Posted on Jun 16, 2021
When is it "ok" for soldiers to deblouse while in garrison?
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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
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I can’t speak of Army regulations but as a broke down old “crusty” old flight line Master Sergeant with very close ties to my Irish ancestors, I am somewhat of an expert on getting sunburned. Your blouse with sleeves down will provide a considerable amount of protection from the desert sun
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MSgt Bruce Hutchinson
I have found that environments with higher humidity sleeves up or even un-bloused is acceptable
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As officer or Civilian Supervisor I never let regulations get in the way of my personnel's welfare. If it was a problem with them. I do know that there are some guidelines/regulations as far as working civilians in the intemperate weather. It was at one point back in the 70's put out by Medical Personnel. Had to pull during a reserve tour in Camp McCoy back in the middle seventies. Do not know if they were ever taken out of the guidelines or not hopefully some of the recent Medical can help with that.
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I guess one way is to go ahead and do it until told not to and then say you won't do it anymore. A person would go crazy trying to comply with every regulation and no one could possibly know all of them.
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Trying to remember from my first days in the military but I don't think there is any regulation that covers this subject . It is something that is left up to the commander when troops are on details. There is or was something that restricted troops being outside during certain temperatures but I can't recall what that temp. was or is. I really don't think that it is allowable under regulation to remove the top portion of your uniform when outside, only at commanders discretion.
If you find a regulation that covers this subject please post it on this site for all to see. Thanks.
If you find a regulation that covers this subject please post it on this site for all to see. Thanks.
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Keep your coat on, son. You never know what situation will occur where you have to beat feet for cover. Being uncomfortable is a part of life, so get used to it. And you NEVER deblouse your trousers. That's a very bad idea. Trouser bloucing was adapted for a reason. You don't want some venomous creepycrawley climbing up your pants to feats on your 'nards, do you?
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As a retired SSG if my squad is working out doors an temperature is high with no shade my squad will remove their top and if its a problem I will take the heat.
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Check AR 670-1.
I haven't read it in a white but health and safety issues (heat) are involved. I think alternate uniform options are in there. I was not allowed to wear a uniform much of the time when I was on duty and MI and SF jobs (which wasn't me) have latitude as well. Other jobs probably but I'm not going to talk out of my blow hole.
I haven't read it in a white but health and safety issues (heat) are involved. I think alternate uniform options are in there. I was not allowed to wear a uniform much of the time when I was on duty and MI and SF jobs (which wasn't me) have latitude as well. Other jobs probably but I'm not going to talk out of my blow hole.
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SSG Michael Davis
In my case, my MOS was under SOFA governance when I was overseas, so sometimes even the AR does not hold up.
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I have worked both ways in long sleeved fatigues and in a tee shirt. The only difference I noticed was a few more of the troops recently from a colder area passed out in long sleeve fatigues. My Dad was from Texas and served a 6 year hitch at Ft Bliss. He always wore long sleeves and a hat outside and only ever had sun damage on the backs of his hands. so there are compensations for long sleeves. If it's really bad and you've got plenty of water in the flight line truck dump a cup or two of water down the back of your collar and soak your tee shirt. You will be cooler and if anyone ask just suggest you have sweated thru.
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While I was is it was up to the 1SG or senior NCO in charge, and unless overruled by the officers in charge it was OK to take of shirts when needed. Regulations allow for this, but common sense should prevail
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