What was the worst uniform violation you’ve seen in your military career?

2021-06-28T16:32:53-04:00

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2021 4:36 PM

2021-06-28T16:36:01-04:00

Capt Brandon Charters Having a stinking cigar in my shirt pocket...Lol...

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jun 28 at 2021 4:47 PM

2021-06-28T16:47:11-04:00

They actually issued me one!!!

I have seen quite a few switched ranks / nametapes as pranks. My favorite was a petite female SSG and an absolute gorilla of a male SSG were married and in the same BN, but different Companies. In a hurry that morning they had accidentally grabbed each other's BDU tops. And they actually wore them, just long enough to link up and trade.

Probably the WORST I have seen are the ones on the stolen valor sites. Things like an MP CSM with a blue cord, a black beret (before everyone had them), a 1 cab unit patch, and jump boots. C'mon bruh.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2021 5:09 PM

2021-06-28T17:09:18-04:00

Flip flops on a soft shoe profile.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2021 5:09 PM

2021-06-28T17:09:59-04:00

A Soldier blatantly dyed her hair blue while on deployment and couldn't dye it back because there was no dye available. Created some issues.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2021 5:10 PM

2021-06-28T17:10:04-04:00

Wearing sunglasses in the back of their head inside the shoppette.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 28 at 2021 5:12 PM

2021-06-28T17:12:46-04:00

In the 1980s the Air Force had a double-knit dress uniform and a wash-and-wear class B uniform. The pant colors were about the same, but the appearance of the fabric was very different. We had a squadron Class A uniform inspection one Friday morning. Anybody not flying, regardless of rank or position, was to stand inspection by the Group Commander at 1100. We formed up at 1000 just to make sure everybody actually had on the right uniform with the stuff in the correct location. Hardly anybody wore the Class A uniform to work, ever. We "lost" three of the Captains from the formation for wearing the wash-n-wear pants with the double-knit uniform blouse. Only one enlisted guy showed up with name tag on the left and ribbons on the right. Not an uncommon error when dressing in front of a mirror. We fixed him. Everybody else looked at least presentable.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2021 5:24 PM

2021-06-28T17:24:49-04:00

Back when streaking was popular, we had a Seabee streaking the EM club then on to the CPO Mess. The Shore Patrol was in hot pursuit. I still laugh when I think a out it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 28 at 2021 5:33 PM

2021-06-28T17:33:07-04:00

One time in OCS one of the guys put on an ascot like a loin cloth. He had nothing else on except for the black combat boots. Unfortunately I can not forget the visual of his lily white ass. It was his turn to strut around at 2200 to ensure everyone had mounted their beds. We were all laughing.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 28 at 2021 6:23 PM

2021-06-28T18:23:51-04:00

Capt Brandon Charters Ft Knox, 1953. Saturday morning inspection in ODs. CPL Harry Lane intentionally wore Argyle socks with his low quarters.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Jun 28 at 2021 6:35 PM

2021-06-28T18:35:05-04:00

Regarding the photo of the GI's in short/skivvies - I do not consider that a uniform violation. As I understand it, many times those guys bailed their quarters for incoming rounds and taking time to dress ...
In Vietnam, I don't recall ever seeing ANYONE sleep without their jungle utilities (or jugnle fatigues) trousers on in the rear areas. Maybe iin Regimental HQ's like in DaNang, but not in the outlying areas. Flak jackets and t-shirts and helmets was more than appropriate with the trousers.
Then too, most areas in Iraq/Afghan, seem to have had billets with A/C so yeah, I could understand guys sleeping in their skivvies! LOL I'll have to ask him, but my youngest son (3 tours, Infantry) probably had A/C at FOB Tillman right near the Pakistan border.
Me? I'd have probably still wore my trousers just for the protection they offer from diving into the dirt or a bunker. LOL
As for the worst uniform violation that I saw, or at least can recall - a Navy Corpsman E-3 who never went overseas, who wore ribbons he could not have possibly earned. I was an Asst Master-at-Arms at a Naval Dispensary and a PO3. It was my last year in the Navy and I was aghast that our chain of command tolerated it. I figured he was a mental case since he wasn't given ANY medical duties to perform, but I only assumed that was the case. Bothered the hell out of me though.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2021 6:37 PM

2021-06-28T18:37:10-04:00

An Officer wearing 2LT on his chest and 1LT on his headgear

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2021 6:38 PM

2021-06-28T18:38:52-04:00

I pulled this off AKO a few years ago (was looking for a POC from something). This Engineering CPT came up. Walking around in shorts and T or white socks or whatever are one level of jacked up, this one takes it to a whole new leve.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Jun 28 at 2021 7:32 PM

2021-06-28T19:32:30-04:00

Had a troop show up with dreadlock extensions, gold, with sparkles. She got sent home to change.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2021 10:41 PM

2021-06-28T22:41:18-04:00

A 1LT wearing an ACU blouse with APFU shorts because she was “cold”. Thank god we caught her before the cadre spotted her or I’m sure we’d still be doing flutter kicks and push ups.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jun 28 at 2021 11:01 PM

2021-06-28T23:01:59-04:00

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Response by MSgt Don VandeBogert made Jun 28 at 2021 11:20 PM

2021-06-28T23:20:33-04:00

Mentioned in another thread...

An Airman from my shop got selected to go on a trip to the Price is Right Military Appreciation Week. He got called down in his Service Dress. The knucklehead forgot to take his tie with him. Pretty obvious to anyone watching.

He also earned us a Service Dress open ranks inspection.

Due to a prank... In boot camp our night guard sewed one of our element leaders boot laces tight...absolutely no way he was putting his boots on for reveille. Morning comes, reveille sounds, we dress and form up. He could only get his low quarters on. MTIs pacing, yelling, etc. Not one looked down at footwear. His heart was racing the whole time and he was pissed when we went back into our bays to straighten up before breakfast.

I also stopped a poser after I retired. Veterans Day, standing in front of Walmart wearing shitty black boots, blue jean's, no hat, and a long sleeve USAF blues shirt with A1C stripes and nothing else...no name tapes, ribbons, or tie. Lots of folks walking by thanking him for his service etc. I stopped and talked to him for a while. Totally clueless about anything military. Didn't even know what rank he was wearing. He was clearly not a Specialist. Duh.

V/R
Bogie

Response by SPC Bill Howell made Jun 29 at 2021 12:07 AM

2021-06-29T00:07:57-04:00

When in Vietnam, some of us made shorts out of our dress khakis. We only wore them when we had pulled all night guard and had the next day off. We might lay out in the sun. Once, I was able to go with some others down to a river to swim. I wore them as swim trucks. We didn't wear them while we were on duty or working. This only happed while we were on LZ Rawhide; Marines called it Hill 65. About 15 miles southwest of DaNang.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2021 3:05 AM

2021-06-29T03:05:39-04:00

I suppose a personal story, though I doubt it meets the criteria in my own standards after the event.

NTC rotation and we get woken up by simulated mortars and machine gun fire between 0100-0300, I had previously completed the best field hygiene I was capable of and was in my sleep system in just a fresh shirt and skivvies.

Unzip, rollout, boots on, IOTV on, mask bag strapped to leg, ensure ammo bag with extra belt of 5.56 is secure, sling assault pack with MOPP suit over my shoulder, grab my SAW and nods and get on line in my section. Nods on and scanning my sector.

I say it like that because that's exactly how I did it. No socks, no pants, no jacket, just the necessities. I was one of the first on line with the most casualty producing weapon in my section minus the M2's covering our flanks and the scattered grenadiers throughout the line.

After the engagement, security posture gets dropped down and I head back to my hole to brush off and get back to sleep. Get stopped by an OC, was told if what I did was real world he'd have recommended me for an award. I was out of uniform, but we were told to treat the training as real and I just wanted to get my weapon on line.

Is that a uniform violation? Depends on how you look at it I suppose.

Response by SPC Brent Melton made Jun 29 at 2021 7:51 AM

2021-06-29T07:51:28-04:00

Oh man this is one of my happier memories. We were preparing to go to NTC before deploying to Iraq, so we had been readying our stuff to go. The day of movement, we get called to a formation around midday, and as we're standing there, something amazing occurs. In the ranks, you see a guy who was hidden in the back by his platoon, swaying back and fourth, front and back. Top starts talking to us, and notices this, and calls him up to the front.

Stumbling, dude makes it to the front of formation, clearly drunk out of his mind, and tries to stand at attention. Top immediately sets on him, asking him what's wrong with him, the whole nine yards. Then Top notices something...something off.

Top: "Hey there high speed look at your feet"
Soldier: *Looks down, nearly falling over*
T- "Notice anything wrong?"
S - *Shakes head no*
T- "Not? Let me help you out then. You're wearing TWO LEFT BOOTS!"

Shortly thereafter he was escorted to the MP station to take a breathalyzer. The rumor mill shortly thereafter had him blowing a ~.3. By far the best one.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jun 29 at 2021 8:11 AM

2021-06-29T08:11:20-04:00

A medical officer (Captain) wearing a General Officer's hat.
I also laughed and sent home my troop who was wearing a men's pair of fatigue pants and a women's top...apparently he didn't notice the gig lines were in opposite directions.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 29 at 2021 9:19 AM

2021-06-29T09:19:57-04:00

Easy. We had a German instant O-6 research Shrink who was early into what later was the transition from Battle Fatigue to PTSD at the Camp Pendleton hospital. For a Dress Blues inspection, he decided to wear white trousers, shoes, and socks, a dinner dress shirt; bow tie, blue jacket, and a woman's beret. Looked like Caesar Romero in Donovan's Reef. The SEL just escorted him back into the hospital to his familiar lab coat. A morale builder bust was our O-6 Skipper forgot his tie. He came out wearing one. Looking down the line, I spied the junior Ensign with a black sock stapled to his collar. The Skipper dressed it up a touch and complimented him. Beer tasted good that night.

Response by SFC Jonathan Adams made Jun 29 at 2021 9:25 AM

2021-06-29T09:25:35-04:00

A surgeon (Army) who worked on my knee at Ft Stewart in 1992 was wearing class B pants, a Scrub top and cowboy boots in the OR

Response by SPC Zach Lockhart made Jun 29 at 2021 11:38 AM

2021-06-29T11:38:04-04:00

He wouldn’t like me saying this, but the SMA really ragged on my LTC uncle for dress and appearance at his retirement ceremony. He was absolutely 10 times the soldier I was; regardless, that morning may’ve been the only time in US Army history that a Lieutenant General requested a PFC to completely retie the necktie of his LTC uncle!

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Jun 29 at 2021 11:47 AM

2021-06-29T11:47:33-04:00

A Marine wearing only his helmet, flack vest and boots running around the battery position sounding reveille

Response by CPO James Laskowski made Jun 29 at 2021 11:59 AM

2021-06-29T11:59:24-04:00

I was standing Quarterdeck watch as a young BM3, early one morning (before daylight) and had a Chief in khakis cross the brow with his collar devices on backward. He must have dressed in a hurry because all you could see were the frogs. The anchors were on the back side of the collar tips.

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Jun 29 at 2021 1:51 PM

2021-06-29T13:51:44-04:00

Every time I was at an Air Force Facility. It seemed like everyone wore whatever they wanted. There was no Uniform of the Day. I spent 3 months TDY with the Air Force at a small Radar Station. Uniform Mayhem Hahaha.

Response by SMSgt Kevin Bishop made Jun 29 at 2021 3:29 PM

2021-06-29T15:29:10-04:00

Medical CPT came in for a DA photo. Let's just say that the railroad was running right through her head.

Response by SMSgt Henry Kiester made Jun 29 at 2021 5:22 PM

2021-06-29T17:22:51-04:00

Once during Desert Storm, the siren went off, and we all MOPPed up, went to our bunker, and watched as a guy ran butt naked past us from the shower tent (back to his tent for his mask/chem suit/helmet/etc., I assume). Not really a "violation", but pretty funny.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Jun 29 at 2021 7:30 PM

2021-06-29T19:30:29-04:00

I am embarrassed to say, but I did a boo-boo back in the day. As a 2LT, I flew back to the east coast, in uniform (AF duty blues plus windbreaker, which hid the problem), and for the whole thing I did not have my nametag on. It took an Enlisted Member (who kindly just pointed it out and did nothing else; we shook hands) to get me to see it.

Oh, and that wasn't the only time. The next time I did that (not having my nametag on) I was an O3. And, I did it in front of a General.

Oops.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2021 7:30 PM

2021-06-29T19:30:57-04:00

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2021 10:45 AM

2021-06-30T10:45:33-04:00

In AIT a Greek E6 or E7 seemed to have several different hats which were usually worn in indoors and rarely outdoors.

Response by CSM David Litteral made Jun 30 at 2021 11:33 AM

2021-06-30T11:33:28-04:00

Most legitimate (non-posers) violations are either a lack of discipline or ignorance. Little things left unattended generally become bigger things. That said, the most flagrant and dangerous uniform violation I saw was 2 of my female soldiers in Iraq. Their hair would not fit under their kevlar helmet. For one of them, it wasn't even her real hair, it was a mass of extensions. The other had hair down to her belt line so she kept it rolled up but the rolls wouldn't fit inside her helmet. Outside of the helmet the rolls of hair extended past the regulatory limit. I respectfully informed both of them (both were officers) that they needed to be able to wear their helmets as their lives depended on it. They complained to the IG during a sensing session. The IG told the commander not to engage the hair issue.

Response by SGM William Gabbard made Jun 30 at 2021 11:35 AM

2021-06-30T11:35:14-04:00

I don’t know that it was actually a violation, but it looked awfully peculiar and I only saw it once in a 31 year career. I was attending a reception at Ft McNair at the VC’s home; after arriving he came down the stairs to receive guests in his blues…and a white button down collar Brooks Brothers shirt (only one shirt maker has a collar that drapes like that). Wow. Oh well. “It’s good ta be da king.” Or in his case, the VC.

Response by MCPO Hilary Kunz made Jun 30 at 2021 11:54 AM

2021-06-30T11:54:02-04:00

Pink sunglasses. They, “went well with my hair”….

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2021 12:13 PM

2021-06-30T12:13:17-04:00

I've seen some pretty goofy things, especially by soldiers in combat, like BDU jackets made into vests and so on. But I can't say that uniform violations were anywhere near the top of my concern list during my career.

There's an old saying, "No combat ready unit ever passed an inspection. No inspection ready unit ever passed combat." I'm sure there are exceptions to that rule, but I stand by it.

Response by SGM David Simpson made Jun 30 at 2021 12:22 PM

2021-06-30T12:22:50-04:00

I had a male Soldier show up to a dress greens inspection with female E-7 rank and a subdued combat patch.... Former Navy submariner guy, so we were a little more understanding =)

Response by CSM Gabriel Espinosa made Jun 30 at 2021 3:24 PM

2021-06-30T15:24:02-04:00

awards reversed on class A uniform during a promotion board.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 30 at 2021 4:36 PM

2021-06-30T16:36:49-04:00

Off installation where the policy was no stopping on the economy in uniform. I was at the counter of a parts store when a Soldier walked in covered in grease, his blouse unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, as if it were a dress shirt, head gear on backwards and sunglasses riding in his forehead. The correction goes without saying.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Jun 30 at 2021 5:43 PM

2021-06-30T17:43:38-04:00

The Engineers at Bikini Atoll. They were cleaning up the islands nuclear waste dumps. They were dressed in cutoff fatigues pants, no shirts, boots and long hair and beards.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2021 6:41 PM

2021-06-30T18:41:46-04:00

Not the worst, but three of the most memorable.

March 1996, a SPC in my scout squad shows up for PT with ankle socks.
Ankle socks were not authorized back then, and these also had lace around the top.
When we got back from the run, I took him over to the grass behind the BAS, and we did mountain climbers and flutter kicks until he needed to go in to the BAS.

June 2001, the week the black beret was authorized for the whole Army, I was at replacement signing back into Campbell for like the third time.
We're all standing around and a young CPT gets out of his car and starts walking towards us, firmly shaping his brand new black beret with flash over his right eye.
Clearly he had spend most of the previous evening shaping it in the mirror to exactly match the image in 670-1, and by exactly, I mean his image in the mirror matched the book.
One of the kids rushed over and walked him back to his car before we could say anything.

2017, had a SSG get a bad haircut OCONUS. instead of a fade, it came out like the 1980's sidewalls, made popular by Joe Strummer.
I worked in a different purposely bad joke about the Clash every day until he got another haircut.
I had five ready to go, didn't make it past two.

Oh yeah, also every time I saw a Marine RSSI because they deployed in the Marines before joining the Army.

Response by SSG Jim Nixon made Jul 1 at 2021 9:30 AM

2021-07-01T09:30:43-04:00

I was an E5 at BNCOC in Fort Gordon, GA in 1996. We were told not to interact with the soldiers that we would be sharing a dining hall with that were E1s and E2s going through AIT. One day I and a buddy had gotten there a little late, we were roommates and had to see the barracks Sgt about a detail later that day, so most every soldier was already seated. We got in at the end of the line and my buddy, who had already made his E6, suddenly taps me on the shoulder and points over to an area and says "do you see that, am I hallucinating?" I immediately saw what he was talking about. At this one table was a female soldier sitting in a row at a table that faced away from us, so we saw their backs. Her uniform was tight and squared away, her hair was pulled up and well within regulation. But one thing stood out. Her hair was held in place by a barrette. This barrette was not neutral in color, or complimentary to the uniform, or even just slightly questionable. This was a bright yellow sunflower that had to be every bit of 4 inches in diameter! I was in awe. He said he was going over to talk to her, I suggested he leave it alone but he went over. There never arose an incident from this, but I was just amazed how she had made it past everyone else, everywhere she had been, for half a day surrounded by drills and instructors with nobody correcting her.

Response by CMSgt Jeremy Burdick made Jul 1 at 2021 10:24 AM

2021-07-01T10:24:57-04:00

I would say, a fella had his BDU's on but wore the Air Force blue flight cap. We got a pretty good chuckle out of it and he was embarrassed enough to just go without cover for a bit. Seems as though most violations are unintended so that I don't mind so much as we all make mistakes but the ones that do it intentionally, that will get you.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2021 4:37 PM

2021-07-03T16:37:08-04:00

I feel like an underachiever that only spent 10-minutes in the service... the worst I can remember seeing are a pair of black, civilian shoes in Class A's in the Army. I mean, they were NICE shoes, but they weren't regulation - or even close.

The only other thing I can think of are mis-matched uniform tops/trousers (tops washed 142 times, trousers washed twice).

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 9 at 2021 1:21 PM

2021-07-09T13:21:49-04:00

I'm not sure I can recall the worst but two that stand out because they were kind of funny.

Back when we had the grey PT shirt with the black "ARMY" lettering we had a solider who went through all of morning PT wearing the NAVY version of the same shirt. Apparently he either couldn't find his PT shirt or grabbed the wrong one. Because the block lettering was the same style and four letters he just blended in and no one noticed until he'd already changed after PT and told us.

The second one was me. I'd just come off a week at a COB in Iraq so I was looking rough - a little scruffy, hair a mess, very dirty overall appearance. I had to go to HQ which was at BIAP and they picked me up in the bird straight from the COB. It's dusk and I'm waiting for my ride to BN when I see three SGM-type looking silhouettes walking my way. I didn't have time to make myself pretty and after a week without a real shower downrange I wasn't in the mood for getting chewed out about big army stuff at a base. So instead of fixing myself, I did the opposite - messed my hair up a little, took off my cover, pulled off all my patches and name tapes and basically tried to make myself look like one of the long tabbers or contractors that are always going in and out of BIAP. As they get closer I can tell they're grilling me trying to think of what to say so I just took a big drag from my cigarette, put on my best "IDGAF" face, and gave them a subtle nod. They bought it and walked on and I lived to tell the tale.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jul 11 at 2021 11:58 PM

2021-07-11T23:58:58-04:00

The worst (and best) violation ever of the dress code was when I was a Company Commander at SSC Great Lakes. My Sailors (all women) knew I usually came into work between 0430 and 0500 every weekday. Since it was so early I did not yell, "Man on Deck," But just went to my office and closed the door.

One morning as I got to the 2nd deck, I heard the shower running and then turn off. As I entered the hallway, a Sailor came out of the Head, all she had on was a towel over her shoulder, Nothing Else! She froze as she saw me and smiled. I froze as I saw her and made eye contact. I looked her in the eyes, then all the way down her body, and back to her eyes. I then said the only thing that saved my life and career, "Sailor, where the hell are your damn shower shoes!"

She did a full-body blush. Turned around and left. I never heard another word about this. Yes, worst violation of the dress code ever.

Response by SPC Barbara Wright made Jul 19 at 2021 5:02 PM

2021-07-19T17:02:09-04:00

I was stationed in Camp Zama Japan. My NCO told me to get my rank sewed onto my kevlar cover over the weekend. I forgot so, on Monday morning I super glued the tank on and it looked good but it was upside down. She was so upset with me she pulled me to the side and snatched it off. She said it looked better without rank instead of upside down rank.

Response by SrA Zachary Litgen made Jul 24 at 2021 9:23 AM

2021-07-24T09:23:07-04:00

I was doing volunteer work as paramedic for local school (just outside of Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field) and had a ROTC program with students assisting and donating time. There was a young gentleman....probably the cool kid I assume, was walking around in their dress blues with jacket. Student had no cover and dress shirt unbuttoned with tie grossly loose and draping down. I normally can contain myself, but with his deamnor and flaunting attitude I felt the need to address him. At that time, I pulled him aside away from friends to speak to him in which he was being cheeky. At that point I had told him that I was a veteran and he is disrespecting the uniform many have died or suffered fighting for. At that point, I had a one way conversation that he either straighten up or go to the restroom and take that uniform off. He did comply. I do At times feel old or maybe a bit involved, but this one needed to be addressed. He got the message and hopefully spread the news. I assume being his age, he was probably bitter and I was the problem, but hey, live and learn!

Response by PO1 David M Burns made Jul 27 at 2021 1:42 AM

2021-07-27T01:42:42-04:00

isn't that the Navy Seals Gomer hunting uniform of the day? looks OK to me especially the flip flops.

Response by CMDCM John Holland made Jul 31 at 2021 9:43 PM

2021-07-31T21:43:21-04:00

During a command inspection conducted in summer dress whites, one of our ensigns (now I believe he is Captain Tony Kupek) forgot to pack his shoulder boards, but with the acumen expected of an intelligence officer, he simply placed his “butter bars” on his color points and from that time has always been known as the CHIEF Ensign!

ISCM(Ret.) John F Holland

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Aug 1 at 2021 12:37 PM

2021-08-01T12:37:47-04:00

When I graduated from Boot Camp, one of our "10% went on Liberty and immediately bloused his Khaki pants like he was U.S. Army Airborne. Of course he got caught. I don't think he ever did that again.

Response by PO1 David M Burns made Aug 3 at 2021 2:05 AM

2021-08-03T02:05:26-04:00

looks like te squids are having a little down time before hunting season!

Response by Col Tom Duquette made Aug 4 at 2021 12:55 PM

2021-08-04T12:55:07-04:00

Between 31+ years in the Army and Air Force I've got plenty but here are two faves.

When the AF finally switched to BDU's back in the mid 80's we had an O-5 flight doc who wanted to be the first kid on the block with them so he drove from Dover AFB to Ft. Dix to get a set at their clothing sales store. Before BDU's with the old OD fatigue uniform the AF allowed you to wear low quarter shoes instead of boots (ridiculous but true) and this guy shows up in his new BDU's to work wearing Corfam low quarters and the pants cuffs bloused with the strings on his socks about 9" above the shoes. He looked like a golfer from the 1920's. Nobody corrected him until I pulled him aside (I was an O-3 at the time) and politely explained he could only wear boots with this uniform. He was surprised and a bit embarrassed and went home and changed.

While serving at Wilford Hall Medical Center around 2008 or so in San Antonio the group I was deputy CC for had all 500+ physicians assigned to it including numerous residents. One day as I was walking through the parking lot towards the MTF I see this guy walking out towards me in blues wearing an A2 style leather flight jacket. At first I wasn't surprised as lots of flight docs and nurses are authorized to wear this optional item but as I get closer I see this captain is wearing some civilian Indiana Jones kind of leather jacket with no insignia (and unzipped). I stop him and ask him what's up with the jacket and he was a resident and said he saw other people wearing cool leather jackets and figured he could do the same. He was disappointed when I corrected his impression and then complained that it was cold and what was he supposed to wear. I pointed to my blue AF authorized windbreaker for us non-rated pukes and suggested he visit MCSS at his earliest convenience.

Response by SFC James Corona made Aug 7 at 2021 8:51 PM

2021-08-07T20:51:26-04:00

Made daily formation one morning and the guy next to me in my squad
wore his boots left foot on the right and right foot on the left.

Response by MGySgt Bob Willis made Aug 15 at 2021 4:07 PM

2021-08-15T16:07:45-04:00

I haven't seen too many. The one I remember most was Marine Corps flight crews off base in local businesses wearing their flight suits. This was before it was authorized.

Response by MGySgt Thomas Kromis made Aug 18 at 2021 5:02 PM

2021-08-18T17:02:21-04:00

While in garrison, anything not within standards is unacceptable. When deployed, then the situation dictates.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Aug 22 at 2021 6:37 PM

2021-08-22T18:37:44-04:00

Nothing wrong with that, you are not "out of uniform" if you are out of uniform.

We had a buch of REMFS bitch at us for wearing pt shorts with brown t shirts moving from the showers to the housing in our FOB. Always told 'em to go fuck themselves.

Response by MCPO Hans Brakob made Aug 23 at 2021 1:39 AM

2021-08-23T01:39:30-04:00

Naval Radio Station, Barrigada, GU, circa 1966. Saturday morning personnel inspection in tropical whites. Senior Chief John Glaze is singled out as "the most outstanding Sailor" in formation. I didn't have the heart to note that he was wearing no collar devices.

Response by Cpl Raymond Wiltshire made Aug 30 at 2021 11:58 AM

2021-08-30T11:58:53-04:00

We had an IG coming up and one guys didn't have time to go to the dry cleaners. So he decided to wash his summer dress uniform. Ever see what worsted wool looks like after being run through a washer/dryer? Try as he could the ironing did nothing to clean up that wrinkled mess.

Response by TSgt Carl Johnson made Sep 4 at 2021 2:52 PM

2021-09-04T14:52:56-04:00

Probably not the worst, but one of the funniest that I remember happened at Norton AFB, back in the 80's. We were an engineering squadron, 63rd CES, so we worked in our fatigues daily, and they usually weren't perfect, but we tried to start our day looking good, especially when we had open ranks. As the 1st SGT is going down the ranks, he stops in front of a TSgt (E6) from the paint shop and says, "Sergeant, you are supposed to be setting an example, it looks like you slept in that uniform!" Just then A1C (E3) Krueger, from plumbing, starts laughing. The 1st Sgt turns red, does a facing movement, gets in his face, and barks, "What the hell are you laughing at, Krueger? your uniform doesn't look a whole lot better!" Krueger, still smiling, answers, "Yes sir, but I did sleep in mine."

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Sep 20 at 2021 10:10 AM

2021-09-20T10:10:47-04:00

First day of AIT:
A Lltc. wearing a hat indoors, turned sideways. Blouse unbuttoned. One leg untucked, bootlaces untied, carrying a cup of coffee and a big black bag across the school building. And in no way, could she have possibly made weight.
She definitely did not meet any standard.
After 23 years, I saw many come close, but that was definitely the worst.
Even during the transition period from BDU to ACU, and all those knuckleheads that were mixing uniforms, 'cuss the CO said they could.

Response by SSG Chris Jurewicz made Sep 22 at 2021 2:55 PM

2021-09-22T14:55:58-04:00

My roommate at Camp Lejeune. He was always on the company Gunny's shit list for being a general shit bird but what was steaming the Gunny particularly was that he was always the last one getting to morning formation, usually either beating the call to attention by seconds, or hanging back after attention called.
The Gunny cornered him one morning and warned him in no uncertain terms to get his shit together and show up for formation on time or he'd be going to Office Hours (Article 15 for non-Marines).
He got pretty drunk that night, so next morning, here he comes to formation. The uniform of the day was Charlies. Summer weight trousers, web belt, dress shoes, short sleeve shirt, overseas cover. In his hurry to not be late for formation, he skipped the web belt. And his socks. And his shoes. But he did have flip-flops...

Response by CMDCM Bev Brennan made Jul 20 at 2022 9:47 PM

2022-07-20T21:47:10-04:00

Probably the worst violation was not necessarily WHAT but WHERE. Picture it - you're a Navy E3, entering a Marine Corps base and need to get a pass. You get out of your car and walk in with a do-rag on your head instead of your cover. A Marine Sgt calls you on it and you replied that you were in the Navy and he couldn't tell you what to do.
Said Airman and the LCPO were standing at the end of my long wooden table before the day was out.

Response by SSG Jack Scott made Jul 21 at 2022 10:41 PM

2022-07-21T22:41:06-04:00

Every uniform violation that comes to mind have been women! Super long nails and colors so bright the ISS in orbit could see those nails! Clown makeup to ungodly hair styles were their cover just sat on top of their hair well above the head! Crap you would see in a Hollywood military movie!

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 22 at 2022 6:17 AM

2022-07-22T06:17:52-04:00

We had a Captain (Physician) at Lackland AFB who didn't understand the difference between Officers' braid and General Officers' braid...so he chose the much "prettier" one...
Also had a boss who wore white athletic socks with his white ceremonial dress uniform and the colored stripes on the socks showed through the pants...

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 22 at 2022 6:21 AM

2022-07-22T06:21:01-04:00

In the 1980s the AF issued women's green fatigues...and we had an airman (male) show up in the men's shirt and the women's pants...opposite closes women's is right over left, men's are left over right...so no proper gig line!

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Jul 22 at 2022 8:23 AM

2022-07-22T08:23:41-04:00

A field grade officer receiving a retirement award of the Legion of Merit while wearing high-water dress greens with a minimum gap of three inches between the trousers and the shoes. Just struck me as being very wrong.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2022 12:30 PM

2022-07-22T12:30:39-04:00

Where to start. lol

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Jul 22 at 2022 4:16 PM

2022-07-22T16:16:42-04:00

All my uniform stories come from my time with the Berlin Brigade.

For a "uniform violation" I'd have to count the morning we rolled the Immediate Reaction tank platoon out the gate barely 5 minutes after the alert -- we were fully manned and looking good -- but what no one else realized was that three of our tank commanders were still in civilian clothes under their nomex jackets.

The other Berlin uniform story is really the opposite of a uniform violation -- the problem was that we were following the uniform regulations -- and at that time in that place, it really was a problem. Anyone who served in Berlin knows that the brigade was nearly as anal about uniforms as The Old Guard. I happened to be stationed in Berlin during the army change-over from green fatigues to the (then-new) woodland camo BDUs. Most of our soldiers had only been issued the old style uniforms. Some of them were due to get out before the mandatory possession date for the new uniform, so at least those guys were absolutely never going to buy a set of BDUs. We had some recent soldiers whose initial issue had been two of the old fatigues and two of the new BDUs. They didn't have enough of either uniform to wear it consistently (and mostly felt they had been screwed by being issued two sets of fatigues that could only be worn for less than a year before they would be required to buy at least two more sets of BDUs). And, we had the newest soldiers who had only been issued the new BDUs. There was simply no way to get everyone in the same duty uniform. The Army didn't see any problem. Soldiers would wear whichever duty uniform they had. The only instruction from the army was that you couldn't mix the green fatigues and camo BDUs - you had to wear a full set of one or the other. So far as "the Army" was concerned it was perfectly fine if soldiers in the same formation were each wearing a different duty uniform so long as they each wore their uniform correctly - but in the Berlin Brigade this was viewed as a big problem. This problem came to a head throughout the summer "parade season" with three major parades and dozens of brigade-level functions. Some events were conducted in dress uniform to avoid the problem, but for event in duty uniform that "solution" was to form up all the units even earlier than usual so companies could swap soldiers back and forth so each unit was entirely in one uniform or the other regardless of where the soldiers were actually assigned.

My other NOT A Violation story comes from that same period. As tank crewmen we wore nomex while on the tanks or in the field. The nomex we had were shirts, pants, and jackets meant for army aviation -- they were solid green, almost but not quite the same color as the old green fatigues that were being phased out. At that time, the aviator nomex clothes were considered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and were not officially a "uniform." Now, picture a tank crewman: black boots (uniform), solid green pants (PPE), solid green shirt (PPE), solid green jacket (PPE), cap (uniform). Note that the boots and cap are the only uniform items this tank crewman is wearing. Now recall that some of our soldiers had only the green fatigues, complete with the green baseball cap; but other soldiers had only the camo BDUs, complete with the camo BDU cap. So, yes, we would end up with a bunch of tank crewmen, all wearing solid green nomex, but some wearing green ball caps and some wearing camo BDU caps -- and all perfectly in uniform -- much to the consternation of various infantry NCOs and officers who were constantly trying to correct the tankers for wearing the camo cap with the green nomex.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Jul 22 at 2022 4:58 PM

2022-07-22T16:58:49-04:00

I had been recently reassigned from commanding an Infantry AIT company to command of a Common Basics Electronics HHC at Fort Jackson when we were scheduled to hold a cadre meeting in the Battalion auditorium. We were thrown off schedule, however, when a meeting being held in that venue went long. Rather than have everyone stand around waiting, I called a company formation, gave "open ranks, march" and proceeded to get to know my new charges a little better by pulling an impromptu in-ranks inspection. Everything was going swimmingly until I got to the mid-point of the third (of six) rank. Standing before me was an over-weight and slovenly career soldier standing that formation with soiled fatigues and black boots which probably had not been shined since Basic Training. "By the time I finish this inspection, you will be back in formation with that mustard stain off your uniform and those boots shined otherwise I'll see you in my office at 1800 hours."

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Jul 26 at 2022 1:06 PM

2022-07-26T13:06:53-04:00

Enewetak Atoll Civil Engineering Clean-up Crew were the worst. They were evacuated to Guam because of a typhoon. The uniform of the day was cutoff jeans or [at that time] fatigue pants and a T-shirt. Hair was over the ears and down the neck. Beards were the order of the day. Nice suntans though. The leadership on Guam came unglued. These members of the military was a "...disgrace..." Photos and letters went up and down the Chain of Command. I believe their CO was a LT. I know he could not have been any higher than a Captain. The were a Motley Crew. But remember, they were doing a job and had not contact with the outside world [as we know it].