Battle Fatigues in Public

Was I “Out of Uniform”?

JBH Wonders, 02/2012

        

                                                                 

Why these days are military people seen in public and in the media wearing “utilities”, “camos”, “fatigues” and “dungarees”? This was a major no-no when I was in the military service in the 70’s. The  “utilities”, “camos”, “fatigues” “dungarees” uniform was attire meant for on base activities where the general public was forbidden or combat situations only. These were working clothes that were OK to get dirty. It was like putting on coveralls to work on a farm or work under a vehicle.

Back then if a military man was going out among the public (off base, off ship, out of combat), with few exceptions, the two choices of attire were “civvies” (normal civilian clothing), or a dress uniform.

And depending on the climate or current time of the year, a different dress uniform may be required. (In the Navy it was “whites” for warm weather/climates and “darks” for cold

weather/climates).

And if the military man was out in public on military business (guard duty, parades, meetings with the press, etc) it was an unspoken command to wear the dress uniform.

And what about the hat (“cap” in military lingo)? The cap use to be just as important as the shirt or trousers whether attired in fatigues or military dress. One was considered “out of uniform” (a military offense) if the hat was off. There were exceptions of course when the hat could be and should be off. That would be while in church, dining, sitting down, in private settings, etc.

So what is going on? A brief review of the Armies “AR670-1” and the “U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations” documents revealed that the restrictions today are about the same as they were during my tour of duty.

Are we to think that a military man just came out of battle if he is dressed in fatigues and therefore warrants special respect and admiration? Or is it an attempt to acclimate us to future intimidations and military encroachments?