So I saw a soldier at Old Chicago drinking in uniform. What do you think about how I handled the situation?

SPC Patrick Caldwell — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 22:09:18 -0400

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?

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Apr 24 at 2015 11:24 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 23:24:34 -0400

SPC Patrick Caldwell well done! No need to embarrass a man with his family; however, you did the hard right... And did it well!

Response by SGT Steve Oakes made Apr 25 at 2015 5:01 AM

SGT Steve Oakes — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 05:01:17 -0400

Well done! As some have pointed out he was not breaking regs. But the regs are MINIMUM standards. If he had time to pick up his family, he had time to change out of uniform.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 25 at 2015 6:27 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 06:27:13 -0400

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 25 at 2015 6:43 AM

SFC Stephen King — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 06:43:05 -0400

I commend your intestinal fortitude to approach the situation and handle it in a cool collective manner. You did your service or any service proud. Expressing your concern but being tactful is a balance that some are not able to display.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Apr 25 at 2015 7:19 AM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 07:19:02 -0400

Good on ya, SPC! Not everyone is willing to do such a thing.

As others have said, the best thing that other SPC could have done is to change clothes.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 7:52 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 07:52:25 -0400

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?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 25 at 2015 8:54 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 08:54:09 -0400

Which uniform? Service or Combat?

And is there a regulation that prohibits it?

Marines generally don't drink when on duty (unless that duty is a command function), but having a beer at the E-Club in cammies after work was okay (at least in 2000~). In service uniform, off duty, I can't think of reason why a beer would be inappropriate as long as not to excess.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 10:39 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 10:39:32 -0400

i'm at a loss......is there something wrong with having a beer in uniform....NCO CLUB, O-Club, locally "endorsed" bars outside of every base. Was he shitfaced?....thats a different story. Was this a food establishment? a Celebration? Tuesday?....i guess i'm just saying there's not enough information. I see folks all the time in uniform out at nice Dinners enjoying a glass of wine or a beer. Was he at strip club? Again I guess i'm just not absorbing the situation.....if i was out after a long do of work with my wife (who was alone military) and we were in uniform having a glass of wine at a local eatery i'm sorry but i'd be pissed....and probably politely take whatever you said with a calm face and professionalism, like i'm sure this guy did.....just so as not to make a scene but inside would be a different story......guess what i'm getting at is unless i'm really missing something in this picture...or this guy was causing a problem you may have overstepped you bounds. I could be wrong but with information provided that's how i read it.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Apr 25 at 2015 1:00 PM

1LT William Clardy — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 13:00:54 -0400

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?

Response by SPC Kevin Schober made Apr 29 at 2015 1:34 PM

SPC Kevin Schober — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:34:39 -0400

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.

Response by SrA Keith Keitel made Apr 29 at 2015 5:36 PM

SrA Keith Keitel — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:36:52 -0400

The ucmj say you may have a drink in uniform while having a meal. So unless he was drunk and out of control that was the wrong move

Response by PO3 Jeremy Day made Apr 29 at 2015 5:39 PM

PO3 Jeremy Day — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:39:41 -0400

Difference in generation. Overseas in a lot of places you had to wear dress whites or dress blues. It was mandatory. It was normal to eat and drink while in uniform. I don't see any problem at all. This the old Navy talking though.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 5:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:57:22 -0400

I agree with SGT Michael Ellman , it isn't difficult to change out of uniform before going out to dinner, especially if you're planning on having a few (drinks). I agree with your logic that it does present a less than desirable appearance on behalf of the armed forces. While many have said, it's not directly against regulatory guidance, it really should be. On some installations (Ft Hood specifically), it is prohibited for soldiers to consume alcohol off the installation wile in duty uniform. Honestly, it may be policy for your installation as well. You handled yourself appropriately, you were tactful and polite. Good on you. Keep it up. It's one of the most exercised practices of personal courage to correct someone when there appears to be a wrong doing.

Response by PO1 Andrew White made May 7 at 2015 10:11 PM

PO1 Andrew White — Thu, 07 May 2015 22:11:28 -0400

Jeeeezus reading some of the responses has me shaking my head. Are we all so mamby bamby that having a drink, regardless of what uniform you're wearing is an "issue"...?

You wonder why NCO Clubs, O Clubs etc are a thing of the past. You have no choice but to get off base to have a drink, lest the Base Police bust you for DUI after 2 drinks and now it's frowned upon to grab a drink with your special lady friend without having to run all the way home to change first?

I showed up at a Command pic nic/cookout once with a 6 pack...you'd think I rolled up riding a unicorn.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2019 6:36 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 18:36:59 -0400

I'm off of work in an army combat uniform. I stopped at a restaurant for food that serives alchohol. Their primary is NOT alchohol, it's food with a bar. And not centered on drinking. Read the regulations people. From AR 670-1 c. Restrictions on wear. (1) Personnel may not wear the combat uniform in off-post establishments that primarily sell alcohol for consumption on the premises. If the off-post establishment sells alcohol and food for consumption on the premises, Soldiers may not wear the combat uniform if their activities in the establishment center on the drinking of alcohol."

I'm having "A" beer while reading this.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2020 9:36 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 09:36:45 -0500

basically you're a fuckin nerd

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2021 7:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 19:40:36 -0500

I think you should mind your own, SPC. If he was there primarily to have a meal and not get housed, move along.