What would you do if you saw a Soldier enter a strip club in partial uniform?

2014-06-16T12:04:58-04:00

A little while ago my girlfriend was driving home around 5pm on a Tuesday and saw something I found utterly ridiculous. When she got home she told me she witnessed a Soldier in the parking lot of a strip club take off his ACU uniform top, put it in the trunk of his BMW and head into the club. I was completely dumbfounded and ranted incoherently for several minutes about professionalism and disgracing the uniform. My question is, other than performing duty on the Courtesy Patrol (which is full uniform and brassard), what business does any Soldier have entering a strip club IN PARTIAL UNIFORM? What is the appropriate response if you saw this? I didn't witness it myself and have no idea why that Soldier was there in the first place but is there any reason at all why this might be acceptable?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 12:09 PM

2014-06-16T12:09:04-04:00

CPT Johnson,

Looks like this Soldier was trying to be "anonymous" and instead of changing clothes, went the expedient way.
If I saw it in time to safely, and with decorum, confront the Soldier I would, but I would not do so in a manner that would only make it escalate. Calm, sincere question of, "What are you doing?" followed by, "Who are you and what unit are you from?" should take care of the issue.

Jkp

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Jun 16 at 2014 12:23 PM

2014-06-16T12:23:42-04:00

Sir,

I concur with LTC P thoughts on this, as that is the politically correct way, however if you may allow me to say what you really wanted to do and say:

1. "Hey soldier, what the blank..blank...blank are you doing in this establishment?"
2. What is your name slimebag...blank...blank..blank?!
3. "Are you a recruiter or something...blank..blank..blank"
4. Of course I'll let your imagination run on the "blank, blank" part!

Now back to reality....maybe he lost his wallet there for some strange reason he went back to see if it was still there? who knows what the reason was...without direct eyes on target..what do you do? Just my .02

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 16 at 2014 12:37 PM

2014-06-16T12:37:47-04:00

Bad #1) There is only one uniform that is authorized to be worn in partial pieces/mixed with civilian clothing, and that is the PT uniform. So first off he is out of uniform.

Bad #2) He is entering an establishment that is expressly prohibited in reg from him entering in uniform of any kind.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 3:35 PM

2014-06-16T15:35:00-04:00

I think the right thing to do is to approach the individual Soldier. Identify yourself; ask for his name and his unit. Inform him that he is out of uniform and that it’s more appropriate to change into civilian attire before entering these types of establishment. There is no need for escalation or demeaning that individual Soldier. Use it as a moment for couching and mentoring.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 7:34 PM

2014-06-16T19:34:04-04:00

Spouse/Family member died or seriously injured inside? That would be the only semi-acceptable circumstance I could see. That circumstance would not call for removing the top though. That screams I know Im wrong, but im doing it anyway.

Aside from that no reason at all. A better question is who is in that big of a hurry to go to the club after or during work. I would confront the soldier and also inquire about underlying circumstances for being so eager to go that you didn't have time to change. Alcohol problem? Prostitution? Confronting a spouse? Discontent with serving? Men are men sure, but that excited to see a topless person just doesn't add up for me.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 25 at 2014 9:04 PM

2014-06-25T21:04:02-04:00

Tell them they have to take it ALL off for things to be right.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 25 at 2014 11:19 PM

2014-06-25T23:19:39-04:00

Was it a male strip club? Maybe it was part of his act.

Response by SGT Wayne Woodward made Jun 26 at 2014 6:20 PM

2014-06-26T18:20:39-04:00

I would tell the idiot to get the hell out of that pig joint, report back to the barracks for tons of extra latrine duty! Foolish kids!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 5:11 PM

2014-06-30T17:11:44-04:00

Maybe he is married and they only have one car. Maybe he was on his way home and has to pick his wife up from work and thought that would be the best option?!?!?!

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Apr 27 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-04-27T14:15:27-04:00

I'm sorry I was trying to make money for gas...

Not sure what you have a issue with him being in uniform or not being in complete uniform?

Maybe correct his uniform and then let him proceed to pay for a woman to become a doctor?

Really though tell him to unf**k himself and drive on. It's sad when people have such little respect for themselves and their uniform that they can't at least have a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt in their BMW trunk to change into before they pay for that stuff. Those CPT's wives that work there should tell their husbands...ok that was the last joke.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 1:01 PM

2015-04-29T13:01:12-04:00

I would consider that this type of behavior is a sign of something deeper and psychological. We have seen there has been an increase in sexual misconduct to put it mildly and I believe there are many possible reasons for this noted increase; one of which being rarely identified issued of sex addiction. While the term is still not clearly defined, what it boils down to is when sex becomes such a consuming part of your life, in a variety of forms, too such a degree that it now affects your daily living; your priorities are skewed, your morals and beliefs are blurred, your work ethic and family commitments become less and less something of importance, and therefore the boundaries within these areas are no longer adhered to. Things such as this simple act, may have been a means to satisfy what he knew to be right and wrong; he may have figured that the consequences were no longer to be feared, or a multitude of distorted logical reasons for proceeding, as though wouldn't be identified. Bottom line, there is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to the sexual misconduct issues sweeping across our military and I believe it's time that we start looking for the cause, the solution, and a means to create a desire to change. The punishment or retirement makes no difference if we don't do what we can to change the person behind the act; to not coddle and excuse, but define and acknowledge what it is that we are up against. Change is possible, but it won't be quick and easy, and it will require a team effort; accountability and responsibility are key, as well as redefining our army values to ensure that the values are not intended to be legalistic and adhered to only during work hours, those values are meant to be the attributes that make us into the Soldiers of good character that we all once believed in and expect to see in others. Should we be annoyed by his lack of professionalism, yes, but we need to care more about being the leader that creates Soldiers who take pride in being the true professional that lays the foundation for us as leaders, mentors, and comrades.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 30 at 2015 1:26 PM

2015-04-30T13:26:50-04:00

How the heck can he afford a BMW? What post was this near?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-04-30T13:40:45-04:00

First of all if I was told this I would have immediately gotten in my vehicle and went up there and removed the Soldier from the establishment. It is know secret that Soldiers frequent these establishments but to do it in uniform is:

a) not within regulation
b) he violated uniform regulation
c) disrespected the uniform, the military and his unit
d) shall I continue cause this could go on and on....

Response by PO2 Douglas Mudge made Dec 18 at 2016 3:26 PM

2016-12-18T15:26:48-05:00

This is what our military has come to? Let's all be politically correct and not visit such establishments ??? Maybe he just got back from overseas and just wanted to see some boobs. Whats next, Bars that serve alcohol ??? get a grip.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Dec 19 at 2016 1:45 PM

2016-12-19T13:45:47-05:00

I would ask him if he's in the Military, and if he is, not to enter the club in any part of the uniform. Request to his ID and ask what Unit he's in...

Response by SSG George Holtje made Mar 3 at 2020 10:04 PM

2020-03-03T22:04:31-05:00

There are clear regulations about entering any drinking establishment in a uniform. We must maintain proper uniform in public.