everything in sequence but the rack was upside down. We saluted back and forth and walked up and down the ranks. As I turned the company back to the First Sergeant I asked that he let the PL know that I did notice and to take care of it. When I get back to the Orderly Room I'm met by five grinning senior NCO's who didn't bother telling me that I'd passed my first test as an officer in the 82d.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 2 at 2016 5:53 PM

2016-01-02T17:53:24-05:00

Two funny ones. We had a full dress white (chokers) inspection and an officer forgot his gloves. We had him take his socks off, put them over his hands, and stand clench fist. It worked.

Years later we had a dress blues inspection out on Treasure Island. Everyone had everything except the Regimental Commander who forgot to bring his tie. There wasn't any place to get one and "all hands" meant just that. He came out wearing a tie. I took a peek at the end of the line to see the junior Ensign had a black sock stapled to his shirt. The Skipper straightened his "tie" when he passed telling him how sharp he was. The beer tasted better that night.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Jan 3 at 2016 5:53 PM

2016-01-03T17:53:14-05:00

Well, after a hard days work, we all decided to meet at the bath house. I had already warned the AP's what kind of guys we were. It just so happened they dropped in while we were there. One told the Col he was a little out of uniform and he said kinda!! Long sleeve white shirt hanging out over shorts and flip flops. Heck, he came to take a bath, right?

Response by MSgt David Webb made Jan 6 at 2016 5:21 AM

2016-01-06T05:21:39-05:00

A kid wearing a white mesh undershirt in BDUs. I just walked up and when he tried to walk around me I side--stepped in front of him, twice before he stopped. I asked him why he thought Halloween was in July. He was very puzzled until I asked him if his little sister dressed him. Then came the excuses. He had bay orderly detail for the weekend.

Response by Sgt Bruce C. made Jan 7 at 2016 8:45 PM

2016-01-07T20:45:11-05:00

Basic training, last day, shipping out in the morning. One of the guys (not me) in the flight had everything packed and we where going to evening chow, so he was wearing his dress shoes with his green fatiques and got caught by a DI, sent back 1 week.

Response by CPT Bob Moore made Jan 10 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-01-10T10:32:27-05:00

One of my most memorable was when I was an XO at Basic Training Company at Fort Knox. I don't even remember why the soldiers were in formation, but I was walking behind the formation and noticed a soldier with the flag upside down. All I did was asked who his battle buddy was and called that guy over. Of course, by that point the drill sergeants had notice an officer talking to their troops and messing up their formation, which is rarely a good thing for the troops. All I asked the battle buddy was what was wrong with the first soldiers uniform. By that time the drill sergeant had made it over and heard the question. The battle buddy got a terrified look on his face, because people had been messing with each others uniforms in the barracks and he knew exactly what was wrong. I let the drill sergeant take it from there.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Jan 13 at 2016 5:52 PM

2016-01-13T17:52:23-05:00

I met Elvis in the PX. I was in the PX and saw a soldier in the BDUs with the elvis collar. He was in desperate need of a hair cut and had large side burns. I asked him to follow me after I identified myself and took him to the barbershop and paid for a nice high and tight.

Response by MAJ Brad D'Angelo made Jan 13 at 2016 6:00 PM

2016-01-13T18:00:20-05:00

Had a pvt when I was Drill Sgt standing in formation with two left boots. I asked him why he was wearing two left boots. He said he didnt have the right boot. Adapt and overcome I suppose.

Response by SSgt Zacharias Scaringello made Jan 13 at 2016 6:01 PM

2016-01-13T18:01:44-05:00

I once wandered around base for half an hour in a blouse without rank, name tape or branch of service because I wasn't paying attention when I grabbed my top that morning.

I was still quite new to the service at the time and an E-3 I believe.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 6:28 PM

2016-01-13T18:28:31-05:00

Having to get dressed in the dark so as not to disturb Household 6 is probably something a lot of us can relate to. When I was a Company Commander, one day my First Sergeant showed up to guard mount wearing two different type boots. The worst part about it was that no one noticed until the one dirt bag Soldier in the company goes up to the 1SG and says, "1SG, are you wearing two different types of boots?"

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 6:29 PM

2016-01-13T18:29:01-05:00

Response by SSG Joshua Salois made Jan 13 at 2016 6:37 PM

2016-01-13T18:37:07-05:00

When I was at DLI, I saw an AF kid (evidently a "furry") wearing a fox tail in uniform, during their morning formation of all things. Needless to say, as I walked by the formation to grab breakfast chow, it sounded like his NCOs were starting World War III with him.

My favorite, though, was a guy in one of the other platoons during basic. He was a PVT in 2006, so he had the nice big fuzzy patch on his ACUs like many of us. He bought a PV2 rank patch and took the black thread out, going around with a blank patch. I remember his drill sergeant going by, looking him up and down, then saying "I swear something's not right with your uniform, but I can't quite pick it out." Not sure if he ever found out, haha.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jan 13 at 2016 9:43 PM

2016-01-13T21:43:01-05:00

At my ROTC unit, our Senior Military Instructor, an 11B MSG had purchased a set of the new OCP ACUs. We were sitting in a staff meeting and a Captain I work with nudged me and pointed to his left pocket. On the embroidered tape above that pocket it said, "U.S. ARM."

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Jan 13 at 2016 10:32 PM

2016-01-13T22:32:20-05:00

I walked into a meeting with one of my my collar devices on upside down. There was three other chiefs in the room and a JO(junior officer) . The JO was the one who saw the mistake, I corrected the mistake before anyone else noticed. The worst part was having a JO in your face and having to stand there and take it.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 13 at 2016 10:35 PM

2016-01-13T22:35:23-05:00

SMSgt Tony Barnes Army Olive drab uniform, Saturday AM inspection. CPL Harry Lane appeared wearing colorful Argyle socks.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 10:57 PM

2016-01-13T22:57:38-05:00

The answer to your question lies in my question: have you ever crossed the Equator in the USN prior to about 1975?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2016 12:16 AM

2016-01-14T00:16:57-05:00

Army E-7 arrived to the gravesite for MFH in dress blues wearing a red/blue knitted hat, do-rag, goatee, earbuds coming out of his white shirt, no tie, and his black overcoat left open while he walked around. One of the worst and most disgraceful NCOs I've ever encountered.

Response by A1C William Puckett made Jan 14 at 2016 12:26 AM

2016-01-14T00:26:49-05:00

I was an A1C stationed at Vandenberg AFB, CA. It was my day off. The base was being battered by a severe storm winds gusting to upwards of over 100 mph and torrential rains. I put on my BDU's, drove to my shop. On the way I noticed another Airman walking down the street. I pulled over asked him where he was going he said "Civil Engineering, to get tools to help remove trees that were landing on base housing. His shop was near mine. I knew someone was going to be there because we had airmen driving for "Blue Santa." I asked the dispatcher for the keys to the ton and a half with lift gate. The dispatcher just sat there with a glazed look on his face. My superintendent who was a Master Sergeant smiled and told him to give me the keys. We drove to C.E. to get the tools. A full bird Colonel was there giving a briefing. The Colonel asked what we were doing there. We told him our plans. He ordered some of his men to load up our truck. He then asked me where's your rain gear. I told him someone had stolen my rain gear. He then took off his Gortex Jacket, and handed it to me. I asked him what he wanted me to do with the Eagle insignia. He said to leave, and not to worry about it.

Response by SN Craig Ralston made Jan 14 at 2016 1:39 AM

2016-01-14T01:39:47-05:00

When I was mess decking on the USS Gaffey while the Enterprise was in dry dock we had a MCOC full dress inspection, I had just made E4 (again) and hadn't bothered to sew my rank on yet so I rolled up some duct tape real tight and taped it on from the back, The MCOC looks me up and down nods and moves on to the next sailor in line, he made it two sailors away from me when something caught his eye about me. He comes back to me looks at my chevrons and pulls them off and drops them to the ground at my feet telling me to report to his office at 1600 with them properly sewn on. I show up at 1545 knock on his door, when I'm told to enter I go in and he looks me up and down and checks to see if I actually sewed it on. Then he asks me why I tried to get away with taping it on. I look at him and tell him honestly I really didn't think it was going to be on long enough to justify the sewing it would take"".

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2016 1:57 AM

2016-01-14T01:57:47-05:00

Interesting picture. All soldiers boots are at 90 degrees. I was taught they should be at 45 degrees.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2016 2:45 AM

2016-01-14T02:45:53-05:00

I had a day off (week day) while stationed at Kadena, Okinawa and hitched a ride on a C-47 making a mail run to a remote island radar site. We taxied to a stop and this guy comes out to help us unload. He's wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. I asked him if his commander knew he was out of uniform on a duty day. He said, "I AM the Commander", no one ever comes out here except you guys.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 14 at 2016 3:40 AM

2016-01-14T03:40:17-05:00

I saw a soldier wearing a white Hanes men's undershirt underneath his ACUs. No joke. Lots of pain for him that day.

Response by PO2 Seth Carron made Jan 14 at 2016 4:36 AM

2016-01-14T04:36:20-05:00

Back when we wore utilities, a kid was late in our surface common core class, showed up wearing a utility top, and johnny cash pants, because it was dark and he couldn't see what he was putting on.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Jan 14 at 2016 8:51 AM

2016-01-14T08:51:33-05:00

My battalion's S-3 (major) and I (2LT at the time) looked eerily similar, so much so that he had me swap him his cap and ACU top during an FTX. He then ran my platoon for about an hour while I sat in the HQ tent looking confused. Also avoided buying and wearing a GO's frycook cap when the nice lady at the PX pointed out my mistake to me...

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jan 14 at 2016 11:01 AM

2016-01-14T11:01:04-05:00

I can think of a few, but my hands-down favorite was me getting a call from the Brigade Staff Duty to come and pick up one of our soldiers one snowy Saturday night in Bamberg, Germany....he was a new Private that had just arrived, and his battles had gotten him drunk and convinced him that his initiation was to do laps around Brigade HQ dressed in brown boxers, t-shirt, and combat boots with the remaining bare skin painted with a camo stick, adorned with an empty rucksack and red bandanna, while brandishing a broken broomstick "sword" and shouting "I'm a Ninja Turtle, I'm a Ninja Turtle"

Response by SPC Jeff Whitten made Jan 14 at 2016 12:15 PM

2016-01-14T12:15:16-05:00

Kind of intentional uniform violation -- Back right before I ETS'd I got into a running prank battle with an E5 11M working as a control NCO for a replacement detachment at a certain Army post. One night I got the key to his room while he was out partying with the idea of putting a dead fish in one of his air vents (had gone fishing). I did that, but he'd also left his locker open and his BDUs for next day were hanging on them. No sew on rank, just the pin-on stuff. So I turned his stripes on his collars and his hat upside down. Next morning's first formation was fun.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2016 2:21 PM

2016-01-14T14:21:47-05:00

Back in 2006 a Soldier of mine was walking down the street on post wearing an unservicable APFT shirt with civilian clothes. No issue there because the unit encouraged us to support the US Army like that. But it had a hole on the side. That's why he was wearing it with civilian clothes. MPs stopped him and wrote him a ticket. Once the ticket came back from the PMO the chain of command laughed it off. BTW this was in Germany.

Response by SrA Steve Hach made Jan 14 at 2016 3:07 PM

2016-01-14T15:07:09-05:00

Went to Panmunjom for a propaganda/incentive tour while stationed at Andersen AFB. At the actual facility where they do the meetings with the DPRK representatives (those buildings where they signed the armistice) there are a few members from each US service branch in addition to the special Army guards assigned to work within the DMZ.

A VERY few members.

Well, one of them was a USAF E-5. I assume he was the only USAF person assigned because while we were getting the tour he popped his head in a door to see what was going on and when he saw us--a group of like 30 USAF airmen, officers and enlisted of all ranks up to E-9 and O-6-- he looked like he saw a ghost and high-tailed it out of there.

he had the worst "haircut" ever, not even close to 35-10. Basically, he was rocking kind of an afro almost--and he was a white guy. Could have passed for a civilian if not for the blues with staff sergeant stripes. I think he must have convinced the Army and other service people that this was USAF regs and since he was assigned to such a remote place like Panmunjom, he could get away with it.

He turned white and just disappeared. Maybe he went over the line running through the area--the 38th parallel is marked on the ground with a concrete line that sticks out of the ground like 1 inch up there--and defected for all I know.

Hilarious.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2016 4:01 PM

2016-01-14T16:01:44-05:00

Once in 1997, I had just gotten off of an 1800-0600 shift. I was racked out and got a call to be at a briefing at 0800. I stumbled into the briefing still half asleep when I was pulled aside by a SFC who noticed I had buttoned my BDU blouse incorrectly. I was off by one button, so that the my collar button was in the second button hole and one half of my blouse hung with the bottom buttons undone. I was so tired I hadn't even noticed.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2016 5:31 PM

2016-01-14T17:31:26-05:00

One morning, a young Air Force Captain walked into the office. No rank on his short sleeve blue shirt, epaulets undone, and no name tag. When I pointed it out, he jumped and ran out of the office. When he finally returned, he was wearing a crisp long sleeve blue shirt, with proper rank and name tag. His explanation was that he ironed and prepared his long sleeve shirt, then as he got dressed, for some unknown reason put on yesterday's short sleeve shirt. I don't know how many people saw him and did not correct him.

Response by LCpl Daniel Mccoy made Jan 14 at 2016 6:57 PM

2016-01-14T18:57:12-05:00

I was stationed at Camp Lejeune, 95-97 and after a great night, woke up almost late for pt formation. I was of course in a hurry and couldnt find my running shoes. so instead of being late, I threw on the only shoes I could find, my canvas boat shoes. Amazingly no one noticed, but the shoes made the run very very unpleasant.

Response by MSgt E. W. Forbess made Jan 14 at 2016 11:44 PM

2016-01-14T23:44:23-05:00

In 1971, my Ti dressed me down for hemming my green fatigues with white thread. I never did tell him the "stitches" weren't thread -- they were staples... :-D

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 12:04 AM

2016-01-15T00:04:07-05:00

Here on camp casey as soon as the new uniforms rolled out i saw a soldier wearing the katusa rank on his uniform when he was clearly an American soldier. Im not sure he knew exactly how the new uniform worked.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 9:46 AM

2016-01-15T09:46:54-05:00

When I was at OBC, our dirtbag 1SG showed up one morning without a T-shirt under his BDUs. Guy was a real shitbird. Borrowed $500 from one of the LTs in the course and tried to pay him back with 3 disco suits from the '70s. About halfway through the course he just disappeared and we had a new 1SG. No explanation was ever given, but the rumor was he got popped for coke on a piss test.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 9:59 AM

2016-01-15T09:59:03-05:00

When I was an E4. #1 on the promotion list and was told by my command that I would be promoted to E5 as soon as I completed PLDC. So I get back from PDLC and no one says anything about the promised promotion. I get my drill pay and notice I was paid E5 pay. next month still nothing about getting promoted, get E5 pay again. The next drill I showed up with SPC rank on one collar and SGT rank on the other. 1SG starts chewing my ass about being 8up. I told him I was simply confused because of the promised promotion and getting E5 pay and didn't know what rank I actually was, so I wore one of each. He goes storming off and about 10 minutes later we have a formation and I am "promoted" to E5. Date of the promotion order was the day after I graduated PLDC. It had been sitting on the S1's desk for 3 months. That unit was horrible about promotions. The worst one I saw there was a guy got promoted in November and the date of rank on the orders was April.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 11:23 AM

2016-01-15T11:23:55-05:00

Basic training, the DI's come storming over to this guy, WHERE'S YOUR RANK PRIVATE? um, I took it off drill sgts, WHY? well drill sgts, you call me private all the time, so I took it off...they were now speechless at this time, PVT, BEAT YOUR FACE...so soldier beats his face, LISTEN, WE CALL YOU THAT YES, BUT YOU ARE A SPECIALIST, NOW KEEP BEATING YOUR FACE TIL WE'RE TIRED..... (the 'private/specialist' was ME!)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 11:34 AM

2016-01-15T11:34:18-05:00

The weirdest one I've ever seen was back in 1999. I was a PVT and just arrived at Fort Bragg at the 82 ABN reception. There was an E-6 and his maroon beret was parted right down the middle!!! It looked like the roof of a house. I was in the 82nd for 2 years and never understood why he was never approached by a CSM or anyone for that matter. My only conclusion he was probably already on the way out and nobody cared.

Response by CPT James Hubbard made Jan 15 at 2016 1:03 PM

2016-01-15T13:03:04-05:00

I was friends with an infantry 1st Lt in Vietnam who wore a shirt with Buck Sgt stripes when he went to the supply depot. He said he got better service. I don't doubt it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 3:06 PM

2016-01-15T15:06:33-05:00

On my first three deployments (2001-2005) down range, DCUs were issued. The scouts had a few guys in the platoon who took it upon themselves to get their DCU tops altered with pockets on the sleeves when they saw some SF operators who had. CSM had a few choice words but on deployment number 4 we got ACUs and guess what they have manufactured into the sleeves?

Response by PO1 Christopher Yancey made Jan 15 at 2016 3:57 PM

2016-01-15T15:57:32-05:00

I had this AO2 (US Navy Petty Officer Second Class/ E5) come to relieve me at the watch station. I looked at him funny and said, your ribbons are on upside done (it was a 2 row 6 ribbon rack) and he turned his head down and looked (at them upside down have you) and said, "No they are not"

In his angle of view they were correct but this idiot was looking at them upside down!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 4:09 PM

2016-01-15T16:09:56-05:00

Had a guy at my first base in Japan who was deploying, he was gonna put on TSgt while downrange, so he brought all his uniforms to alterations and told the women there, "Half of them get Staff stripes, half get Tech stripes." I was his ride when he went to go pick them up a week later. He picks them up and we're in the BX for lunch right after. As we walk through the BX, he gets greeted as he walks in, "Hi Staff Sergeant." He nods. Then someone else walks by and says, "Hi Tech Sergeant." He pops an eyebrow but keeps moving. Finally another guy walked by and said, "Hi Tech Sergeant." Finally he checked his stripes; the uniform shop had put Staff stripes on one arm, Tech stripes on the other arm; depending on what side you were on, he was either a Tech or a Staff. Never seen someone bolt so hard out of a BX than that guy after he realized what happened.

Response by PO3 Daniel Worsham made Jan 15 at 2016 4:19 PM

2016-01-15T16:19:11-05:00

When I left Guantanamo in 1975 the Navy didn't really have a lot for us Seabees to do. They didn't want to lose us as they said we were expected to be sent to Nam after all was settled to help rebuild like we had everywhere else. Me and two other Construction Electricians were transferred to Little Creek, VA to Assault Craft Unit 2. Those poor guys had no idea what to think of three Seabees wearing greens and we had no idea what was required with dungarees. It took us a few months but eventually we all figured it out and got squared away.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 6:42 PM

2016-01-15T18:42:30-05:00

During a uniform packing inspection prior to departing on a mission, I dumped and showed my gear. Packed two left boots. No feet hath known the pain of hiking mountains with the wrong boots.

Response by LCDR William Breyfogle made Jan 15 at 2016 7:43 PM

2016-01-15T19:43:52-05:00

Was in officer "Knife and Fork School" (for career enlisted to either (a) get commissioned or (b) fall from grace.) But I digress. One of my classmates was a Navy Nurse guy from India, who clearly didn't understand the concept of "Uniform." One day for inspection, he fell into formation wearing the cape-like boat cloak that was still authorized at the time, and a woman's garrison cap. He smiled at the Marine Gunnery Sergeant who was inspecting us, and in his richly accented English said, "Good morning, Sergeant. I am liking this uniform so very much!" I SWEAR the Gunny walked away fighting back bitter tears

Response by Patrick Gorman made Jan 15 at 2016 8:06 PM

2016-01-15T20:06:39-05:00

In Air Assault School I was on the rappel wall and was gigged for wearing PT socks.. Then there was PVT Combs in Basic who wore his BDU blouse with the cuffs over his hands like it was a friggin snuggie or something.. He was a nasty girl, and recycled, I wonder what happened to that guy lol

Response by PFC Jack Jones made Jan 15 at 2016 8:26 PM

2016-01-15T20:26:23-05:00

When I signed up, I was able to have duty station of choice in my contract. I chose Ft. Bragg because I didn't get airborne in my contract. Well, when I received my BDUs in basic, the place an 18th Airborne Corp patch on the left sleeve with an airborne tab over it. All through basic my DS, all airborne, smoked me stupid! Then in AIT, another DS tried to write me up for "impersonating and airborne soldier." That was about the strangest uniforme issue I've ever seen or heard of. By the way, I did make it to the 82d and I received my wings. All the way!

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 9:08 PM

2016-01-15T21:08:08-05:00

Saw a sailor across the flight line with silver ear rings in after a long weekend. I walked up to him and said you can't wear ear rings in uniform. He said yes I can. I said no, only women can. SHE said I am a WOMEN! oopps.

Response by CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA made Jan 15 at 2016 9:12 PM

2016-01-15T21:12:58-05:00

This one makes me think of myself. I was a brand new Army National Guard PFC back in 2001. Hadn't even attended my first drill yet, but was issued uniforms by my Supply Sergeant a few days after swearing in at MEPS. I was still about 6 months away from Basic and AIT. I was so excited to be a Soldier that I gave myself the most God-awful high and tight with my clippers at home, threw on my uniform in a most non-regulatory looking way, and went to my weekly Christian Student Fellowship meeting at my university. My friends there knew I had joined right after 9/11, but none of them were military. However, I looked so ate up with unpolished boots, wrinkled uniform (straight from the duffle bag), untucked laces , and an unformed beret that they looked at me like I was another life form. I've laughed a little over the years while thinking of my misstep, but I was so grateful that I didn't go out on the town and disgrace the uniform (as well as get my greenhorn ass chewed by some senior NCO or retired service member). I've seen a few young kids out in uniform since those days and feel a little empathy for them....then I go over and correct those soup sandwiches like I was.

Response by CPT John Ferrie made Jan 15 at 2016 9:32 PM

2016-01-15T21:32:35-05:00

When I was a 2nd LT in Vietnam I somehow knew the COL's driver. For some reason, this COL preferred a staff car instead of a jeep. I fact this was probably one of the few staff cars in the country. One day, the driver mentioned the the COL was in Okinawa. I thought it would be fun to to ride in his staff car to Siagon at night. So, I put on his cap and sat in the back. Today it seems like a pretty dumb idea, but the gate guards sure snapped a smart salute.

Response by CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA made Jan 15 at 2016 9:47 PM

2016-01-15T21:47:07-05:00

Just watch the movie, "Basic". It's a crazy conspiratory John Travolta and Samuel Jackson film from the early 2000's. It's a veritable walking uniform violation. Hurts an actual service member to watch it. Be forewarned; your head will explode 15 minutes into this film due to the lack of any military advisor during filming.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 9:47 PM

2016-01-15T21:47:41-05:00

We had just landed in Kuwait when I realized I put all my covers in the ISU. The next day I was walking to the PX to buy one and my buddy Dave sent with. Since I didn't have a hat he took his off so we were both the same and I said you could probably get away with it since your old enough to be a General Officer. We stop to use the latrine and while I waiting for him to finish a COL chews me out for not having a cover (I was an E6); just then Dave (an E7) comes out and the COL goes to attention and salutes him, then apologizes... It was a fantastic day he hasn't lived down since.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 15 at 2016 10:47 PM

2016-01-15T22:47:26-05:00

When I joined the Army in 1981, I was issued green fatigues. When I graduated AIT a few months later, the new guys were being issued BDU's. My first assignment was Germany where BDU's had not been issued yet. Somehow my roommate was able to get a single BDU top. He worked the graveyard shift. He was so proud of that BDU top that he would wear it at night with his green fatigue pants. He was quite a sight. He made it 3 days before he got caught by the 1SG.

Response by PO2 Peter Wells made Jan 15 at 2016 11:44 PM

2016-01-15T23:44:32-05:00

During Petty Officer Indoc MA1 was talking to us about Our Frocking Ceremony the next day. He alluded that the Skipper's Uniform might be jacked up and that it's best if we don't look lower than his collar at anytime.

Navy Captain Summer Dress Whites, Tan Socks.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 12:20 AM

2016-01-16T00:20:10-05:00

My uncle tells a story where, after he finished his college that the navy paid for, they just gave him his uniform and told him to show up to work. Never knew a single damn thing about Navy regulations or customs and courtesies.

Got away with it for months before a Chief layed into him XD.

He never did go to any kind of basic training.

Response by SPC Joseph Purcell made Jan 16 at 2016 1:13 AM

2016-01-16T01:13:05-05:00

So you always hear about the Pvt or lower ranks picking up an officers cap by mistake. I was pulling staff duty at battalion. Lt. Col. AND the Major come in first thing in the morning and the SSg that was in duty that night were talking. After their talk the major and col, took off to make their rounds of the unit and to make a visit up to building 1. About lunch time the SSG told me to go get chow but I couldn't find my cap anywhere. So I got reamed for "losing" my cap sitting at the desk. Called my roommate to bring me a spare and went to chow. At around 1800 the CO and XO come strolling in with the post commander. We were asked what we were doing behind the desk since we must be officers. We both looked confused, well I didn't lose my cap, the CO had been wandering around post as a PVT ALL DAY, and no one thought to tell him, the XO had been wearing the SSG cap and since he never left the building he never noticed his cap was missing. So they had to pull an hour staff duty while the nco and I went to dinner at the defac. The SSG looked at me and said that since they were impersonating us, the general could have at least taken us to the O-club for dinner.

Response by SFC Clark Adams made Jan 16 at 2016 3:57 AM

2016-01-16T03:57:27-05:00

Back in the early 70's there was a "draftee doctor" who happened be given the rank of Major, who believed his Khaki uniform looked better if he were to wear a brown belt with matching shoes instead of the black authorized items.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 4:21 AM

2016-01-16T04:21:14-05:00

This happened back in '98 in Basic Training of all places. We were called to line up for inspection in the bay. As the TI's are going from one person to the next, they get to this guy who is wearing his BDU's but the pants weren't bloused, they were tight rolled and his boots' laces were replaced with his tennis shoes laces. The TI asks the guy, "what is your problem recruit", he replies loudly Full Metal Jacket style, "I'M A SORRY PIECE OF SHIT SIR!" I busted out laughing but locked it up fast as they looked at me after my outburst. To this day thinking of that kid saying that makes me laugh my ass off!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 7:30 AM

2016-01-16T07:30:28-05:00

I was attending the funeral of a friend early 2010, I was a SSG at the time. There were several of us there in uniform, all eying each other. In walks an Army Master Sargeant in Class A's and I'm staring at his uniform knowing something is wrong but couldn't figure it out. I'm not talking about things being spaced wrong or misaligned, which most of it was, it was something big and it took me about two minutes to figure it out. When setting up his jacket he did it in reverse, everything was on the wrong side. I politely informed him of his mistake and his response was "Oh well." The O-6 had seen his reaction when I said something and got him after the funeral. I wasn't close enough to hear but by the body language his response was drastically different this time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 8:27 AM

2016-01-16T08:27:57-05:00

I was a brand new private fresh out of basic, reporting to my unit (Army Reserve). I had been DEP and had been away at basic and AIT for just over 8 months. I walked into the drill hall with my pressed BDUs and shined boots and stopped dead in my tracks. The individual I saw in front of me was wearing pink boot laces on her black boots.....to match her pink hair. As a new Soldier, I was torn between addressing the issue and not wanting to rock the boat with people I did not know. I know now (hindsight being what it is) that that wasn't the answer but it definitely is the strangest and most egregious (and vivid) violation that I have ever encountered. I did bring it up to my platoon sergeant but do not remember what happened after that. I never saw it again, that much I do remember.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 8:58 AM

2016-01-16T08:58:46-05:00

OIF, Baghdad, my 1SG comes into my office, face red and screaming, "Where's the shotgun? If he wants to act like a duck, I'll shoot him like a duck!!!" One of our knuckleheads was trying to get out of theater and his latest shenanigans was apparently playing crazy, so he climbed on top of his CHU wearing his poncho with his reflective belt tied around his head. When his team leader asked him what he was doing, the Soldier blew a duck call in return. The NCO yelled for the Soldier to get down and he just blew the duck call again. The NCO got our 1SG who told "Duck Man" using her most flavorful language to get down immediately. The Soldier blew the duck call at my 1SG which is when she stormed back to our HQ looking for the shotgun. By the time he got down, I had his summarized article 15 ready for signature for disrespect and failure to obey. Come to think of it, we didn't think to site him for numerous violations of AR 670-1.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 10:22 AM

2016-01-16T10:22:29-05:00

I've seen two and they both involved Cadets (sort of). A brand new 2LT reported to my unit back in 2007 wearing a combat patch - the Northern Illinois University ROTC patch. "Step into my office, son."

And just last semester one of my Cadets came to class with all her patches on backwards - school patch and US flag on her left shoulder, name on left chest, US ARMY on right chest, and Leadership Excellence patch on right shoulder. She had applied them to her top with everything "on the left" or "on the right" AS OBSERVED, not as worn. She got past more than a dozen fellow cadets before sitting down in my class. Rather than call her out immediately, I called out the rest of the classroom for letting her down, all of whom stared at her blankly for a solid five seconds before one finally figured out something was amiss.

Response by CAPT Jill Votaw made Jan 16 at 2016 11:11 AM

2016-01-16T11:11:58-05:00

Strangest one I ever saw was at Bethesda Naval Hospital - I was a Midshipman - this Navy Captain Doctor was in Khakis and had his shoulder insignia (the large eagles) on his collars, and his garrison cap was tilted back on his head like you'd see in the old movies. This guy must have just come out of 'knife and fork' school for doctors. I had a hard time saluting him and not lmao!

Response by CMSgt Donald Felch made Jan 16 at 2016 12:06 PM

2016-01-16T12:06:00-05:00

When I was an NCOA Commandant, we had an active duty TSgt from an East Coast fighter base show up on Day 1 with a pair of Timberline boots...half unlaced, gangsta style (in ABUS). The Director of Education dealt with it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 12:24 PM

2016-01-16T12:24:22-05:00

The best one I have is after doing active duty for 4 yrs I decided to go into the reserves. Well our first FTX I went with them and we had a SSG coming from breakfast and he had a banana in his right hand as he was passing a major and needless to say he gave the salute with a banana. It's a totally different world between active duty and the reserves

Response by SGT Sean Whitenton made Jan 16 at 2016 12:32 PM

2016-01-16T12:32:47-05:00

Camp Cropper- HVD compound. Some of the guys tasked to deal with detainees who were collaborating weren't allowed to wear their real nametapes, unit patches, or even ranks got... creative. They wore some patches they had made that had a squirrel and a tab that said "secret" over it as their unit patch. It eventually brought them some heat- but I'm not really sure how much.

Response by Capt Stephen Zepp made Jan 16 at 2016 1:13 PM

2016-01-16T13:13:42-05:00

I was a Cadet Second Class (Junior) at the Air Force Academy, and a friend of mine was on group staff. Once a month we wore fatigues ("combat awareness day" or something like that), and my buddy was scheduled to be in the Group Staff formation.

As we marched by the group staff detail during daily noon march to lunch, our squadron commander called "eyes right" as usual, and pretty much our entire squadron burst out laughing when they saw my buddy wearing full arctic bdu's, even down to the name tag.

Needless to say, he was never detailed again.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 2:19 PM

2016-01-16T14:19:46-05:00

I didn't spot someone else's violation but when I was an A1C I was leaving our compound. I had a cigarette in my right hand and met a Lt. I saluted smartly with the cigarette in my hand. The Lt stopped me and asked if you could salute with a cigarette in your hand. I said, "Yessir, you can." He had a puzzled look on his face and said something like, "ok" and walked on. Glad he didn't know where I worked.

Response by MSgt Thomas Price made Jan 16 at 2016 5:27 PM

2016-01-16T17:27:10-05:00

Besides a good friend of mines who once wore a Lynard Skynard tshirt that was visible though his AF dress shirt it had to have been a PFC assigned to my Joint Service Honor Guard detail. The kid forgot his tie so he used a belt instead. All I heard someone say was "hey he got a belt around his neck. I was like WTF? Dude! Come on Man! Someone find this knuckle head a tie ASAP. This was all after I got done LMAO! Now that was a classic.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 5:53 PM

2016-01-16T17:53:40-05:00

I was at Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base getting Ranger students ready to jump into Florida. I walked up to a student to see if he was ready for JMPI to which he said yes. He had rigged the reserve for his T10D upside down and then routed the waistband over the Drings to get through the panels on the back of the reserve.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 6:18 PM

2016-01-16T18:18:33-05:00

In Infantry Advanced Course at Ft. Benning, a friend turned another's CPT rank sideways on his cap. He went nearly all day before noticing. Someone finally told him.

Response by MSgt J D McKee made Jan 16 at 2016 9:09 PM

2016-01-16T21:09:35-05:00

Some of these are flat-out hilarious. Before someone lectures me about the necessity of uniforms being, well, uniform, and why we do it, I got all that. But, what I really thought after reading most of these was "I'm glad I haven't had to f@(k around with shit like that since 1996".....

Have to admit, at times I miss it, though, even now. Or I guess I wouldn't be on RP.

Response by MAJ Jerry Murray made Jan 16 at 2016 9:21 PM

2016-01-16T21:21:50-05:00

Everything seemed normal at weekend drill morning formation at a Army National Guard flight facility ... until it was over and we started to walk away... then I noticed a friend (an another pilot) had his boots on the wrong feet: he said he was late and didn't think he had time to take the one boot off that he had put on wrong. He almost got away with it. Oh, I had a lot of fun with this.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 16 at 2016 9:40 PM

2016-01-16T21:40:34-05:00

This is a funny ass thread hahahaha

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 10:59 PM

2016-01-16T22:59:29-05:00

A fellow Lt forgot to get his 1st Lt ranks sewn on so he decided to sharpie marker his 2d lt ranks thinking no one would notice. When a MSgt approached him he went to the BX, bought the proper ranks and safety pinned them on...

Response by SrA Marlin Taylor made Jan 17 at 2016 12:19 AM

2016-01-17T00:19:20-05:00

Easy answer to that one. Airport in Las Vegas i watched a kid barely 18 wearing Air Force Dress with one stripe on his sleeve and a butterbar on his collar. I had to laugh because it was so funny. His family had no clue when they grabbed him in their greeting hugs.....

Response by MSgt Frank Martin made Jan 17 at 2016 1:38 AM

2016-01-17T01:38:56-05:00

I once assisted a studio photographer to take photos of Nurse's and Flight Surgeons for their officer jackets for promotion at my first base back in the mid 1980's. We had a Lieutenant Colonel who came in and hung his service jacket up and tell us he needed to use the restroom before we took his photo. The photographer asked me to take a look at the officers ribbons to make sure they are centered.. We did this as a service because it was the Officers who are responsible for their uniforms before we took the photo but we always wanted to take the photo ONCE if possible.

I walked up.. took a look and noticed a Republic of Korea Presidential medal on top (Korean War Decoration).. So I carefully looked and realized that the Colonel had mounted a very impressive salad of ribbons on his uniform upside down. When he returned and we suggested he might want to change it.. he turned beet red in embarrassment. He then explained that he was a reservist and not paid attention to when he mounted it on his jacket that morning. He flipped it over and we got the photo done. As he was getting ready to leave he muttered that we had saved him from looking like a fool when he was scheduled to meet the Air Division Commander in two hours.. Then he brightened and said maybe he can get out of this reserve activation if he put it back! We told him it was not a smart idea.

Response by PO2 Christopher Salge made Jan 17 at 2016 5:50 AM

2016-01-17T05:50:19-05:00

When I was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, there was a change of command happening. This guy PO2 XYZ showed up like the rest of us in our dress whites, he had these little cheeto hand prints on his butt, apparantly before leaving home, his kid was eating cheetos and gave him a hug. It was funny because he didn't k ow until Senior Chief XYZ inspected us and lost it. He had to go to the barracks to borrow someone else's pants they were a bit snugger and just a tiny bit high water.

Response by SSG Oliver Mathews made Jan 17 at 2016 8:57 AM

2016-01-17T08:57:07-05:00

A few years ago i was in a slightly important building that staffed a few higher officials (1/2 star) while walking to work i passed a MSG with her hair so out of regulation that i was in slight shock. I approached her (as a SGT) and at parade rest explianed that her hair was not allowed to touch her eyebrows, nor pass her collar, or look generally like a great lions mane... Her response? "Check down not up Sergeant"... Having heard this before and having just come from an infantry unit, i proceeded to recite AR 600-20's infamous General Military authority to her. This proceeded to piss her off and get me a bit of a tongue lashing... So be it...

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Jan 17 at 2016 9:20 AM

2016-01-17T09:20:30-05:00

While living in a small German village near the underground facility I worked at I had got ready early for a mid shift one night and had just slipped on some moccasins until time to leave. Yep, several hours into the shift someone noticed but the Flight Chief was German so no big deal but I made sure I beat the oncoming day shift before the more senior US NCO's showed up!

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 17 at 2016 10:03 AM

2016-01-17T10:03:34-05:00

Oh My GOODNESS! SMSgt Tony Barnes

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 17 at 2016 10:04 AM

2016-01-17T10:04:15-05:00

I hope this wasn't real?!?!

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 17 at 2016 10:11 AM

2016-01-17T10:11:48-05:00

Notice these SMs have their feet together while at attention. We were always taught that feet should be at a 45 degree angle. Have the regs changed over the years as they all appear to be uniform in that sense.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 10:26 AM

2016-01-17T10:26:55-05:00

We were doing a PHA at the MEDCOM for our state waiting for the hearing test. Some fresh 2LTs out of ROTC lined up to pick up their form before getting behind me and a CW4. The chief turned to me and told me to square away my Battle Buddy, whose American Flag was upside down and in the middle of the velcro on his arm. I said,"Excuse me sir, are you in distress?" He replied "No" and I told him "Let me just get you squared away."

Response by MSG Douglas Tolliver made Jan 17 at 2016 1:17 PM

2016-01-17T13:17:24-05:00

I was stationed at Fort Bragg from 1993 - 1994. We were in a unit that was authorized the beret though most people weren't jump qualified. We also had to blouse our dress pants with our jump boots. One day a Private came down for our payday activities inspection, in his class A uniform wearing a pair of black jungle boots. In another instance in Vicenza, Italy (1998-2001) when I was a Staff Sergeant I caught a new private wearing his beret with the flash over his right eye. That and he looked like he was delivering a pizza. I corrected him and helped him re-shape his beret to the correct side.

Response by CPO Bruce Nason made Jan 17 at 2016 2:54 PM

2016-01-17T14:54:38-05:00

Had a LCDR in my Reserve Unit show up one weekend without socks....CO was 'just a bit upset', us enlisted thought it 'just a bit humorous'.

Response by CPL Javier Frutos made Jan 17 at 2016 3:24 PM

2016-01-17T15:24:46-05:00

While stationed at Fort Polk Louisiana, we used to train at England Air Force Base as a joint venture. While walking across the Air Force Base I noticed a female major with a shower cap on her head as I walk by her amazed I saluted where she then said to me you don't have to do that we are pretty loose here.

Response by SGT Michael Brown made Jan 17 at 2016 4:49 PM

2016-01-17T16:49:52-05:00

When I was at Fort Hood Texas one of my young soldiers (a Specialist) told me he was driving back to the barracks for lunch with his BDU cap on backwards. At a red light he looked over to see a older soldier smiling at him with his BDU cap on backwards also. after a short pause the older soldier turned his cap forward to reveal the two stars of a Major General. (The First Cavalry Division Commander). I asked what did he do? He said I turned my cap around real fast and saluted about fifty times. The General smiled saluted back and drove on.

Response by Maj Phil Gasbarro made Jan 17 at 2016 5:21 PM

2016-01-17T17:21:56-05:00

For my last official photograph before retirement, I'd gained so much weight that I had to split my class A blouse up the back so I could get it buttoned up front. Also, back in my Army OCS days, when AMWAY products had just introduced a shoe spray, one of my fellow candidates got gigged for "Boots improperly sprayed"

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 5:55 PM

2016-01-17T17:55:24-05:00

dude wearing 25th ID patch with airborne rocker come to find out 25thID had airborne out of alaska

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Jan 17 at 2016 7:44 PM

2016-01-17T19:44:25-05:00

It was so much strange as a phenomenon. In Germany , we got these blue hearing protectors . They worked great as earmuffs because it was frigging cold. However you could not justifiably wear them out side the motor pool, so I would clamp them on my uniform in various places. Eventually many people in our company and battalion started wearing them like that everywhere on post. And then it became a hide and seek thing/game with our first sergeant . Top would get all fake mad , saying "Take them dam blue beetles off!!!" . And we would, till the next time he caught us and he would say the same thing. This thing ran on till it got warm again both winters I was there.

Also there was wearing the cold weather cap so you would look like Darth Vader , Top and Smash would lose it if they caught you wearing it that way. But it was dam comfortable to wear it like that. This was mostly a field fashion thing but it did happen on post in the motorpool on occasion.

Response by LCpl Darrell J. Farley Jr. made Jan 17 at 2016 8:03 PM

2016-01-17T20:03:58-05:00

I guess the strangest one I witnessed was one I and another Marine from my Platoon participated in. We were both Lance Corporals (E3) and were in the 3rd Amphibious Assault Bn ( We were Amtrac crewchiefs ) often times we would wear our pisscutters with our Nomex suits ( Fire proof ) These resembled the flight suits that Marine and Naval Aviators wore. We were stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. and we would drive down to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to go buy Cammies that Recruits who washed out of the Corps would turn in. We used these to wear to work on our vehicles or out in the field and save our cammies for deployment and inspections. While walking into the supply area we passed a detail of recruits who saluted us. Good Afternoon Gentleman the PVT leading the detail said as they marched past, They were pounced on by a couple of D.I.s that happened to be there for not saying, By your leave Sir before passing us from behind. Us two lowly Lance Corporals stood there while these two "Hats" apologized to us for the recruits lack of respect. We nodded the Sgt, and the SSGT. Saluted and said thank you gentleman and off they went to find the recruits D.I.s to make thier lives hell for a few days. My buddy and I decided to change over to our Charlies (Class C) uniforms the next time we went there.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 9:14 PM

2016-01-17T21:14:32-05:00

1. "Division Bob" 1/325th ABN INF was reduced to PCC acter belting his SL in Grenada. We made him Command Private Major with a CSM rank and a pair of snips.
2. Camp Atterbury in 2004, the local are shop had no experience & when I gave her my new DCUs and an older set as a model, she did her best (DS Badge, Jump Wings, & 1st COSCOM combat patch). My old DSL sat across from me at the chow hall just stating at my blouse & then at his. Finally he jumps up and yells, "It's all backwards! Holy sh-t, it's all on backwards!" The seamstress had some a mirror-image uniform.

Response by LT Michael Cavaggioni made Jan 17 at 2016 9:58 PM

2016-01-17T21:58:42-05:00

Too soon?

Response by LTC John Buckley made Jan 17 at 2016 10:17 PM

2016-01-17T22:17:30-05:00

I had just arrived on site for an exercise with my USNR MIUWU (Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit) . We had another MIUWU training with us for the weekend. The OPS of the visiting MIUWU stopped me and proceeded to correct my uniform "violations", particularly pointing out that I didn't have my rank (05) on both collars. I looked at the rank and the crossed saber with the tank in the middle. and told her that my uniform was indeed correct. She asked me what my position with my unit was. I told her OPS. I then suggested that she look at the US ARMY tape on my BDUs. A big oops and an apology.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 10:19 PM

2016-01-17T22:19:50-05:00

In 2005-2006, I attended Basic Reserve Intelligence Training/Naval Basic Intelligence Training with a newly minted Ensign who had an impressive pre-military resume. He was a two-term US Representative and former Senate candidate from a state that borders Texas. Great officer who today, well, let's just say he's got the word "Undersecretary" in his title. Well, as we were walking out of the building one day, the fluorescent lights hit his khakis in just the right angle and there I see it....a Phi Beta Kappa logo. He was wearing his white college fraternity t-shirt underneath his uniform.

Response by Sgt Joseph McEvoy made Jan 17 at 2016 10:29 PM

2016-01-17T22:29:13-05:00

When I was a young NCO in the Marine Corps in the late 1980s, I noticed during one dress uniform inspection that all the Senior Staff NCOs who were Vietnam Veterans were not wearing Sea Service Deployment ribbons! I thought it was strange that they had Vietnam Service Medals but in conjunction did not have SSDRs. I inquired to my Master Gunnery Sergeant and he simply said, "They never gave those things out back then." I explained that the ribbons were first awarded after The Vietnam Era but were retroactive or backdated to include everyone in the Naval Services who served overseas prior to that time. During the next inspection they all showed up proudly wearing Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, some were able to "start a new row" and were extra proud. Other more salty Tops complained that for the first time in years they had to go and rearrange their "entire plate of fruit salad" but still were just as proud to show it off.

Response by PFC Ariel Granet made Jan 17 at 2016 11:20 PM

2016-01-17T23:20:14-05:00

AIT Fort Gordon, the chosen attire for one memorable friday was simply... towels. It was in protest of the fire alarm being pulled 10+ times a night, every night of every weekend for the last solid month just to mess with us. The barracks are co-ed but it was only the men who dared to pull that little stunt. Every NCO on duty was so red with anger I thought they were going to spontaneously combust. Then they made the mistake of attempting to make them push while wearing their towels... about half the men weren't wearing anything underneath. Laughter. Everywhere.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 12:12 AM

2016-01-18T00:12:01-05:00

One of the guys on my ship was wearing an 8 point NWU cover with FRV Coveralls... Apparently he thought that if he could wear a ball cap with his NWU, it also worked vice versa

Response by Sgt Wade Gardner made Jan 18 at 2016 1:01 AM

2016-01-18T01:01:33-05:00

As a prior Air Force C-141B Loadmaster, I was extremely proud to have my oldest daughter join the military (even if it was the Army). I had given her one of my velcro US flag patches from my flight suits at the MEPS center before she left and she had tucked it into one of her pockets each day throughout basic training as a reminder of my pride and love for her and to have a mental "helper" along with her each day. When we flew to her graduation at Ft. Jackson, I asked her if she still had the patch. She glanced down at her shoulder and I noticed it wasn't in a pocket but rather placed on her shoulder, which made it "backward" for her Army uniform. She was never questioned about it until their last day when one of her battle buddies noticed. My flag patch had survived through her entire BCT without being noticed. YOU GO GIRL!

Response by CPL Roland Newton made Jan 18 at 2016 4:13 AM

2016-01-18T04:13:22-05:00

A soldier showed up to formation with 2 different color contacts

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 4:26 AM

2016-01-18T04:26:12-05:00

The best one was in Fort Huachuca, Arizona for the Warrant Officer Advanced Course, a newly minted LT was attending the MI Basic Officer Leader’s Course ran into a Ranger Regiment (RR) WO in his tan beret.

She began to stare at this WO for sometime in the parking lot, then worked up the nerve to confront the Soldier, " she told him tell his beret was not suitable for use anymore ---- it was obviously faded from the sun and had lost all its color!"

He needed to purchase another one ASAP, no excuses.
She promptly told the schools cadre of this infraction.

Had to give it up to my fellow Warrant, he kept it together, saluted, and said Roger!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 9:36 AM

2016-01-18T09:36:47-05:00

Any officer or senior NCO with a mustache is a uniform violaton...regardless of the reg!

Response by LTC John Czarnecki made Jan 18 at 2016 12:04 PM

2016-01-18T12:04:34-05:00

1979, and I had recently completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) held at North Fort Lewis. After RIP attendees completed their month-long ordeal, they would put on their Class A uniform, get on the cattle car, and ride over across post to the Battalion Area, at the end of Gray Army Airfield. Much of the Battalion would turn out to see who "they were getting." I remember with horror seeing a strapping young Trooper, resplendent in his essentially brand-new greens, sporting a shiny set of jump wings on his chest. Not any shiny wings, but wings that HAD been subdued when new, and then polished. You see, Class A wings are white metal, but the subdued ones are brass under the black. This poor Ranger hopeful had shiny GOLD wings on his uniform, and his entire Company (Alpha, the worst for hazing back then) made sure he was going to pay for his bravado.

Several hours later, his Class A uniform destroyed from his lowcrawling around the Quad and the Hand to Hand pit, he was dragged back into the Company area, to await whatever fate he might have had.

Not a terribly bad uniform violation, but the reaction to it was spectacular, and sticks in my memory to this day.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 1:29 PM

2016-01-18T13:29:39-05:00

While in OCS, I was changing in the barracks with fellow candidates prior to a dress uniform inspection leading up to our Dining Out. As one candidate put on his coat, I was momentarily paralyzed in prior-service horror. This candidate, an 09S, took his uniform to be tailored at a random, non-military type tailor. Rather than remove the enlisted shoulder loops from the coat (we were converting enlisted uniforms to officer) and sew on the hooks for officer's rank, they had simply taken some thread and looped it through the felt on the rank boards and around the shoulder loops. Think of it like a 2LT tassel if you will. I guess he didn't bother cross-referencing DA PAM 670-1, or asking a buddy to square him away beforehand. Needless to say he never made it through OCS and commissioned so you can save the 2LT jokes for another occasion.

Response by Sgt George Boston made Jan 18 at 2016 2:32 PM

2016-01-18T14:32:17-05:00

I used to wear a suede jacket when I did preflight inspection, we had to crawl up the tailpipes of out Jet trainers (T-33) and I kept wearing out the elbows of my field jackets. All was fine till a SMS saw me in it, he told my Sgt. that if he saw me in it again, he would make me eat it. I didn't wear it any more !

Response by Sgt Tom Lewis made Jan 18 at 2016 4:07 PM

2016-01-18T16:07:43-05:00

Shirts not tucked in! Yes I hate the new sloppy excuses they call uniforms

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 4:44 PM

2016-01-18T16:44:42-05:00

I saw a PFC who had made ersatz lieutenant's bars from the foil on sticks of Wrigley's gum, taped them to his hat and collar, and then marched around a rail head giving orders to the soldiers who were preparing armored vehicles for transport. That and a few other things marked him as not long for military service...

Response by MAJ Chuck Chapman made Jan 18 at 2016 5:54 PM

2016-01-18T17:54:34-05:00

Not the strangest but once had to discretely correct an 0-6 that had transposed her US ARMY and NAME Tape ACU velcro. She was appreciative of the discrete correction from a retired Soldier.

Response by MAJ Chuck Chapman made Jan 18 at 2016 6:05 PM

2016-01-18T18:05:56-05:00

Another "uniform" tale. Was up at Fort Drum training the Guard and our new 101st DIVARTY Commander was checking in on training. I reported to him and while he was returning my salute he told me my Cannons were on the wrong collar. Without dropping a beat I told him mine were correct but he might want to check his own first. That made him look at his brass. He blinked I did not. His brass was on the correct side but he told me I was the first to ever "challenge" him on that game that he played with Lieutenants. We got along just fine after that. COL Fred Stubbs a senior officer with a sense of humor.

Response by PO2 Loren Gilmore made Jan 18 at 2016 6:58 PM

2016-01-18T18:58:25-05:00

While going to school in Pensacola Florida for Aerospace Medicine we were being inspected by a very portly LCDR. He was dressed in his summer whites and nailing everyone in the class for Irish Pennants. When he approached me I had to ask him how his breakfast was cause you could see it on his dress white blouse. He stated it was very good as he handed me a hit for my hair and smiled as he moved down the line. I took the hit and everyone in the class had a gut busting laugh at the end of the formation. It was worth it. =)

Response by SSG Edan Martinez made Jan 18 at 2016 7:11 PM

2016-01-18T19:11:49-05:00

We had a class A inspection and this specialist, a mechanic ,decided to wear a pair of female class A shoes, this soldier went the hole day like that and no one saw it but me, he said he put on his wife shoes by accident, that's how ate up was my chain of command

Response by SSG Timothy Lanham made Jan 18 at 2016 10:12 PM

2016-01-18T22:12:11-05:00

a guy folded his beret to the left, put the patch over his right eye and saluted an officer with his left hand. The guy did not even realize he was being saluted wrong

Response by SFC Michael Palmer made Jan 19 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-01-19T09:29:46-05:00

The most AWKWARD one was several years ago. We had a young female Soldier who was very "boyish looking" (sorry, don't know how else to put it); I'm talking no feminine curves or even visible breasts while in uniform. Her hair was cut short, just over the ears and partway down the neck (this was before the Army changed the female hairstyle regs a couple years ago).
Anyone else see where this is going?
A few of us Senior NCOs were in the hall in the Reserve Center and she was posted at the doors to check IDs and admit people. A Sergeant Major from another unit came in and began to berate her for "his" (meaning her) no-go haircut. I was about to pull him aside and tell him the deal when he turned to US and openly berated us in front of junior Soldiers for being "poor NCOs" because we "hadn't corrected this Soldier".
One of the other E-7s I was speaking to beat me to the punch and very loudly informed the CSM that the Soldier in question was actually a female Soldier...
...oh but to have a photo of that CSM's face...he stammered something under his breath and stomped off...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 9:57 AM

2016-01-19T09:57:13-05:00

Not strange, considering the offender, but funny and kinda sad. We had a 1LT in our unit that wore his Kevlar backwards all day during AT once. This same 1LT "lost" his convoy that same AT. He was in the lead vehicle and the 2nd truck back got hit by OPFOR ambush and he didn't notice, just kept driving. 5 minutes later BN is on the radio asking him where the hell his convoy was.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 10:18 AM

2016-01-19T10:18:51-05:00

When I was at RSP I had one of the "joes" come in with a lightning bolt bleached into the top of his hair.
I broke out my clippers and it was gone in 7 minutes. Some corrective training was in order after

Response by CSM Rik Williamson made Jan 19 at 2016 10:30 AM

2016-01-19T10:30:14-05:00

As and Senior NCOEs instructor (ANCOC), I conducted Class A inspections prior to graduation for each class. During one such inspection, my training partner called me down the hall to a students room. The candidates were all standing outside their doors in the hallway. I started checking the Soldier from the top down...didn't notice anything out of sorts until I looked down at his Corfram's...the NCO had on 2 left shoes!! Took me a moment to realize what he had done. This Soldier had packed his gear for school and left 2 right shoes at his home station. Since there was no time to get his shoes to him and our exchange didn't have his size...he had no choice but to graduate wearing what he had.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 1:12 PM

2016-01-19T13:12:49-05:00

Another dirtbag story: There was a POS SPC with our unit my last deployment. Dude was on the fatboy program, doing extra PT and still somehow managed to gain 32 pounds while deployed. He got sent home after his knee exploded from his massive fatness. A few weeks after he got home, he posted some pics on FB of a wedding he attended. He was wearing khaki dress pants, his Class A (green) Jacket and a black T-shirt. He had also been telling people that he was a "war hero" and blew out his knee jumping out of a blackhawk while doing a secret squirrel, special OPs, recon mission in Basrah.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 19 at 2016 1:34 PM

2016-01-19T13:34:19-05:00

Iraq 2003, Up near Tallil on Tampa, Marine directing traffic in cut off battle dress trousers, flip flops, in IBA with no shirt, and a bandana on instead of a K-pot. On spot correction-Yes, Find a Marine NCO- Yes. No more naked traffic directions.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 3:48 PM

2016-01-19T15:48:53-05:00

I have seen someone with a facial piercing while in uniform, that was years ago when I was still in high school.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 4:06 PM

2016-01-19T16:06:16-05:00

An ACU top (name tapes and rank included) with shorts and flip flops in a grocery store off post. I think I scared him after I pulled him aside to correct his obvious deficiency.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 4:17 PM

2016-01-19T16:17:19-05:00

I had an E-5 during a NWU inspection with two left boots... not even the same size.

Much time later I was doing a NSU inspection and noticed one of the cooks had on a blue NWU shirt with his black and tans rather then a white one. When I asked him about it he told me "that's how we wore them at my last command." I found myself speechless staring at him confused and angry. He ended up becoming good "friends" with the CMC.

Response by Matthew Pfeifer made Jan 19 at 2016 4:45 PM

2016-01-19T16:45:27-05:00

Saw a guy at Basic encampment for Civil Air Patrol wearing a Camo ball cap instead of a BDU cap.

Response by SSG Ken Eiland made Jan 19 at 2016 8:23 PM

2016-01-19T20:23:35-05:00

I saw a Msgt show up for PT formation in his underwear. Unbelievable

Response by MSgt Gerald White made Jan 19 at 2016 9:32 PM

2016-01-19T21:32:21-05:00

Walking down a Pentagon corridor one day; this Colonel was getting pre-briefed by a major with paper copies of the slide deck as they walked towards me and not really paying attention. Looked twice to realize the O-6 had his wings and nametag reversed so as we passed in the hallway I said "Sir, excuse me?" and tapped my wings; took him a second to figure it out and they were on their way, hopefully with a bathroom stop to fix things...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 8:41 AM

2016-01-20T08:41:13-05:00

During a deployment to Iraq, I was with the 14th CSH. At the time the Airborne tab was still authorized. I had an Infidel tab made and wore it instead to see how long before someone noticed. It was not noticed until a week before I was to rotate home. Of all the people to notice it was the BN CSM. After he questioned me about it and found out I had it on for 8 months he laughed, knowing he saw me at least once a week.

Response by SGM Bobby Meadows made Jan 20 at 2016 12:02 PM

2016-01-20T12:02:14-05:00

Navy person wearing a "rag" to cover her hair.

Response by MSgt James Leavelle made Jan 20 at 2016 12:18 PM

2016-01-20T12:18:24-05:00

In Basic Training and after receiving our Initial Uniform Issue, a member of our brother flight was called to the "Snake Pit" during chow. It seems said member had his boots on the wrong feet. You can imagine some of the questions fired at this airman By the TI's about the improperly donned boots. His response, "I thought they felt kinda different."

Response by SGT Zachariah Monasmith made Jan 20 at 2016 12:47 PM

2016-01-20T12:47:34-05:00

When I was in Iraq, our unit lived in rooms together with people on different schedules so the lights where always off in our room. One of my buddies, I will call PVT Snuffy, got up in the morning for a PT test and got dress in his winter PT uniform. Well on the two mile run he kept his PT Jacket on and after he started he took it off. Well he ended up putting his PT shirt on backwards that morning. PVT Snuffy was the fastest runner in our unit. One of his quirks though is he completely zoned out when running. A bunch of us behind him could see his shirt on backwards but could not catch him to tell him. Of course that day our Coronal and Sergeant Major were out running also. It was like watching a car crash right in front of me as PVT Snuffy ran right past them. Their heads turned and the SM just took off after him. Unfortunately he ran so fast the SM could not catch him and was freaking out and yelling but PVT Snuffy just kept on going and never even heard anything. PVT Snuffy turned around at the half way point and ran right back at the SM. I had lost sight of him at this point but I came around a turn with about half a mile left in the run to find PVT Snuffy doing pushups with his shirt now corrected and the SM just freaking out on him and our Coronal just standing there laughing about the situation. As most of us passed them one of our Sergeants stopped and told the SM that PVT Snuffy was in the middle of a PT test. As soon as SM let PVT Snuffy go he blasted off and passed everyone taking the PT and still ended up finishing ahead of everyone. Our Sergeant Major came by after to let my Platoon Sargent know in case the situation affected his score. Of course PVT Snuffy had maxed his run time despite being stopped. Our squad leader after that made PVT Snuffy teach a safety class to everyone on how to get dressed in the dark.

Response by MSgt Steve Dawson made Jan 20 at 2016 6:04 PM

2016-01-20T18:04:11-05:00

In 1976 I was at Travis at the Security Checkpoint (metal detector). In comes Pvt with Metal Of Honor. Like even an E2 like me knew there were no E1's with MOH. Lets just say he did not make his flight.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 7:46 PM

2016-01-20T19:46:50-05:00

Wives wearing their husbands rank and expecting us to salute!

Response by LTC Bill Price made Jan 20 at 2016 11:32 PM

2016-01-20T23:32:05-05:00

At my ROTC Summer Camp at Fort Sill,OK, in 1968, the TAC officers and NCOs drilled it into us that we must be uniform in EVERYTHING we did. We were never gigged for uniform violations as long as every other man in the unit was also in violation.

When we went to the ranges for weapons qualifications, we took our pup tents and lived primitively with privies, propellant canisters for urinals and field shower points. I was the squad leader when we got the word to go to the shower point, and I knew that whatever we took to the showers would just be in the way; so, I set the uniform for showers as: Skivvies, T-shirt, boots w/o socks and unlaced, towel over the left arm, soap in the left hand, and steel pot without liner on our heads. Calling cadence in my loudest parade field voice I marched my squad smartly past the TAC officers/NCOs! For some of them, I think that may have been the first time they had laughed in weeks, and they all busted a gut. Later, I got a quiet, "Well done!" from the Captain.

Response by SPC Kendall Veach made Jan 21 at 2016 4:54 AM

2016-01-21T04:54:05-05:00

So on pass during basic we had gotten some novelty name tapes from the PX. About 3 days later a combat life savers class a pfc walks by 1st sgt wearing his PC with a name tape that said McLoven. That wasn't said pfc's name so 1st sgt proceed to smoke him for the rest of the foreseeable future

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 6:10 AM

2016-01-21T06:10:35-05:00

My husband and I have both had someone flip our chevrons over, and LCpl chevrons, when flipped, look vaguely like Navy HM ranks. His shop now calls him HM3 Devin, and I was Doc for a few days.

We also had a guy in the schoolhouse report drunk for duty with black tennis shoes instead of coroframs (?), no belt, hole in his trousers, no tie clip, and his cover on backwards. The Sgt ripped him a new asshole.

Response by A1C William Puckett made Jan 21 at 2016 1:54 PM

2016-01-21T13:54:29-05:00

My supervisor showed up to work in BDU's and dress shoes.

Response by Col Mike Labeau made Jan 21 at 2016 1:59 PM

2016-01-21T13:59:28-05:00

See attached Photo

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 3:38 PM

2016-01-21T15:38:38-05:00

I was attending BCT at Fort Knox back in 1999. We had a bunch of High school ROTC cadets taking a tour one day. We were in our formation spitting out everything we had to recite before we could enter the chow hall when one of my DI's came over and asked me to remove my gear and top and to go inside and watch him from the window. The DI put my stuff on and got in formation looking like a PVT Smith. Just as he gets in formation the group of a hundred or so ROTC cadets come around the corner. The other three DI's then go to inspect the other DI dressed as me and inform him his boots are jacked up. The DI shouts out a rant of words that I will not type on here and tells them to basically go f themselves. The other DI's jerk him out of formation and proceed to act like they are beating the life out of him. The ROTC cadets are in shock and are quickly led out by thier command. As the cadets leave all the DI's start laughing and say there is about a 100 idiots we won't have to deal with next year.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 6:10 AM

2016-01-22T06:10:22-05:00

When I was an A1C, I saw a Capt in BDUs with blues flight cap and polished blues dress shoes.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Jan 22 at 2016 12:11 PM

2016-01-22T12:11:32-05:00

Kind of going with What LTC Tongret wrote about him mistakingly wearing his BC''s Cap.
I was a Marine attending Army BNCOC in Fort Sill. The mess hall where we were billeted also served the Army Recruits who were in processing. One of the turds couldnt find his cap and when I went to grab some more coffee he took my cover instead. I got his Drill Sergeant and we stood there and let the dirtball swear up and down it was his cap and he had it on the table he was at the entire time. I then pointed out he Marine Corps Emplem and the fact it was 8 sided. Needless to say his Drill Sergeant marked him as lying thief.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Jan 22 at 2016 12:22 PM

2016-01-22T12:22:45-05:00

Something I saw more than once,,, We would have Marines try to get away with Wearing a Short Sleeve Shirt with a Necktie under their Blouse when there was a Service A Inspection. The shirts are the Same color but the Short Sleeve doesnt have a top Button and the collar is meant to lie flat. They would try to cinch it closed with the necktie. It looked okay,, at about 100 yards.

Response by SSG Karl Fowler made Jan 22 at 2016 5:42 PM

2016-01-22T17:42:11-05:00

We were having an in ranks insp.by our battalion commander inside our Hanger, it was very quiet while he insp.the indiv.soldiers.All of a sudden we hear him laughing his but off .the insp.ended right there. The 1st sgt pointed out one of our soldiers was wearing 2 right hand dress shoes at that point the formation fell apart

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Jan 25 at 2016 4:26 AM

2016-01-25T04:26:43-05:00

Ted Williams when he was in Korea wore a Red Sox cap instead of his dungaree cap and seldom wore his rank on his dungarees. He also preferred spending his free time with the enlisted talking about hitting. Ted Williams was also a very good pilot.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 1:33 PM

2016-01-25T13:33:42-05:00

My platoon was doing Marine corps Martial Arts training one day and our blouses were staged against a wall, as a joke I took my buddies blouse and turned his rank upside down on his collar (he was a lance corporal) he walked around for the rest of the day with upside down rank. Everyone else in the platoon knew it too. He even went to the chow hall like that and not once was he corrected. I was so disappointed.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 1:54 PM

2016-01-25T13:54:56-05:00

Saw a kid who spilled dip spit on his pt shirt so changed to a sand tee for a 0400 formation hoping nobody would see him since it would still be dark... What he forgot about was the fact that we had ball park lights on outside and he was also 6'5" so he stood out like a giraffe in a dog show.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 10:45 AM

2016-01-28T10:45:38-05:00

Random question about the OPs photo for this thread - Someone in the USAF correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't "at attention" when you stand with keeping the heels together, toes apart? I'm trying to figure out what position the Airmen are standing at in that photo?

Response by Lt Col Robert Canfield made Jan 28 at 2016 12:52 PM

2016-01-28T12:52:36-05:00

My wife and I were attending an AF Dining Out. We were in our blue mess dress and I noticed that one of her mini-medals was missing the silver medallion that hangs at the bottom of the ribbon. Not wanting to "get noticed" and have to take a trip to the Grog bowl for a uniform violation, we found some duct tape, and a nickel (which is about the same diameter as the actual medallion), and made a "suitable substitution repair". Nobody noticed her "uniform variation". If we were detected, we had a backup plan to make a case for using "ingenuity and adaptation in an austere operating environment".

Response by SGT Catherine Talento made Jan 28 at 2016 6:31 PM

2016-01-28T18:31:40-05:00

PT- standing in a battalion formation wondering what the heck I was staring at. It took a few minutes to realize that the Army logo should not be in LT's ass and he had his PT shorts on backwards.

Response by SSG Nathaniel Bendel made Jan 31 at 2016 11:14 PM

2016-01-31T23:14:05-05:00

I once saw a soldier who had used a sharpie to color the soles of his boots black. I have no idea why. It still puzzles me to think about it.

Response by SGT Robert Wagner made Feb 4 at 2016 3:59 PM

2016-02-04T15:59:39-05:00

Did have this brand new from OSUT PFC, showed up to formation with his boots on the wrong feet... after a good laugh we were able to ask how he didn't notice?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2016 3:21 AM

2016-02-08T03:21:05-05:00

During an ASU inspection shortly after we had given up the greens, I had a soldier who didn't have a tie. Normally this would mean a last minute shopping trip, but we didn't have time. Everyone put their heads together, and we came up with a plan. The look on our PSGs face was incredulous when we told him that he had inspected this soldier up and down, but did not notice that he had been wearing the belt to his black trenchcoat as a tie ALL DAY. Even funnier, the 1SG noticed, but agreed not to say anything to see how long my guy could pull it off.

Response by SMSgt Todd Grebel made Feb 12 at 2016 11:22 AM

2016-02-12T11:22:54-05:00

As an instructor at Keesler AFB, I was inspecting students prior to a graduation at tech school. A couple of students had come to me prior to say they couldn't stand the smell of on individual. During the inspection I found that the individual in question (a member of the student honor guard) smelled like a onion wrapped in a sweat sock. Something caught my eye and I lifted the back of his collar to find the his blues shirt had a green tinge. Come to find out the he had never washed his shirt and just kept ironing it. The green hue was also evident near the arm pits. Needless to say, he didn't graduate that day.

Response by SGT Terry Smothermon made Feb 13 at 2016 8:52 AM

2016-02-13T08:52:58-05:00

Not sure if it was the SGM's son (16 y.o.) who decided one Saturday he would show up dressed in dad's uniform (minus a belt, boots bloused wrong, cap wrong and sleeves rolled down in summer). Made his way to the duty area where two SGT's were changing shifts. (I was the incoming NCO.) This young 'SGM' decided that he would start pulling his rank. Once we started in on him, he decided to let us know he was only joking. We decided to let him know that his dad was on the way. SGM decided that, since his son wanted to be in the Army, he could start by learning what "extra duty" was. He decided that maybe he shouldn't do that again.
It is either that or the guy who just made PFC and thought, since he hadn't sewed his rank or unit patches on most of his uniforms, that candle wax would hold them on for the locker inspection. Didn't.

Response by SGT James Crowe made Feb 15 at 2016 10:06 PM

2016-02-15T22:06:44-05:00

In 1969 I was a sp6 in charge of Tech supply for the 116th Ord. We provided maint support for the 2 platoons of M551 Sheridan assault vehicles. when ever they were in the field for training we had to send a contac team ( 2 men and their equipment in a 1&1/4 ton truck ) the shop sgt was out drunk as usual when the team came in for chow. It was windy, raining, and 40 degrees and the junior team member ( a sp4 ) was in the first stages of hypothermia, lips blue , uncontrolled shivering, barely able to talk. I told him to take a hot shower and change to clean dry clothe before he went back out every thing he owned was soaking wet and cold; I sent him to take the hot shower and told him I would get dry clothes for him. I ended up giving him a complete set of my.own clothes, complete with sp6 insignia. He didn't want to wear them because he thought he'd get in trouble The moral is he made it through the weekend without catching cold but got caught wearing the wrong rank. I told the 1st sergeant that I ordered him to wear them so he was off the hook. I was written up for giving orders to some one not in my supply group and for telling him it was ok to wear the wrong rank. I got article 15 and fined a months pay. Needless to say when my enlistment was up 4 months later and they wanted me to reup my answer was no.

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Feb 16 at 2016 10:17 AM

2016-02-16T10:17:48-05:00

I as long retired from the Corps and was going through the city that is Atlanta Airport.... I was on one of the moving sidewalks going one way and about half mile away coming toward me on the other moving sidewalk I spied a young Marine in his green Alpha's with his seabag over his shoulder. I figured he must have just got off a long flight... but there was no excuse for his blouse and collar to be unbuttoned, belt hanging and tie loose. I yelled, "Better square your ass away!", scaring the people around me. But the Marine looked like God had struck him. He dropped his bag and was squared away in about 10 seconds. He looked straight ahead the rest of the time he approached and passed. The guy in front of me turned to me and smiled and said..'uh.. how?.. never mind.".

Response by TSgt Terry Crihfield made Feb 18 at 2016 8:44 PM

2016-02-18T20:44:48-05:00

One of my squadron commanders came in one day with everything reversed...name tag on left, ribbons and supply badge on the right...he was appalled when I pointed it out...

Response by TSgt Terry Crihfield made Feb 18 at 2016 8:46 PM

2016-02-18T20:46:05-05:00

Our squadron commander came in one morning with his name tag on the left and his ribbons on the right along with his supply badge, when I gracefully pointed it out he was appalled...I guess he dressed himself in the mirror.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 2 at 2016 9:38 PM

2016-03-02T21:38:16-05:00

SMSgt Tony Barnes 1953. Soldier, Saturday AM inspection; OD uniform, Ike jacket, and ARGYLE socks.

Response by SGT Robert Cupp made Mar 3 at 2016 1:00 AM

2016-03-03T01:00:01-05:00

We had a guy show up to pt one morning wearing the long sleeve shirt instead of the short sleeve shirt. Instead of just dealing with being in the wrong uniform for pt he went to his car and cut the sleeves off with a knife which made him look twice as dicked up.

Response by SPC(P) Mark Newman made Jul 22 at 2016 1:20 AM

2016-07-22T01:20:48-04:00

I know my fellow vets don't find humor in it so I'm sorry: The "stolen valor" guys' uniform attempts are freaking hillarious. I saw a 22 year old "marine" (small m for this genius) E-8 with officer dress pants and multiples of awards, that is, two silver star ribbons side by side, I can't remember everything because I was trying not to give him the attention he apparently craved so I tried not to stare. At first I thought it was a Marine who made a mistake but it was SO messed up I know I did a couple double takes. Some of these guys are nuts; what I would do; E-2 rank, no unnecessary patches, buy or Google the AR SOP for uniform, get a REAL buzz cut. Then if you did mess up, you just say in a voice that cracks like an adolescent, "Oh, man, thank you, sir. My drill sergeant would kill me if he had seen that!"

Response by MSgt J D McKee made Jul 28 at 2016 12:53 PM

2016-07-28T12:53:20-04:00

This one isn't really a uniform violation, I guess, but sort of, and the sort of dumbassery that just begs to be talked about. Ellsworth AFB, and I was working as an E5 in Security in the mid-70's. Times were hard, Jimmy Carter (2nd worst president ever, now, but the worst at the time) was in office, pay was just shit. I think I was making about 600 a month as an E5 with 4 or 5 years in. One of the members of my Flight (E4 Sgt, I think) decided he's had enough not being able to feed his large family, and robbed a convenience store. Wearing his snorkle parka with the hood zipped all the way up, he got about $80.00. Then he turned around, and the clerk memorized the Squadron number stencilled on the back of the parka. Parka's were high theft items at the time and each squadron put an abbreviation and a number by which they were issued to individuals soothes could be tracked if stolen. So his said something like "SP 1234" on the back, it was tracked, and he disappeared from the USAF community....don't really know what happened to him but he got jail time I assume. But actually, he was in uniform, he'd just got off a mid shift. He did at least use his own gun, a .38 Llama as I remember.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 16 at 2016 4:55 PM

2016-12-16T16:55:32-05:00

The strangest was when I was off duty and away from any military post...I see this young man at the grocery store who was such a soup sandwich that my head nearly exploded. He was so messed up that it actually caused me to pause? Hair, uniform, boots...everything? I knew how much my wife...at the time...hated when I made on the spot correction but what was I to do? The young man was so messed and so young, I started to think JrROTC? Naval Sea Cadets? Even those para-military organizations have standards? BUT, he was even wearing camouflage face paint? Just as I was ready to confront the young man, I realized another person working checking groceries was dressed as a CLOWN? Important note to self, do not be too quick to make corrections on the last day of October.

Response by PO1 Robert Chalmers made Jan 9 at 2017 1:14 PM

2017-01-09T13:14:48-05:00

Not so much a uniform violation, but back in the days of the OD green fatigues, when we wore unit crests on our covers, the 210th Field Artillery Brigade unit crests bore a slight resemblance to a 2nd lieutenants gold bar, especially in low-light conditions. I don't know how many times I saluted a SP4, or even a PFC, by accident!

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Jan 9 at 2017 1:15 PM

2017-01-09T13:15:11-05:00

A Captain in the AF wearing enlisted flight wings instead of his officer flight wings and a Major wearing his blues instead of full mess dress for the formal Leadership School graduation.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 9 at 2017 1:41 PM

2017-01-09T13:41:56-05:00

Interesting picture, white gloves ? Also at attention the feet should be at a 45 degree angle, What manual did that come out of ?

Response by SPC Justin Foster made Jan 9 at 2017 2:27 PM

2017-01-09T14:27:03-05:00

At NTC in 2010, we got "attacked" in the middle of the night. Of course this woke me and the rest of tent city up, and we were all sleeping in our PT's. Lots of us ended up outside "fighting" while wearing summer PT's, IBA's, LBV's, eyepro, and helmets.

Response by MSgt J D McKee made Jan 9 at 2017 3:15 PM

2017-01-09T15:15:35-05:00

You should have seen it when the USAF Security Police got berets. 75% of everyone got it, probably from watching Green Beret movies or something. The rest looked like anything from a chef to a fucking mushroom. And half of those, didn't cut the strings off the back and left them hanging down. Particularly bad were those trying to hide more hair than authorized.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Jan 9 at 2017 3:33 PM

2017-01-09T15:33:50-05:00

I once seen a male obviously over weight....wearing a maternity top...I suspect he thought it was a top for big people.....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2017 6:05 PM

2017-01-09T18:05:22-05:00

I had a soldier show up for PT with his Tan T-Shirt on instead of his PT Shirt because he said he didn't have any clean ones.

Response by LT Leonard Fahrni made Jan 9 at 2017 6:54 PM

2017-01-09T18:54:16-05:00

I have three.
1) Navy 0-4 who bought USMC collar devices (yep, they are different)
2) A recently promoted Army E-7 who showed up for drill weekend with her new chevrons sewed on upside down.
and the winner is ...
3) We got a new weather guesser in our Navy reserve unit - they made him a Ltjg but couldn't get him to knife and fork school for a while so we tried to help out. His web belt was too long, he said, so my advice was to cut a little off the end. Trying to get your gig line correct when the end you cut off had the brass piece was a bit of a challenge.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jan 10 at 2017 2:57 AM

2017-01-10T02:57:12-05:00

Herb Caen the infamous SF Chronicle reporter for 'forever' during whichever anniversary of D-Day reported that as an Army reporter (Pvt) driving his Maj. around the area, that they were more in danger from American troops than from the Germans, his Major was one of those 'leg' officers who bought Jump Boots, they were looking out for paratroopers more than Germans

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Jan 10 at 2017 6:57 AM

2017-01-10T06:57:36-05:00

A male Soldier wearing an earring at the PX while in uniform. This was in APG. I was in ANCOC and he was in AIT. Made him take it off after almost losing my mind.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2017 9:19 AM

2017-01-10T09:19:43-05:00

In 1998, a Mentally delusional E4 Specialist frocked himself to E5. Squad leader asked me to give a lawful order to take off the rank. Specialist refused. Sworn statement done. Soldier taken to VA hospital. Soldier was known to talk to himself.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jan 10 at 2017 5:54 PM

2017-01-10T17:54:51-05:00

while it's raining out here, "An Umbrella, that's why the Army invented hats!, or are you some kind of atheist that doesn't believe in the Army?"

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 6:07 PM

2017-01-11T18:07:50-05:00

I joined the Army Reserve after discharge from the AF (later went back on AD), anyway, I got a slot as the Race Relations/Equal Opportunity NCO and had to attend school at Patrick AFB, FL. On the first day, we were told to look at the student across from you and write down your first impression, and then put the piece of paper in your wallet. The individual across from me was a Major, and his uniform looked like he slept in it. I wrote my note stating how horrible he looked and about the bad example he set for the younger students in class and then forgot about it. About 10 days into the course, the instructors said, remember that note about your first impression, you will now stand in front of that person and read it to him. Talk about an embarrassing and awkward moment. The same was done to me which taught me a lesson. Some times people will see you in a very different light of how you see yourself.

Response by SSG Joseph LeBel made Jan 12 at 2017 7:07 PM

2017-01-12T19:07:46-05:00

this is the best uniform violation.. for over 3 years we got away with a black hat with a big red 1097th River Raider patch in the 193rd Inf Bde.. never was authorized and the command never challenged it..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 1:55 PM

2017-05-09T13:55:59-04:00

During a training exercise on Fort Hunter Liger, one of our soldier decided to have too much to drink, the barracks building look identical and you could barely see the building number. So he walk into the Officers Barracks and when into what appear to be his bed… next morning 4 LT bring a mattress and in between the mattress cover and the Matters was the missing soldier we were looking all night long trap… The SGM and the LTC have a big smile… 5 min later the call formation. 2 soldier holding the matters with the soldier inside…….LOL

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Aug 1 at 2017 7:06 PM

2017-08-01T19:06:29-04:00

Oh lord, the tales I can tell. One of the best ones concern medical officers and their' penchant for wearing their' uniform racks upside down. LMAO

Response by SGT James Murphy made Aug 2 at 2017 6:12 PM

2017-08-02T18:12:11-04:00

Almost Every Movie made by Hollywood about the Military!

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Aug 2 at 2017 8:31 PM

2017-08-02T20:31:37-04:00

I have three stories, but I suppose none are too egregious. The first, just to get it out of the way, was me during the first week in my first unit after AIT. This was shortly after berets were issued to everyone, and after receiving mine I was given a picture as an example and told to shave & shape it before formation the next day.

So, I spent a couple hours that night shaving, shaping, checking it in the mirror, and re-shaping it until I was satisfied. Next morning, my Team Leader looks over at me with a quizzical look. Turns out that, in the mirror, the ridge of the beret was on the correct side. When viewed in person, though, I had it backwards.

Fast-forward about two years to shortly after I made Specialist and had the Squad's two brand-new Soldiers assigned under me. One morning, we found one of them still completely drunk before PT formation. My Squad Leader told us to get him dressed & to formation, then he'd take care of him in-house afterwards.
With the clock ticking, we were so focused on convincing him that his pillow case wasn't his PT shoes that we didn't notice his shirt was on backwards. We got him out front in the nick of time and thought we were in the clear... until 1SG, as he walked by, lightly pushed his finger in to said Soldier's chest and told him "You're shirt's on backwards!"
At that point, he promptly fell fell backwards and there was no hiding his state of inebriation... but that's a tale for another day.

Third one is probably the true "violation"... but under mitigating circumstances. Several times during my first deployment to Iraq we ended up at this little rinky-dink camp in the middle of nowhere. Quite regularly, the Iraqi's would fire mortars at us and then the Abrams crews would load up & try to chase them down.
One evening, the rounds came in right about dusk. After making sure everyone didn't have any new holes, we looked over to see the tank crews loading up... including one poor Soldier whose shower had been interrupted. He climbed in wearing nothing but a towel around his waist & a pair of flipflops as the hatch closed and the vehicle roared off towards the gate.

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Aug 4 at 2017 10:43 AM

2017-08-04T10:43:52-04:00

I saw a PFC staple his name tapes to his BDU's(this was back in the '80s), then went over the staples with a sharpie to simulate thread. An NCO caught him as he was heading to the company commander's office to ask why he hadn't been promoted to specialist yet.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Aug 4 at 2017 10:50 AM

2017-08-04T10:50:49-04:00

While serving as a PO2 at NavHosp New London, we got a new LTJG Division Officer for the Outpatient Division. Two weeks later - change of command. I think that it was the first time this LTJG had worn his dress whites. As I was doing a final check on my corpsmen (this was the early 70s, things were a little loosey-goosey then), the LTJG walked up - with his shoulder boards on backwards. Had to take him aside, fix him up, and have him ready in the next 5 minutes before everybody fell in. He bought some good booze for me after that!

Response by PO1 Robert Chalmers made Aug 10 at 2017 12:31 PM

2017-08-10T12:31:01-04:00

Not so much an actual uniform violation, but back in the days of OD green fatigues: My first assignment was to the 210th FA Brigade, at Herzo Base, West Germany. (The old timers will recall that we use to wear our unit crest on our fatigue caps.) The 210th FA Brigade unit crest primary consisted of a vertical brass cannon barrel, and unless you were paying attention, you wound up saluting some private that you thought was a 2nd Lieutenant. I was guilty of that a few times.

Response by CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr. made Aug 10 at 2017 7:34 PM

2017-08-10T19:34:34-04:00

Why are their toes together??? Very unstable and I was taught "toes apart at a 45 degree angle." AF??????

Response by SGT Dan Howard made Jul 3 at 2018 9:32 PM

2018-07-03T21:32:46-04:00

My complete platoon in only socks and boots, 100% naturally naked, with only smiles on their faces!

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2018 5:15 PM

2018-08-08T17:15:47-04:00

Had a pfc at the time correct a SFC on not wearing eye pro at the range. Interesting day.

Response by SGT Richard Crampton made Aug 8 at 2018 8:43 PM

2018-08-08T20:43:01-04:00

Originally drafted in 72 - 12 years in - Airborne Infantry 11C, E-5, EIB, Air Mobile Badge (predecessor to the Air Assault Badge, 4 AAMS, NCO ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon, etc.
Re-enlisted to change MOS to 12B, back thru OSUT at Ft. Leonard Wood, with reduction in rank to E-4. Kept my uniform completely slick thru OSUT - DIs knew I was prior service, but they weren't very good - not a one of them ever asked - and I was 30 years old, in with all those kids!
Graduation day I pinned EVERYTHING on my greens!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 6:31 PM

2018-08-09T18:31:37-04:00

One day I saw a male soldier in my company wearing a female cut acu top. When I confronted him about how dicked up he was he told me it was his girlfriend's old uniform top that she gave him. He also kinda blew me off about it. But needless to say I never saw him wearing it again.

Response by SR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 6:32 PM

2018-08-09T18:32:24-04:00

In A School, if you kept a dirty room and failed a room inspection, you were made to stand by at a predetermined location in the appropriate dress uniform. It being Dress Whites season, I foresaw someone messing it up, and lo and behold I was correct. One sailor showed up in pink underwear, clearly visible through his white trousers, one had attempted to iron the collar of his jumper... while wearing it, and had burned himself pretty severely. The inspectors reactions were pretty priceless.

Response by 1stSgt Terry Dotson made Aug 9 at 2018 9:30 PM

2018-08-09T21:30:24-04:00

SP functional badge with bird poop on it.

Response by SPC Ryan May made Aug 9 at 2018 11:36 PM

2018-08-09T23:36:29-04:00

A privat wearing pfc ranks with a metal dot in center.. Upon asking what rank was he told me LT. capt. 2nd class.... Lol..

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 1:46 AM

2018-08-10T01:46:44-04:00

A PV2 wore his blue chord in his ASUs and also a 42a HR crest instead of his crossrifles.

Response by Cpl Nick Gnesa made Aug 10 at 2018 7:32 PM

2018-08-10T19:32:41-04:00

Met a Marine PFC at the 7 day store in his alphas. With a Charlie shirt and his Bravo's tie....

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 10:08 PM

2018-08-10T22:08:19-04:00

Once had a Marine show up in pink Cammies. Apparently his wife had washed his deserts with red towels or something. All I know is they sent him home and he got paperwork for lookin like a flamingo.

Response by Cpl Homer Davidson made Aug 10 at 2018 10:55 PM

2018-08-10T22:55:44-04:00

When I was in if you where in uniform you had to hide. Marine corp 1969 to 1975 they do not have my mos any more. MOS 2511 field wiremen.

Response by SSG Patrick Kerr made Aug 10 at 2018 11:30 PM

2018-08-10T23:30:33-04:00

I was the uniform violation. While in the 25th ID I went to Thailand for Cobra Gold (1995). I was a young PFC and my tops had gotten damaged from something, forgot what happened. Anyway, there was a live fire I was going to observe with several senior NCO's. I had no top so a tabbed out SSG with a Combat patch and all types of badges gave me a top to wear. So there was Kerr pup, walking around with a PFC cover, and SSG Hall BDU top. It was a strange time to be alive...

Response by SGT Stephen Schoenberg made Aug 12 at 2018 12:59 AM

2018-08-12T00:59:05-04:00

We were on an FTX in Ft. Sill during a very very cold January. I had to drive the FDO's HMMWV, this guy was a bad ass and would not allow us to use the doors, even in January. I was told to grab another specialist and go to the rear and swap out 2 of our 970 channel FM radios for upgraded systems that had the Vincent encode/decode device. It was a 40 mile drive each way in 15 degree weather. We made it about 10 miles and stopped to add layers. All we had was MOPP gear. We hated MOPP gear, but today it was our friend. We made it to the rear area, we jumped out of the HMMWV and noticed Privates scrambling to get out MOPP gear. These rear guys were supposed to do everything that Joe does out in the field, so they all assumed we were in MOPP level 4. We swapped the radios and said nothing. Before we left the entire rear was in MOPP 4 and didn't know why. When we got back to the TOC they all seen us get out and started laughing, letting us know that there were a bunch of pissed off Colonels and Generals that didn't think it was funny.

Response by Jordan Chitwood made Aug 12 at 2018 4:06 PM

2018-08-12T16:06:18-04:00

A few weeks after boot camp while in Navy A-school I was walking from my room to the small NEX that was a couple blocks away. I was wearing my NWUs at the time and I made it through two checkpoints and walked next to three divisions doing PT. Everything seemed normal until a car screeched to a halt next to me on the road and a senior chief got out asking me what the hell was wrong with me. It turns out I had walked the entire way without my cover and I had never noticed. Unfortunately for the checkpoint they hadn’t noticed either so the chief gave me a break but he ruined everyone’s day at both checkpoints for not calling me out. That was the first time I ever watched some literally sweep a grass field for 3 hours.

Response by LCpl Keenan Roberson made Aug 12 at 2018 6:33 PM

2018-08-12T18:33:54-04:00

So kind of a funny on I was stationed on Dyess AFB in Abilene TX. Me and a couple other marines were headed to the chow hall. We ran into a Captain whose cover was slightly sideways to the left the bill of his cover was turned up his boots were not bloused nor were they tied. We saluted him and he goes and I Quote “ what’s up Marine brothers nice day to say fuck it all, Yes? At ease don’t salute I’m not in your chain of command he’ll im not even a marine... he bows said consider that my salute” his cover falls off he ignores it fell off walks to his car starts it drives over his cover and peels out. Leaving us there looking dumb founded

Response by Lt Col George Roll made Aug 12 at 2018 9:19 PM

2018-08-12T21:19:02-04:00

At Keesler AFB I spoke to a Lt. Who had come to the Aero Club during his lunch hour. He was wearing USAF Pilots Wings, with the center shield smoothed out. I asked him what they were for. He informed me he wad washed out of Pilot Training so had " demiliterized" the wings (he had not earned) so thought he could wear them on his AF Uniform. We had a private discussion during which I explained he was not to wear unearned or civilianized devices on his uniform.
I asked why he washed out of Pilot Training. He informed me it wasn't his flying skills it was for poor judgment skills. I guess they got that right.

Response by CPT Larry Goad made Aug 12 at 2018 10:15 PM

2018-08-12T22:15:20-04:00

Klinger on MASH.

Response by 1LT Peter Duston made Aug 12 at 2018 10:56 PM

2018-08-12T22:56:02-04:00

How about driving through the gate at Fort Devens way back in ‘70’s dressed in Russian uniform with a Red Star Hammer and Sickle Badge on my fuzzy cap and getting a salute as I was waved through. I even had a Russian rifle on the back seat. I was in uniform so didn’t have to show an ID. I was attached as a reservist to the 10th Spdcial Forces as their Russian linguist and was teaching a class on survival Russian as they had a classified Russian mission. Oh my! Shades of today!!!

Response by TSgt Lindsey Vadasz made Aug 13 at 2018 12:22 AM

2018-08-13T00:22:56-04:00

At our base in Korea, nyone in uniform was required to wear a reflective belt during hours of darkness. A friend and I went to the food court during daylight but it got dark while we were out and of course we didn’t have our belts. All we had to do was walk up a hill on a sidewalk to get back to work so we went at risk of being hit by a car but leadership was cracking down on people not wearing the belts so we decided to err on the side of caution and get new belts. They were about $20. We already had a few and definitely didn’t need another but I decided to bite the cost in lieu of being reamed out. My friend decided $20 was too steep and bought a $1 roll of yellow party streamers and tied some around his waist. A couple people looked at us funny but I don’t think anyone could place what was off. We made it back to work, him $19 richer than me. To this day I regret not using his streamers too.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 1:51 AM

2018-08-13T01:51:06-04:00

A guy in my unit came to the range with a bandaid on his nose that was very clearly covering a nose piercing.

Response by SFC Timothy Murphy made Aug 13 at 2018 9:20 PM

2018-08-13T21:20:38-04:00

Once served with a CSM that bought the wrong rank at pd and succeed in wearing Marine corps commandates rank until he retired

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 10:04 PM

2018-08-13T22:04:25-04:00

Regs are so out of touch this day and age in the army back when my dad was in the army in the 90s you had to be squared away to the tee. So it's not uncommon to see 670-1 violations

Response by Michael Snyder made Aug 14 at 2018 12:44 AM

2018-08-14T00:44:19-04:00

White glove missing.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 14 at 2018 10:29 AM

2018-08-14T10:29:55-04:00

wearing the uniform backwards and the hat backwards.

Response by SPC Scott Dickenson made Aug 14 at 2018 4:44 PM

2018-08-14T16:44:30-04:00

When I was stationed at Ft Huachuca in the 90’s, a suspicious box was delivered the the CG’s office next door to us. We were evacuated immediately without opportunity to grab our head gear. No long after, an NCO unaware about the possible bomb threat chewed a few of our butts for not wearing headgear. When we directed him to the Major we worked for, he still didn’t believe our story. That guy was a complete tool!

Response by SP5 Dan D made Aug 14 at 2018 8:13 PM

2018-08-14T20:13:35-04:00

When I ETS from the Army , I wore white socks, one Tanker Boot and one Jump boot. My Tanker Black beret and my Class A jacket with BDU pants. It was meant to be a a joke for the SFC out processing me whom I knew. My problem was a bird Colonel Saw me first!

Response by SGT Hubert Burchartz made Aug 15 at 2018 12:40 AM

2018-08-15T00:40:04-04:00

A Sgt and I (I’m an E-5 too) are taking a PFC from our unit to another kaserne to be a witness for a trial. We get there and it’s around lunchtime. We want to eat in the NCO mess hall, but we have a PFC with us, so as we had pin on rank we replace his PFC rank for SGT rank. All during the time in the mess hall he was sweating balls whenever any senior NCO happened to glance over. Got away with it too, much to the PFC’s discomfort.

Response by SGT Bill Hayes made Aug 15 at 2018 12:49 PM

2018-08-15T12:49:05-04:00

Shoe laces hanging out of boots. Belt buckle not in proper placement (gig line).

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2018 12:23 AM

2018-08-17T00:23:48-04:00

There was a PV2 in our unit who colored in a circle in the middle of his rank and we believed he was a cadet for almost half a year

Response by FA Robert Frank made Aug 18 at 2018 4:44 AM

2018-08-18T04:44:32-04:00

Tool bag wo4e Army ribbons on his Cracker Jacks

Response by SGT Vic Granados made Aug 18 at 2018 8:38 PM

2018-08-18T20:38:57-04:00

Timlands with PT uniform.

Response by LCpl Zac Michel made Aug 19 at 2018 1:40 AM

2018-08-19T01:40:45-04:00

Not so much funny but i was once handed my backside by a first sgt for not saluting a female Lt. As she entered the PX. However i politely pointed out that she was wearing field chevrons (we were currently on base) and having never meet her all i saw were blackish bars and not looking closely had simply not be able to see her rank (we were in desert camies) as he was about to hand me my other cheek the same Lt. Came out of the PX I turned and saluted and the first sgt kept going for about 30 more seconds before he realized what was happening she had gotten on him for saluting and i calmly did an about face and got back to the barracks quick as all hell.

Response by CPO Richard Weir made Aug 20 at 2018 5:46 AM

2018-08-20T05:46:01-04:00

I was sent to Virginia to train with the USMC at camp upser, I was issued BDU’s for travel this was a first for the USCG, as I sit waiting for my plane at Chicago a navy captain walked up to me and ask, “ what are you?”

Response by MSG Alison Klein made Feb 15 at 2019 10:32 AM

2019-02-15T10:32:14-05:00

I was in a chemical unit with a weird unit patch. Said patch when worn correctly was supposed to look like chemical droplets falling. I had sewn on my patches upside down and they looked like sperm swimming upward.

Response by SSG Leo Curtis made Feb 17 at 2019 10:12 PM

2019-02-17T22:12:35-05:00

Back in 1987 I was the cc driver we were headed the the range when we got there the Cpt. told me to stay in the car and he took my head gear by mistake. I only found out because I watch him walk pass a few troops and as he did he was dressing them down then he return to the car.

Response by LCDR William Breyfogle made Feb 19 at 2019 10:14 PM

2019-02-19T22:14:45-05:00

After 17 years enlisted, I was commissioned as an LDO and sent to "knife and fork school" to learn how not to act like a Chief Petty Officer anymore. Since there weren't enough LDOs to fill out a class, we few Mustangs were put into a class full of newly commissioned doctors and nurses. The Marine Gunnery Sergeant who led our class installed three LDOs as "squad leaders" to mentor the young medics on things like drill, military lore, and uniform regulations. One of our youngest -- and most clueless -- classmates was a Pakistani male nurse. I was told by the Gunny to make him my special project for an upcoming uniform inspection "Aftab" never did get the concept of uniforms. We were supposed to get inspected in khakis. Aftab, however, decided to top off the standard khakis with (i am NOT making this up!) a boat cloak (sort of like a cape you'd wear to the opera) and a FEMALE cap. The Gunny looked at Aftab, looked at me, and facepalmed himself. "We'll talk later," he said. We did.

Response by CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner made Mar 25 at 2019 7:37 PM

2019-03-25T19:37:17-04:00

While an instructor at Ft. Huachuca, a student (CPT) showed up for a Class A uniform inspection in shower shoes!! When challenged, she said she forgot her shoes. Clothing Sales was literally right across the street!
Another student (also a CPT) showed up with white socks on. He forgot socks!
These are 2 of 10 massive uniform failures during the inspection. I began my Ethics block of instruction by stating the CPTs were a bunch of hypocrites, because they would burn a PVT or SPC for doing the same!

Response by LTC Jerold Kaplan made May 14 at 2019 4:11 PM

2019-05-14T16:11:50-04:00

On my first day of active duty, as a Major MC, on staff of the Burn Center at Ft Sam Houston, I had studied the officer's
manual and had all my insignia in place to the nearest 1/64 inch. Pressed and dressed I was proudly walking in front of the Academy of Health Sciences when a Sgt with a sleeve full of hash marks saluted me. I sharply saluted back, but as he passed me he said " Good morning Sir, excuse me Sir, your hat's on backwards Sir". I had missed the part in the manual that said that the insignia should be in front of the cap. I'm sure i was a source of amusement at the NCO club that night!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Jul 17 at 2019 8:19 PM

2019-07-17T20:19:46-04:00

SMSgt Tony Barnes How is this for uniform continuity?
The only person in proper uniform is our Corpsman.LOL

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Jul 18 at 2019 8:13 AM

2019-07-18T08:13:28-04:00

Love these!

Response by SFC John Queen made Oct 10 at 2019 12:32 AM

2019-10-10T00:32:45-04:00

There was a duel military couple that deployed to Iraq with my Troop's support battalion. Being married they shared his last name. Anyway, several months into the deployment, she was needed for something and couldn't be found. They went her husband and he didn't know where she was either. An hour or so later she came scrambling up to th 1SG with another Soldier (male). It was then that everyone noticed she was wearing his top and he was wearing hers.

Response by SPC Greg Campbell made Oct 10 at 2019 11:14 AM

2019-10-10T11:14:55-04:00

xo and I used to grab each others steel pots. mine would drop down to his shoulders like Dark Helmet

Response by SPC Jacob Viano made Oct 10 at 2019 12:14 PM

2019-10-10T12:14:35-04:00

My squad leader Sgt Coronell (which is Spanish for colonel) had a camo band custom embroidered that said “El Coronell” in reaction to mine that said “Doc Viano”. We both had fun and a few good laughs until big daddy E-7 ix-Nayed them.

Response by MSgt John Klenk made Oct 10 at 2019 7:34 PM

2019-10-10T19:34:49-04:00

During a blues inspection, I had a troop who was about to ETS. So this troop what at attention, the commander and exec do their walk through inspecting the uniforms, and all was well, then upon walking thru inspecting the backs, this troop was overweight and had going a few pounds since his last blues inspection, the female captain noticed something odd and lifted the back of his jacket and saw nothing but butt crack, he was only able to get the pants half way up his butt. She put the jacket back down and completed the inspection. This was unknown to me until we were dismissed and my name and my troops name was called, when I reported with said troop she began chewing on him and myself, she was so mad her eyes were pointing different directions, once I quit looks at the eyes and started listening, I realized what was being said, she raised his jacket and displayed said full moon, my first response, I started laughing, well this did not go well for either of us, so both of us was able to have our own dress blues inspection..

Response by SSG David Stafne made Oct 10 at 2019 9:29 PM

2019-10-10T21:29:15-04:00

In 1984 I was en route from Panama to Detroit to attend my Regimental Reunion. During the flight I was reading Time Magazine that had an Army General wearing a Steel Pit on the cover; first I noticed his camouflage cover on his helmet was on backwards then thumbing through the article I found 5 more gigs on the General’s uniform. My BM CSM was also on the flight so I gave him the magazine and asked him to check out the General’s uniform; he ID’d the same 6 uniform violations! As an SGT, I wondered how a General could make so many mistakes; my CSM wondered how his Staff allowed so many mistakes. What an embarrassment!

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Oct 10 at 2019 11:04 PM

2019-10-10T23:04:21-04:00

When I was a young PFC in the National Guard I was a bit of a smart ass (I still am) and I found some CSM rank. I cut the top two stripes and bottom two rockers off and put them on my BDU’s and wore them to drill. I got some funny looks from some people One Specialist asked what rank I was so I told him it was a new rank Command Private Major. I almost got away with it but the First Sergeant caught me just as drill was ending. My ass chewing was not as severe as it could have been because I had just joined and hadn’t been to basic yet. And thus I learned that it’s not a good training event if you don’t get at good ass chewing

Response by SSgt Larry Melby made Oct 12 at 2019 11:38 PM

2019-10-12T23:38:32-04:00

Back when we had colorful hats in the AF, my guard unit was tasked to provide telephone service for 8 weeks at the old Wendover AAF. My supervisor who was a full time technician was going to have to spend the entire 8 weeks up there. But since his wife was due to give birth I volunteered to spend 6 weeks out there in the desert. Anyway I was wearing a black Lone Star Beer hat. Told anyone who asked it was our unit hat. I also had a partially torn Achilles tendon and was wearing a pair of brown Red Wing Boots on a medical waiver. Good times

Response by Jerry Rivas made Oct 14 at 2019 6:46 AM

2019-10-14T06:46:44-04:00

My mom sewed my SPC4 stripes on upside down.......She just assumed they went point up.....I didnt notice. My CO and 1st sgt did.....Lord but they laughed.

Response by SSG Raymond Thomson made Apr 25 at 2020 7:48 PM

2020-04-25T19:48:19-04:00

It was not a uniform violation per se. AS I was walking toward the PX, a Lt Col that I knew was coming out. After we paseed one another, I took about 3 more steps and froze. Something was not right. It took me a few moments to realize that the Col had saluted me with his left hand. He told me, later, that he had broken his hand rough-housing with his son.

Response by Capt Sally Morgan made Apr 27 at 2020 10:12 AM

2020-04-27T10:12:18-04:00

In the 80s the USAF hired MDs depending on experience they could come in as O5. New guy shows up with no rank on his hat, fabric shoulder marks backwards, and his own civilian blue pants. His excuse was His weren't hemmed yet.

Response by SA Michael Moore made Aug 17 at 2020 7:15 PM

2020-08-17T19:15:41-04:00

Non-military-- in 1963 I worked for a small engineering company in Los Angeles. We did DoD work and had Wackenhut guards. I frequently worked late and would get a can of chili out of the vending machine and eat with our guard at hus desk in the lobby. An older gentleman but very interesting man. He made his rounds every hour and clocked in at the various fire check stations our building. As he walked away, I saw something I thought I recognized, so I asked him if he would please show me his revolver, ostensibly a .38. He reluctantly unholstered it and handed it to me-it was a Hop-Along - Cassidy Cap pistol like then I had owned not too many years before. Wackenhut supplied his uniform but he had to supply his own pistol but couldn't t afford one. (We were probably all safer with him disarmed!)

Response by SSG Jeff Furgerson made Aug 17 at 2020 9:14 PM

2020-08-17T21:14:31-04:00

Where we do we begin?

Response by SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee made Aug 18 at 2020 12:49 PM

2020-08-18T12:49:38-04:00

If a commanding officer instructed, why not.

However, I was thinking about about what to do with the mission at hand that I did not realized I didn't have a hat on to the formation.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 3:10 PM

2020-08-18T15:10:38-04:00

I was a 43 y/o 1LT Company CO. They called me Pawpaw. My readiness NCO thought it would be funny to swap out the rank on my PC and field jacket with LTC rank. At lunch I grabbed my coat and hat and walked to the PX and didn't notice until a couple of Majors saluted me. Fortunately, at 43, I was old enough and looked it to be an LTC so I was able to pull it off and make it back to the Company area unscathed.

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 18 at 2020 6:34 PM

2020-08-18T18:34:15-04:00

Naval Academy Plebe Summer
"Water Works Batman"
Grey Navy Sweats with Blue Speedo outside the sweatpants, Cape from the rain gear, Blue Knit cap, White Dress gloves, White watch belt, Sweat pants tucked into black dress socks and black Corfam Boondockers with white shoe laces.

YOU"VE GOT 8 MINUTES PLEBES!!! GO!!!!!!

Response by SFC Bill Kurtz made Aug 25 at 2021 1:56 PM

2021-08-25T13:56:13-04:00

I was assigned to ANCOC Ft Gordon and I’d run into many troops with their BDU cap roll crimped at the top. Using their rank pin to make the roll. I also carried a notepad with the chapter and verse Of AR670-1 to quote to them. Had a pissy 2lt try and dress me down, until a bird colonel came up behind him and just ate his lunch.