Rules about Off Duty Uniform Wearing?

Question

When can you wear your uniform for the army when your off duty? What are the rules about uniforms while off duty... Anything will help

Answer 1

That depends a great deal.

Your utility uniform, or field uniform (ACUs, BDUs, Fatigues) is authorized anywhere on post. However, if you leave the post at the end of the work day, you are not supposed to engage in unnecessary activity before you change into civvies. You are allowed to stop at the store for a quart of milk on the way home. You are not allowed to stop at a bar and spend 6 hours drinking beer and playing pool.

Your dress uniform (Class A and Class B -- Green now, but soon to be replaced with Blues) is authorized anywhere off duty (AR670-1 Ch15 para4). You could, for example, stop at a bar and drink beer for six hours. Usually, it is used for travel or social functions, but it is authorized anytime off duty.

There is no requirement for any soldier to ever wear civvies. The Class A/B uniform can substitute for them on off-duty time. This dates back to WWII when, because of the headache of tracking 15.2 million soldiers, being out of uniform at any time could be considered attempted desertion.

However, there are other restrictions. In any uniform, you cannot engage in behavior that would dishonor the Army or bring disgrace upon the uniform. So you could drink beer as long as you behave yourself, but if you start putting dollar bills into the strippers g-string with your teeth while in Class A's, expect some trouble.

Finally, there are a few other restrictions. You cannot use your uniform for commercial enterprise. You cannot wear your uniform for political campaigning or events.

Answer 2

I know you asked for Army regs, but I see a lot of people talking about Marines. So I'll answer the Marines regs just as an FYI.

Your utilities or Cammie's are not allowed off base. Only to make an emergency stop or to get gas. Any other time is not permitted.

Your Service Alphas, Bravos, Charlies and Blues are allowed whenever you want to wear them. Most people don't except for special occasions because their such a pain in the butt to get perfect.

Answer 3

I read recently about soldiers who were being brought up before the court martial for wearing their uniforms to an anti-war protest. In that article it stated that any off-duty wearing of the uniform had to be approved of prior to the occasion.

I don't know if that helps or not.

Answer 4

Everyday BDUs - quick stops, picking up to go food, mcdonalds, things like that. No place that serves alcohol and no place that has waitresses serving.
Class A's are considered a "suit" and can be worn off base in leiu of a suit. Ex. you could wear it to church, to a funeral, to a wedding, etc.
Mess Dress is considered a Tuxedo/Formal, and can be worn anywhere it would be appropriate to wear a tux.

Obviously, wearing your Class A's or your Mess and then acting in an inappropriate manner would probably get you in hot water. You are expected to act the part when you are wearing the uniform.

Answer 5

Marine Class B Uniform

Answer 6

If you were a Marine, you'd know the answer to this question...

I THINK wearing of uniforms while off-duty and off-base is prohibited.. with the exception of the dress uniform, which can be worn, with permission, on special occasions. (Weddings, funerals, state dinners, etc.)

Answer 7

regardless of the marine "thoughts " previously shared according to AR670-1 field and work uniforms are not intended for all puspose wear and cannot be worn in an establishment whose primary business is selling alcohol or anywhere that your main activity will be consumption of alcohol you can however make brief stops along your way home dress uniforms may be worn with permission for social functions

Answer 8

depends on the uniform in question. the working uniform typically cannot be worn off post expept while in route to and from home/base. with no side trips, save dropping off and picking up kids from daycare.

any of the other ones shouldn;t be worn while protesting or attending a rally, or anywhere you could be considered officially authorizing/recognizing the situation by the Military. Church and weddings/funerals: Fine. Poltical rallys and Protests: not so much.

Answer 9

If your on the way home from duty then its ok to go in a store or resuraunt. Other than that your not supposed to. Also you cannot wear it into buisness whose main sales item is alcohol..IE a bar.

Answer 10

ahhhh... like the army gives a damn.

i can tell you in the marines we are not allowed to where our bdus off military base..
but i see many army people doing it.. hell, maybe they dont have rules.. lol