AR 670-1: 3-7. Required or prohibited wearing of the Army uniform

3-7. Required or prohibited wearing of the Army uniform

Note. This paragraph is punitive with regard to Soldiers. Violation by Soldiers may result in adverse administrative action and/or charges under the provisions of the UCMJ.

a. All personnel will wear an Army uniform when on duty, unless granted an exception by the commander to wear

civilian clothes. The following personnel may grant exceptions:

(1) Commanders of ACOMs, ASCCs, and/or DRUs.

(2) The Secretary of Defense or designee, the Secretary of the Army, or the Assistant Secretaries of the Army.

(3) Heads of Department of Defense (DoD) agencies.

(4) Heads of DA Staff agencies or HQDA principal officials.

b. Personnel traveling on Air Mobility Command and non-Air Mobility Command flights on permanent change of

station orders, temporary duty (TDY), emergency leave, or space-available flights are authorized to wear civilian clothes. Personnel must ensure that the clothing worn is appropriate for the occasion and reflects positively on the Army. (See DoDD 4500.54E for information concerning mandatory wear of civilian clothing in foreign countries. The individual’s travel orders will reflect information authorizing wear of civilian clothing.)

c. Personnel on official travel and traveling by commercial travel means may wear the service uniform, the ACU,

or appropriate civilian attire, unless restricted by the commander.

d. Soldiers may wear optional uniform items as prescribed in this regulation and DA Pam 670–1. All uniform

combinations are authorized for year-round wear. However, Soldiers should use appropriate discretion based upon weather conditions and duties. Wearing combinations of uniform items not prescribed in this regulation, DA Pam 670–1, or other authorization documents approved by HQDA is prohibited. Commanders will not prescribe seasonal wear dates for uniform items, but may prescribe uniform(s) based on safety reasons (for example, for extreme cold or hot weather based on temperature).

e. Wearing a combination of civilian and military clothing is prohibited, unless prescribed in this regulation or

directed by the Secretary of the Army.

f. Bags, handbags, purses, and backpacks are authorized, but must adhere to the following criteria:

(1) Hand carried bags will be conservative and professional in appearance. Bags (to include civilian gym bags,

civilian backpacks, or other similar civilian bags) must be carried only in the hand if they do not meet the criteria outlined in paragraph 3–7f(2). DA Pam 670–1 provides additional descriptions and wear occasions for handbags.

(2) If Soldiers choose to wear a shoulder bag while in uniform, the bag must be black or match the colors of the

camouflage pattern uniform being worn, and may not have any commercial logos. The contents of the bag may not be visible; therefore, see-through plastic or mesh bags are not authorized. Soldiers may carry authorized bags by hand, on one shoulder using a shoulder strap, or over both shoulders using both shoulder straps. Soldiers may not wear a shoulder bag in such a manner that the strap is draped diagonally across the body, with the bag resting on the hip opposite the shoulder holding the strap.

(3) Commanders may prescribe the wear of organizational issue rucksacks in garrison and field environments.

g. Soldiers may continue to wear issued uniform items changed in design or material as long as the item remains

in serviceable condition, unless specifically prohibited by this regulation or DA Pam 670–1.

h. Civilian clothing is considered appropriate attire for individuals who are participating in civilian outdoor activ-

ities, such as volksmarches, orienteering, or similar activities. Soldiers who are spectators at these activities may wear the service uniform. Soldiers who are participating in, or observing these events, are not authorized to wear utility or field uniforms. However, commanders of participating units or of those units that provide support personnel (such as medical and traffic control personnel) may prescribe appropriate uniforms, to include utility or organizational uni- forms, if warranted by the occasion, weather conditions, or activity.

i. Soldiers may wear experimental uniform items while actively engaged in an experimental uniform test program

approved by Headquarters, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC); Headquarters, AMC; or the Army Uniform Board, HQDA. Soldiers will not wear experimental items after completion of the test, unless such wear has been approved by HQDA. j.

k. Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:

(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off duty civilian

employment.

(2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, ex-

cept as authorized by the first O–5 in the chain of command.

(3) When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization.

(4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army, as determined by the commander.

(5) When specifically prohibited by Army regulations.

l. Soldiers will wear headgear with the Army uniform, except under the following circumstances:

(1) Headgear is not required if it would interfere with the safe operation of military vehicles. Wearing military

headgear is not required while in or on a privately owned vehicle (to include a motorcycle, bicycle, or convertible automobile), a commercial vehicle, or on public conveyance (such as a subway, train, plane, or bus).

(2) Soldiers will not wear headgear indoors, unless under arms in an official capacity, or when directed by the

commander, such as for indoor ceremonial activities.

(3) Male and female Soldiers are not required to wear headgear to evening social events (after retreat) when wear-

ing the Army service and dress uniforms or the mess and evening mess uniforms.

(4) Soldiers will carry their headgear, when it is not worn, in their hands while wearing service, dress, mess, and

evening mess uniforms. Soldiers are authorized storage of the headgear, when it is not worn, in the Class C uniform cargo pockets, if applicable. Soldiers must fold the headgear neatly so as not to present a bulky appearance. They may also elect to store it at the small of the back, with the bill tucked in the belt, provided there is no bulky appearance and the headgear remains hidden from view. Soldiers will not attach headgear to the uniform or hang it from the belt.