Uniform when not on duty?

[VarSity]

What is the US Army’s general rule on wearing uniform when off duty?

Having spoken to people this side of the pond it seems the general rule in the UK is not to wear uniform unless on duty, which I think is a shame as a nicely turned out soldier raises the profile of the Army in the local community.

[S2]

Varsity Reply

"What is the US Army’s general rule on wearing uniform when off duty?"

Not authorized generally.

"...a nicely turned out soldier raises the profile of the Army in the local community."

Then again, dead drunk in a bar-fight and off to the slammer w/ the local cops raises awareness in the wrong direction. Be careful what you ask for- you might get it.

[VarSity]

Then again, dead drunk in a bar-fight and off to the slammer w/ the local cops raises awareness in the wrong direction. Be careful what you ask for- you might get it.

Be alrite aslong as they win... ;)

[sourkraut115]

It is generally acceptable to wear the appropriate dress or service uniform to social functions; AR 670-1 includes a litany of acceptable venues, rules for appearing in parades, and so on. Of course, the Army very rarely wears these uniforms ON duty anymore, preferring the battle dress or, now, the ACU for year round duty wear, whether in the office or in the field. Wearing the ACU off duty is generally not permitted, however. If one were to see someone in uniform out in public, they are usually recruiters, or traveling to work/drill, or on some other detail. Until recenly, the BDU was banned for travel, but the ACU has been encouraged since sometime after 9/11.

When I was a very young soldier, I wore my Class A greens at the slightest excuse, so I could show off my solitary ribbon and marksmanship badge. Now that I have an abundance of ill-gotten finery, I think I wore it once last year, to a dining-in before deploying to Iraq, and not really out in public. I do think it improves the public image to see well behaved, professional looking soldiers in public in uniform, but the S-2 is correct about the negative effects of uniformed soldiers in a local bar.

[tankie]

What is the US Army’s general rule on wearing uniform when off duty?

Having spoken to people this side of the pond it seems the general rule in the UK is not to wear uniform unless on duty, which I think is a shame as a nicely turned out soldier raises the profile of the Army in the local community.

I know from experience in my early military carrer that when i wore mine in the late 60s/70s , it was a feeling of pride , it could however get you into a few scrapes as well as S2 points out , but on the other side of the coin , it got you a few free beers and kof kof other benefits of the beaver hunt .:))

[dave angel]

I know from experience in my early military carrer that when i wore mine in the late 60s/70s , it was a feeling of pride , it could however get you into a few scrapes as well as S2 points out , but on the other side of the coin , it got you a few free beers and kof kof other benefits of the beaver hunt .:))

it could also get you a car bomb or a double tap to the head as you sat at Lichfield train station.

in 16 years service i wore my uniform to a single wedding, apart from that i was fastidious - anal perhaps - about not wearing it or being identifiable in public. that meant full civvies even if driving to the chipshop 2 minutes away, a cargo bag (a fecking enormous thing) that could take my bergen and belt kit if i needed to move with kit on public transport, and a constant battle of wits with the RSM over the length of sidies - hair length wasn't an issue - but the git really didn't like sidies!

it also meant a conscious decision not to drink in squaddy pubs.

you could argue that after '98 (i joined in '91) this was unneccessary - and thats probably correct, but it was a 'life-saver' habbit i got into, and i felt no need to get out of.

personally i like the idea of increasing the profile of the military with our society - more parades, open days etc... - but not the idea of increasing the profile of individual servicemen, both for the reasons given by S-2 and for the 'just in case' reasons for which most of my peers wouldn't be seen dead in uniform in Tesco.

[tankie]

[QUOTE=dave angel;516308]it could also get you a car bomb or a double tap to the head as you sat at Lichfield train station.


QUOTE]

Sad but true .

[Blue]

My only problem with wearing the uniform off duty is that if it is to be worn at all, it must be worn properly. Even as a civilian I would frequently admonish Guardsmen(or any soldier) that I would see in public, not wearing the proper uniform. It really ticks me when you think you can throw off your cover and blouse and go shopping at Wal-Mart after duty! I see it less nowadays, so maybe that says something good about the current training.

I would always avoid wearing my uniform home, except for special occasions. Quite often the local do-nothing losers would give me a hard time when I would appear in it. Mostly snide remarks, I would chalk it up as jealousy. However, after I earned my tab, I never wore it home again after some idiot made a few Rambo jokes and tried to remove my beret. Big mistake for him, but I didn't need that kind of crap so I just quit wearing it. Sad, but true that was the attitude during the eighties.

[clitifad]

Military - Civilian dress.

Varsity, was in a British Army Inf battalion and the rule was no mixed civ/military dress so as not to draw attention to yourself, particularly with regards to Northern Ireland troubles and other sympathetic terror groups, but sadly also the British civilian thug element that roamed around looking for a spot of "Squaddie bashing" very prevalent in the 1970's - 80's, soldiers were even attacked waiting to board a National coach or train, in town at night traveling through - whatever, we didn't even use the issue army suitcase or universal kitbag after a while as these scum bags recognised these.
Never draw attention to yourself in dress or conversation in public if you can help it. The style of haircut also is a dead give away. Should be same for US forces I guess.;)

[sappersgt]

I wore my uniform on leave in the US. I didn't have anything else to wear, all my civvies were in South Africa. I got plenty of curious looks at Will Rogers and Tinker with my "upside down stripes". Most people were polite and wanted to know where I was from, etc. Everything went fine until San Jose. Twice in one evening I was confronted, both times by wannabe black youths who decided they didn't like Sturmpioneers. I sent two of them to the hospital. SJPD told me they would arrest me if I got in another fight in my uniform. I had to buy some clothes for the rest of my leave.:(

[Blue]

[QUOTE]

Twice in one evening I was confronted, both times by wannabe black youths who decided they didn't like Sturmpioneers. I sent two of them to the hospital. SJPD told me they would arrest me if I got in another fight in my uniform.

I got cuffed once until the police figured out I didn't start it(just finished it though). I don't know what is going through these guys mind that makes them them think they can walk up to a seasoned soldier and pull that kind of crap. Do they think the military gives out medals for baking cookies? Green Berets for arts & crafts? It never ceases to amaze me.

I never had my uniform disrespected any place else besides America. Even countries that didn't like Americans much didn't seem to give me any trouble, but that could be because when I was there I was carrying a loaded rifle and sidearm.

Did you notice anything similar, Sapper?

[sappersgt]

by7thsfsniper
I got cuffed once until the police figured out I didn't start it(just finished it though). I don't know what is going through these guys mind that makes them them think they can walk up to a seasoned soldier and pull that kind of crap. Do they think the military gives out medals for baking cookies? Green Berets for arts & crafts? It never ceases to amaze me.

Outside a San Jose restaurant I left an attacker unconscious after taking away his knife, the police wanted to cuff me too. Luckily an even dozen people spoke up saying that I had tried to get out of the fight, trying to leave before I'd finished my meal. Later I was jacked up going into the movies. Wouldn't you the same officer responded. This time I decided to press charges. I broke ones knee and dislocated another's elbow in front of at least ten witnesses. I was told that wearing my uniform would be considered "incitement", if I got in another fight I was going to jail.

I don't know what they were thinking. They picked a fight with me BECAUSE I was a Sturmpioneer, so they knew what a Blauensage was capable of. The "INSTRUCTOR" flash on my shoulder should have clinched it for them.

I never had my uniform disrespected any place else besides America. Even countries that didn't like Americans much didn't seem to give me any trouble, but that could be because when I was there I was carrying a loaded rifle and sidearm.

Excepting those incidents in California, in the US I was treated with a great amount respect.

You had to remember the cold war was on and The Evil Empire was in full spate. The Russians had invaded Afghanistan the year before. The idea of a young man going to a foreign country to fight Communist guerrillas was something people could approve and understand. South Africa was thought of as a friendly country, the SADF an allied army. I was proud to wear the uniform of one of South Africa's elite.

I can't count the numbers of offers to pay for meals, drinks, rides and invitations to go to church. I got asked lots of questions about South Africa (truly God's country), the war (brutal but we were winning) and Apartheid (it needed to end).

US military personnel always gave me a salute, foreign military personnel are not so common so I was a novelty. At Tinker AFB I got the VIP treatment, a tour of the base and a trip to the armory and the range. The Ada, OK chief of police even gave me a permit to carry. :))

[VarSity]

[QUOTE=7thsfsniper;523678]

I never had my uniform disrespected any place else besides America.

I'm obviously not in yet, but already have a huge respect for my country and especially our boys and girls in uniform, I plan to wear my uniform as much as I can, and if anyone starts any trouble I am going to make them wish they were never born!

As an example, I was in Manchester recently Piccadilly train station) and a rather dashing young Lance Corporal walked past with his kit bag with a nice tan from the sand pit, whilst waiting for our train some 30 year old drunken football (read soccer) hooligan started mouthing off, and eventually spat at said Lance Corporal, who promptly head butted said City fan in the face, sat down and whipped out his newspaper in good order before his (yobbo) friends knew how to react... Lucky for the Lance that a small group of Police officers stepped in and moved everyone along with a swift wave of hard batton!

Actually had a very nice chat with said Lance on the train all the way to Birmingham. Excellent chap, even got the scamp a couple of cans on the way, good times...

[von Spreuth]

Well, the British army have got out of the frying pan that was Northern Ireland, which lead to a ban on uniforms outside barracks except on duty, and now they are in the fire, in that many places, BIRMINGHAM in particular, have banned uniforms from hospitals, swimming pools (Obviously NOT in the water any way), and other council owned places.

The British legion have been overwhelmed with such complaints from all over the U.K. This is due to a population that can not seperate "suporting the troops" from suporting a war they MAY not agree with.

NOW, I am in the German navy, and uniform off duty is encouraged.

No 1s or 2s preferably, but combats as well are acceptable, and will get you a free pint (liter) in a lot of places. BUT can also get you in trouble with the wierdo pinkoe mob. And it is NOT advisable to go through any of the more "ethnic" areas. ESPECIALLY as the "ethnics here tend to be all one sort of raghead or another.

[Skull6]

I'm from a very small very rural town in the midwest of the USA. Right after Desert Storm, I was trying to get home on emergency leave once, standing at the ticket counter working with the agent to try to get on the next flight, when someone behind me spat on my class As. Of course, I turned to physically demonstrate to them the error of their ways, when a number of others waiting in line for tickets took it upon themselves to reduce him to a blubbering, crying lump of mush. The ticket agent issued my ticket right away, & gave me a voucher to have my blouse dry-cleaned at home. Needless to say, I was NOT in a good mood right then.

When boarding-time arrived, I was one of the first to board, as I was to sit in the very back. But when I got on the aircraft, a nice stewardess motioned for me to sit in one of the first-class seats. I tried showing her my ticket stub, but she would have none of that. Seems one of the other passengers traded their seat with me--& demanded that they remain "anonymous." I'm not one who takes charity lightly, so I kept pressing for their name, which was never given. So, I politely sat down in the seat as instructed. The mood was worse.

I'd taken my blouse (suit-coat) off & stowed it with my wheel cap, as the blouse had been the target of the spittle. The plane had taken off, & I just wanted to catch some shut-eye, when the stewardess tried to hand me a glass of wine another well-meaning passenger had purchased for me. Problem is, we hit turbulence just then, & the wine ended up all over my shirt, tie & lap. I had no other clothes with me, as I was to stay at my Mother's house while home for the funeral. So there I sat for the rest of the flight, not being able to sleep for the even worse mood.

I had no luggage, so I bolted from the plane at the 1st opportunity--to find my Mother waiting for me in tears. I assumed it was because my sister had just lost her son in childbirth. Mom, in her grief & anxiety of picking me up when I arrived, had entered the parking garage in the out-bound lane--& had flattened all 4 of her tires on those infernal devices made to do just that.

I'd had enough. I went to a pay phone & used my credit card to get her car towed to a tire dealer. Also used my credit card to purchase 4 new tires. Money I didn't have at the time. But when the mechanic came out to tell us the car was ready, he told me "no charge--not for the towing or the tires." (I took one of his business cards, & still try to send folks in the area his way when they need new tires.)

I had hoped to be able to wear my uniform to the funeral services, but couldn't--what with all the stains on it. (The funeral was the next day, & my flight arrived at 1430 hours--so, there were no open dry-cleaners between the airport & home when we finally left.) So, I asked my mother to stop by the 24-hour Wal-mart near her house, so I could buy SOMETHING to wear. The "greeter" was a nice, elderly man, who immediately recognized me & asked what had happened to my uniform. I gave him a quick synopsis, & he told me not to worry--to just give him my measurements. He then escorted me into the store & phoned for the manager. When the manager arrived, I was told to go finish my shopping.

I arrived back at the checkout counter a few minutes later, & the clerk said that I needed to see the manager. I was tired & hungry, and trying to comfort my Mother, but tried to be as polite as possible. The manager basically told me that I didn't need to pay for a thing (I'd only picked out a nice shirt, tie & pant combo), & to go change in the men's room. He then took my uniform items, told me he knew where my Mother lived, & said that he'd have my uniform back to me before 0700 hours the next morning.

When Mom & I stopped at the local diner for a quick dinner, some other "anonymous" patron paid our bill. When I asked the waitress who had paid, all she said was that the payer said "Perhaps the young man will do this for another Soldier some day."

My sister lived only 2 houses down the street from my Mom, so I walked to her house as soon as we got home. I didn't get much sleep that night, as my sister (her husband had skipped town as soon as he found out she was pregnant) latched onto me as if I was made of velcro, & we sat (she finally slept) sitting on the couch all night.

The next morning other relatives arrived to help my sister get ready, so I walked to my Mom's house to find a uniform with a note pinned to it. The note read "We couldn't get the wine stains out, so we went ahead & purchased you new pants, belt, tie & a shirt. Signed, VFW".

There were no more glitches the rest of that day. It was as pleasant a funeral as could be--as funerals go anyway, & the VFW auxillary had set up a nice reception for us afterwards. I cornered the VFW Post Commander's wife later, asking how much I owed for the purchased uniform items, & basically received the same "Perhaps the young man will do this for another Soldier some day."

I wrote many thank-you notes to folks that night, let me tell you. Later that night, the family congregated over to my Grandparents' house. I was still in uniform. I went to get some "adult beverages" & ran into my Grandfather, a retired SM from the US Marines, who asked me "So, how ya doing?" I told that that, despite being spit on & suffering a few accidents along the way, I was doing all right.

I still try to buy a service member's dinner every month--"anonymously." & they can always count on me trying to purchase them a round or two when they catch me in an "adult drinking establishment." Just one big, happy, uniform-wearing family, isn't it? ;)