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 remember my time in Korea, 75,76 we were allowed to be untucked at Camp Page and Camp Coburn, but while in the upper command areas shirts were tucked. But never removed.
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I w as a Food Service Sergeant in Guam during the refugee operation, "Operation New Life" in Guam. We had to cook in 120-130 degree heat. we drank gallons of water every day, and soaked each other down with a hose. We all took off our Fatigue shirts. We had a VIP coming, and our Commader told us to put on our shirts we didn't look military in only t-shirts. Our reply was sir if you want us to wer our shirts just sytand in the tent with us. you don't have to do anything but stand. The Colonel lasted all of 3-4 minutes before he said "Forget that Order", and left.
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I guess I missed the terminoloigy traing while I was on active service... I thought your poat on deblousing was about unblousing your boots! LOL As for taking your uniform top off... Attached photo shows me shirtless in Cambodia during the Vietnam conflict. I was a SFC (E-7) and did not see any problem with "deblousing"!
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When I was on active duty, we were informed if the heat index was going to be high. We were instructed on how much time soldiers were to out working in the heat before bring them into the shade and allowing them to hydrate. We were also instructed that while working, soldiers could if they wished remove their blouse. The blouse had to be worn when leaving the work area. In regards to rolling up the sleeves, some units I served in did not allow sleeves rolled up as a precaution against skin cancer.
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You have to remember that the tee shirt acts like ac when the wind blows to help cool down the body.
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Air Force 75 to 99.
We called it a shirt.
When we wore fatigues, we had a personal option to have the sleeves cut and hemmed above the elbow. With BDU's we rolled the sleeves up or down depending on if we were hot or cold.
We worked in t-shirts depending on the temperature.
Our leaders trusted us to dress appropriately.
We called it a shirt.
When we wore fatigues, we had a personal option to have the sleeves cut and hemmed above the elbow. With BDU's we rolled the sleeves up or down depending on if we were hot or cold.
We worked in t-shirts depending on the temperature.
Our leaders trusted us to dress appropriately.
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I have to remember I was discharged in 1992things are different very different. The rules and Regulations are Different now but you must remember Every stripe you get greater Grows your responsibility? As an old NCO they're Will come a time When you can't look for the US army to make a decision? You have to make it yourself and do what you feel is best don't ever be afraid of making the wrong decision your human
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SGT GATES This is not a complicated situation don't make it harder than it is you know exactly what you have To Do do it.
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