Posted on Apr 24, 2015
So I saw a soldier at Old Chicago drinking in uniform. What do you think about how I handled the situation?
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So after getting in some tennis time, I made my way to the local Old Chicago here in Clarksville and took a seat at the bar. First thing I notice? A soldier (SPC) is with his wife while in uniform and a beer is on the table. After a little observation (saw him drink some), I approached them in a calm manner and told him, "Hey man, I'm a Specialist just like you so I'm not gonna talk down to you or anything but think about what you're doing in perspective. You're in uniform, representing this country and Army.. And you're at a restaurant that primarily serves alcohol, and even worse drinking alcohol in uniform. If I was someone of higher rank, you could seriously be in deep shit right now. I'd advise that you stop after that one; it makes you look unprofessional and disrespects the uniform. Have a good night."
Now I'm kinda keeping an eye on him to make sure, but I don't wanna disrespect him either. Hopefully I'm doing the right thing here; what do you all think?
Now I'm kinda keeping an eye on him to make sure, but I don't wanna disrespect him either. Hopefully I'm doing the right thing here; what do you all think?
Posted in these groups: 
Professionalism
Professionalism
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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I do not see the issue here. I have seen many soldiers in uniform have a drink with a meal if they were not on duty. As far as having time to change what if if a soldier is coming from base and has to meet up with a spouse at a half way point to go someplace after work and they do not have time to change.There is a big difference between having a drink with a meal and sitting at the bar slamming beers or drinks. For those of you that were stationed in Germany and had the pleasure to train at Graf how many of you visited the strip club and were in uniform ? I would drive the 1SGT and Battery commander down to a local guest house where we would eat and they both had a beer in uniform with their dinner. I did not because I was driving even though the 1 SGT on one occasion offered to drive back so I could have a beer if I wanted one. I can say I am so happy I am not in todays military if this is what it has come too. Having a drink with a meal in no way harms the image of todays soldier. I personally think you should not have intervened and embarrassed him in front of his family like that unless he was getting drunk and crossing a line. I for one would have gotten very confrontational if someone with equal or lower rank had approached me like that in front of my wife when we were out some place. If it was higher rank I would have bit my tongue and done as requested and if I felt I was in the right taken it up with my direct chain of command.
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COL Andrew Schober
I do remember the days of being able to have a bear with a meal. It is the few that over indulge and cause a scene that have tarnished it for the rest that act responsibly in public.
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SPC Nancy Greene
Definitely Agree with You
SPC Kevin Schober!
I was stationed in Garlstedt FRG, and BDU’S were the duty uniform. We were ‘allowed’ to consume one (1) beer with a meal if not on Post. However, we were not ‘allowed’ out in town in BDU’s.
If going off Post, other than to and from work, You HAD to change into civies. There were NO options!
SPC Kevin Schober!
I was stationed in Garlstedt FRG, and BDU’S were the duty uniform. We were ‘allowed’ to consume one (1) beer with a meal if not on Post. However, we were not ‘allowed’ out in town in BDU’s.
If going off Post, other than to and from work, You HAD to change into civies. There were NO options!
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I'm a bit confused, SPC Patrick Caldwell :
Aside from having a beer, what was he doing that might be considered misbehaving? Was he being loud and obnoxious? Trying to pick a fight?
Or are you presuming that there is something inherently offensive or embarrassing about sitting at a table with your wife and quietly sipping a beer? Really?
Aside from having a beer, what was he doing that might be considered misbehaving? Was he being loud and obnoxious? Trying to pick a fight?
Or are you presuming that there is something inherently offensive or embarrassing about sitting at a table with your wife and quietly sipping a beer? Really?
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I have seen countless active duty folks in uniform at restaurants eating and having a beer. This includes going away functions, promotion functions, retirements etc (which never seems to be stopped). I don't see anything wrong as long as he is enjoying a meal with his family and acting responsibly. Just a question, what about drinking in clubs on base in uniform? Is that a double standard?
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