wearing ASUs for a border patrol board interview, is it ok?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:20:58 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 11:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:21:58 -0400

Simply put. NO

Response by SSG Roderick Smith made Mar 10 at 2014 11:31 PM

SSG Roderick Smith — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:31:06 -0400

Yeah... no. It won't get you any extra brownie points. They hire enough veterans; you don't need to punch them in the face with it. They aren't looking to hire you based on what you look like in your ASUs, so save yourself the trouble. Wear something more appropriate, like a suit. Have you been in touch with a recruiter yet?

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 1:11 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 01:11:48 -0400

Your resume and a reference should make it clear you were/are in the military.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Mar 12 at 2014 4:16 AM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 04:16:48 -0400

Do not, it will be seen as though you have to hide behind the uniform. ASUs are solely used for military matters, not personal matters. <div><br></div><div>One feedback is that people who have been in the military don't know how to dress as a civilian in a professional manner since they didn't have to. </div><div><br></div><div>Get a nice fitted suit, get a nice tie and shoes, study, practice, and you will do fine.</div>

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 4:20 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 04:20:43 -0400

SPC Simon A.  <div><br></div><div>No. Unacceptable. May leave bad impression re interpersonal skills on interview.</div><div><br></div><div>Why in the world would you want to wear ASUs to a civilian agency interview??</div><div><br></div><div>Get a clean pressed suit, shirt, shoes, and tie. Research company & interviewer.</div><div><br></div><div>Listen carefully first, consider your answer, and speak clearly and professionally.</div><div><br></div><div>Practice with friend (preferably a hiring manager) to become more comfortable.<br><div><br></div><div>Warmest Regards, Sandy</div><div><br></div></div>

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 12 at 2014 2:54 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 14:54:51 -0400

Don't take this wrong but everyone who has commented so far is on point and if you wear a clown suit with make up you have a better chance of getting hired. Of course I am not serious but you get what I am saying.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 4:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:36:39 -0400

SPC A,

If you don't already have one, get yourself a nice tailored blue or grey suit with a plain dress shirt and tie. Do not wear ASU dress shoes to the interview- buy a pair of conservative dress shoes (black or brown).

Best of Luck!!

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Mar 12 at 2014 11:03 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 23:03:01 -0400

Specialist, not only no, but heck no!  Whoever told you to wear anything other than a Suit (not a sports coat and slacks, but a SUIT), does not have your best interests at heart.  Everyone here has given you really good advise and I highly recommend you listen to them.<div><br></div><div>I applied for a job at Wally World not long after retiring, of all places, and was the only one there in a suit. I was hired for a professional position at twice the pay of the others, most of whom were in jean, shorts, cut offs, or worse.  Clothes do make the difference, and ASUs are not appropriate for ANYTHING in the civilian world, even for a LE position.</div>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 1:19 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 01:19:05 -0400

I hate when people wear their uniform for the sole purpose of swaying a decision in their favor. They'll see your resume, and fact that you military service is included. Wearing it would seem as though you blatantly think veterans deserve the job over other qualified applicants, possibly alienating them or the hirer and causing you to in turn lose your chance at the job.<br>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 1:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 01:24:13 -0400

I don't think it would be appropriate for you to wear the ASU to a job interview. I think this could show a lack of initiative on your part to go out and get civilian business attire. On top of that, this just feels wrong because it is almost like you would be using your uniform for personal gain.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 10:28 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 22:28:46 -0400

I'm going to go against the grain here. I say, if you're in some sort of active status, it's an option. I base this on personal experience. I enlisted into the Guard directly from RA. During my first year in the Guard I was on active duty orders. I applied to be a cop with a few departments, all of which offered me a job. I went to my interviews in what were the contemporary Class Bs in 2006. I did this successfully because it showed that I knew how to wear a similar uniform and could show some military bearing, which cops in my area appreciate. It wasn't just a matter of showing that I was in the military. It was a matter of communicating that my military experience was something desirable, that I was somehow similar. The border patrol may be different. The bottom line is you have to adjust your message of pitching yourself to your audience. Best of luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 2:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:51:03 -0400

Plain and simple: refer to the regs, that is what they are there for: AR-670-1

Chapter 30
Wear of the Army Uniform by Reserve, Retired, Separated, and Civilian Personnel

30–1. Occasions of ceremony
a. As used in this regulation, the phrase “occasions of ceremony” means occasions essentially of a military character, at which the uniform is more appropriate than civilian clothing. These functions include, but are not limited to: military balls, military parades, weddings, and military funerals; memorial services, meetings and conferences; or
functions of associations formed for military purposes, of which the membership is composed largely or entirely of current or honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces or reserve components.