Why do Soldiers and Airmen insist on wearing their Boots and Utes out and about OCONUS?

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 16:48:26 -0400

I got it. In the Navy we wear Bootes and Utes and Flight Suits out on town and to and from work in the States. We are OCONUS in public in an other than safe area and I see 06s and down wearing Boots and Utes.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 5:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 17:03:43 -0400

I don't see an issue CONUS if you're traveling in an official capacity or to an from theater. Doing it OCONUS at all is just silly. You're asking for trouble. Apparently no one remembers the story of Gen. James Dozier, who was abducted in Italy in 1981 by the Italian Red Brigades, a Marxist militant group.

Response by TSgt David L. made May 17 at 2018 5:47 PM

TSgt David L. — Thu, 17 May 2018 17:47:07 -0400

I guess it depends on the environment and intel. We went down town in Germany a few times but that was back in the Cold War days and Bitburg was a pretty safe risk. I've made "supply runs" in many countries outside of base on deployments but we usually wore civvies to do it. I know we never blended in at ALL but we made the effort. No reason to add to the potential threat/danger that's already out there.
Do what your pay grade will let you get away with I guess.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 6:17 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 18:17:35 -0400

Sir, I don't know where you are, but most places have Regs against that over seas. I am speaking for Navy. I was in Greece only to and from, you were not allowed to get out and do things in public though not even Gas and store stops.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 6:22 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 18:22:07 -0400

We have actually tried to find the document that says we can’t wear uniforms. I am not 100% sure that we are right. Sometimes, ad you can probably attest, we do things one way because that’s how it always is done and “that’s what’s in the reg”. I’m not convinced that we are right and the AF and Army are wrong. Common sense dictates to not stand out and to minimize impact on the local scene though. Maybe it is so common sense that a rule need not be published.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 7:27 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 19:27:16 -0400

Because we can

Response by TSgt David Holman made May 17 at 2018 10:37 PM

TSgt David Holman — Thu, 17 May 2018 22:37:50 -0400

One of the first things I brief my guys when doing security manager duties is that "if you can avoid wearing your uniform even just around town, do it". There are times we can't and that is understandable, but seeing guys hanging out in their ABU/OCP after work at the mall... that just makes me sad

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 18 at 2018 12:58 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 18 May 2018 00:58:17 -0400

LT Private RallyPoint Member Threw me for a Loop 2 Years ago in Bremerton in a Restaurant watching some submariners come in in Cammies picking up some take out. In My Day "Way Back When During the Great War" Any Utility Uniform could not be worn except too and from work. No Stops In Between.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 18 at 2018 1:02 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 18 May 2018 01:02:04 -0400

Ok, the Army duty uniform is a utility uniform (ACU or OCP). Aside from lunch, essential stops like getting gas, Soldiers are prohibited from hanging out somewhere, going to the mall etc in accordance with AR670-1. Not all OCONUS locales are the same. Down town Heidelberg, no issue. To and from work, standard. You live in one blob of America on the south end of town, and your duty location is across town. The DFAC is on a third kasserne. Your motorpool on a fourth kasserne. The PX and CIF on a fifth kasserne. The international kasserne for the NATO support unit is on yet another kasserne. I could have been at any of those at anytime during the day. TDY in France, yeah there was some weird looks, but that was the prescribed uniform. To and from the hotel and the conference...then out of you uniform as fast as possible before you get your carbonade and Belgian blonde on. TDY in Turkey or Greece, much different environment. Uniform restrictions were in effect as threat dictated.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 3:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 May 2018 03:23:24 -0400

I'm stationed in Bavaria and it's a strict no uniforms off post, only to and from work in an enclosed vehicle, motorcycle riders can't wear their uniform either.

Response by LTC John Griscom made May 18 at 2018 7:40 AM

LTC John Griscom — Fri, 18 May 2018 07:40:24 -0400

Usually a policy set by the local commander.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 8:06 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 May 2018 08:06:34 -0400

One of these days I want to write a book; "The Grand Old Mess", detailing the various anachronisms, weird terminology, strange ranks, and obscure traditions of my beloved Navy. Having spent almost two years "living Green"...it made me sometimes chuckle at "our" ways of doing things, but sometimes, appreciate them more.

I may be wrong, but it always seemed to me that the Army viewed the "utility uniform" different than "we" do. For us, it's almost organizational clothing, and tied to very specific duty; well-ok, it was until those dreaded "Blueberries" arrived (so glad I missed that mandatory fun). For them, it's the primary duty uniform, or again...since the adoption of ACUs.

I think we'll see (if it isn't true already) that the NWU Type III AOR 2 (and gee what a mouthful!) will become very similar in use, and you'll see it around...a lot.

I'll admit, they're pretty cool...and I kinda wish I had a set :)

Response by LCDR Michael Gordon made May 18 at 2018 11:40 AM

LCDR Michael Gordon — Fri, 18 May 2018 11:40:14 -0400

In my opinion, the folks who go out in town in "boots & utes" or flight suits are asking for trouble, which might be everything from harassment to murder. I think (and have always thought) that going out anonymously is the best bet. Sure, you have to do a little research to see what "anonymous" clothing means in a particular country, but I sure don't want to be a target in a fight suit. To my mind, that's just asking for trouble.

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made May 18 at 2018 12:52 PM

PO1 Gery Bastiani — Fri, 18 May 2018 12:52:17 -0400

Being in the Seabees we weren't allowed to wear our work uniforms off base.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2018 3:50 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 May 2018 03:50:55 -0400

Why Not?