Opinions on Attire Not Quite Uniform

Washington Post ^ | 04/05/05 | Steve Fainaru

[GodfearingTexan]

"Where's your headgear, soldier?" said the sergeant major.

Mauney stammered that he had been out on a mission all night and hadn't brought along his cap.

"You're not coming in here," snapped the sergeant, according to Mauney. "Just because you're in a combat zone doesn't mean you can blow off Army regulations."

A change in command last month at the forward operating base, or FOB, that serves as headquarters for U.S. forces in northern Iraq has dramatically altered the military culture here. A corps of disciplinarians that has come to be known to soldiers as the "Nine Disciples of FOB Courage" has launched a crackdown on inappropriately tucked-in shirts, improper use of sunglasses and even swearing.

[GodfearingTexan]

I know REMFs are routinely scouled upon by a few chest-beaters, but #1 they are necessary and #2 someone has to draw the line on discipline somewhere.

[TSgt]

I'm all for regulations and such however things are a bit different in combat zones. My Commander was usually more relaxed due to the high stress environment we were working in.

I always thought it was dumb to wear a hat on a hot day anyway and usually took mine off while I was working outside.

[GodfearingTexan]

Yes, i understand that. but as usual some people take it to the extreme and wind up getting a lot of their buddies in hot water from some high-ranking officer back in the rear. basically, enforcing uniform standards at the base camp is completely thankless job, but one that has to be done.

[School Bus Driver]

I am continually amazed when I see a soldier in Iraq that his chinstrap is always snapped.

I don't think I've seen one yet where it is just dangling John Wayne style.

[speed_addiction]

On the third day after jumping into Panama, and after a couple firefights and rooting out snipers my squad was manning a road block when an MP Major drove up. He took one look at my men and asked for their sergeant which was me. "Why do those mens uniforms and yours look so ate up, Sergeant?" "Cause they are the uniforms we wore when we jumped in three days ago, sir! We have been in them ever since!" "Do something about that, Sergeant!" With that he waved a gloved hand dismissing me. I promptly saluted him in a combat zone!

[cotton1706]

These disciplines are there for a reason. Obey them or get out. If you're outside, you wear your headgear, take it off when you're inside unless armed. A uniform is a uniform. I didn't always like tucking my pants into my boots or wearing long sleaves in the heat either but I did it anyway.

[ElectricStrawberry]

REMF's are definately needed....AND so is personal discipline. I don't care how damned long your mission was....regulations are not to be blatantly dismissed. What kinda sergeant major takes this kinda crap from an E-4? "You can eat, son, AFTER you fix your uniform AND after I get tired of you doing pushups" SHOULD've been the reply from ANY sergeant major.

but I love this quote from the 2nd page:

"I've been in the Army 27 years. A happy soldier is a bitching soldier."

Ain't that the truth. Never met an elnisted that didn't bitch about everything....UNTIL the Sarge got involved. Hell, I bitched about a boatload of things until I became a sarge.

[OldSmaj]

"Just because you're in a combat zone doesn't mean you can blow off Army regulations."

Holy Flashbacks!

I remember getting reamed by the Division CSM, among others, upon returning from an extended mission outside the wire in VN.

My faded jungle fatiques, tied tightly to my legs to keep from snagging trip wires, no head gear because it limited visibilty and movement, sleeveless t-shirt, open flak jacket, bandanna around my neck, etc, etc.

One look in my eyes usually shut the REMF's down though.

And even though I took the Sergeant Majors crap, I saw the twinkle in his eyes.

Ah, the memories.

[ElectricStrawberry]

I promptly saluted him in a combat zone!

Sniper's out sir!!!

[donmeaker]

1. soldiers need a helmet that protects their eyes, face and neck.
2. soldiers need body armor that protects neck, arms, legs, hips as well as torso.
3. soldiers need camouflage garments that goes over the armor, and over the web gear.
4. soldiers need undergarments that work with his movement to ventilate the body to keep him dry and exploit evaporative cooling.
4. soldiers need comfortable clothes when not in combat. For example: a hood on the shirt would be an unforgettable hat, and protect the neck from sunburn or cold.

[NYFriend]

Its a tough call, where to draw the line on these kinds of things. On one hand, why hassle people with stupid regs that don't improve their performance. On the other hand, many years ago armies learned that forcing soldiers to go on about their routines under combat conditions helped to keep them sane and focused on their jobs and not the very real dangers they face.

[Just another Joe]

"I'll bet you 10 bucks I'm outside this FOB just as much as any soldier" in the Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pring said.

"I'll see his 10 and make it 20," said Spec. Robert Layton of the 3rd Battalion.

Ya gotta love this comment!

[massgopguy]

Weren't such salutin' demons known as Garritroopers? To far up to wear ties and too far back to wear a helmet? One one my friends who was in Vietnam told me about the time he failed to salute a new officer who rode by in a Jeep. The Jeep backed up and the officer dressed him up and down and demanded an explanation. My friend told him that snipers shoot the guy who returns the salute. So he won't make the same mistake the next time that officer rides by.

[MineralMan]

REMF C.S. S.O.P.

[Natural Law]

We always unbuckled the chin straps in combat because the concussion of a near by explosion or the impact by a projectile could blow the helmet off with enough force to break your neck.

[Natural Law]

Are these the same REMFs who rifled through our rucksacks when we were on patrol or thought that falling out for inspection on a firebase was a good idea, but thought that waiving military protocol was only appropriate when their lives were in danger (such as not saluting when there might be snipers in the area)?

[Moose4]

Shades of Patton's Third Army.

}:-)4

[DJ Taylor]

I glad to see that the army hasn't changed to the point where soldiers are permitted to decide which regulations they will obey and which ones they will disobey.

[centurion316]

I'm sure some great stories will come from this post.

Mine is this - I had a few rules for my company when in the field: Shave and clean your weapon every day. Keep M60 ammo clean and in ammo bags. Keep M16 mags clean and load w/ 18 rds max. Wear what you want, but helmet and weapon with you at all times. I have a great picture of the company drying out after a typhoon. Everyone buck-assed naked, but wearing their helmets and carrying their weapons.

[LouD]

Some troops refer to the area around the palace, which is adorned with the 11th ACR's black stallion logo, as the BHPZ, or Black Horse Pedantic Zone.

Now that's funny!