Where can I find any standards regarding a belt buckle authorized at a previous duty assignment?

2019-04-30T14:13:19-04:00

A CSM corrected me on my belt for it having a belt buckle for my old Cav unit. He said I can’t wear it because I’m not in that unit anymore (different duty station).

Of course, I acknowledged, thanked him and changed it, but for the life of me I can’t find anything stating this through regulation, my commands policy letters not blue book etc.

Is there a place this standard is actually written so I can reference it in the future?

Response by SGT Nicholas M. made Apr 30 at 2019 2:20 PM

2019-04-30T14:20:14-04:00

Are we talking about in civilian clothes with your jeans? Sounds a little hokey to me. As long as the civilian attire doesn't interfere with the good order and discipline of the unit, or have any offensive or derogatory material you should be good to go.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2019 2:49 PM

2019-04-30T14:49:35-04:00

Nothing specific in AR 670-1 nor DA Pam 670-1. My only thinking is that in your old unit, there was a Troop/Squadron/Regiment policy allowing such and now perhaps in your new unit, there is no such policy.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2019 3:19 PM

2019-04-30T15:19:10-04:00

Things like belt buckles and hats are authorized by the unit at the unit level. It's not that you can't wear it because you left the unit. You're not authorized to wear it at all. The Commander of the previous unit authorized it to be worn for members of the unit.
The standard is that 670-1 defines what belt you are authorized, and that commanders are authorized to make changes to uniforms at their level. Once you've left that command, you know longer fall under that uniform authorization.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 30 at 2019 4:03 PM

2019-04-30T16:03:47-04:00

The buckle nor any other adjustment to the uniforms outside of the AR are not authorized. Local commands often use Belt buckles as a moral booster because they are not generally visible. Your local command shields from UCMJ, once you are out from under hat umbrella, it falls right back to the AR. In fact if you are in a unit with such buckles and you attend an academy or other significant training away from your home station you would not be authorized in that instance either. Take it off and place it I. Your future I love me kit. Thank you for your service.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Apr 30 at 2019 4:05 PM

2019-04-30T16:05:41-04:00

Can you find anything saying it is authorized? Can you find anything saying the belt is authorized in your new command? Can you find a regulation that says you can wear a purple striped hat? If you can not find it authorized, it might not be authorized.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Apr 30 at 2019 4:09 PM

2019-04-30T16:09:25-04:00

Another example...I was in the USMC, and switched over to the Army. I liked my pointy cover/headgear. I could not wear my USMC cover in my Army uniform. Same with switching units. Semper Flexible!

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Apr 30 at 2019 5:24 PM

2019-04-30T17:24:54-04:00

AR 670-1. Everything else a commmader might authorize as local policy but once you are outside of his/her sphere of influence you ought to go back to the Good O’le Army Standard!

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Apr 30 at 2019 9:34 PM

2019-04-30T21:34:33-04:00

Not to beat a dead horse, but unit COs can authorize slight uniform changes. And to some degree, even a 1SG can dictate policy as they are the ones that enforce standards. I had a pair of boots that were issued to be mountain warfare evaluated. They were authorized for wear by the CO after the trial period. Company got a new 1SG and they needed approval again. Transferred to another unit in a different state, authorized again by that CO and 1SG. Company got a new CO, and I wasn't allowed to wear my mountain boots anymore with the new chain of command.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2019 12:08 AM

2019-05-01T00:08:32-04:00

Amazing

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 1 at 2019 9:22 AM

2019-05-01T09:22:52-04:00

670-1

What you have, with the buckle was a local unit policy and nothing more. It's a morale booster and nothing more than that. Once you pcs away from that duty station/unit you can no longer wear such a device UNLESS your new unit allows such a device, which is doubtful.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2019 2:03 PM

2019-05-01T14:03:39-04:00

Know it's not what you're looking for, but in the Navy, command belt buckles are authorized uniform items beyond the unit presently serving in. However, I don't think (anyone?) that command ball caps can "move" to a different unit.
Just another service culture difference.