What would you do if you saw this at a liquor store?

LCpl Norberto G Bernabe Jr — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:03:13 -0500

My wife and I were at a liquor store shopping for our favorite wines a few weeks back. There was a wine tasting event going on that Saturday. I did a double take when I saw someone in full ACU at the event. Took a closer look and saw that she had a major's insignia. A few minutes later, she walked away from the crowd and started taking selfies and then she was Skyping. My wife said she overheard her saying that she was guzzling some wine to who ever she was on Skype with. I wanted to say something to her but my wife wouldn't let me. What do you folks think?

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 7 at 2014 5:02 PM

SFC Melker Johansson — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:02:22 -0500

What's up with the unbloused boots?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 5:03 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:03:56 -0500

Tough question, but away from anyone and very tactfully, I think there is an opportunity to discuss with the Major the image the Major is projecting. That would be a tough on-the-spot correction, but with finesse and tact it's possible.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 5:12 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:12:09 -0500

I've stopped at liquor stores many times while in uniform on the way home. I live 20-30 minutes from most stores, so if I'm picking up a drink, it's on the way home. But I try to be in/out quickly - and definitely not stopping for wine tasting. I've even sat outside the store for a few minutes to wait for people to leave before I go in, because I hate the look of somebody in uniform buying alcohol. With that said, it's that or driving 30 minutes home, then 30 minutes back to the store, and then 30 minutes back home again. I realize it doesn't look good, but I'm not doing 2 hours of driving to get a beer.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 5:20 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:20:14 -0500

God I wish these pics had visible unit patches. And before anyone says anything... AMEDD?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Nov 7 at 2014 5:22 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:22:50 -0500

The unbloused boots caught my eye right away. Guess when you don't have a Class VI store handy, you're bound to see this on occasion. Probably wasn't a good idea to be doing a wine tasting in uniform, but I don't see a problem with stopping in to make a purchase.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 6:12 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 18:12:40 -0500

I can't speak for Army, but AFI 36-2903 (the AFI for uniforms) forbids wearing ABU's in off base establments where alcohol consumption is the primary source of business. So there's that, the unclouded boots, her purse is not an approved color for using in uniform, and she carrying her purse on the wrong shoulder. Maybe the Army isn't as strict about all those things as the Air Force.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 7 at 2014 6:18 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 18:18:02 -0500

This is when I introduce myself and shake her hand and get her name and unit. I then ask what her course of action is to get home since she is drinking in public and in uniform. I offer to call someone above her in her chain of command to get her a ride home. The picture I would take of her drinking in uniform would ensure that she does not get into her car to drive away quickly. I get her license plate number (post ID sticker back in the day). If she appeared buzzed in my opinion and she tried to illude me I have that covered too. The boot blousing discussion I throw in free of charge. Officers make policy. NCO's enforce policy. I would enforce that young major up one side and down the next.

Response by SFC Dave Joslin made Nov 7 at 2014 7:50 PM

SFC Dave Joslin — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:50:17 -0500

I would have confronted her. My wife gets frustrated that I still make public, tactful corrections even in my retirement. As a Sr NCO I was trained to be a standard bearer. You can the Soldier out of the Army, but you can NEVER take the Army out of the Soldier!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 8:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 20:42:12 -0500

Well, quite simply put, the Army has a policy that states quite clearly that all Soldiers not only possess but are required to exercise "general military authority". With this being said I can't speak for the other branches but if a soldier, regardless of rank, encounters this situation it is in fact, their duty (not to be confused with option) to make an on the spot correction.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 11:00 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 23:00:09 -0500

I'd fill her full of enlisted uppercuts!

But on a serious note, I'd have said something respectfully that she was out of regs and it was unbecoming of someone of her status and position and left it at that.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 12:23 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 00:23:13 -0500

I would have done a on the spot correction.....and kept it moving. Its easy to take a pic and over hear, but the direct approach would be what right looks like.....

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 5:39 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 05:39:11 -0500

So . . . in this modern Army . . . when can an officer in uniform drink . . . maybe to excess?

FOB, O Club, NCO Club, Enlisted Club, Combined Club, R&R Club, Civilian Bar, or Quarters?

Dress, tropical, utilities, other uniform? What about in civilian attire at an O Club function?

I am certainly not advocating alcohol consumption . . . just asking when and where proper.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/military/2009-08-02-offlicersclubs_n.htm

Military officers' clubs near extinction - USATODAY.com

As military's demographics and culture evolve, social activities center around troops' families and less around closed-door hobnobbing.

Response by MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 8:48 AM

MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 08:48:57 -0500

Well. Besides the uniform infractions, drinking wine or alcohol in uniform isn't against regs as long as she isn't displaying A drunken appearance. Now, professionally she's making a bad call and with the current heightened threat level she shouldn't be wearing the uniform off post in the first place. So I would have approached and reminded her of how she maybe conducting herself and perceptions of the Army to the public.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 8 at 2014 9:14 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 09:14:58 -0500

Ask her if she could recommend a good White Zinfandel and a cab company.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Nov 8 at 2014 9:20 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 09:20:23 -0500

I think I would walk up to her and say hello Hero how are you this afternoon? So WHY are you in here in uniform? Is that allowed by Army Regulations? I think I would make her very uncomfortable asking questions like this. Finally I might ask her if it seems she is a imposter as some have suggested if I could see her ID card, I would ask for unit and even who her supervisor was.

I know the reg used to say you could stop and get milk, etc. on your way home from work but that was it. I hate how now you see Soldiers in ACU's in the mall and everywhere, but that's another subject.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 11:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:21:27 -0500

Regardless of a persons rank, it is everyone's responsibility to make on the spot corrections. So, I would, very tactfully, ensure that she understands she is wrong, how she is wrong, and suggest courses of action to fix herself. If she was to throw the whole "I am a Major, blah blah blah," I would ensure her I am proud of her rank, her degree, and whatnot, but that does not excuse her behavior, nor make her above regulations. To quote SFC Mark Merino, I would enforce her up one side and down the other.

P.S., I am totally going to "borrow" that line for a while.

Response by Sgt Erich Schwanke made Nov 8 at 2014 11:37 AM

Sgt Erich Schwanke — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:37:55 -0500

The Marine side of me gets upset..because by our regs..the camo utility uniform is for work and not authorized for leave and liberty. I was on active duty when those who lived out in town..read married only.. had to drive into the base in civvies and then put on cammies. When I got off active duty and moved to WA..not far from JBLM or several other reserve facilities, its not uncommon to see soldiers and airmen in town in camo, though not shopping in stores, usually on way home and needing to get gas at local stop'n'rob.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Nov 8 at 2014 1:17 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 13:17:45 -0500

Not a PX/BX Class 6, I take it?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 8 at 2014 3:00 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 15:00:49 -0500

I am wondering if this was actually a Halloween costume.....(blood pressure is starting to boil at the &^%89 dang thought of this being a Soldier!)......ok LCPL Bernarbe - lets get the blood pressure back down brother

Response by PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith made Nov 8 at 2014 3:07 PM

PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 15:07:55 -0500

Do you smell that? Smells like...Stolen Valor.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 3:55 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 15:55:53 -0500

Lance Corporal, what do you mean your wife wouldn't let you? Is she in the military? Does she outrank you? Enforcing proper behavior is part of an NCO's job. My wife doesn't tell me how to do my job.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 12:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 12:51:33 -0500

See looking at this situation from a younger soldiers point of veiw, had it been me im sure i would have gotten slammed and or it would have been easier for someone to correct me due to rank. She knew she was in the worng drinking in uniform none the less in public, but she hides behind her rank?