When wearing the dress blues, do I have to wear the Stacies that came with them?

SPC Alejandro Martinez — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 10:52:58 -0400

When wearing the dress blues, do I HAVE TO wear the Stacies that came with them? This is for a religious function. Mine tore at the seams and I refuse to wear shiny black shoes that flop. Can I wear just plain black dress shoes, even if they don't shine? I took them to a cobbler but he wasn't skilled enough to save them. Should I...

Response by SPC Paul C. made Jul 2 at 2017 11:51 AM

SPC Paul C. — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 11:51:24 -0400

I just updated my uniform recently and bought a new pair of shoes and it made a big difference. Plus when I wear the uniform, its not just about me anymore. I represent the US Army, and I want to get everything right and wear the uniform proudly. People will notice your attention to detail, and you will look sharp.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 2 at 2017 1:09 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 13:09:10 -0400

In 670-1 you will see what is deemed compliant for material and type of uniform. This is in more detail in a 672 series reg. Commercial equivalents are listed by attributes.y

If you are just trying to get something in a hurry, go to an Army surplus store and buy a pair of regular low quarters. Shine them up nice and wear those. You will be compliant.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Jul 2 at 2017 2:14 PM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 14:14:59 -0400

Look there is always going to be a cheaper way... but to be compliant ... look sharp and to have something that last awhile... go back to clothing and sales and get your self the right gear... you'll thank me and the others when your 1sg and or commander isn't on you about them... plus you'll be right when it's time to go to any type of board

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 4 at 2017 11:59 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:59:47 -0400

So I'm guessing you're in the Reserve Component. You'll need regulation or regulation-compliant shoes. They probably won't have them in an ordinary shoe store. Recommend you go to a clothing sales store and buy a pair of shoes, but understand there may not be an AAFES or NEX nearby. If that isn't practical and you have a few days, go to AAFES on line and order a pair. Failing all that, wear something else to the event.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2017 1:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 13:50:25 -0400

As mentioned, you can wear other shoes with the ASUs so long as they are in compliance. However, I seen no incentive, unless you are a long way from the nearest PX/BX/NEX/MCES/surplus store, to waste money buying commercially available shoes when you KNOW your COC will give you a hard time about it, even if they are fully in compliance with 670-1. I'd go out and get the proper shoes.

For future planning, if your low quarters become scuffed up and you buy new ones, keep the old ones. I keep a really nice pair for important functions like boards and thinks of that sort. The older pair--a bit scuffed and worn but still serviceable-- are what I wear for things like formals and non-official occasions to reduce the wear on my good ones...and I have a backup for the instances like yours.

Good luck!

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jul 6 at 2017 7:24 AM

SFC Stephen Carden — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 07:24:33 -0400

This is exactly what your clothing allowance is for. Go buy the right shoes at MCS. Otherwise, you're easy pickings for some NCO like me to do a PLF in your 4th point of contact. Why is this even a question? Save yourself the time and money, because when a good NCO sees you in non-reg footwear, he is just going to make you go buy the right ones anyway.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Oct 13 at 2017 3:10 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 15:10:26 -0400

For a Reservists or Guardsman/woman it may not be practical to buy issued shoes from Clothing Sales, several companies make black leather shoes that fall in the guidelines published in 670-1 that are a whole lot more comfortable then trying to do online/mail order.

Response by SGT Luis San Roman Jr made Oct 27 at 2017 6:35 PM

SGT Luis San Roman Jr — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 18:35:43 -0400

Its not like most NCO's wear the dreaa blues properly anyways. Clearly states that once a sokdier achieves the rank of a Non-Commissioned Officer the beret will be replaced with the Captians hat but show NCO'c do that? If leaders cannot follow simple uniform regulations such as that other uniform deficiencies will clearly be overlooked and be complained about when brought up. The Army is not one of standards anymore, it has become one of convenience.

Response by CPL Donald McKenna made Oct 27 at 2017 7:08 PM

CPL Donald McKenna — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 19:08:08 -0400

I've been out for ten years. WTH are "Stacies"?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2017 7:09 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 19:09:56 -0400

A wise old 1SG once told me that the only thing on that uniform that really belongs to you is 1" x 3" x 1/8" nameplate. The rest belongs to the Army and it's history. Listen to the 1SG that responded already. If you're going to wear it, wear it correctly and look like a sharp, professional Soldier.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 27 at 2017 8:22 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:22:16 -0400

You will need shoes that meet regulation next time you have to wear uniform so get a pair that that meets the reg.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2017 10:27 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 10:27:48 -0400

If I catch u without proper shoes I'd write you up. In dress u inform you take pride in it. No you can wear any old dress shoes. They have to be the kind that are issued. There are plenty companies that make them. Go to supply or cif or go spend the 50 bucks & get the correct footwear.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2018 5:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 05:47:15 -0500

This is why I tell my Soldiers, and do myself; ALWAYS have your dress uniform ready to go. I can go to my closet right now and pull out my ASUs for a last minute need. This seems to be a lost art these days.
In short: NO. You wear, at minimum what is issued and 670-1 Compliant. Myself and many like me would call you out in a heartbeat for non-regulation footwear. You’re either right or your not-there’s no in-between.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2018 5:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 05:50:44 -0500

While we are on uniforms: your profile pic shows you wearing your uniform and the Service Cap. By 670-1, you’re not authorized the Service Cap unless CPL or above. The only exception to this that I’m aware of is the 3rd Army ‘Old Guard’ ceremonial uniforms.

Response by SPC(P) Justin Bergquist made Feb 23 at 2019 4:12 AM

SPC(P) Justin Bergquist — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 04:12:07 -0500

The blues are not about you they are about the army, the ribbons and awards is what makes it unique to you.

In other news that's my BN from many years ago 3 ID, DHHB I'm the in that far formation. Just odd scrolling and seeing a random photo that not only I know but am part of

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2019 1:36 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 13:36:11 -0400

there are a few companies that make shoes for military dress uniforms. you can go get any 1 of these shoes & wear with your uniform. now as a soldier our leading thing is adapting to a given situation. if you go to a suit & shoe store that carries a wide variety of dress outfits & find a set of shoes that match the dress uniform standard the go for it, its your money. but they should be within regulation.

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Jul 29 at 2019 3:45 PM

PO1 Michael G. — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 15:45:16 -0400

I know this is old, but for anyone else who may have seen this pop up on FB...

Before I joined the Navy, I sold men's dress clothes and shoes for six years, and I found that a pretty high percentage (75% or more) of men dont know their sizes, for either clothes or shoes. A big part of this is the variation between brands, the difference between casual, sport, and dress wear, as well as ignorance regarding proper fit.

Related to shoes, I found a number of men wore the wrong size shoe for one or two reasons: 1) they sized shoes the way mom did when they were a kid, but checking the amount of room in the toe and/or 2) they needed a wider shoe, but instead of getting a 10W, for example, they went up in overall size to a 10.5 or 11.

Ultimately, poor fitting shoes will wear out in the wrong places, and cause shoes to fall apart early because of it. And this is all before things like long-term shoe care, which is another thing people are pretty bad at.

Response by SFC David Xanten made Jul 29 at 2019 9:56 PM

SFC David Xanten — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 21:56:56 -0400

You need at least one pair of regulation black dress shoes. Suck it up and buy them.

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Jul 30 at 2019 3:02 AM

Cpl Rc Layne — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 03:02:22 -0400

Spit shine

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Jul 30 at 2019 2:51 PM

SFC Francisco Rosario — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 14:51:44 -0400

If you are going to wear the uniform, then wear it the right way. Dont alter it based on your own ideas. You represent the service at all times. Wear it right and be proud of it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 5:26 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 17:26:02 -0400

If you read the regulation any black oxford dress shoes without designs are authorized.