Posted on Jun 29, 2016
Army Heeds Soldiers’ Pleas to Roll Up Their Sleeves
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RP Members in the Army or former Army Members - Good or Bad?
Is the Army the last Service Branch to authorize this now? Marines? Navy? Air Force? Coast Guard?
The U.S. Army authorized soldiers to roll up the sleeves on their combat uniforms in a memorandum issued late Tuesday that followed a 10-day sleeve-rolling trial at Fort Hood, Texas.
The decision, which is effective immediately, authorizes soldiers to roll up sleeves on their uniforms. It calls for Army service members to roll their sleeves in a way that leaves the camouflage pattern exposed.
“Personnel will roll sleeves neatly above the elbow but no more than 3 inches above the elbow,” the memorandum from Lt. Gen. James C. McConville said, also laying out other guidelines.
Members of the Army were allowed to roll up the sleeves on their combat fatigues before the service introduced a new uniform in the mid-2000s and disallowed the practice.
Is the Army the last Service Branch to authorize this now? Marines? Navy? Air Force? Coast Guard?
The U.S. Army authorized soldiers to roll up the sleeves on their combat uniforms in a memorandum issued late Tuesday that followed a 10-day sleeve-rolling trial at Fort Hood, Texas.
The decision, which is effective immediately, authorizes soldiers to roll up sleeves on their uniforms. It calls for Army service members to roll their sleeves in a way that leaves the camouflage pattern exposed.
“Personnel will roll sleeves neatly above the elbow but no more than 3 inches above the elbow,” the memorandum from Lt. Gen. James C. McConville said, also laying out other guidelines.
Members of the Army were allowed to roll up the sleeves on their combat fatigues before the service introduced a new uniform in the mid-2000s and disallowed the practice.
Army Heeds Soldiers’ Pleas to Roll Up Their Sleeves
Posted from blogs.wsj.com
Soldiers
Uniforms
Army Regulations
DA Pam 670-1
What Would You Do
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 18
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This is an excellent idea. The theory when the Army first came out with sleeve down at all times because we were "at war" or were an "expeditionary force" or whatever it was was a stupid move to begin with. Why the Army continually feels the need to make Soldiers uncomfortable in garrison is beyond me. Why can't guys getting dirty in the motor pool or on the flight line get to wear It's? All uniform decisions should be made at the Company level, preferably by a competent Commander. Events at Battalion or Brigade levels could also be dictated by competent commanders and Sergeants Major.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Where do you plan to find these competent individuals, sir? Unfortunately I was only half joking too...
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CW3 Matt Hutchason
SSgt (Join to see) - You ask me excellent, excellent question (obscure Iron Sheik reference). I feel your half joking. Commanders can be hit or miss. In 20 1/2 years in the USMC and Army, I'd say that I had a 70% success rate of having a competent commander, at all levels. The dumb ones, you just have to suffer through.
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CPT Derek Wren
As a pro commander of a transportation company I completely understand the need or want to either roll up your sleeves and or takeoff your top when you’re hitting 100° in the motor pool checking vehicles from sun up to sundown. I had a battalion commander that in my personal view chose competent commanders that allowed us to do as we saw fit. If and when we were in a battalion environment with our other companies, at that time the BC and or CSM would make the decision.
Starting as a E1 and having gone through everything the soldiers are doing, once I became a commander I totally understood and quite often join my troops and often times push them harder because I knew their job and what needed to be done and ultimately when I know you’re looking out for them they’re going to take care of you.
Starting as a E1 and having gone through everything the soldiers are doing, once I became a commander I totally understood and quite often join my troops and often times push them harder because I knew their job and what needed to be done and ultimately when I know you’re looking out for them they’re going to take care of you.
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That is interesting COL Mikel J. Burroughs. I remember being able to roll-up the sleeves on the OD green fatigues in the 1970s and the BDUs throughout the test of the 20th century.
It is interesting that it has taken this long to get the Army to authorize rolling up the more modern combat uniforms.
It is interesting that it has taken this long to get the Army to authorize rolling up the more modern combat uniforms.
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MSG Ron Radar
Luckily I got to miss the 2000's and some of the strange but true things they've done . These modern uniforms are much thicker and hotter to wear then the old OD fatigues and the BDU's and having those sleeves down all the time on these new ones seems more like Corporal punishment then common sense ! Glad they finally came to their senses on this matter . Life can be tough enough in the military without adding too it .
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CPL Jerry Galloway
90-96 we rolled our sleeves during the warm parts of the year. I would not want to be at FT. Bragg during the summer with sleeves down and not be in the field. Alot has changed since I last wore the uniform. God bless our young troops
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs - I think it is a great move by the army. Please take a look at my picture that was taken in 1966 when I was stationed in Thailand. We were allowed to take our long sleeve shirts and have them cut as short sleeve shirts and neatly roll them up.
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