Posted on Jun 16, 2021
When is it "ok" for soldiers to deblouse while in garrison?
109K
1.04K
347
180
180
0
Having been at Ft Bliss (dry heat) and now being at Ft Riley (Very humid heat) when is it acceptable for soldiers to modify the uniform? We are hitting heat cat 3 & 4 every day now and there's many solders (including my wife's unit) who work outside all day every day right under the sun which is tough. Up until recently there has been no issue with them (this specific unit is a UAS platoon so they're on an air strip for hours) taking off their tops due to the extreme heat. Recently they were told "Army policy says you're allowed to roll sleeves not take off tops so no more taking them off." Knowing a bit about how regs work there is no "Army policy" but rather a regulation that leaves it up to the local commander to decide (which is usually overruled by crusty grumpy 1SG's for no reason at all).
So my question is, because I can't find supporting regs to try and help out, when is it acceptable for soldiers to remove tops? Is it just never? Is it a local call from someone willing to take the heat round because at the end of the day as NCOs we are responsible for the welfare of our soldiers?
I am somewhat hoping a medical person will chime in with the heat index recommendations or something along those lines but overall I'm curious on your thoughts.
So my question is, because I can't find supporting regs to try and help out, when is it acceptable for soldiers to remove tops? Is it just never? Is it a local call from someone willing to take the heat round because at the end of the day as NCOs we are responsible for the welfare of our soldiers?
I am somewhat hoping a medical person will chime in with the heat index recommendations or something along those lines but overall I'm curious on your thoughts.
Fort Riley
Uniforms
NCOs
Army Regulations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 198
1
1
0
If there are any 68S (preventative medicine), they can use their wet bulb to determine the heat category. If it’s over 90 degrees and the Soldiers are working hard, they are supposed to work for 10 minutes and then rest for 50 minutes. You can look up heat categories to see the work rest cycle. When it’s hot outside there should be a work rest cycle established. When I was a PFC we used to downgrade to our tan T-shirts in the motorpool, until our SGM gave us an ass chewing for it one day. She explained that no where in the heat category charts did it say you can take off your jacket. I’ve been sunburned to the point where I regretted taking off my jacket. I’ll never willingly work outside with it off again. I’m always telling Soldiers to put their jackets back on. Hopefully their leadership is being mindful of heat casualty symptoms too.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Even in the 70's at Bragg I allowed the removal of shirts as long as they wore a servicable T if the heat index was over 100. Never got called on it cept once by a new 2nd. Lt.--ask him if he wanted to work along side of the men as a leader -- he declined.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Quick tip, I used to burn more than anyone with my pale Scottish skin, requiring spf 100 to avoid it, however since stopping the consumption of high pufa seed oils, canola oil, soybean oil, vegetable oils, etc, I've never burned again. I've known quite a few others in the same boat. So a change in diet might be helpful for working in the sun. Rule of thumb is any fat or oils that existed in the food supply before 1900 are safe for example, olive, avacado, coconut, even lard, tallow, and suet.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I am all for tops being rolled up and tied at the waist, but keep I on remember your example teaches others, and sweat means you should dose yourself with cold H2O, so wear a dark color top!
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
It was like 78 here the other day, and I saw a National Guard LMTV driving around town. The driver had no blouse on. Poor little guy must have been hot.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Oh, for a second I thought you said “delouse.” My answer would be, after sleeping bays in austere environments.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I have nothing to add except I'm at Riley and I second that it's hot as hell here. Its been over 100 degrees or close all week.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
I worked outside at Ft. Huachuca, Ft. Gordon, Ft. Lee, etc. ('92-01) and we totally relied upon our NCO (platoon leader), sometimes a lieutenant or the company commander, to instruct us to change our uniform depending on the heat. First, it was usually deblousing pants, then sleeves up, then remove blouses. The local 'doctrine' or principle was that "if everyone did the same thing, it was acceptable".
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Suggestion: Come to Houston, Texas during the summer heat and humidity and observe the Lawn Maintenance Crews working throughout the city and suburbs. You will never see them "taking off their top shirts". Most of them wear long sleeve shirts (not rolled up) and face masks with large hats to protect them from the sun... Troops "thinking" that working in the extreme heat in T-shirts is best, are wrong! Though it may seem counterintuitive, pants and long-sleeved shirts are preferable to shorts and t-shirts in very hot environments. This is because long pants and long sleeves keep more skin out of direct sunlight, which helps avoid absorbing heat through radiation.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
When I was in we would unblouse our boots and take top off. It just felt like the top was just to heavy. Never got sunburn, but of course I still don't burn unless I stay out in it all day under the sun.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google