Any feedback on the Army's sleeves up policy? It looks like the new uniform makes it uncomfortable and SMs are electing to keep them down?

COL Lee Flemming — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 06:39:32 -0400

Looking for first reports on the policy. I personally found that the sleeves cut my circulation off and made rolling them uncomfortable.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 11 at 2016 6:41 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 06:41:11 -0400

Haven't heard any bad reports from younger Guardsmen in my area.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Aug 11 at 2016 7:42 AM

1SG Mike Case — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 07:42:10 -0400

I don't roll them simply because I have become accustomed to wearing my sleeves down. I am not sure about comfort, but it just looks odd to me. I see numerous Soldiers throughout the day wearing them up though.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 8:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 08:15:48 -0400

Right after this came out, a lot of C.O.s told their units to keep them down.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 8:36 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 08:36:27 -0400

I like it, and want to do it. My my command decided to no-go it.

Response by Sgt Seth Welch made Aug 11 at 2016 9:42 AM

Sgt Seth Welch — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 09:42:17 -0400

As a Marine I loved sleeves up. If rolled properly, they're not just comfortable, they're aesthetically flattering to the uniform in my opinion (E6 and down) and give another chance to show pride in your appearance in uniform.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Aug 11 at 2016 9:44 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 09:44:46 -0400

Help me understand this policy now. Years ago the Army rolled sleeves. Why it such a huge deal now? Is it the velcro patches on the sleeves? I thought the Army always had patches

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Aug 11 at 2016 10:34 AM

SGT Patrick Reno — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 10:34:20 -0400

My youngest son is in the Guard and I was trying to show him how we used to do it with the BDU'S and it just doesn't work with the new uniforms. The old BDU'S had way more room in the sleeves.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 5:44 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 17:44:44 -0400

Some units have gone as far as making sleeve rolling mandatory instead of optional

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 6:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 18:00:55 -0400

I have not seen it look right yet. This is worse than when then rolled out the beret and we had all the pizza hats. I wouldn't do it if my command let me.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 7:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 19:44:36 -0400

The 1ID(Fort Riley) has made it mandatory for Soldiers to roll them in a garrison environment, and down while conducting motor pool operations, missions, or field training.

I have found that the higher it is rolled, the tighter it is and does cut off any airflow, however if rolled so as to be just above the elbow, I have no complaints. Airflow is nice, and no circulation cutoff. I personally like my forearms to be exposed rather than have my sweat pool up in my sleeves.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 7:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 19:45:45 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 8:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:05:56 -0400

To be honest, it was uncomfortable and often cutoff the circulation in BDUs as well if you had anything but mosquito bumps for biceps and triceps.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2016 3:57 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 15:57:58 -0400

My Drill Sergeant in 96 had arms so huge that there was no way the BDU could fit with sleeves down much less sleeves up. He had permission from the command to have custom work done at a sew shop. He had two tops at all times. One that had sleeves up (Basically a short sleeve BDU top that looked like a camo out roll) and the other down.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2016 4:34 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 16:34:01 -0400

In my state the command authority for sleeve rolling is being retained at the TAG level. I doubt we'll be seeing rolled sleeves any time soon. Frankly I think it kind of defeats the purpose of empowering commanders to make decisions on uniform posture.