Radical Reforms to Uniforms/Grooming Standards

It doesn't really seem very radical to me- most of these are already regulations- they are just ignored so he's mostly just going to be enforcing the standards already out there. Some of them are going to be kind of hard to police and they are going to be chaptering a lot of guys for Tatoos because I have certainly seen a bunch that violate those guidelines.
 
It doesn't really seem very radical to me- most of these are already regulations- they are just ignored so he's mostly just going to be enforcing the standards already out there. Some of them are going to be kind of hard to police and they are going to be chaptering a lot of guys for Tatoos because I have certainly seen a bunch that violate those guidelines.

IMHO, that's the BIG difference between the Army and the Marines. The standards are, by and large, identical. They enforce them ruthlessly. We don't. We need to learn to do so, and fast.
 
Interesting and informative. I had no idea the Army could dictate civilian clothing.
How will any female soldier ever be able to go to the beach in a bikini?
 
For the most part this mirrors the USMC's policy minus a few things here and there. And yes, the USMC does enforce these things. Uniform regulations are always a huge issue and civilian attire is strictly enforced and policed. Marines will correct Marines of all ranks if they are out of line on this. Heck when we were at The Basic School jeans were banned, collared shirts tucked in, belts, and dress shoes required. Even a run through the Taco Bell drive through required this. That is pretty much the standard liberty attire for all ranks on deployment. But beach attire is allowed at the beach! When the USMC started the new tattoo policy back in the 05-06 timeframe that was a big issue and still is today. We had to have all of our tattoos photographed and entered into our record books to be "grandfathered in." There was alot of fuss over the new tattoo policy. Even prior to the new regs, tattoos could keep Marines from embassy duty, commissioning programs, and other special assignments. The USMC still faces its own uniform issues today... sleeves up or down, desert vs. woodland cammies, KIA/MIA bracelets and tattoos.
 
I can sort of get the reasoning for regulating civilian attire. I mean, I get that the service wants to project a positive image all the time. I also don't question the ability or the right of the service to regulate it. The military is a 24/7 gig and there are certain freedoms you give up when you join. I think most people understand that.

Still, isn't this a little too Orwellian? At least on that point. Isn't there also the possibility of harm that can, at least potentially, come from this?

I can spot an off-duty Marine from a mile. High and tight haircut, khakis and collared shirt tucked in (young, physically fit guy). I live in Annapolis and work in DC, so I'm confident that when I see this off-duty "uniform," I'm looking at a member of our Marine Corps. If I can spot them, anyone can. Right? Isn't blending in a better thing? At least maybe?

That's just what crossed my mind....
 
I can sort of get the reasoning for regulating civilian attire. I mean, I get that the service wants to project a positive image all the time. I also don't question the ability or the right of the service to regulate it. The military is a 24/7 gig and there are certain freedoms you give up when you join. I think most people understand that.

Still, isn't this a little too Orwellian? At least on that point. Isn't there also the possibility of harm that can, at least potentially, come from this?

I can spot an off-duty Marine from a mile. High and tight haircut, khakis and collared shirt tucked in (young, physically fit guy). I live in Annapolis and work in DC, so I'm confident that when I see this off-duty "uniform," I'm looking at a member of our Marine Corps. If I can spot them, anyone can. Right? Isn't blending in a better thing? At least maybe?

That's just what crossed my mind....


Concur, not to mention how "military" they look in regions that being in civilian attire is for their protection. "Hey.... cargo pants, webbed belt, tennis shoes, tucked in polo shirt with aviators.....must be a Marine..."

That's all fine and dandy in America (unless that Marine is looking for a date), but that's not the case for strolling around Colombia, some parts of Europe, etc etc etc.
 
Much preferred leathers over frams.....little microwave ovens for your feet.
 
Leather is much better.:thumb: Don't think they are patrolling the beach unless it is those guys out of Cherry Point scoping out the talent at low level.:shake:
 
First the Marine Corps hair regulations does not require you to have a high and tight. Personally I hated that cut and only had one while I was on the Drill Field at Parris Island. I went back to a high regulation shortly thereafter.

As far as what civilian attire to wear, it can be dictated by the culture you are in. Of course you probably already know that. But in some parts of the world, I found that if I wore a coat and tie, I blended in just fine....you will look like any other business man on travel, especially with a true regulation haircut.

Some how I lost this part when posting:

Otherwise I can concur with your thoughts….I can spot a Marine a mile away too…:shake:

Fair enough. I didn't know there was flexibility on that, at least in CONUS. During the week, a jacket and tie would look normal in the airport. On Saturday on a flight to Vegas or Orlando, maybe not so much. Glad to see that it's contextual.

I was Air Force, and there wasn't much in terms of restriction for off-duty clothing choices as I recall. You'd probably hear about it if you were on base and wore something with naked people and a lot of four-letter words on it, however. :shake:

Believe it or not, at least for people in my Wing, leadership actually frowned on the high and tight (although didn't ban it or anything). That's the Chair Force for you....

I still am just a bit uneasy with the service dictating what civs you can wear, but that's just a personal opinion....
 
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Agree. "High and Tight" was not a big Air Force thing. Normal and presentable was always OK. Got nailed a couple of times coming off long Mids when NCOIC came in early. Although normal and presentable in the 60's and 70's sort of labeled you as military.
 
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Agree. "High and Tight" was not a big Air Force thing. Normal and presentable was always OK. Got nailed a couple of times coming off long Mids when NCOIC came in early.

Right before I got out, when I was short.... I was letting it get pretty shaggy. A flight commander had to tell me to get it cut once. He was totally in the right, but I've always been a little embarrassed that he had to tell me. :wink:
 
Right before I got out, when I was short.... I was letting it get pretty shaggy. A flight commander had to tell me to get it cut once. He was totally in the right, but I've always been a little embarrassed that he had to tell me. :wink:

Oh Boy, that brings back memories. I was nearing my end date and had let the hair grow out to the limit, the week before I was to get out they had a last minute reception for a visiting Admiral. A girlfriend of the other Lt in the office said she could give me a trim....Bad Idea. After the chop job she did I ended up needing a very close buzz cut just to get rid of the mistakes. I received some strange looks at the reception, this was the Coast Guard in the early 80's, buzz cuts were not a normal style. Took me most of the summer to grow it back out. I have passed this warning on to my son's several times.
 
"SHORT". Haven't heard that in a long time. "So short I need a step ladder to get in my bunk":thumb:. Also FIGMO. Interpret as you will. Still hate fatigues in airports. Glad the Marines do not allow travel in that uniform. Off base only to and from with no stops. Seems kind of harsh if you need to pick up dry cleaning or a quart of milk. Used to have to "break starch" every three days on those fatigues. No Iron and no starch while traveling just looks sloppy.
 
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Flying from NKP to Clark and on to Travis on return to CONUS. Told we were required to change from jungle fatigues to Class A. Try to find one that fits and searching through a duffel bag after all that time.:thumb:
 
Reminds me of a vacation trip to Camp Darby. Needless to say the Italian women had a different idea of proper beach attire than Army regs would allow. :eek: But as long as they didn't park on the US portion of the beach there was not much that the poor life guards could do (or wanted to!) But who was I to complain. :shake:
 
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