Mix and matching of the Army uniform?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 06:48:20 -0500

Got an NCO who thinks he can wear his Leather Jacket with his ACU's. He is known to be a wise guy, so I just wanted to get some clarification since it's not stated in AR 670-1 about mixing civilian clothing items while on duty. He tried to tell me that as long as the temperature is below a certain temperature, then it is authorized. Are you freakin kidding me? LOL. I asked to see the reg.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 24 at 2016 7:25 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 07:25:15 -0500

The only exception I know of is "Personal Protective Gear" for Motorcycle Riding (which is likely USMC specific), which only applies while on the bike.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 9:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:02:31 -0500

I would start the paperwork trail. As an NCO this individual needs to know the regs and that they apply to him.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Feb 24 at 2016 9:24 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:24:42 -0500

The only mix and match allow is a bike helmet when you on your motorcycle, other then that you wear what you issues.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Feb 24 at 2016 9:51 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:51:54 -0500

Look in the 670-1, it explains what is authorized as a component of each type of uniform in detail what is an authorized accessory. Mine is old but I can't imagine it having changing too much, under ACUs for instance the authorized accessories list says nothing about leather jackets , so you wouldn't catch me dead even as an old geezer at a parade or authorized veterans function wearing something that isn't on the list.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 10:09 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:09:35 -0500

Here is the best reference to the Regulation that I can find in AR 670-1:

Pay particular attention to section F

3–9. Civilian clothing
a. Civilian clothing is authorized for wear when off duty, unless the wear is prohibited by the senior commander.
Commanders down to unit level may restrict the wear of civilian clothes by those Soldiers who have had their pass
privileges revoked. Within the confines of a military base or a DoD installation, civilian clothing will be worn subject
to local regulations.
b. When on duty in civilian clothes or off duty and outside of their personal dwelling, Army personnel will present a
professional image that does not detract from the profession, unless specifically exempted by the commander for
specific mission requirements.
c. Soldiers are associated and identified with the Army in and out of uniform, and when on or off duty. Therefore,
when civilian clothing is worn, Soldiers will ensure that their dress and personal appearance are commensurate with the
high standards traditionally associated with Army service. Commanders are charged with determining and publishing
the local civilian clothing policy. When on a military installation, civilian headgear will be removed indoors in
accordance with established norms.
d. When civilian clothing has been authorized by competent authority for wear in a duty status in lieu of a uniform,
the civilian clothing will be of the same comparable degree of formality as the uniform prescribed for such duty.
Standards of dress and appearance will be conservative and meet the same high standards established for personnel in
uniform.
e. The wear of clothing articles not specifically designed to be normally worn as headgear (for example, bandannas,
do rags) are prohibited while on duty.
f. No part of a prescribed uniform, except those items not exclusively military in character, may be worn with
civilian clothing.
g. Uniform items authorized for wear with civilian clothing by males are restricted to the gold cuff links, studs, tie
bar, mourning band, footwear, socks, gloves, undergarments, black bow-tie, wool scarf, all-weather coat, fleece caps,
and physical training uniforms.
h. Uniform items authorized for wear with civilian clothing by females are restricted to the white shirt without
insignia of grade, undergarments, footwear, gloves, handbag, clutch purse, wool scarf, all-weather coat, fleece caps, and
physical training uniforms.
i. Uniform items that have been declared obsolete may be worn with civilian clothing, provided such items contain
no distinctive insignia or buttons.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 10:35 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:35:05 -0500

No, that is not authorized.
But it got me to thinking. Has the Soldier been issued gear appropriate for the weather? Too often, this item slips through the cracks. If the answer is no, hook him up with supply and get him squared away.
If the answer is that he has been issued appropriate gear, than this is willful and needs to be dealt with fairly aggressively in order to keep his disdain for the uniform from spreading.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 24 at 2016 10:58 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 10:58:29 -0500

About the only time you are allowed to wear a leather jacket with ACU's on is if it's protective riding leathers worn when you are riding a motorcycle. But that is usually a post specific policy.

And no, you are issued cold weather gear for a reason........

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 1:33 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:33:12 -0500

mixing civi clothes and military clothing no matter what has never been authorized the army has issued soldiers with cold weather gear they need to wear it, if it has'nt been issued get it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 2:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 14:16:30 -0500

well fonzie needs to be councilled by his supior nco

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 7:57 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 19:57:53 -0500

"...as long as the temperature is below a certain temperature, then it is authorized..." I am so excited that this is now our approach to the regs. I can finally wear my boots-with-the-fur in my ABUs when the weather dips down.

What say you, KB? CSM Private RallyPoint Member

Response by TSgt Terry Hudson made Feb 24 at 2016 8:37 PM

TSgt Terry Hudson — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 20:37:27 -0500

Thats what the fleece and the gortex are for. Simple!! lol

Response by COL Jim Kohlmann made Feb 24 at 2016 9:37 PM

COL Jim Kohlmann — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 21:37:42 -0500

Tell him that the CSM wants to see him and his jacket.

Response by SGT Vince Albert Dickson made Feb 24 at 2016 10:00 PM

SGT Vince Albert Dickson — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 22:00:14 -0500

Lack of Respect for the Feelings of Honor that our Uniforms hold and our sacrifices made while wearing these Military Uniforms! It's not a fashion show! This is not a Reality television show! Code of Conduct is REAL LIFE! It all boils down to the Army Values!! http://www.history.army.mil/lc/the%20mission/the_seven_army_values.htm

The Seven Army Values - Lewis and Clark - Corps of Discovery - U.S. Army Center of Military...

Loyalty Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. constitution, the Army, and other soldiers. Be loyal to the nation and its heritage.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 10:44 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 22:44:48 -0500

The only authorized uniform item authorized for wear with civilians are items from the ipfu. AR 670-1 Para 1-5 (e) states" In accordance with Section 771, Chapter 45, Title 10, United States Code , no person except a member of the U.S. Army may wear the uniform, a distinctive part of the uniform, or any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the U.S. Army uniform, unless otherwise authorized by law. Soldiers are not authorized to wear distinctive uniforms or uniform items of the U.S. Army or of other U.S. Services with or on civilian clothes, except as authorized by this regulation." Hope that helps.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 11:06 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:06:11 -0500

I read a lot of the responses on here. There is a time when a Soldier can wear civilian clothes with their uniform, I have an NCO in my unit that this applies to, and she had a permanent profile that allows it. I will not go into detail of issue due to HIPAA but it clearly states it on the profile that it can be mixed. Trust me when I saw it I had to look up every reg on the planet to find it, it's between the medical provider and the unit commander.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 12:01 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 12:01:18 -0500

BLUF: HE IS WRONG

AR 670-1
3–7. Required or prohibited wearing of the Army uniform
e. Wearing a combination of civilian and military clothing is prohibited, unless prescribed in this regulation or directed by the Secretary of the Army.

3–9. Civilian clothing
f. No part of a prescribed uniform, except those items not exclusively military in character, may be worn with civilian clothing.