What do you think about the wear of uniforms off post?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 20:47:53 -0500

This is a very serious topic that was discussed before by everyone of us here I am sure. Every base I have been there was a policy about when you could wear uniform off post. What do you think about this topic I would like to hear everyone's opinion

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2013 8:50 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 20:50:48 -0500

I think it is convenient to wear the uniform off base (post) when eating lunch or running a quick errand during the day or even right after work.  Unfortunately, this could make you a target of opportunity.  It does provide an opportunity for civilians to socialize with veterans.  I don't mind seeing my fellow service members in uniform if they are behaving themselves :).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2013 8:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 20:56:05 -0500

I am the same way but seeing soldiers past 1900-2000 just doesn't seem right to me especially when I see soldiers going to movies in uniform come on now...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2013 9:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 21:08:39 -0500

I think it is acceptable at times but for the most part (with ACUs) there is absolutely no pride taken in appearance. I remember growing up and seeing my dad in his freshly pressed uniform and now we look like we rolled out of bed and grabbed our boots out of a mud hole. If Soldiers took more pride in themselves and their affiliation I don't think it would be a huge issue.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 14 at 2013 9:47 AM

CMC Robert Young — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 09:47:45 -0500

When I joined the Coast Guard, we were required to wear the appropriate dress uniform (Trops for warm weather and Service Dress for cold) if we were off base. The only time our Working Blue & now the ODUs were to be worn was on the base or underway. The expectation was that when in public we were representing our service and we should present a sharp military appearance.

However, the rules have changed, and now ODUs are authorized for transit to/from work and stops for gas along with fast food eateries. The problem is that we seem to have taken this as license to look like crap on a cracker, and to do whatever and go wherever in our utilities. There's no pride in the uniform. No apparent effort to create the appearance of a military professional. Working on a joint base for seven of the last ten years, this seems to be universal among all of the services except for the Marines I have seen. Makes me wonder what they are doing that the remainder of us are not.

There is definitely something culturally different about how the vast majority of today's service members view their uniform and affiliation with their respective organizations as opposed to those of us on the tail end of our careers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2013 9:49 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 09:49:38 -0500

I'm an OPSEC junkie so I try to to avoid wearing my uniform in public any longer than I have to.

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2013 12:20 PM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 12:20:39 -0500

As others have stated, I rarely wear my uniform off base. There are only few exceptions, during lunch off base or after work on the way home, stopping to get gas or groceries. Being in the special operations community many do not wear their uniform to or from work, they change before leaving. I was never one for this.

Response by CPT Mike M. made Nov 14 at 2013 12:46 PM

CPT Mike M. — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 12:46:57 -0500

We're always representatives of our branch of service and as long as we represent them appropriately, i.e. - uniform is clean and serviceable and worn correctly - then I think it should be ok during the day for lunchtime errands or taking care of errands on the way home from work. However, when it goes from personal sustainment (groceries, gas, haircut, etc) to recreational (mall, movies, etc) that's where the line should be drawn. It should be a common sense thing of when to go and when to get changed but that's not always so common these days.

Response by CPT Mike M. made Nov 14 at 2013 12:48 PM

CPT Mike M. — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 12:48:02 -0500

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jan 4 at 2014 6:01 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 18:01:16 -0500

As long as you wear the uniform correctly and do not dishonor your branch of service, there is nothing wrong with wearing a uniform off post.  Each service has its own regulations so abide by those.  As a Reserve Officer who had to travel over an hour to my duty station, I would stop before or after my drills to run errands or get something to eat.  A lot of Americans like to see their service members in uniform and it can inspire younger Americans to serve.  I do think the key is to wear the uniform correctly and to not do anything that reflects poorly on you and your service. 

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 5:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 17:59:06 -0400

Unless it is a short stop somewhere for something that is absolutely essential, go home and change first. Few things in this world anger me more than a soldier in uniform at Wal-Mart pushing a cart full of groceries. It's completely senseless. Has our individual time-management gotten that bad? Most of our uniforms look like hell after a full day's work, and for those that need to stop on their way to work, plan better and avoid wearing your uniform off post at all costs.

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made May 2 at 2014 10:26 PM

Maj Walter Kilar — Fri, 02 May 2014 22:26:54 -0400

If you are within regulations and are presenting a positive impression of your service, I do not see a problem with wearing the uniform off post (depending on what your service and unit allow). I have worked on bases where I have nowhere to change out of uniform due to lack of facilities, early closure of the gym, etc and I would wear my uniform off post. If I have to get gasoline or some groceries in uniform, then I do it. If I have to pick the kids up from school or take them to soccer practice in uniform, then I do it. If I have an opportunity to change out of uniform, I prefer to do that.

Response by COL John Rosnow made Jul 13 at 2014 12:30 AM

COL John Rosnow — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 00:30:16 -0400

I agree with all of those that say you must wear it IAW proper regulations. In the US, I see a lot of people where their uniform to and from the office, and also if they stop off to get gas or pick something up at the store on the way home.

Depending on OPSEC, there were times overseas where we were not allowed to wear a uniform off base. We needed to change before leaving the base. While it may have made some sense, there were also times where it was not feasible like going from one base to another is across the street or down the road. This was a big waste of time in between meetings.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 4:08 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:08:33 -0400

If you're en route to/just came off of post, it makes sense to me. I don't alter my morning/evening routines just because I'm in uniform.

Going out to a movie, restaurant, or whatever and wearing your uniform around just seems like you're trying to draw attention to yourself. Same thing goes for wearing dog tags with civilian clothes. It just looks tacky/in bad taste.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 9:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:51:33 -0400

I agree with the marine. All to many times I see soldiers running around in an extremely poor put together uniform (doesn't say much for ACUs). With that 80% of the time the kids are BSing in uniform. Should not be happening. It's disrespectful and embarrassing.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Jul 30 at 2014 10:49 PM

Cpl Ray Fernandez — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:49:14 -0400

I've never been a fan of wearing a uniform off base even for official functions. Too much hassle and too visible. Our utilities were only to be worn on base or while traveling to and from home. Our service uniforms were nice but very uncomfortable to wear for liberty. It would be obvious to anyone that we were in the military no matter what we wore, but it's another thing all together to stick out like a sore thumb.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 30 at 2014 11:54 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 23:54:09 -0400

What I find interesting is that recent policy was to allow soldiers to do things off post in uniform (shop, travel, etc). IIRC, the thought was that we were an Army at war and showing the uniform reminded the public of the human cost. Now that war is winding down (for now), the thought is to now pull back into our shell and not do anything off post in uniform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2014 1:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:05:43 -0400

I see no reason to wear your uniform off post if you are a single soldier living in the barracks.
As a man with a wife and kids. I can see why you will leave your uniform on after "work".
These days people with families and active kids just do not have the time to come home change then run errands. From taking the kids to practice to picking up the kids from daycare. A service member's day in just non stop when you have a family.
At Hood most people get off at 1700 and depending on where you live its already a pain to get off post and get to Killeen and Harker Heights so if I need to stop and get something that is just what I do. It takes some people 30mins to get home from Hood so I can see just grabbing the kids and going straight to practice.
As long as you are in the correct uniform and wearing it properly I do not see an issue.
What irks my nerves are civilians wearing the Army APFT shirt with civilian clothes and cut off sleeves. Now I wish there was something to do about that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2014 4:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:17:09 -0400

Would my drill hall be considered "off post" as it's not on a base? There are few bases near me, and in that case, I'd never wear a uniform, even at drill.
Also, recruiters wear uniforms "off post" every day in the line of duty. Should they stop wearing their uniforms, too?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2014 4:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:20:50 -0400

I am proud to wear a uniform off-post when I am traveling to and from my Reserve drill. I make sure that my appearance is in regulations when i do. It's not me being too lazy to change my uniform after drill.
Why should I hide my uniform in the US? If the military didn't want us being seen in public in uniforms, then they should have only issued them to us for use in battle or field exercises, and this would preclude the existence of dress uniforms for the most part.
When I was a sailor in the 1990s, we used to say the reason that the USN didn't want us going off post in dungarees was because the Navy was too embarassed by the "prison" look of the dungarees as a uniform. Besides I wore my ACUs (by decree) off post when traveling to and from work at the port of Kuwait on 2 deployments.
Also, would my drill hall be considered "off post" as it's not on a base? There are few bases near me, and in that case, I'd never wear a uniform, even to drill.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2014 7:22 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 19:22:30 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member SSG V. Michelle Woods Cpl Dominic Fittizzi There was a time when it felt awkward being off base, just after the Vietnam War and when my dad was in, He was called a baby killer but a kid much bigger than me but I kicked his ass. The VP was actually proud of my tenacity. He always looked out for me, since I was small back in the day. Mr Andrew Codispotti, RIP, I love you bro!

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Aug 1 at 2014 12:07 AM

Maj Walter Kilar — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:07:32 -0400

The problem with this question is that there are many scenarios to consider that do not apply to everyone here.

Scenario 1: Typical military member going off base and needs to put gas in the car on the way home. Obviously it makes no sense to go home first, change into civilian clothes, then get gas. Sure, there are arguments to use the base gas station, but I for one go to Costco for cheaper gas or I use other gas stations with rewards points that offer better deals than the base. Unless your rules do not allow this, I think this is a valid scenario for wearing the uniform off base.

Scenario 2: Lazy military member goes shopping at Walmart in uniform and possibly stops at McDonald's for dinner. Obviously the member is just being lazy. Go home and change before shopping at Walmart, and go through the drive-in if you must have fast food.

Scenario 3: Military member gets a phone call from the spouse that the other car is not working and the member needs to pick up the kids and get them to soccer practice in 30 minutes. Assuming this is not a regular occurrence, I see this a valid reason to be loitering off the base in uniform.

Scenario 4: A military member works at a very small base with few amenities on base. This is me. I do not work on a base at all, and the building goes secure at certain hours. I live an hour from work. I share an office with a member of the opposite gender. I really have no choice but to wear my uniform off base, because I have nowhere to change clothes.

Many military members have seen scenarios 1-3, but few have seen this scenario. I throw this out there just to illustrate that there is no single answer for all scenarios, but regardless of your personal opinion on the matter, it is imperative for each military member to present a professional image on and off the base.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 4:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 16:58:37 -0400

A lot of different schools of thought on this. While I love that Soldiers have pride in their appearance and their service, too often these days we see people trying to steal the glory. And anything a Soldier, or any service member, does while in uniform reflects on the entire military.

service member went to a store in uniform: fine.
At the store was a whole bunch of people outside, protesting/demonstrating/selling/seeking donations for ANYTHING.

He doesn't participate, doesn't donate, nothing like that, just gives the people the common courtesy and respect that all people deserve as he walks by. Nothing wrong with that.

Someone takes a picture with the demonstrators (or whatever) and the Service member within close proximity to each other, possibly talking in passing, or just a polite smile. Though now it LOOKS like the military now supports WHATEVER cause that may have been for.

next comes a media field day and a massive S***storm for that Service member.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Sep 6 at 2014 12:34 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 12:34:42 -0400

Are you talking about fatigues or a service uniform? Fatigues should only be worn off post to go from off post home to post. Service uniform is okie dokie off post. Of course, I started in the time when that meant khakis/TWs. We had to carry a tie in the hip pocket of the long sleeves and put on before going off post and tuck it in under the second button. Fatigues are a work/fighting uniform. Burns me up when I see troops running around in them off post, in air terminals, etc The excuse in air terminals is they are on R&R, well, get your service uniform out of your duffel and wear it on R&R. Been there and done that. I guess they still allow you two duffels, to have room for all your clothes and stuff. Used to call them Red TAT and Yellow TAT, but I forget what that meant.

Response by SGT Chris Hill made Jan 2 at 2015 2:01 AM

SGT Chris Hill — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:01:31 -0500

If you've earned the uniform, you should be able to wear it anywhere you want as long as you're not dis-honoring the regs. There's lots of fakes out there wearing half ass uniforms, so the ones who actually have earned it can have the privilege of wearing.

Response by CH (COL) Geoff Bailey made Jan 3 at 2015 9:53 AM

CH (COL) Geoff Bailey — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 09:53:23 -0500

A proper answer to this question requires three more questions.

1. What is the local command policy? Each command has a policy and it might be more strict than AR guidance.

2. What is the current OPSEC situation? Situations constantly change and could require more strict practices than those permitted by regulation and policy.

3. Does it present a professional appearance and reflect favorably upon the reputation of the Armed Services? This is our guiding principle, whether in uniform or civilian clothing. The best dressed Service Member can still discredit the branch he/she represents through unprofessional conduct.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 3 at 2015 12:03 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:03:53 -0500

Wear of the uniform off post has been authorized and unauthorized over the years for a variety of reasons.
- 1990s. Unauthorized. Main reason being leaders did not want civilians seeing military in the local Wal Mart at 1400 when they should have been at work. Authorized for wear only when going straight to or from off post housing.
- 2000s. Authorized to wear off post and even encouraged to wear while commercial flying so as to self advertise the military and gain civilian awareness for the 99% of the population that has never served.
- 2014/2015. No longer authorized when commercial flying. Local installation rules vary but becoming more unauthorized. Several reasons but 1990 reasons coming into play as well as ISIS encouragement of targeting of military personnel and their families in the homeland. Like overseas, best to blend in with the crowd.
- My thoughts. Continue to leave the decision to installation commanders so they can react to local situations and threats. Internal military reasons go to good order and discipline and risk assessment among others. External reasons go to how we want the civilian population to see and perceive the military. The external reasons can not and should not be discounted and are just as, if not more important, than then internal reasons.l

Response by CW3 Chuck Huddleston made Jan 5 at 2015 12:12 PM

CW3 Chuck Huddleston — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 12:12:03 -0500

I think that wearing the class "A" uniform off post is great, looks good and represents the military well. While 670-1 now allows the utility and camouflage uniforms to be worn in the public while shopping, eating, etc. off post, I think they look bad.

Response by MSgt Rob Weston made Jan 5 at 2015 1:06 PM

MSgt Rob Weston — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:06:42 -0500

While in, I used the common sense rule of question evaluation.

Is it a necessary stop or can it wait? (Picking up the kiddos, need gas, meal time are normal yes answers)

How long do I estimate the stop to take? (My comfort level is 15-20 minutes, if I estimate after 30 than it can wait till I change. Exceptions to this are team lunches, emergencies, on base establishments, or mandatory events)

I will the stop be during or after duty hours? (Self explanatory)

Lastly, do I portray a positive image of the service or a violation to local and service uniform policy? (If the uniform is dirty or disheveled then no)

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 6 at 2015 11:44 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 11:44:18 -0500

We were ONLY allowed to wear our uniforms off post to go home, it was strictly adhered to and you would be stopped if caught frolicking around at a bar , club or other establishment where alcohol was served as per Ar 670-1.It even went so far that you could not go shopping in uniform during the duty period of the day and monitors were placed into Px and other establishments and WOULD stop you and you WOULD wind up having to report to the post commander.I remember having to do this duty and busted a Major out who had a tizzy and tried to pull rank on me ( had he just let me talk and share the post commanders wishes he could have gone on his merry way with just the knowledge of what was going on and no visit to the Post Commander).

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 3:14 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 15:14:47 -0500

As long as you're within the regulations and standards for your service, I don't see the problem. This is a relatively new phenomena...back in WWII, you were required to be in uniform even on leave/liberty.

Now, a service member should be aware that they are representing the service while wearing the uniform. But the more interaction we can have with the civilian population in a positive manner, the better.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 8:00 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 20:00:23 -0500

If I plan to go anywhere after duty, I always pack civilian clothes in my car. ACU's or ASU's, I can still do a quick change in a bathroom or in my car if it came down to it. It takes like 10 minutes max and you're on your way and not out at the mall, movies, ice skating etc in uniform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2015 11:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 11:38:17 -0500

I think the better question would be appropriate activities to participate in while wearing your uniform. The question of wearing your uniform off post is too broad. Why? Because of the fact that a lot of our troops live off post. If we restrict wear of the uniform off post, do we provide appropriate time for our Soldiers to change out of uniform before leaving post? If so, do we give our on post Soldiers time off when the off post Soldiers are changing? Ugh, it's a nightmare.

The better question is restricting wear of the uniform during certain activities. I never understood why 10th Mountain had a policy stating that there was to be no wear of the uniform off post after 1900 hours. What about our guys that work 24 hour shifts? This 1900 standard assumed there were no 24 hour shift workers. Yes, the standard did allow for quick stops for "essentials," but there were a lot of rabid, pit bull, alpha type NCOs that seemed to spend all their free time patrolling for Soldiers off post, as if they had nothing better to be doing with their free time.

So, back to the question I posed. As AR 600-20 already covers where and when to wear the uniform, as does sections of AR 670-1, isn't this a redundant question? I don't mean to say you're (SSG Turkezer) asking a redundant question, it's the leadership of any given Division that has made this a redundant question.

At any rate, we should be more concerned about the conduct of any given Soldier while off post in uniform, and how that Soldier's conduct reflects on the US Army. If we're recruiting quality Soldiers, fostering good ethics, and ingraining positive ideals into the Soldier, we shouldn't have anything to worry about. There are always going to be the one or two Soldiers in ANY given unit that makes that particular unit look bad, but they should not be allowed to set the standard for the rest of us that actually make the unit look great.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 12:36 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 12:36:26 -0500

Lets forget the fact about the Impact of Military image. Let's concentrate on the antiterrorism aspect. If you wear your uniform off base, you are potentially making yourself a target. I laughed when I was told that we were going to be mandated to wear our Service Blues while traveling on Military orders. So now the terrorist on the plane knows exactly who he needs to take out first. No thanks, I'll go in Civis and if the fecal matter hits the mechanical apparatus I'll take action to defend the personnel on board and take the terrorist by surprise. Sometimes people don't think!! I believe the mindset was, if we mandate military members to travel in uniform then the American people will feel more secure while flying. Don't worry about the military members personal safety, that's what you get paid the low two figures for.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 12:37 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 12:37:11 -0500

To avoid the problem, I would always hit the gym right after the end of the day on the ship, so I would be in my workout clothes (not a PT uniform) to leave the base. (It was a little more difficult in the morning, however, so I was in uniform going into work.)

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 15 at 2016 9:51 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 21:51:32 -0500

I don't think it should be authorized by any branch in wearing military uniforms on a off base STORE.
WHEN I WAS IN WE WERE NOT AUTHORIZED TO EVEN STOP TO GET gas on base.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 15 at 2016 9:55 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 21:55:25 -0500

Where I live We have a navy base and you don't even have base stickers to get on base you need a
ID card. they said that you are a Target so that why they stopped issuing them.

Response by Robert Rodriguez made Aug 8 at 2018 3:16 PM

Robert Rodriguez — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 15:16:26 -0400

It has been a few years since I retired from the service; my thoughts are as long as they do not misrepresent our military branches and look sharp in their your uniforms. It was upsetting when some didn't wear their uniforms with pride! We should not take a privilege for granted.