Would you stop a soldier in military uniform walking and talking with headphones on, What would you tell them? Is it authorized?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:12:43 -0400

Work on Ft. Sam Houston, and I can't even begin to tell you how many soldiers, sailors, airmen I see around here walking and talking with their headphones on and almost get ran over. I remember when I was active I use to stop them as a saftey precaution, but I could never find something in the Reg that enforces it.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 5 at 2014 1:34 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:34:37 -0400

YES, I'd stop them and NO it's not authorized.

It doesn't always have to be in black and white to enforce something...if they question it (that's another issue), I'd ask THEM to show ME where it IS authorized.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Jun 5 at 2014 1:36 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:36:53 -0400

My personal opinion is, Darwin is rolling over in his grave, if the SM's can't walk and talk without getting ran over they do not need to reproduce. On a more official politically correct answer, stop them explain why they are two seconds from death, and unless you have a reg to back why they can't do it, move on. I'm sure someone will share an Army Reg or Local reg on here later.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Jun 5 at 2014 1:45 PM

CPT Brandon Christensen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:45:17 -0400

If I am not mistaken, its up to the discretion of the post-commander (hence why you don't see an official reg on it) on that and it would be safe to say that 99% of them would not allow headphones to be warn while on post walking or even running around. Like you said, it is a safety reason.

Response by SSG Shawn M. made Jun 5 at 2014 3:08 PM

SSG Shawn M. — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 15:08:22 -0400

I do all the time. Most installations don't allow the use of headphones while walking in even civilian clothes.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 3:44 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 15:44:58 -0400

I would stop someone wearing headphones and talking in uniform. It is not authorized. Here is the Air Force regulation on it. AFI 36-2903, 6.3.3.1

Response by PV2 David Minnicks made Jun 6 at 2014 1:09 AM

PV2 David Minnicks — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 01:09:39 -0400

Yes, I would stop them. It is not authorized, not smart and it is for their own safety as well as those around them.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 4:37 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 16:37:11 -0400

I actually use this as a board question all the time. This regulation is an all the time, doesn't matter what uniform or if they are civilian or military, only indicator is that it is only enforceable while on a DoD Installation.
The Army Safety Program, Army Regulation 385-10, Chapter 6-5
"6–5. Headphones
Using portable headphones, earphones, ear, or other listening devices while walking, jogging, running, skating, skateboarding, and bicycling, including pocket bike, MC, or moped, on DOD installation roads and streets, or adjacent to roadways or roadway intersections, is prohibited."

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Sep 21 at 2014 12:06 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 12:06:14 -0400

As I recall, it was not authorized in the AF. It should be in each branches specific Dress and Appearance regulation like the Air Forces AFI 36-2903.

Response by MAJ Bill Darling made Sep 21 at 2014 12:06 PM

MAJ Bill Darling — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 12:06:22 -0400

Unfortunately I see it all the time on my camp. Having multiple services and nations probably makes it easier to blend in, but I have yet to see anyone corrected.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2014 7:40 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 19:40:24 -0400

I just correct a junior sailor on this on friday morning, and much to my surprise, he was respectful and sincere about it. He even said thanks, i didn't know you couldn't do that. I wish more junior service members would respond like this when a senior SM says something to correct them.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Oct 31 at 2014 9:41 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:41:04 -0400

I see people walking around with headphones in everywhere. They wear them while walking/running, while working out, and while driving of all things.

Most of the time the headphones are too loud to hear anything else, and that is the biggest problem.

Response by SGM Robin Johnson made Oct 31 at 2014 11:49 AM

SGM Robin Johnson — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:49:23 -0400

One of the reasons you saw it at Ft Sam while you were active is that for a long time Army regulations didn't specifically address the issue; it was left up to installation commanders to address in policy. And it wasn't addressed in Ft Sam policy for a while, so you may have been active at that period of time. Now, as others have pointed out, it is covered in the safety regulation, but I am sure it will take a while for some troops (especially those who were at installations where it was allowed) to get the message. So correct away, NCOs!

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 6:48 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 18:48:40 -0400

I will correct them & have corrected them many times already. Whether it's a reg. or not it boils down to discipline. They are in uniform & should hold themselves to a higher standard. They are not back on the block with they're buddies, hands in pockets has always been are regulation. If headphones isn't a regulation, it should be because of safety concerns. And talking/ texting on the phone is another longstanding reg. whether post or DOD wide. All of which boils back down to the uniform demands a higher standard from those who don it . No if's and's or but's!, We're the US Military loved, hated, respected, despised.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 1:43 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 01:43:33 -0500

Yes. I have stopped Soldiers and civilians for this before. I told them that is was in violation of a post policy letter (which it was) and that it is unsafe to be walking around near traffic with headphones on. I also told them which places on post they can walk with headphones on (there were several).

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Mar 8 at 2015 3:46 AM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 03:46:32 -0400

not unless I was bored, happen to be within earshot and have nothing better to do...I rather allow them to find out the hard way...