Posted on Apr 15, 2016
What constitutes "official capacity" in regards to being under arms per AR 670-1?
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Per AR 670-1/chapter 3-7/L/2 states "soldiers will not wear headgear indoors, unless under arms in an official capacity, or when directed by the commander, such as for indoor ceremonial activities." As the title asks, what constitutes "official capacity?"
I ask, because today at Walmart I saw an ARNG Major wearing ACUs with a holstered M9 on his leg, and it caused me to raise an eye brow.
I ask, because today at Walmart I saw an ARNG Major wearing ACUs with a holstered M9 on his leg, and it caused me to raise an eye brow.
Army Regulations
DA Pam 670-1
Uniforms
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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SGT (Join to see) - Great question: Here's how I remember things:
1.) If you're carrying a rifle or pistol, you're "under arms."
2.) If in the course of executing normal duties (e.g. simply working), you're operating in an official capacity.
3.) Sometimes while under arms, you have to go inside. Thus, one remains covered & continue to wear your head gear.
As for the ANG officer, there would be no reason for him to be shopping in Walmart while in an official capacity. My guess is that he's brandishing both his uniform and his weapon. I'd slide this over to the "suspect" realm --especially for a Major. It's arrogant behavior, in my estimation. To this, I hope he never pins on silver oak leaves.
1.) If you're carrying a rifle or pistol, you're "under arms."
2.) If in the course of executing normal duties (e.g. simply working), you're operating in an official capacity.
3.) Sometimes while under arms, you have to go inside. Thus, one remains covered & continue to wear your head gear.
As for the ANG officer, there would be no reason for him to be shopping in Walmart while in an official capacity. My guess is that he's brandishing both his uniform and his weapon. I'd slide this over to the "suspect" realm --especially for a Major. It's arrogant behavior, in my estimation. To this, I hope he never pins on silver oak leaves.
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SGT (Join to see)
I really do hope it's this simple. I can't think of any reason why a soldier, much less an officer, would be authorized to be armed and shopping in public and I agree that it was likely arrogant attention seeking behavior.
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CPO (Join to see)
Well said sir, he should have turned is weapon over to the Sgt of Guard or back to armory. They may have modified there SOP's due to Tennessee and some governors have authorized to carry on duty. I would think that police would know about this, because every time we went to range or transported weapons we had to notified all law enforcement and would give them times and places.
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Another scenario seen entirely too often is the Drill Sergeant. They were notorious for this. In fact I remember an RC DS that wore her hat in the shoppette. A patron in civilian clothes standing behind her asked her kindly to take it off. She replied, "this is how we do it here" as she rolled her eyes and removed her cover. She then decided to put it back on as she was checking out. The same civilian then "fired for affect". Now telling this Soldier that she would not wear her head gear indoors. Turns out the civilian was one of our Training Brigade CSM's. Unfortunately that Drill Sergeant was supposed to be the DS of the cycle. Let's just say that she was no longer in contention.
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SGM Erik Marquez
CSM (Join to see) -
I used to wear the hat. My philosophy is simple. You can do as you do when your in your own house. But once you leave your organizational foot print it is time to "shut up and color between the lines" just like everyone else. "
That is a great outlook.
While at Jackson, if we were actively pushing troops, DFAC, Clothing and sales, perhaps even into the PX vestibule, the Hat was in place while orders being given, directions, movements executed.. But once that was done.. SM in the PX moving about, SM safely in line or at table eating, inside or waiting in line for clothing and sales, . Hat came off once the platoon level "thing" was done.
"I wear my hat in the PX so they can find me" A: I did not want to be found, i was moving about the PX finding THEM... "Hi there privet.. is THAT in the approved list??????, how about you put that back and get moving to finish the list"
And at assembly time, not that hard to for them to find the DS standing by the ....(insert what ever land mark you gave them) at the prescribed time hack.
I used to wear the hat. My philosophy is simple. You can do as you do when your in your own house. But once you leave your organizational foot print it is time to "shut up and color between the lines" just like everyone else. "
That is a great outlook.
While at Jackson, if we were actively pushing troops, DFAC, Clothing and sales, perhaps even into the PX vestibule, the Hat was in place while orders being given, directions, movements executed.. But once that was done.. SM in the PX moving about, SM safely in line or at table eating, inside or waiting in line for clothing and sales, . Hat came off once the platoon level "thing" was done.
"I wear my hat in the PX so they can find me" A: I did not want to be found, i was moving about the PX finding THEM... "Hi there privet.. is THAT in the approved list??????, how about you put that back and get moving to finish the list"
And at assembly time, not that hard to for them to find the DS standing by the ....(insert what ever land mark you gave them) at the prescribed time hack.
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SFC (Join to see)
There is a lot of misinformation about wearing the drill sergeant hat indoors. On posts with basic training, like Ft. Jackson, it may be authorized by post regulation, but the regulation at Jackson would only apply while the drill sergeant is with trainees, not during a visit to the PX. I take mine off as often as possible, but a drill sergeant is generally going to be told to never take the hat off around privates.
http://www.ssi.army.mil/ncoa/Fort%20Jackson_Basic_Standards_Handbook.pdf
"(2) 'Active' status Drill Sergeants are excluded from wearing the beret. They are awarded and expected to wear the campaign/bush hat and DS identification badge upon graduation from the United States Army Drill Sergeant School. Drill Sergeants are authorized to wear their hats indoors while conducting duty in a supervisory role over Soldiers in training."
http://www.ssi.army.mil/ncoa/Fort%20Jackson_Basic_Standards_Handbook.pdf
"(2) 'Active' status Drill Sergeants are excluded from wearing the beret. They are awarded and expected to wear the campaign/bush hat and DS identification badge upon graduation from the United States Army Drill Sergeant School. Drill Sergeants are authorized to wear their hats indoors while conducting duty in a supervisory role over Soldiers in training."
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CPT William Jones
That is why in a military town one must be careful. You never know who’s talking. While I was stationed in Germany a young E4 returning from leave at the airport was overdoses on booze looking very sloppy. This nice looking in civics older man suggested he get squared away. He got lip. Old man asked e4 if he would like to exchange I.D and make it official kid looked at old man again light bulb lite and recognition from picture. He was being gently corrected by his 3star corps commander
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MP's while on duty. Armed Guard duties for base protection in case of an active shooter situation. But on that Active Shooter Armed Guard duty, at my Reserve Center, those that are doing the duties of Armed Guard are NOT allowed to leave the base with that weapon.
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SGT (Join to see)
This Walmart happens to be within a quarter mile of a ANG armory, so I think it's likely this soldier might have been on Armed Guard duty as you said and maybe this particular soldier thought they could get away with stepping out real quick. In hindsight I think I should have confronted the MAJ, but honestly I'm not even in any more and my give a crap about this kind of thing is right on the cusp of inaction vs. action leaning towards the former.
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MSG (Join to see)
National Guard guys do whatever they want. Everyone knows that it is better to just leave the weapon under the POV seat in these cases.
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