With DA allowing the Army to roll up sleeves on ACU/OCP uniforms, why is there so much apprehension by unit leadership?

2017-09-30T10:20:46-04:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2017 10:51 AM

2017-09-30T10:51:40-04:00

BLUF....It doesn't feel/look right. We're not the USMC. Personally I don't have a problem with it. But I prefer not to roll my sleeves because I don't have the forearms (don't judge me) or any cool tattoos. But we are the Army and if doesn't look universal or dress right dress, then it feels out of place. The rolled up sleeves will always be at commander's discretion.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Sep 30 at 2017 12:20 PM

2017-09-30T12:20:38-04:00

The last uniform the Army wore that looked decent with rolled up sleeves were Green Fatigues that were phased out in the '80s. Current uniforms were not designed for rolled up sleeves.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2017 2:03 PM

2017-09-30T14:03:03-04:00

In mine if we're outside working, like moving equipment or moving everything from one conex to the next we take out blouse off. Then when we go back inside we put it back on. So I think that's why our CO said no to rolled sleeves. Personally don't care, but I'm also not in the motor pool all the time given my MOS.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2017 2:24 PM

2017-09-30T14:24:07-04:00

We wore BDU's and DCU's just like the AF did...

Response by SGT Thomas Heinold made Sep 30 at 2017 3:02 PM

2017-09-30T15:02:32-04:00

Situational awareness comes to mind;command has the final say I believe!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2017 3:58 PM

2017-09-30T15:58:56-04:00

My personal on this, the SMA got it right. Rolled/Cuffed was a good decision. I back the changing the army, and in seriousness, I look forward to the next 15 years of my career, as I hope this current generation of "old timers" or pretend old timers, get out, because I really can't stand this constant backlash. A decision was made and it makes sense to make it a choice, you either get with that, or get out. Just like everything else. New ACU pattern/design; you either buy it and get with the program, or you get out.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2017 6:48 PM

2017-09-30T18:48:00-04:00

I will also say the SMA has done a good job of listening to some basic gripes that Soldiers have. Not being allowed to wear headphones in the gym or on a closed PT track, not being allowed to wear black socks, giving the CO the option to let their guys roll their sleeves. Does any of this hurt the Army? I doubt it, maybe helps morale for some people.

I remember a story about Marines getting in trouble for putting bandanas under their helmets to keep them cool, collect sweat, and assist with chafing. Changing policies like these just helps morale and they don't really make sense when it comes to good order and discipline.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2017 7:44 PM

2017-09-30T19:44:18-04:00

I actually like and use the rolled sleeves policy, but it has to be done right though. My command added in a timeframe yearly so no Soldiers with rolled sleeves in the snow. Overall I think a lot of Soldiers don't do it because they don't care to do it right and don't want to get called out.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Sep 30 at 2017 7:59 PM

2017-09-30T19:59:30-04:00

Never liked rolling the sleeves on the BDUs or ACUs. Took too long to get the right length.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 1 at 2017 7:57 AM

2017-10-01T07:57:38-04:00

Due to the large velcro portion, no soldier to date has managed it without it looking sloppy and disheveled...

Response by SPC Leo Van Groll made Oct 2 at 2017 1:25 PM

2017-10-02T13:25:14-04:00

Here's a thought.....go back to the green fatigues for work, & use the camo for the field. Does a supply guy in garrison need to be camouflaged? Or, better yet, bring back the Khaki uniform.

Response by SFC Brian Ewing made Oct 2 at 2017 1:27 PM

2017-10-02T13:27:08-04:00

Today's Army; CDR's bickering about sleeves up or down, Transgender Latrines and women in Infantry and Special Forces units.

Whew, I retired just i time, lol!!

Response by SFC Bob Chapman DEng made Oct 2 at 2017 1:51 PM

2017-10-02T13:51:44-04:00

Velcroed pockets? Anyone been in the woods at night and tried to get something out of a pocket quietly? The sound of ripping Velcro travels a LONG way at night..

Response by Cheryl Carrier made Oct 2 at 2017 2:22 PM

2017-10-02T14:22:59-04:00

When bdus were still in hubby would roll his sleeves, but he was also motor pool, so he was out in the heat often, most times the mechanics would take there shirts off and wear the t-shirts and coveralls with the arms tied around there waist cause it was too hot, this was at Fort Huachuca and Fort Hood.. And Camp Stanley and Gelnhausen..

Response by Cpl Jeffrey Walker made Oct 2 at 2017 2:56 PM

2017-10-02T14:56:12-04:00

Those are some unsat rolls, especially for SNCOs. Rolling sleeves is an art form in the USMC. No drill instructor would let any recruit roll sleeves without an iron and a ruler in boot camp. Any senior in the fleet would tear their Marines a new one for having sleeves rolled that nastily, and rightly so.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Oct 2 at 2017 3:31 PM

2017-10-02T15:31:41-04:00

Maybe because it looks awful and nobody ever rolls them correctly?

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Oct 2 at 2017 6:01 PM

2017-10-02T18:01:00-04:00

Roll em so tight that your hands lose feeling and the blood backs up in your brain. That begins your desire for crayons.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2017 6:01 PM

2017-10-02T18:01:38-04:00

We went through this silliness when the BDU's came out. Keep the sleeves down.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 2 at 2017 6:24 PM

2017-10-02T18:24:28-04:00

I really don't mind as long as in formation we are all the same. My personal opinion, when we wore BDUs a lot of folks could not properly and professionally roll their sleeves and I don't expect it changed to much. Additionally I don't care for the farmers tan that it leaves, it is not cooler due to the tightness to vent and breath around the bicep. Skin cancer is a thing that I have had to battle three times due to the sun on the skin and it never gets better. So I still go sleeves down and will gladly roll up if the leadership dictates a formation as such. My .02

Response by SPC Richard Skeen made Oct 2 at 2017 8:21 PM

2017-10-02T20:21:40-04:00

Go back to the Uniform in the 80’s. Around 1985. When I was in. It was a good uniform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2017 12:45 AM

2017-10-03T00:45:38-04:00

What leaders should be unhappy about is all the velcro that should have been phased out

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2017 2:44 AM

2017-10-03T02:44:24-04:00

I stopped rolling my sleeves of the BDUs the last two or three years we wore those. I don't see why anyone even wants to do it with these, they're not made for it and they look like hell when someone tries it.

Response by PFC Josiah Schmid made Oct 3 at 2017 2:47 PM

2017-10-03T14:47:40-04:00

I thought this is something you could already do it

Response by SSG Scott Thelen made Oct 3 at 2017 4:48 PM

2017-10-03T16:48:35-04:00

They (the DA) need to authorize it for all personnel to roll sleeves or not. It stops being "uniform" when there are 100 different ways to wear it.

Response by 1SG Charles Rivenburgh made Aug 3 at 2018 8:38 PM

2018-08-03T20:38:32-04:00

Can't make out their ranks, but I wouldn't mess with either Dailey or Hood. After reading several responses, it would seem to be a real problem with the Velcro. This rolling up of sleeves is nothing new. This has been an issue for 50+ years. The uniforms were made with long sleeves for a reason. If they wanted you to have short sleeves they would have issued you uniforms with short sleeves also. If you are in a situation that it is more comfortable with sleeves up, remove the blouse, perform your task, then put your blouse back on. This is done under the control of the NCOIC. Once again, they are long sleeves for a reason.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Aug 3 at 2018 9:15 PM

2018-08-03T21:15:48-04:00

Amazing how some things become an art form. Of course pilots are a different breed, but we started rolling our sleeves in VietNam when we threw away the sateens and went to the green then camo "jungle utilities". It was hot, and when you weren't in the bush it was cooler with them rolled. In the bush you kept them down to minimize cuts and bites. Of course you couldn't roll flight suits because of the fire considerations. Marines just rolled them up resulting in the roll being the different color that was the inside of the utilities, Army had some fancy way of rolling so that the roll had the camo out. To intricate for Marines.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Sep 24 at 2018 9:19 PM

2018-09-24T21:19:50-04:00

Asinine that they if decided, would leave it up to the unit to decide which way to roll up the sleeves... WTF happened to uniformity? If DA states in AR 670-1 sleeves are to now be rolled up like the USMC, suck it up and do it...
Reading crap like this, glad I am not wearing a uniform anymore due to the diplomacy and feelings that must now be made to adhere. Goes back to the old white socks and headphones issues while in PT’s. Make a decision at the top, pass it down and leave it the ph*ck alone or every damn unit you go to will yet again have a different set of guidelines - you have to check the rule book before you get dressed every morning now depending on where you are assigned... Can we get back to traditional “Leadership” and lead from the top down - instead of a democratic society at the bottom? Almost as if the Army is changing into the damn Air Force now...

Response by Cpl Richard Mc Lain made Dec 7 at 2018 6:20 PM

2018-12-07T18:20:49-05:00

That's the way the Marines were theirs. On the right side. Army like the one on the left.

Response by MAJ Jon Crews made Jul 13 at 2020 10:53 AM

2020-07-13T10:53:33-04:00

Senior leaders don’t like it because they spent too much time running, and not enough time lifting. So the rolls on the arms above the elbow is too loose. This too shall pass as more combat leaders push the perfume princes out.

Response by SFC Brian Ewing made Jul 13 at 2020 11:53 AM

2020-07-13T11:53:20-04:00

SSG McDonald,
That was my comment about not having to deal with such issues, I'm just relieved.

As far as my input; you're a junior NCO and you're still there and should be making a difference.

So my two cents is: Sleeves should be in a position commensurate to the climate conditions.
If it's cold, obviously sleeves should be down and vice versa when it's hot.
We didn't have this problem wearing BDU's.
Please do not ASSume that one has no input just because they choose to express their relief of such what was a non issue in my day as an NCO.

Response by MSG Bob Metz made Jul 13 at 2020 4:36 PM

2020-07-13T16:36:25-04:00

Yea or nay is like a piss any pissin’ in the wind...what I do know is that in a Combat Zone I’m not showing off my forearms...Day to operations in uncomfortable weather conditions...call for common sense policy...raise ‘em when called for is a preference...policy wins out regardless...

Response by SPC Paul LaBelle made Jul 14 at 2020 3:19 PM

2020-07-14T15:19:41-04:00

Back when rocks were soft and we spit shined out boots I thought I would be smart and had a bdu top tailored with short sleeves (buttons out so they looked right)
I got away with wearing them twice, on the third try I had 15 days of buffing the floor to reflect on my error.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Jul 14 at 2020 4:12 PM

2020-07-14T16:12:03-04:00

They should roll them up like they did with BDU's

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Jul 14 at 2020 4:15 PM

2020-07-14T16:15:29-04:00

They look like Sad Sack, if they look like it they'll act like it

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2020 10:24 PM

2020-07-14T22:24:06-04:00

Only the military can get so confused and fuckwitted about clothing.