When is it "ok" for soldiers to deblouse while in garrison?

I've always been told that the commander sets the uniform, and as an NCO, "I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders." Sunblock is on every single packing list for my unit and I always keep plenty in my locker that was provided to me free of charge by our medics or the TMC.

Our uniforms are plastic and cotton, they get hot. Use your common sense and look out for your soldiers. Most people that would be mad weren't invited to the gun show anyways.

I am an ex Brigade Surgeon and have spent much time in the field (was also prior enlisted ). The number one priority of a good leader is to protect the health of your troops as in so doing you maintain combat efficiency. Sometimes it takes some interpretation of the regulations in their application. I remember being out in the field on an excercise over a hot holiday weekend and we didn’t have enough ice to keep drinking water cool and food maintained properly. I enquired and found out we got a certain ration for each person and the only way to increase the ration was if the Division Surgeon would authorize the increase. I got HQ clerk to type up a memo increasing the ration and since I was the highest ranking physician in the Division on duty over a holiday weekend, I signed it as acting Division Surgeon and we got the extra ice and the troops were made a little safer and more comfortable in the field. A leader needs to be wise and look at what is best for his command’s health, comfort and combat readiness. The goal isn’t to make pretty soldiers but effective ones. So having your outer shirt on, off or unbuttoned is a function of health and welfare what ever some nonsensical superior may say . There is always someone above him or her that has some sense

The Heat Bulb/ Heat index, is a combination of temps, humidity, and wind speed. It is usually tested and determined by a Sr. Medical Officer, then disseminated to all units on base. From there Commanders and staff can make determinations as to any alterations in training and/or uniform requirements. It is up to unit Commanders to make the call. Those Crusty Grumpy 1Sg's do not want to answer to command about heat injuries!

I'm a Marine so I don't care what soldiers do, but in the Corps you are permitted to remove your blouse to perform strenuous activity, including working out at the gym. That said, our definition of de-blousing refers to the trousers being untucked from the boot bands, which is not permitted.

I read most of the comments so far and I do see that Army regulations were mentioned a couple of times. One comment even came directly from a captain in the Army medical corps.

As for Marine Air Wing policy: we're normally either wearing flight suits, (for crew members), or coveralls for maintainers. To my memory, policy was pretty relaxed in favor of not overheating. So it was pretty much left up to the individual preference as long as we pulled our uniforms back on when leaving the hangar area and/or flight line. Similar policy for cammo utilities....in the air wing.

But as others have noted, keeping properly hydrated is CRITICAL.

Makes you wonder how the Union troops with wool uniforms did it in the deep South during the Civil War.

I know I am late in responding to this, but in my earlier Army days I was the unit safety NCO. Check out TB Med 507 ( Heat Stress Control and Heat Casualty Management.) (12 Apr 2020).

Also, your unit safety NCO/Officer should have all this information.

Hopes this helps.

Whenever the senior man present says so. Of course he/she must have the guts to defend his decision.

Should be a local NCO-level decision. No logical reason to go any higher.

I know from my years experience usually the MMCPO (Maintenance Master Chief Petty Officer) would allow to half mast our coveralls while on the flight line but as long as your t-shirt was in regulations. But on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier it was full on gear from cranial to float coat the only time any of the gear came off was going to chow to end of shift, but if was lucky we usually could take float coats off during a long lull in fight ops. Now night check never took the float off unless off deck.