Combat Uniforms Worn in Civilian/Public Areas - Rant

Why the hell am I always seeing Soldiers and Airmen wearing ABU's/ACU's in public places, such as graduations, civilian airports, and football stadiums (as seen multiple times yesterday)? So unsat. Wearing your work uniform makes you look like a fucking slob. Have a little more respect for who you are and what you represent and wear a more appropriate uniform. Service dress uniforms exist for a reason.

 

its funny you say that, when i was up in wa. we used to always talk shit about how Soldiers were always out on the town, malls, clubs, etc in their ACU's, I'm not anyone to go on about how great the AF is but I rarely saw anybody that wasnt on lunch or going shopping directly after work in their ABU's

 

Actually we wear what uniform we are directed to wear. And a lot of times it is acus. Especially at sporting events. It makes a extra security presence.

 

I just noticed this phenomenon last weekend. Dude was wearing his ACU's at a bar at 10pm on a Friday.

 

one of my good buddys is Marine, and after the Marine ball he invited me and my wife out to a big country club out here, and surprisingly the all showed in dress uniform, OP is that okay I know directly after the ball but 10pm at a club?

 

Not cool in my book! Im ok with them wearing them when they are told to, such as the comment about sporting events. I still disagree, but if thats the uniform they are told to wear, then so be it.

But not at a bar! If you want to pick up chicks in your uniform, wear your service or dress uniforms!

 

ACU's ??

ABU's ??

Is that like camo and stuff or what ?

 

Yep

 

what do those letters stand for?

 

Yeah I hate this too. There's a reason they're called camouflage "utilities."

and yes, wearing dress blues at a bar at 10pm is perfectly fine. As Marines, we're only authorized to wear dress or service uniforms in public. We can only wear cammies in off-base if it's an emergency....your car breaks down, you go to the hospital, etc.

 

Honestly why does it matter? Ideas and thinking like that is the reason i have my dd-214 and didn't re-enlist for a ridiculous amount of money. If i needed gas after work stopping to fill up my truck was sure to get my ass chewed if caught. Members who wear their uniforms are proud to represent they are in the military. Luckly, the idea that it is the end of world to be seen in a "work" uniform doesn't exist in those branches, so they do it.

 

Even if you were a Marine you are 100% authorized to stop for fuel in your utilities.

 

Service uniforms are equivalent to suit, or shirt and tie and authorized for most occasions. Dress uniforms are equivalent to a tux, or 100 panty drops. Dress blues are meant for more formal occasions but it would be acceptable for a country club.

 

Thats not the information we were given. I was on Pendleton from 06-10, our CO and SgtMaj said it wasnt. I believe you, and it makes sense, but everything comes down to unit discretion. The base as a whole supported it, and it even included banks and grocery stores. You could walk from you apartment off base to you vehicle then drive on base. They said, just buy gas on base, but i never put that stuff in my truck.

 

Per AFI 36-2903

1.3. Optional Wear of the Air Force Uniform.
1.3.1. During Travel. When traveling in an official capacity on commercial air, in CONUS (to include Alaska and Hawaii), the Service Dress uniform (Class A), Blue uniform (Class B), Airman Battle Uniform (ABU), Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) or Desert Camouflage
Uniform (DCU) may be worn (BDU/DCU phase out 1 Nov 2011), as appropriate. Wear of the flight duty uniform is not authorized.

 

ABU - Airman Battle Uniform

ACU - Army Combat Uniform

 

When my husband was doing his AIT training (that may be a little redundant) in Washington DC, they told him not to wear his ACU's when he went out. Said something about if the public wanted to retaliate against the government, someone wearing ACU's would be a direct target. Similar advice or just uncouth amongst the military?

 

10 pm in the bars in acus is a no go. You can't drink in them so your not suppose to be in a bar with them. Had something like that happen when I saw a brand new basic grad come back to nebraksa. He strolled into the bar I worked at in acus. Lets just say we had a nice chat which ended in him leaving.

 

I think it's just laziness and i consider em to probably be big douches trying to get attention. jmo. I live in charleston huge military city with all branches heavily represented. i understand some of the navy nukes have to wear it depending what yr of trainig theyre in but for the rest of the ppl in uni on a sunday at bww come on. oh and then theyre drinking, smoking, walking n talking on cells, hands in pockets (my pet peeve) dude you look like ass to the public. i dont wear mine anywhere. hell i cant anyways but wouldnt if i could. i love my uniform but come time to go home that thing is off and i live my civilian life. plus i dont really like all the thank yous or having to talk about the war and what not. just my rant sorry if i offended anyone.

 

MILITARY wearing military uniforms never bother me. It's when I see some airsofter or youtuber-wanna-be all decked out in ACUs or multicam that chaps my ass.